The Best of Christmas

 

 

 

 

Sledding with Max and Nana

We took Nana sledding up in the mountains when she visited. It was a beautiful day to get out of the smog in the valley and breath the clean mountain air.

 

 

 

Merry Christmas

Happy Halloween

 

the most fertile zoo ever

we visited the hogle zoo last weekend and were able to see a baby elephant, giraffe, tiger, and orangutan.

 

 

 

 

Chief Big Yellow Pee Pants

We went on a hike/drive to see the fall colors. Natalie ended up having to go pee, "girl-scout style", except she is still trying to learn the technique. She peed on the uphill side of a down hill slope, so needless to say her tribal name shall henceforth be known as "Chief Big Yellow Pee Pants," (and also one sock if you want to get technical.) Anyways we bestowed this name on her during this photo shoot. The laughter shots are priceless. The fall colors were nice too.

 

 

 

 

Poop or Nutella??

For those of you who know a little of Katie's history might have a difficult time with this question.

 

 

 

Still Crazy After All These Years!

While I RARELY do the blogging for our family, I knew I would have to do this post, due to Josh's humility concerning the topic. While, I am not one to want to brag to the world, I could not miss this chance to share with my fellow "wife" friends out there that amid the many "Gosh, he drives me crazy!!" conversations we've had about our husbands, occasionally that "I'm so glad I married him" moment does still come along and puts life in to perspective. So for all you romatics out there, here's a little story... as you saw on the blog, Josh and I just celebrated our 8th anniversary. Now I had mentioned in passing at one point that I would LOVE a nice, modest diamond anniversary band for our tenth anniversary, and I knew Josh had been stashing little bits of money away to save for it. Well, about a month ago, our youngest Katie, who puts EVERYTHING in her mouth, managed to get her little hands on my wedding band and POOF it disappeared. I have scoured EVERY inch of this house for it. The final concensus, either Katie threw it down the heating vent, or ate it. Hmmmmm. While certainly heartbroken that I lost my wedding ring, the thing the bugged me the most was being out in public with three kids and no wedding ring. Maybe somewhat too self-concious, but it bugged the be-gee-bees out of me. So one night on a family trip to the mall, I dragged Josh into a jewelry store to try on some annivesary bands just for the heck of it and see how much they costed. Josh was gave me his "yeah nice, but expensive" response, so I kind of shelved the idea and decided maybe I would just get a cheap band to wear for another 2 years. Fast forward to our overnight at Snowbird. We'd had a fun day, had eaten dinner, and despite the fact that I was FREEZING-(we'd eaten out on a patio), Josh really wanted to go for a walk to "look for a moose". I was not being very cooperative to say the least. It was dark, I was cold, even though I was bundled up, and my legs were tired. And, honestly I could really care less about seeing a moose, but he dragged me along anyway, complaining the whole way. (I'm kicking myself for that now). We got lost looking for a trail, and ended up on a balcony on the back of the Snowbird activity center. I had really had enough at this point, to which Josh said, "alright, I guess we'll stop here. See any moose down there?" I went ahead to take a look, just to be nice. All of a sudden, I turn to JOsh to tell him "Nope, no moose, can we go now?" and I see him DOWN ON ONE KNEE HOLDING A LITTLE VELVETY BLACK BOX!!!! I was so shocked I can only imagine my face. "What, what are you doing, what is this?" Josh replied, "Nicky, will you stay married to me? Happy Anniversary" and opens the box to show me a beautiful diamond anniversary band. Yep, I was crying. It takes a lot to surprise me and WHOA DID HE NAIL IT!!!!!! So, in conclusion, it was one awesome weekend. I'd say all eight years have been worth it for that one heart melting moment! My husband rocks!

/Conclusion

 

Snowbird Retreat

Nicky and I spent a night in Snowbird to celebrate our 8th Anniversary. Tristan and Terri were kind enought to watch our kids and sleep in our bed. It was a great day and a half. Thanks again T1 and T2

This is a shot we affectionately call "The Ashely and Ethan"

 

This is a picture of the Snowbird tram we took while riding the chairlift down the mountain.

 

This is at the top of the tram ride: elevation 11,000ft

 

This is the hotel we stayed in

 

First Day of First Grade

 

 

 

While today was everyone else in the district's 2nd day of school, today was Nat's FIRST day...thanks to a quick onset of the 24 hours stomach flu which reared it's ugly vomiting head at 2AM the morning of what was to be her first day. She was feeling great this morning, though, so off we headed to the bus stop. Back in Janesville, we lived across the street from school, and so I heard on many occasions, "Mom, when can I ride a school bus to school?". Needless to say, Nat was in her glory when she found out she rides a bus to school here. It was definately a "moment" to have her climb on that big bus by herself and drive away. I can still vividly remember the picture of ME walking to the bus stop with my dad, in a blue dress and knee high socks (oh yeah!) on my first day of first grade. It's one of those scary mom moments (you moms know what I'm talking about) when you ponder the fact that you have a daughter now doing the same thing you did not so seemingly long ago. I'll admit, I had to bite my lip a bit to fight the potential emotional outburst.
All said and done, she LOVES her first grade teacher and had a great first day!

East High in the Hizzaouse

Unless you have every song in High School Musical 1, 2 & 3 memorized, you won't completely understand the monumental occasion this was. We Took the girls to see the high school where they filmed High School Musical. they got to see the lunch room, the locker rooms, the gym, the auditorium, the bathroom where Gabriella hides from Sharpay, Troy, Gabriella and Sharpay's lockers. It was off the hook!

 

 

 

Hike up to Cecret Lake

the three little mountaineers and I hiked up to Cecret Lake today. It was a beautiful hike. I can't believe they made it to the top, but the view was worth it. Notice Audrey's pose on top of the snow... she gets that from her Uncle Tristan

 

 

 

 

Tour de Donut

My three little ladies and I did the Tour de Donut bike ride this morning. Not quite the Tour de France, but there are donuts at the end. Natalie completed the 7 mile course. There is a race portion with three laps and the more donuts you eat at the end of each lap the more time you get taken off your ride, it is pretty funny to watch. The gentle man in the last picture had just smashed three donuts together and was eating them like a sandwich