Purgatory, Colorado

Since we were up in Colorado for Christmas, we decided to have some fun. We took Megan and Gracey snowboarding at Purgatory for a day. Jim even taught himself how to snowboard and did super well boarding with his brother Steve. I chose to ski and not try something new. I know I can ski and didn't want to be on my bottom falling all day long. Lift tickets are way too expensive for that. Ha! I ended up skiing by myself as the boys were slower than me in learning. I put in my ipod and enjoyed myself immensely. The only issue I had was all the snowboarders in my way. I was terrified of hitting one! They board for a minute then sit. Mind you, they do not sit on the side of the slope. They sit smack dab in the middle or where ever they feel like it. I think they should make the right side of the slopes "skiers only" and the left side "snowboarders only". That way we can relax while we ski. I was a wreck! The girls did okay. Megan fell a lot and loved it when the instructors were there but fell apart when we were there. Typical. Gracey absolutely loved it.

Jameson turns 5

Jameson decided she wanted to eat at "chinese" food for her birthday dinner. We did not plan a party but decided to have Reb's family meet us there at the last minute to eat. Whenever we eat at our favorite chinese restaurant, the kids put the napkins on their heads (like Peter Pan) and think it is so fun (thanks to Papa Updike). It is a tradition now and they sit with the napkins on their heads until the food comes. They introduced Reb's family to it on this special birthday dinner. What a great time our kids all have together.

Finally! A New Family Picture!

We were able to go home to Hemet for Thanksgiving this year. We left Thanksgiving morning, very early to get there in time to take family pictures. We went to the Coldplay concert the night before for Jim's birthday present from July with friends and had to go in the morning. It worked out great and I was so happy the kids were cooperating and happy. We have not had a family picture taken since Luke was one year old so it feels go to check that off my list of things to do. We are so very blessed to have Rachael and her amazing photography skills. This was so fun and I appreciate Rachie for sharing her talent with us. I finally got my wall done of the kids in Idaho and this with it. It has been so neat every night to walk in the family room, sit down and look at my beautiful kids and their pictures. I love it. It is my most favorite part about my whole house.

Halloween 2008

Halloween this year was so fun. We went to Heather and Jeff's cul-de-sac again and trick-or-treated. Luke was way into helmets and motorcycles so his outfit was easy. I just went to the camping trailer and pulled out his helmet and an old shirt. Done. Jamers was all about Rosetta from Tinkerbell and friends this year and wanted her costume so bad. We couldn't leave Walmart with out it. Gracey was an awesome witch. She could not decide what to be and wanted to match Cassie (no surprise there) so we found her costume at Cracker Barrel of all places. Reb bought Cassie the same one and they were twins again this year. Last year they were both brides. Megan chose another book character. If you remember last year she was Nancy Drew. This year she read all the Harry Potter books in order from 1-8 (or 9?) and then backwards from 8 (or 9?) to 1. She wanted to be Hermine from the books. I am interested to see what character she picks next October.

Gracey and Mommy Time

Gracey and I had the chance to go to the Cardinals VS Cowboys game this weekend. Megan went with Jim to the SUNS game earlier in the week so it was Gracey's turn to go with one of us. They so look forward to their alone time with us and it is so good for us. The game was AMAZING and we won! It was very exciting.

Jim as a Woman

Megan is way into dressing herself up, so a couple weeks ago, she decided to dress Jim up while he and Luke were watching a football game. He's going to kill me for posting this but I could not resist.

Luke's Disappearing Act

This week I needed to drive the kids to school having missed the bus, so we when we went to get in the car I could not find Luke. I yelled his name, looked all over the house, in the front yard and back yard twice and started to panic. I checked the garage twice and still nothing. I sent Gracey to find him too and she yelled for me to come in the garage. Upon entering it, I saw her standing in front of the suburban and she told me to come look. I walked to the front of the car and saw this...Luke in an American Girl sled, Jim's goggles on his head and his motorcycle gloves on his hands. What a stinker! He wouldn't even smile, he thought he was in trouble. I was a bit miffed that he said nothing with me yelling for him. He is into hiding.