Hip-happy anniversary!

Happy anniversary to my dearest husband. Had mucho fun celebrating with you in Salt Lake City. I love you so.

green day

3/17/2010. He's got some Irish in him, right? He sure looks cute in his new green dinosaur shirt on his first St. Patty's Day.

becoming a boy

3/14/2010. This little baby of mine is slowly turning into a boy. He turned 11 months old on March 14th and now there are only 3 weeks left until he turns 1. Wow. Love his smile, his hugs, kisses, cuddles, hair, blue eyes, soft skin, rosy red cheeks, his happiness. Love him so much.

One house, 5 dogs, 4 adults, 4 boys, 1 cat, some wrestling, and a partridge in a pear tree

Laila, Brett, Rand, Scott, Jakob, Sadie, Chewy, and Cinny came to stay with us a few weeks ago when Randy was in the State wrestling tournament. Randy is a junior in high school (I cannot believe this). I was very excited and proud to watch him wrestle at State, although wrestling makes me cringe, it looks so painful and not fun (and you can't eat bad at all during the season - LAme!!), and I always here the kids say, "it doesn't hurt that bad." What?! Anywho, he took 4th at State and I couldn't be more proud. I sure love this kid. We are two peas in a pod, he and I, although as we both age he probably doesn't think his Aunt C is quite as cool as she used to be, but we still have a ball together.

I was very excited to see the whole crew, but mostly excited to see my brother-in-law Brett. He recently gave us a scare when he had a heart attack, had to be rushed in an ambulance many miles away from Challis, was in the ICU, and had to be hospitalized and recover for quite some time. I am so very THANKFUL he is here today and was able to make the trip to Poky. He is as tough as an ox (and as stubborn!-I think they are stubborn, right?). Anyway, I really love Brett so much. He has been my bro-in-law for over 11 years. He is a great guy...funny, sarcastic, an AMAZING Dad and Husband, he is passionate (takes full advantage of Idaho outdoors - is in love with fishing and hunting), has a lot of heart, can cook a mean elk steak (honestly like nothing else I've ever tasted), and is so very dependable. I remember numerous times Brett helped me out by "fixing" my cars...and now has moved on to Jason's ever so reliable red ninja truck, over the years, because he is like the most reliable mechanic on earth. And, when he and Lai lived just two doors down from me long ago he came over one morning before he had to go to work (because I was freaking out!) to  help turn off my water heater and fix it when it went out (water was everywhere in my basement and I didn't know what to do!). Such a great guy. I'm very thankful you are part of our lives and part of our family. We are lucky and we all love you so much.

happy birthday grampy

Happy belated birthday Gary. I think you are on Carter's top 5 best friends list. maybe. Yeah right, you know you are!

Thanks for all you do for us and loving Carter like you love cycling. You are awesome! :-)

Pebble

Dad said he hadn't been to our local hill since I was little and he only recalls skiing on the bunny hill. Well, he got to ski our amazing mountain, all of it, for experts only. I'm excited to report he thought it was an amazing hill. It's our little secret out here. 2,200 vertical and only a 20 minute drive and a $250 season pass, not bad, eh? Now, if they only sold bumper stickers, right Dad?!

First Lift Johnny

So, my Dad finally came out west to visit from Chicago. It was so wonderful! He hadn't seen Carter since he was 10 weeks old so I'm sure he looked a lot BIGGER since he is now 10 months (well almost 11 now that I'm posting this). He stayed for two weeks, Jackson for a week with friends, and Poky for a week with us.

It was really great to spend time with my Dad. We skied a bunch, hung out, watched the Olympics, ate, drank, laughed, and best of all Carter got to hang with Gramps. We had some good times. Oh, and my Dad really took care of us and put himself to work while he was here (he was supposed to be on vacation!). He put together these two huge steel shelves that were sitting in boxes in our garage since maybe thanksgiving, and cleaned and organized our garage. What a world class guy. I guess parents never stop taking care of their kids. I would show you before and after pictures, but before pictures would just make you wanna throw up with how dusty, messy, and not-so-organized it was.

Good buddies, Carter, Dad, and a great guy Ken

Carter, Dad, Ken, Jason, Jake

Carter and Grandpa John laughing and watching the Olympics

late

I stay up way too late working on homework, running to walmart or fred meyer for this or that and groceries, doing laundry, cleaning, surfing the Web, balancing the checkbook and entering it into my Excel budget. I am such a night owl, but can never seem to answer the same old question day after day, why do I stay up so late? I ask myself this each morning when I am so very tired. I wish I could be more disciplined and go to bed early.

Yes, I'll take some cheese with my wine (whine).