Sledding with the Barton's

While the Barton's were visiting with us, we took the kids sledding. It turned out to be sooo much fun, we laughed our heads off numerous times. Even the adults got into the sledding and joined the fun! Here is Eliza going for a big jump....




Max eating the snow and being warned to steer clear of any yellow snow, yikes!!

The Princess being carried up the hill. Now this is the way sledding should be. Walking back up the hill is the hardest part.

Here's Gage, dramatic as ever!! He should really go into acting someday!

Valentine's Day Surprise!!

For Valentine's Day Blake and his friend Colby planned a surprise trip to the Homestead for me and Colby's wife Kelli. We had no idea where we were going and we didn't even know that we were staying overnight until just before we left, they packed our bags and everything. It was very sweet and very fun. We went cross country skiing, which I had never done before and I also hadn't been on any type of skis since before Max was born. I was feeling quite rusty, but ended up doing just fine. While we were getting all of our gear rented a Homestead employee asked us if we would mind being taped for the Travel Channel, they were highlighting the hot spring/geyser there for a show called Amazing Pools. We said sure and they taped us skiing and had us say some cheesy lines. It was quite the experience and who knows if we'll make the cut or not for the final show, but it gave us some good times to remember and some funny moments to laugh about. After skiing we went to dinner at the Shady Lady. They had some very interesting entrees on the menu but we all found something to order and everyone liked what they ordered. Then we went back to the Homestead to swim in the geyser, it was very warm and relaxing. We decided we hadn't had enough so we went to see Taken in Park City, and drove through a pretty heavy snow storm to get there. We must of all been seriously craving some popcorn!! The next morning the boys scheduled me a pedicure and Kelli a massage, another surprise. Aren't they the best??? I have the sweetest husband ever! Thanks Blake for a very funfilled surprise mini vacation! I love you!!!

Eliza loves to put on makeup. She would do it everyday if I let her. She is such a girl, almost painfully so sometimes, but don't let me fool you I LOVE every minute of it. It thrills me to see her so girly. She loves shopping, painted nails, getting her hair curled, going with me to get pedicures, lunch with the girls, looking pretty, anything pink and/or sparkly, jewelry, etc. Well, Grandma Bobbie bought her a nice big kit of makeup and when we went to Disney World and she went to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, they gave her the rest of the makeup and nail polish they used on her and Auntie Kristie gave her a fun Hannah Montana (another favorite of hers) makeup case to store all of it in so she has been stocked up and ready to use it. I let her get it out and use it one day while I was on the computer doing some homework and this beautiful face is what I turned around to find...


This is her "Don't I look pretty mommy.....you're not mad, right?" face. I wasn't mad in the slightest, but I do think it took a day or two for all of that makeup to come off, even after washing it with soap and water.


Here's a close up of the masterpiece...

Jr. Jazz

Gage played Jr. Jazz this year, Max didn't want to no matter how much coaxing I did until after it started and was too late. Typical right? I wish he would of agreed sooner though because Gage really enjoyed it and I think it was good for him to get some B-ball skills under his belt. After he started he got a little more into playing sports at school during recess, which is a good thing since that is what most of the boys do at recess. Gage did great, he hustled, really gave it his all, and most importantly - he had fun.


Eliza acting really silly for the camera during one of the games. She is in a stage where she loves to do this. I can't take the camera out without her asking me to take some silly pics of her.


Part of signing up for Jr. Jazz means you get to meet a Jazz player. We got to go and see Deron Williams. Gage is so enthralled by celebrities so he was quite excited about this. Unfortunately he was a little disappointed because they didn't do autographs but he still had fun. He got to go down on the court and dribble the ball and partipate in a little game.




At the end they gave out signed pictures of Deron Williams which all three kids thought was pretty cool. Jr. Jazz was definitely worth the effort, Gage said he'd do it again.

Eliza's 1/2 Birthday at preschool

Eliza had her half birthday at preschool since she's a July birthday. She decided that she wanted to take donuts for a treat and I surprised her and also took Squeez-its, she LOVES them. I took two of her scrapbooks and talked all about her and how much we LOVE having her in our family. She loved every minute of it, she loves seeing and hearing about herself as a baby. One of her favorite things to do it to look at her scrapbooks. She'll look at them over and over if I let her. It was fun to see her so excited! Love you like crazy Lizey Lou!!

In this bottom picture Eliza is giving me her totally silly give me a kiss face, I adore this sweet little face of hers! It never fails in making me smile!

Ringing in 2009!!!

This year for New Year's Eve we kept it pretty simple and just stayed home. I bought a party kit and some sparkling cider and the kids were in heaven! Blake wasn't so much though, the kids were blowing the horns well before midnight. He was a good sport though and let them have their fun, headache and all. All three of them even stayed awake to see the Times Square ball drop. It was about 1 a.m. before they winded down and finally fell asleep.






Eliza and her streamer hat....

Christmas 2008

We had an amazing Christmas this year, the kids were spoiled of course and got almost everything they asked for. I say almost because some of the requests were a little out there, Gage wanted a new dirt bike for instance and we just weren't going to spend $2000 on each of our kids. Sorry Gage. We did have a fabulous time though. We woke up to a great breakfast, had a fun filled morning with all of the new gifts and then went to Grandma Jan's house to spend the rest of Christmas Day with Blake's family. Later that night we went and watched Bedtime Stories to end our day. Here are some pics and a few of the gifts the kids received.


The boys got Guitar Hero World Tour, they also each got a Jazz jersey, and a couple of Bionicles. Gage also got an origami kit because he loved it so much at the breakfast with Santa activity, a couple of Nintendo DS games and a new MP4 player.

Max also got a new camera, a light up coloring board, play-doh, and

Eliza got a Learn to Potty baby doll, a Little Mermaid dress,a Barbie princess castle, a light up coloring board, and a Littlest Pet Shop toy.

They each got a few other little things in their stockings as well. The gifts were fun, but the important part is that we all had a great time using them together as a family and making some memorable moments.