Once there was a Snowman, or two

FYI-The following post should be dated January 1st, 2010...I will move it later so it is archived in January.

We were so excited to get enough snow to build a snowman. Isaac and Emma were all over it. They each built their own. I suggested that we build them near each other so they looked like friends...of course Isaac thought that would look like they were married, and therefore would be far too sissy. So they are no where near each other. Which is why there is not a picture with both snowmen (or women) together.

You'll notice a small discrepancy in how my kids treated their snow person.

We had a fun time!

Ski Season 2009

Eric was able to get quite a bit of skiing in this season. There were some Friday ski trips with Tyler, taking Gabe out of school for a day, and a couple more Saturday trips with the kids. I even decided to try it out (I haven't been skiing since before we were married).

Eric-- rippin' it up.

Gabe and Eric skipping out on school and work. Way to set your priorities!

I thought I was going to be a good sport but I enjoyed it so much that we went up again 2 weeks later and I purchased my own season pass! Crazy.

1st day ever for some, 1st day in a looong time for others

Jan. 17th, 2009

Eric was really excited this year to start up skiing again after a long hiatus. He bought himself some gear and hit the slopes with some friends. I think he had been skiing once in our almost 11 years of marriage. He loved it and went a ton this season.

Eric decided that ski school would be the best way to get the kids good at skiing.

They loved it...especially the hot chocolate the ski school provided.

Eric really wants the kids to love skiing so for the first trip out he was shooting for a non miserable experience...he just wants them to WANT to try it again.

Using that criteria the ski trip was a smashing success.

Isaac's Baptism

We were so proud of Isaac for wanting to be baptized. He was so insistent about wanting to be baptized in Utah I was a little worried, because it looked like that wasn't going to happen for a while there. But everything worked out and it was a wonderful day! Almost everyone from both sides of our family was able to be there, and it was the day after Christmas so that was fun too.

We were so grateful for everyones willingness to help get everything ready for the big day. The program went really well, we had Uncle Sterling and Grandpa give talks and Amy played the violin. We all sang Christmas Hymns as we waited for Isaac and Eric to change. Eric and I were both able to share our testimonies at the end.

After the baptism we had an assortment of soups and salads with some rolls. It was easy thanks to all the people who offered to bring stuff and very tasty! Isaac really wanted to have a birthday cake at the Baptism so we all sang him a happy Birthday song and had cake.

He is such a sweet little boy. He is affectionate, caring, energetic, imaginative and just the cutest kid ever. I love you Isaac and I am so glad you decided to be baptized. What a special day!

Meg was put in her car seat because she fell asleep. When she woke up she decided to take a peek out. I thought this picture was pretty funny even though it doesn't really relate to the post...I just had to add it.

Christmas Morning

Packing up Christmas was a pain but turned out just fine. This photo shows where we set up, Jamie and Jed, Jamie and Kirk, Eric and I, Mindi and Dave, and my Parents all had our Christmases in the big family room so it was quite the sight to see...presents everywhere!

EMMA really liked her music box that was filled with jewelry.

ISAAC loved the rock polisher, he even got a book all about rocks and minerals to go with it.

GABE was super excited about his Ipod! The boys both loved the Nerf dart tag they got to share.

Our little babies slept in so we didn't open their presents until later that morning, so the adults got to go next.

ERIC was thrilled and surprised by his IPhone. I was really happy about my new black skirt and black boots. (even though there are no photos to document it, this photo of the babies and me was all we ended up with.)
When Elijah and Meg finally woke up they were more interested in breakfast than presents so after they were fed they finally got down to business

ELIJAH Loved both his toys, the dump truck was a huge hit and the little radio kept him entertained the whole car trip home.

MEG didn't know quite what to think but she still had a good time!

Everyone who lived nearby had their Christmases at home then made there way to Grandmas when they finished up for more gifts from Grandma and Grandpa.

The kids had quite the stash this year!!

The boys also loved the marble maze from our other Grandma and Grandpa. They had a ton of fun putting it together and even more fun watching the marbles go through it.

What a great Christmas!!

PS--all these pics were taken in the PJ's Grandma and Granpa Gave them, Here are the PJ's from Eric and Me:

Isaac's Getting Baptized

Obviously I need to do a MAJOR blog update...my "to blog" folder on my computer is full of TONS of pictures but that will have to wait until after Christmas. For now I just wanted to post the cute announcement my sister made. I told her what I had in mind and she is a whiz at photo shop. I really liked the way it turned out. She also took that picture of Isaac for me when we went to Utah for Thanksgiving.

Thanks Jacki...you are awesome!

8 is Great!

Isaac turned 8 this month. Gabe started out the day by giving him 2 pokeman cards...how nice Gabe.

A little later he opened his present from Grandma

After church the next day, we had time to break open Grandma's gift and Isaac had so much fun...Eric-not so much. Eric's words "the makers of this toy hate children and the parents who raise them". The general idea of the toy is that you put together the skeleton and then build the outer casing and then pour in a mixture that hardens up making the body of the dinosaur. It sounds alot easier than it was. I was laughing at Eric trying to show Isaac how much fun this was. I think the main problem was that there were tons of tiny pieces and elastic and all sorts of stuff and the instructions had a couple diagrams and thats about it. You just kind of had to figure it out.

Even though it was kind of a pain, Isaac sure thought it was cool and still has them displayed in his room.

Next we had birthday cake and he opened his presents from us.

Isaac wanted blondies for his birthday cake, but of course he wanted it decorated as well...Eric helped Isaac turn it into a dinosaur landscape complete with a volcano made out of brownies.

When He blew out the candles it looked like the volcano was smoking...Isaac thought it was really cool!

Happy Birthday Isaac.

You are such a fun tender hearted ball of energy. You have an incredible imagination and you are a great artist. I am glad that I was chosen to be your Mom!! I love you.

Kids Pics by Jacki

My sister is a great photographer and took some real quick photos of my kids for me. I got there late so we were running out of daylight, but she still managed to get at least one good shot of each of my kids. The one of them together was a bust because my little Elijah was crying in every shot.

GABE

ISAAC

EMMA

ELIJAH

MEG

OUR KIDDOS

Jacki made this photocard for me on photoshop...She is so talented and creative! Thanks again Jacki!! I love it! I was trying to get one photo of all the kids and just get a photocard from a store or something, but since the group shots didn't turn out (because of one child that shall remain nameless) I asked Jacki if she could throw something together.

MERRY CHRISTMAS