January 2014

Here is it another year.  A few hundred more grey hairs, another adventure to live.  We spent a few days the first week at Grandma and Grandpa's.  Nice to have no obligations and just be around to visit.  Bathing in Grandma's big tub with bubbles is always an entertainment!

The first big snowfall always brings extra fun and excitement.  Kade won't stop asking when Christmas is.  To him, it's all associated, right?!  The kids have the best dad.  He always spends time lugging snow to a big snow hill that will keep them busy for weeks.  He built one in the back and front yard this year, complete with a little side wall twisty thing to add to the fun of sledding.  With another snowfall this week, we finally ventured to the park with awesome hills for the kids to get a little faster action!  Rea got a small snowboard this year for Christmas.  While she was scared and shrieking most of the tries, Kade was brave and fearless.  They both made it down the hills on it, but obviously enjoy the wild abandonment of a sled.  It's hard to stay out long though, because even if the sun is shining, it's still only 20 degrees!
Any resemblance?

The kids also got their very first package ALL the way from SOUTH AFRICA!!  They were so excited and loved their gifts.  Thanks Nana and Papa.  Sure do miss you!

A favorite family time is playing games.  I LOVE that my kids are old enough to play games with us.  Kade gets a little bored if he's not winning, and EVERYONE is a sore loser...but it's fun right :)

And this kid is just "awthome"

2013 - Wrapping up another fantastic year!

The end of 2013 is peaking in the door.  So hard to believe.  So hard to imagine! We just spent out 3rd Christmas here in Idaho Falls.  It seems like eternities since we once vacated another home.  Another life!
The past few months have been a hustle and a bustle.  Always your life the last 2 months of the year, when your life revolves around retail.  It brought our first 2 major holidays without my parents!  It was odd, but lowkey.  We enjoyed Thanksgiving with Mike's extended family.  It was a quick trip for the two of us, and fortunately, we have help with the kiddos afterward, so Mike and I can display our first of many blood shot eyes. I can't believe I went the entire day without photos:(

December comes in like a freight train. It's hard to believe all the preparation that Mike does for months and months come in so quickly and leaves just the same. We have experienced the freezing cold Eastern Idaho winters with little moisture.  No matter how hard you brace yourself, there is little preparation to the mind.  It's. Just. COLD. Christmas was a lot of fun this year.  I love that my kids are older and enjoy it and the anticipation and all that surrounds it.  Heidi was here this year and we loved having her company.  She's always a big help with the kids and they love to have her around.  They spent Christmas Eve in her room and awoke quite early as well!  The day was filled with gifts, relaxing, and more gifts.  The kids wishes were granted. Always food of course.  The rush of the storm has a calm aftermath which we embrace:)

Here's a little bit of what the crazy Ernie was up to the month of December....
taking "selfies"

 Enjoying some junk

 Took a ride in Rusty Dusty Crophopper (kade's nickname)

With the dawn of a new year approaching, we are always grateful for the year we lived.  What an awesome, blessed, fun-filled year it was.  We went so many places, discovered so many new things, relived old fun haunts, and loved spending time together as a family.  It's who we are, it's how we try to live.  One day, when we have slowed and aged, I hope that my kids can think about all the years growing up, and mostly remember how present their parents and loved ones were.  We feel so blessed with the ability to do this, with the health that we have, security we enjoy.  What a wonderful year!!