CAGEZ in bloom

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

New York - 9/11 Memorial

2011-12-01T08:57:00.001-08:00

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Halloween

2011-11-04T09:40:00.001-07:00

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Fall Break Breakfast

2011-10-21T13:22:00.001-07:00

Crepes with raspberries, bananas and nutella and Vanilla hot chocolate.

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Notable Quotes from today

2011-10-05T20:04:00.001-07:00

(Ella crying)
Cory: Why is Ella crying?
Alison: Because she has the worst mom in the world
Grant: Ya, we all do.

****

Alison: Grant, did you ask your teacher if you have to do the science fair project?
Grant: No
Alison: I told you to ask her today.
Grant: I did.
Alison: You asked her?
Grant: No
Alison: No you didn't ask her or no you don't have to do it?
Grant: No, I'm not doing it. It is in January.
Alison: What is in January?
Grant: The Science Fair.
Alison: Why is it in January? Are you supposed to do a project?
Grant: No. It is in January.
Alison: I understand it is in January. Do you have to do a project in January?
Grant: I don't know

****

Ella (while kids are taking pictures of her at the field trip): Wow. This must be what it feels like to have paparazzi fans.

****

Zach: Today at school I switched three of my periods so now I have Utah Studies, then Language Arts and Choir last.
Alison: Why did you switch?
Zach: I don't know.
30 seconds later . . .the reason for the big switch is revealed.
Zach: Mom, a cute girl I know is in all three of my new classes.

****

Alison: Hey C, help me think of a good name for my twitter account.
Cory: Silver Fox. Northridge Hottie. Easy-A-PTA
Alison: Forget it.

First Day of School

2011-09-27T07:53:00.001-07:00

The first day of school came really early this year. G and El started a week before Z. We had our annual first day of school breakfast at the bus stop. Unfortunately, our bus stop is really little this year.

Zach started a week later. I loved the uniform the first week because he looked fancy. Now, I'm bored with it. And he has a whole closet of clothes with tags hanging off of them. But according to his health teacher, "Uniforms are important because you can't tell who is rich and who is poor." HUH?? Its ok. I'm sure I'll get used to going to his school and not knowing which kid is mine because they all look the same.

Summer 2011 - Bear Lake

2011-09-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Bear Lake in August + Family equals . . .

2 wave runners and 1 boat, big fish, wake boards, paddle board, wipe outs on the tube, sandcastles, seagulls chasing the boat, miniature golf, raspberry shakes, paddle ball high scores, first ones on the beach daily, magic trail mix bars

Signs Grant Might Be Bad

2011-01-26T09:56:00.000-08:00

grant talking to zach and ella
(background: cory is zach's favorite, i am grant's favorite, ella is an equal opportunity child which is fine because everything is equal)
grant: ella - is mom your favorite?
ella: no. i don't have a favorite.
grant: but mom should be your favorite - you are both girls
ella: ya but i like dad the same as mom
grant: great. i like dad best now, zach likes dad best. no one is left to like mom best.

(should i give him points for at least trying to find a replacement?)

walking through the mall with the family - i try to hold grant's hand . . .
grant: mom, why do you always try to hold my hand?
mom: sorry - do you not want to hold my hand?
grant: no. i'm kinda old and it is kinda embarrassing.
mom: ok, that is fine.
grant walks five steps forward and grabs dad's hand.

???

* but my favorite quote of the week *
i set out a cardigan sweater for grant to wear to school. he comes up to breakfast and exclaims (eyes red from stress):
why am i wearing my sunday best?!?

i've never used the term sunday best and i haven't got a clue where he got it but i thought it was awesome - even if the sweater did end up back in the closet.

Ella's Eighth

2011-01-26T09:46:00.000-08:00

my favorite things about ell this year -
cleaning out her room (bear with me) and finding an entire garbage bags worth of notes and pictures
the way she spells her friend sophie's name "sope"
when she begs grant to let his webkinz marry her webkinz
the way she sings happy birthday to people when they visit her pretend restaurant

New York

2011-01-24T14:14:00.001-08:00

Sick Days

2011-01-19T10:43:00.001-08:00

past two months - five people

sore throat cough runny nose congested head fever body aches amoxicillan augmenten tamiflu albuterol breathing machines chills more aches cough drops two bottles of tylenol cold and flu

we miss summer

Excellent Chinese

2011-01-18T13:34:00.000-08:00

i went to ella's class to correct papers right after the kids went back to school from christmas break. ella came running up to me and said . . .

mom, you are going to have the best birthday ever - you know why? I got principal's pride!

{with mimi}

she was recognized for . . .

{and i quote}
speak a lot of chinese always happy

if i could say * great job * in chinese i would. but since i can't, i'll just quote strongbad and say . .

great jorb ramrod

Resolution for 2011

2011-01-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

I am really bad at resolutions. I think because there is so much I really need to resolve to accomplish, I become paralyzed with the depth of the ever growing list. Unlike my highly organized, efficient husband who sets goals and actually works toward them, I sort of just do what needed to be done 5 minutes ago. This year I changed tactics.

No resolutions - not specifically anyway. I chose a word from a talk by Elder Uchtdorf:

Create

That is my word for this year. I can do a lot with it. I can create order (organize all those dumb closets in my house). I can create health (get back in shape). I can create memories (trips and time with the family). Lots to do with this word. And it doesn't matter how much or how little I do, I can still accomplish.

In Elder Uchtdorf's words:

improve
beautify
extend
smile
cultivate
develop
CREATE

Christmas Greetings

2010-12-23T11:53:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving

2010-12-13T14:33:00.001-08:00

Our first Thanksgiving dinner at home with just the 5 of us. It was actually really great and we may have caught the "stay home" fever for future Thanksgivings. C was very nervous about my first attempt at a Turkey but as anyone knows, anything can taste delicious doused in that much butter.

The "Thankful Pig" that we stuffed full of notes about our favorite things about each other. We read the notes after dinner. A great tradition.

Gugg and His Blanket

2010-12-13T12:16:00.000-08:00

Mom: Grant, that's not a blanket you use. It is a blanket that sits on the couch.
Grant: Awww, I thought a blanket was supposed to be a blanket.

GTU and Ella

2010-11-19T12:18:00.001-08:00

Want to watch? Here is the link:

Durable Kids Clothing from Oopsie Daisy

This week, Ella was on TV. She was a clothing model for a children's store called Oopsie Daisy.

Ella's dumb mom forgot to tell her to look at the camera instead of the host so we really only got a good profile shot. But she is awesome nonetheless.

She was really excited about it and told the kids at school. Isaac, who sits next to her in class, told her he didn't believe her. This is the same Isaac who breaks his promises to her.
So, we would like to say . . .
Take That Isaac!

All Hollows Eve

2010-11-07T12:20:00.000-08:00

Halloween started early this year at our house. I had surgery the first week of September. Days before my surgery, Grant confessed that he had two big concerns:
1. I wouldn't feel good enough to decorate for Halloween after my surgery, and
2. That I would die and Cory would marry a monster that ate him.

So Grant and I kindly asked C not to marry a monster if I die, and we pulled out the Halloween decorations on September 1.

On Halloween day, we were greeted by...
Little Red Riding Hood
A member of the S.W.A.T Team
and
"Joe" the Chuck-E-Cheese employee, complete with mullet and 64 oz mug of who knows what.

Once Halloween was over (actually, almost to the very second it was over), the witches were replaced with Turkeys and the pumpkins were thrown off the roof. Because . . . well, why not?

Photo Booth

2010-10-23T20:46:00.001-07:00

Scenes of Denver

2010-08-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

The Lobby of the Brown Palace Hotel
We went on the coolest tour here. The hotel historian was weaving tales of gold, ghosts and brothels. The hotel has so much history. We took tours of the Presidential suite, saw Napoleon's treasures, and searched for intentional artistic mistakes in the hotel.

(me sitting on the President's bed)

Denver has the best and biggest maze of an REI store. I think Cory was in heaven. I was just hoping to not get lost.

We went to a Rockies game in Coors stadium. Afterwards, we ate the best meatball sub I have ever had (actually it was the only meatball sub I have ever had but I'm still sure it is the best).

We took a tour of the Unsinkable Molly Brown's house (big lions on her front porch) and went to the King Tut exhibit.

Birthday Wishes

2010-08-26T08:18:00.001-07:00

zachary,

you have the most infectious laugh . . . remember when we went to the Oakley rodeo and the dog's did all of those funny tricks? no one around us was really laughing at the dogs. they loved your amazing, hearty, eye-watering laugh and were laughing right along with you.

you are so good with your little cousins . . . and any other toddler you spend time with. we are always so proud of your patience, tenderness and responsibility with them.

you are smart, determined, loving and kind.

happy birthday!
love,
cage

Visitor

2010-08-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I shuffled the kids off to school and decided I needed to start cooking/baking again. I always "joke" that we eat out six times a week. This is only a joke because we don't eat out six "times," we eat out six "days." Often Lunch and Dinner. Since we remodeled the kitchen, I can't seem to master my oven. Its a nice professional oven. Apparently you actually have to be a professional cook to use it. With the kids out of the house I decided to make Lion House rolls and homemade Oreos. I started the roll dough only to discover I have no salt. Really? Who runs out of salt. Since my parents are a few doors down, I have an emergency stash to access. I got in my golf cart, pulled out of the garage, and bent down to put the golf cart in forward gear when I noticed something in front of me. I looked up and less than five feet in front of me, I see a huge buck . . . just standing there staring at me.

I didn't know what to do. I couldn't reverse . . . fence
I couldn't go to the side . . . retaining wall
Pulling back into the garage is a slow process
Couldn't go forward . . . buck

So we both sat. For several second although it seemed like a lifetime. Then suddenly, my golf cart started to buzz. It has a buzzer that lets you know when you are in reverse.
It never works . . . until now.
The golf cart starts to buzz, I jump from the noise, the deer takes off.
I snuck in and grabbed my camera and tracked him down across the street eating the neighbors apples from their tree.

School is In

2010-08-23T10:40:00.001-07:00

Its official . . . School has begun.
No more Mondays at Cowabunga Bay
No more sleeping until 10:00 every morning
No more afternoon movies

We held our 2nd annual "First Day of School" breakfast. We set out donuts, pastries, fruit and drinks on our front walk for all the kids at our bus stop to enjoy. Since our bus stop consists of Zach, Grant and Ella, their four cousins, and their five closest friends in the neighborhood, it works out well. It also helps to take away those first morning jitters.

First Lake Trip of the Year

2010-07-16T14:23:00.000-07:00

The first lake trip of the summer is usually accompanied by some hiccups.
Highlights of our trip:

The BAD

Lost power to one waverunner in the middle of the lake - had to be towed in by strangers.

Lost power to second waverunner in the middle of the lake - had to be towed in by brother of previous strangers.

Had to beg strangers to tow the waverunners back to the docks.

One waverunner was difficult to tow and kept tipping and turning - found out plugs had been left out and waverunner was full of water.

I couldn't figure out how to deflate the tube so the I shoved it into the car smashing the kids.

My attempt of backing the trailer down the ramp to reload dead waverunner.

The GOOD

Dinner at Maxwells - Best pizza in the world

Being outside with family

Ella on Religion

2010-05-10T13:08:00.001-07:00

The following is a conversation between Ella and her friend Carly on the way to dance:

Carly: Jews believe in just one God.

Ella: Really? We believe in three.

Carly: You do? Who are they?

Ella: Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and Zeus.

I'm not really sure what to think...

Mothers Day Wrap-up

2010-05-10T12:49:00.001-07:00

Here are some highlights of Mother's Day week-end:

First

Cory is in charge of the Cubscout Bike Rodeo Pack Meeting on Tuesday. So on Saturday he decided to build a "bike teeter totter" for the scouts to ride across. The truth is, it's actually pretty cool...too awesome for me to ride my bike across. I left that to the boys.

Greg

Zach

Cory

Second

We had Grandma Doris and Grandpa Hal over for a pre-Mother's Day brunch. We fixed cinnamon french toast bites with blueberry sauce, steel cut oatmeal (for C since he can't eat the eggs), fruit and brown sugar bacon.

Third

On Mother's Day, C and the kids gave me a new bike. We took a long bike ride around the neighborhood. We rode through the park which was full of kids playing tag. People were out walking and sitting in their yards. It was a perfect Mother's Day.

Famous Last Words

2010-04-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

I've noticed that as kids get older, they are pretty certain their parents are not all that smart. Zach had a couple quotes this past week that illustrated this fact.

The day before the 5th grade maturation program, Cory asked Zach if he understood what they were going to be discussing. Zach said he knew that they were going to talk about where babies come from. Cory asked him if he knew. He answered no, so Cory asked him if he wanted to Cory to tell him. Zach said, "Do you know because your brother is a doctor?" Cory said no, he just knew and would Zach like him to explain it. Zach said, "No. I'll let the professionals handle it."

On Easter, Zach told Aunt Cyd that he has learned how to find his parents in a store if he gets separated. He told Cyd, "I just go to where all of the on sale crap is and I can find my mom." Cyd (who was not helping) said, "Well at least you find her at the sale rack and not with the regular price stuff." Zach replied, "That's where I find my dad."

And finally, on April Fool's Day, my mom tried to play a trick on us that backfired and earned her the best nickname ever. The kids all received a text from her phone saying "I finally learned how to text. No more techtard. Love mom." We were all very proud (and happy that we can finally get a hold of her) when hours later we received another text that said, "April Fools! From the Techtard." A little while later Zach, sitting at the counter eating, started to laugh. Then he says, "Mimi is funny. She said 'April Fools from the Turd-Texter.'"

Even Grandmas are not off limits from 11 year old jokes.

Letter to my blog

2010-03-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

Dear blog,

You have been very neglected the past couple of months. I have to admit that I have had the best of intentions. However, I have an excuse for you...it involves a blow to the head, a couple months of confusion and mindless ramblings, another blow to the head to bring me back. Or it could be because I was lazy and have spent countless hours watching Craig Fergusen, eating Christmas/Birthday/Valentine treats, and generally doing nothing of value. I'm not sure which excuse looks less pathetic but here I am.

So, what have we been doing in our absence?

Zachary qualified for the 6th grade geography bee (one of only 3 fifth graders to do so). He survived a couple of rounds before he was asked a trick question. I say it was a trick question because it had something to do with Michigan (I don't know what - I would never qualify for a geography bee). He gave the answer (something to do with a body of water) and he was wrong. Here is the trick - the mom sitting next to us said that she lived in Michigan for 30 years and she thought he was right. But nevertheless, I do believe Zachary is awesome.

We have spent lots of time at the cabin. The cabin is my FAVORITE place in the world. We went for New Years with Mimi and Grandpa, Aunt Lyndsee, and Brian and Erin and other weekends on our own. The snow is awesome. I am getting better at driving the snowmobiles through Cory's patient instruction..."You'll never get better by only driving on the path". And we have discovered an amazing sledding hill from the eagle trail behind the cabin.

Cory and the boys have allowed me to tag along snowboarding a couple of times. In the time it takes me to do one run, the boys can do 2 1/2. It is humbling.

I had a birthday. I wish I turned 35. I really turned 38. *sigh*

For my birthday, Cory took me to Seattle. We went to Pike's Place Market and got hot chocolates and pastries in the mornings, ate seafood the rest of the time (loved Ivans), and walked the city. I loved it. He always makes my birthdays amazing. On a side note, I told him that I am a little bugged that every year he gets better and better looking and I get funnier looking, older and shorter. So not fair.

Ella had a birthday. She turned 7. She thinks she turned 13. *sigh*

I'll do better blog. I have big plans in store involving more cabin stays, more snowboarding until the end of the season and the rest staying home. There are projects to do on the world's saddest looking basement.

Sincerely,

Home for Christmas

2009-12-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

Naughty or Nice List

2009-12-23T14:40:00.000-08:00

Things Santa heard in the Memmott house this week:

"When Santa asked me what I wanted and I said I would like to be surprised, do you think he knew I meant a Nintendo DSI?"

(Squeezing Mom's arm): "Mom, do you think you are fat. Because I think you might be fat."

"Grandpa, what is this I am eating?" "A sausage." "No. I mean what animal is it?" "A pig." "Oh good. I am eating my favorite animal."

"Are there going to be some presents that when I unwrap them I am going to say 'boring, only clothes?'"

"Has Santa packed his sleigh because I might change my mind about all my presents."

Yes - ALL these quotes came from one child. Can you guess which two children are nice and which one is Ella?

Chinese Christmas List

2009-12-14T14:10:00.001-08:00

This is Ella's Christmas list in Chinese:

This is the translation:

"I want a Teddy Bear because I love them. I want a toy puppy. How is Christmas? I mailed you a note. Love, Ella"

Unwanted Dive-onics

2009-11-06T22:07:00.000-08:00

I took Ella to the doctor today for an ongoing (and by ongoing, I mean it feels like a lifetime) cough. This is a recap of Ella's visit:

Dr. Duffy: Hello Ella
Ella: I don't want dive-onics!
Dr. Duffy (looking confused): What are dive-onics?
Ella: Stuff I don't want!
Dr. Duffy: Ok, no dive-onics.

Dr. Duffy checks her out, finds an ear infection and begins writing a prescription.

Dr. Duffy (joking): Ella, I think a course of dive-onics will clear up this ear infection.
Ella: No! I don't want dive-onics!
Dr. Duffy: How about amoxocillan then?

Dr. Duffy fills out the prescription, opens the door, and yells out to his nurse: Will you bring me the dive-onics?
Ella: You promised no dive-onics.

Dr. Duffy and I laugh a little at the thought of the nurses googling dive-onics in an effort not to expose their ignorance. Ella leaves with her prescription for pink medicine.

As I tucked her in bed tonight, I asked her what dive-onics are. She said:
I don't know but the word sounds bad and I know I don't want them.

Halloween Hodgepodge

2009-11-02T17:36:00.001-08:00

Halloween 2009

2009-10-19T07:51:00.000-07:00

I love decorating for Halloween.

This year, Grant was really into it and started asking me mid-September to decorate.

His (and everyone else's) favorite thing this year is the funny skeleton spider. He sits on a spring tied to the chandelier and bounces his days away.

Loose Tooth Drama

2009-10-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

This tooth has been loose for two months. Everytime we try to extract it, Ella has a breakdown: It's gonna hurt . . . I might swallow it. . . It will bleed for a long time. I have been begging my dad (who is an expert tooth puller) to yank the dumb thing for weeks. But whenever he tries, she cries and begs to be left alone - and Grandpa gives in naturally. Today I was brushing the tooth and noticed it was barely hanging on. So tonight after dinner I called my dad and told him mercy was not an option - the tooth HAD to come out.

When he got here, she lost it. She hyperventilated. She begged for a little rest between sobs. She pleaded. I rolled my eyes as everyone around her tried to console her. Finally I held her down and ordered my dad to pull the tooth out. She SCREAMED . . . and then, mid-scream, said, "Oh. It's out." That easy.

Ella's Room

2009-10-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

When we bought this house last year, Ella's room was the only room I didn't find completely offensive. Oatmeal walls and clouds on the ceiling were much more tolerable than stenciled bears and cabins like the ones lining the den. Ella, however, did not agree. She thought the clouds made it a "boy room." She would complain that she didn't like sleeping "under skies." And since the squeaky wheel (aka Ell) gets the grease, I painted. Eventually I want to replace the carpet and all the woodwork. But until then, I had to be creative with paint alone.

I kept coming back to a specific blue color but since she is my only girl, I told myself I couldn't paint her room blue. Unfortunately, there wasn't another color that I really loved. My solution was to pull out four colors, the blue I loved, a green, a pink and a yellow, and let Ell choose. She choose the blue (like mother, like daughter). So that is what we went with.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The hardest part was working around all of those large robotic animals that she can't live without (but never plays with). She got Butterscotch the horse for her birthday a couple of years ago. She turned her on twice and that was it. The following Christmas she asked for Biscuit the dog. Santa decided to go with Snowball the cat because she was much, much smaller. On Christmas morning, she ran out to her presents, scanned the room, looked everywhere, and then said, "Santa has made a big mistake. I know he got Biscuit for me because I am really good, but he forgot to leave him." All through the day she would say, "I miss Biscuit." So, look who showed up for her birthday. Cory is a real sucker for that girl.

Happy Birthday Guggs

2009-10-06T20:51:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Grant. Promise to always give your animals the coolest names, remain curious and continue to sing viva la vida all day long. We love you!

Vacation Day 1 - Wells, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

2009-10-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

We started our trip in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Brett and Adrienne came and met us. It was rainy and cold but that didn't stop us. We saw some houses from the 1600's, ran on the rocks on the beach of a lighthouse and took a path out in the middle of a lake to a small protected island.

Portsmouth in the rain. The steeple in the distance is from a church built in the 1600s.

This is a path we saw while driving back to New Hampshire. We stopped and let the kids run to the small island. I love Olivia's face in the group shot. Every picture we took of her had this expression.

This lighthouse is totally surrounded by water. There is a small basket think that runs along a pulley system to get to the island. It looked terrifying. The waves were really strong and the kids loved to watch the water crash on the rocks. Grant swears he saw a sea lion pop up to watch the kids.

Quote of the Day

2009-10-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

Ella worries constantly about her career choices in her future. It seems this decision is constantly weighing on her mind and she is never certain how she is going to choose. Today, the choice was between Rockstar, Clothes Designer and Spa Girl. I finally told her that she didn't need to choose right now; there is still time. She then told me:

"Six is your warning that you are getting old because it is close to 9 or 10. And I am 6 1/2 which means I have double warning so I need to choose now."

Home Sweet Home

2009-10-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

We are home at last. We had an amazing vacation in New England. We spent time in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. We were able to spend time with Brett's family. We ate all forms of lobster: steamed, boiled, lobster pie, lobster rolls and lobster quesadillas. The colors were amazing and sites unbelievable. But it is nice to be home.

Hiking Mt. Timp

2009-09-24T10:34:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Ten-Boy

2009-09-24T10:31:00.001-07:00

Now that you are eleven, do we need to find a new nickname?

First Day of School

2009-09-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

This year, I decided to kick of the first day of school with an early morning party. Since the bus picks up in front of our house, I invited a few families over for donuts and milk. It took away some of the first day jitters and the kids boarded the bus with smiles (and donut glaze) on their faces.

Cowabunga Bay

2009-08-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming to an end and we promised the kids a trip to Cowabunga Bay before school starts.

The boys loved getting splashed by the "big dumper."

We snacked on churros, pretzels and fries. We relaxed in the lazy river and got thrown around in big slides. But most importantly, we spent time with friends and mom and dad made good on a promise.

Hansen Family Vacation at the Cabin

2009-08-20T09:17:00.001-07:00

The Hansen family spent the 24th of July at the cabin together. There were trips to the lake, dancing to YMCA and lots of food and fun.

Thanks Mimi and Bompa for making this, and all our trips, so special. We love you.

Swim Team

2009-08-17T08:45:00.001-07:00

This summer, we signed the kids up for swim team. Our only goal was to become stronger swimmers - or in Ella's case - learn to swim. C and I were really happy with how much improvement they showed over the course of two months. The boys cut their race times almost in half and Ella went from holding on to the rope the entire race to swimming a lap without help. Now this means we can go to the pool and they play while I relax. Now if only I could teach them to cook all the meals for me.

Lakeside Living

2009-08-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

Last year we bought a waverunner (also lovingly referred to as the "kidney mobile"). However, we only used it once the entire summer of 2008. In an effort to not repeat mistakes, we made a goal this year to hit the lake once a week. It has been a fun summer activity, complete with wakeboarding, tubing, lounging in the sun, and spending time with family.

Sleeping Arrangements

2009-08-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

These children really need to start sleeping in their own beds.

4th Remembered

2009-08-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

Tips for a great 4th of July:

Pretty up the golf cart for a parade (make sure otter pops are frozen for kids to throw to spectators).

Play a little 3 on 3 basketball (let's shoot for no fights in 2010 - oh how boys will be boys).

Add some royalty.

Rule the parade.

Top it off with Grandpa Jerry's fireworks (courtesy of Costco).

I heart San Francisco

2009-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Last year, Wicked came to Utah. In the midst of the chaos that sometimes surrounds our home, Cory and I missed our chance at tickets. So, using this as our excuse, the two of us took off for San Francisco. It was a much needed trip after a hard handful of months. Cory was finally feeling well and we set off to celebrate. Our theatre excursions included Wicked and the unplanned Spamalot (we had to see John O'hurley aka J. Peterman play King Arthur).

We took a day trip to Alcatraz which was amazing.

We stopped at Lombard street.

I discovered that San Francisco in the summer is FREEZING! I wore three layers every day. I admit, I was warned, but I did not believe.

We rode the cable cars everywhere. By the end of the trip Cory become a master at hanging off the outside of the car.

We ate really good food, went to museums, shopped, and spent uninterrupted time together. Now, which production do I need to convince him I need to see next?

Night Games

2009-06-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night, nephew Ethan planned night games which meant everyone lined up for the zipline for as long as the sun held out. Our big achievement was getting Mimi to ride. She screams from beginning to end. It was the best part of the night.

Dad's Day

2009-06-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

Here is Cory lounging in the hammock we gave him for Father's Day. We felt like he needed a place to rest since he works so hard for us and is such an amazing husband and father. Unfortunately for him, the rest of us have decided that the hammock is really cool and have already taken it over. Thus goes the life of a father.

Happy Birthday Cory

2009-06-09T19:59:00.001-07:00

The past month has flown by. Life has been full of events, like dining in San Francisco, checking off another remodeling project, dinners (and much laughing) with friends. But I am getting ahead of myself. First things first . . .

Cory's 38th birthday!

Cory spent the morning of his birthday golfing with friends. Later, he and Ella and I went to Angels and Demons (which he had boycotted and later recanted). Then the family dined at our favorite birthday establishment: Bonsai.

Cory got some sound blocking headphones from his parents which Grant promptly stole to block out mom's nagging.

Ella wrapped herself up and sat patiently on the fireplace where all good presents go to be unwrapped.

We gave him some North Face shoes and a camera that attaches to a bike or a helmet so he can film all his cool wakeboarding/biking/snowboarding stunts.

I made Magelby's chocolate cake which I have to say was better the second day after some refrigeration. I should know . . . I ate it for breakfast every morning until it was gone.

Mother's Day - Part 3 of 3

2009-05-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had a Mother's Day celebration for the Hansen women (and I guess the Gramse and Memmott women are included too). We had hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream. We talked to Lyndsee in Bolivia, who, by the way, has to dodge three dogs to get to her outside bathroom everytime nature calls.

And we topped the night off by standing the same way. I guess we must be related.

Mother's Day - Part 2 of 3

2009-05-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Today, Cory and the kids had a Mother's Day party for me. We ate pasta, went on a walk and opened presents. The kids made me homemade flower bouquets, cards and answered questions about me, which is my favorite thing. Cory got me a new iPod Shuffle that is about the size of a paper clip - it is really awesome. The highlight of the day is when the kids sang Mother's Day songs in church - first all together with the Primary, and then Ella sang with Mimi, Greg, Lexee and Carman. They were amazing. It was a day with ups and downs but it is all part of being a mom.

Mother's Day - Part 1 of 3

2009-05-09T18:56:00.001-07:00

With three mothers in our lives, we are lucky enough to celebrate Mother's Day over three days.

Today . . . breakfast with Grandma Doris

We had a nice quiet breakfast of Quiche, orange rolls and fruit. We opened presents and watched all of our 2009 pictures on Apple TV (which is the greatest invention, by the way). It was a wonderful and relaxing morning and we loved to share it with Big D.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

2009-05-08T21:33:00.001-07:00

In honor of Mother's Day, I decided to look back on some of the events that tested my sanity as well as the reasons I love being a mother.

#1 . . . Zach

The Worst: The Skull Fracture and facing the worst fears of possibly losing a child.

The Best: His adventurous spirit

#2 . . . Ella

The Worst: The months when Ella ate everything . . . paint, make-up, bugs . . .

The Best: This face

#3 . . . Grant

The Worst: The day I spent six hours cooking, decorating and tying raffia to gingerbread and so Grant could eat every last one off the tree in ten minutes.

The Best: His sweet nature

I love you, my babies!

Word of the Day - "Succatand"

2009-05-03T21:18:00.000-07:00

Today, Zach displayed his increasing knowledge of vocabulary by repeatedly using the word "succatand." Cory asked him if he meant "succotash?" No - he meant "succatand". Finally, we asked him to use it in a sentence. He said . . .

"People die from "succatand" smoke every year."

Translation: succatand = second hand

Sick Day

2009-04-29T13:14:00.001-07:00

Last night I got sick. It was the inevitable stomach virus that every mom gets after nursing her sick kids back to health. I could feel it coming on but I begged my body not to give in. I lost that battle. I suffered all night. This morning I got up and got the kids off to school as best I could. Zach hugged me numerous times, asking if I was ok. Grant told me I looked "really bad," but followed it up with, "I still think you're pretty." When I picked Ella up for school, she was informing her friend that she could not play today because she had to care for her sick mommy. She has brought me cold water, made her own lunch, and has spent the afternoon laying on the floor next to me. Being sick is much more tolerable with concerned babies.

Read with Dog

2009-04-27T12:42:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of Grant reading. And that furry creature on the floor in front of him? That is Bryce. Bryce is a therapy dog trained through Intermountain Therapy Animals of Salt Lake to help kids improve their reading. When Grant shows up, Bryce wags his tail and shakes his hand. Then, as Grant begins to read to him, Bryce quietly settles on the floor at Grant's feet and listens patiently. At the end of the book, Bryce will get up and shake Grant's hand.

The theory behind "Read with a Dog" is that sometimes kids (mostly nervous boys who would rather play than read) would find motivation in entertaining a dog. It seemed to work. Grant practiced all week so he could flawlessly recite his stories to Bryce. And Bryce, in turn, practiced sleeping on the floor all week so he could be a good audience for Grant. My only request is that next month they have a child to read to Bonnie the Beagle. The poor thing sat on her sad little blanket across from Bryce with no child to entertain her and whimpered each time Grant turned his page. No one, not even a dog, should be left out of story hour.

Pouty Puffer

2009-04-24T20:33:00.000-07:00

I took this picture of Ella last year and, I have to admit, it is one of my favorites. This is a perfect example of Ella's face when something is out of whack for her . . . the puppy dog eyes, scrunched up nose, her little lips pouting. But as much as I love this picture, Ell hates it. Everytime she sees it, she begs me to delete it. Everytime she begs, I tell her no. Someday, I tell her, her pouting won't be so cute. I am going to need this reminder that right now, she is an angel . . . even with the pouty face.

Quiet

2009-04-23T06:58:00.001-07:00

The kids are off to school and it is quiet in here. The sun is streaming through the windows, music is playing, and it is so relaxing that I am having a hard time getting going this morning. I could, however, be tired because Miss Ella crawled into our bed last night. I woke up enough to hear her say she had a nightmare as she crawled over me and under the blanket. When I woke this morning, I looked over and found, to my surprise, that she was all blinged out. She came to our room in the middle of the night wearing necklaces, a tiara and carrying a purse (which was still draped over her shoulder). I guess fashion never takes any time off.

Welcome Spring.

2009-04-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

It is really too bad these children are not excited for warm weather.

80 Years!

2009-04-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Last night, we gathered together to celebrate Grandpa Hal's (Cory's Dad) 80th birthday. The Memmott family met at Little America for dinner and cake. Grant was a little hesitant to return to Little America. Apparently when we had brunch there last December, Grant scooped a large serving of eggs on his plate which, in turn, prompted some little know-it-all girl to call him "Chicken Boy." I assured him it wouldn't happen again and taught him a few comebacks to use next time (because that is the responsible mother-thing to do, right?).

We ordered Hal an electric blanket, which apparently you can't buy in a store in Spring (don't people still get cold in the Spring?).

This past year has been a real marathon year for Hal and we are definitely looking forward to a much quieter, less stressful 81st year.

Happy Birthday!

What's that you say?

2009-04-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

This just in . . . the best quotes of the week.

Zach: I can't wait to go see Terminator Salivation.

Grant: I wish I had a trampolizer. You know, so I could shoot animals and make them sleep.

And the scariest quote of the week . . .

Cory saw a billboard and said: Oh look, there is an amateur pole dancing competition in Ogden.

Ella: Dad, if you signed me up for that I would totally win.

Easter Greetings

2009-04-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

It was an awesome Easter week-end. The Easter bunny visited us and brought a Lacrosse goal and Lacrosse balls for Zach, a Lacrosse stick and a blue-jay webkin for Grant and a bouncy ball to ride on and sidewalk chalk for Ella. The baskets were hard to find this year. Cory found his new shirt and basket of candy in the dryer. My new shoes from the Easter bunny are awesome and I can't wait for it to warm up so I can wear them.

We had a neighborhood Easter Egg hunt on Saturday. There were 6,000 eggs hidden around the park and pavillion. The boys searched the trees, which was much harder, and came out with some hard earned eggs. Ella stuck to the grass and fared a little better. They had fun playing with their friends and cousins.

After the Egg Hunt, we went to Mimi and Grandpa's house to dye eggs. There were nine dozen eggs and plenty of dye cups for each child to color to their hearts content. All of Grant's eggs were green and Ella stuck to oranges and pinks. Zach only dyed a few eggs because he was too busy entertaining the babies.

It was a fun, but cold, week-end and we are looking forward to Spring.

2009-04-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

How do you entertain nine kids on a Sunny Spring afternoon?

One can of Silly String . . .

Four games of red light / green light . . .

and lots and lots of popsicles.

Week in Review

2009-04-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Wow, I really have been slacking. Sometimes time barrels over me and I am left wondering what happened. It usually happens when there is a change in routine. Having the kids off-track was a whirlwind of events, one right after another. But it was time to head back to their studies. So, here are the highlights of our past week:

Cory and I went to two Jazz games, one good, one painful.

Ella is learning her dances for her upcoming recital and is awesome at "freestyling."

Grant and Zach played April Fool's jokes on their classes. They each went to school with their arms in slings and bandages. The story was that they fell off the rock wall at the Treehouse. Grant didn't fool his teacher. Zach was more successful and had his class going until lunch. One boy, when he found out there was nothing wrong with Zach's arm, actually got mad. I think he was jealous that he didn't have a cool April Fool's Joke.

Ella made a cool ring at the treehouse, and both boys went with their dad snowboarding on Thursday night.

Life is eventful with this crew.

Back to Routine

2009-03-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

Today marks the end of our off-track period. The kids head back to school tomorrow. I am sad. Zach asked if they could just miss one more day of school and, to be honest, I considered it. But there is no sense in delaying the inevitable so they are all showering up and getting ready for bed early tonight.

We played a lot the past two weeks . . .

two trips (California and the Cabin),

eating out at Maddox,

the Sepulvedas came for dinner,

we saw Race to Witch Mountain and Monsters vs. Aliens,

there was a sleepover at Grandma's . . .

I just hope they are not too worn out for school.

Lazy Cabin Days

2009-03-24T10:24:00.001-07:00

Last Wednesday, my kids were going stir crazy. They are off-track but all of their friends are still in school which means I was left to entertain them. Since plopping them in front of the tv for the next two weeks was not an option, I decided to pack them up and head to the cabin.

My parents, Brian and Erin (along with Jack and Sam), Danny and Cassie, and little Carman (to keep Ella company) went along as well. We ate tons of good food, watched movies (Ghost Town), played card games (Cory and I each lost), and let the kids roam in their pajamas all day long.

I always wonder if my kids know how lucky they are to have a place like this . . . a place where we can, at any given moment, drop everything and escape into nature. We snowmobile and sled/snowboard in the winter, we ride atvs, bike and hike in the summer. We love to go in search of deer and moose. If allowed, I would live there forever.

The Lesson

2009-03-17T20:25:00.001-07:00

My dear children - here is a lesson on a word you are using incorrectly . . .

ACCIDENT: any event that happens unexpectedly, without deliberate plan or cause.

Ella - when you used marker to draw flowers all over your white shirt, that is no accident. Simply saying, "Mom, it was just an accident" doesn't make it so.

Grant - Hiding your homework anywhere and everywhere in the hopes that I will forget about it is not an accident. Please don't say, "I'm not sure how that ended up in the freezer. It must have been an accident."

Zach - When your sister ACCIDENTLY bumps into you and causes you to trip, it is no longer an accident when you turn around and TRY to trip her. I'm not going to believe, "We both accidently knocked each other over."

Does this clear things up?

Love you!

Mom

A Visit from Buddy

2009-03-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those post-trip days where you just can't quite get started. I tackled laundry, put up Easter decorations, made breakfast, lunch and dinner, went to a school meeting, ran kids to lessons . . . and I feel like I didn't get anything done. Why is that?

At the end of the day, the kids and I pulled up into the driveway to find a strange and very sweet dog sitting on our porch. He had his own ball which he rushed over and dropped at their feet. Grant shrugged, picked up the ball and threw it. The dog raced after his prized possession, scooped it up and promptly returned it to Grant. Grant shrugged again, threw the ball and said, "I guess he came to play. I think I'll name him Buddy." After several rounds of fetch, the dog walked out of the yard and down the street. Grant came in for dinner, plopped down on the barstool and said, "I already miss Buddy."

I wasn't sure if I should remind him we have a our own dog in the backyard.

Dannon

2009-03-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

I called my parents tonight and invited them over for dinner. After dinner, we sat at the table frosting cupcakes and laughing about Ella's (now deceased) imaginary boyfriend.

A couple of years ago, Ella told me she had a boyfriend named Dannon (yes, like the yogurt). I asked her what color his hair was (yellow), was he tall or short (tall), was he skinny or fat (duh, mom - skinny). Then I asked, is he her age. She told me no - he is a little older. When I asked how old, I was told 42. YIKES!

Dannon was a part of her life for a while until one day she told me she had bad news. It looked like Dannon had gotten a job transfer to Sun Valley. She told me he put on his "flower shirt" he wears to Sun Valley and said "I guess I won't be seein' ya cause I got a lot of work to do."

She didn't talk about Dannon after that until . . . one week her room was a mess everyday. I finally told her I was tired of her messing up her room. She told me it was not her, it was Dannon. His job was over and he was back and now had a lot of free time so he kept messing up her room. So, I sat her down and told her that boyfriends are not allowed in our rooms and that Dannon could only visit her in the family room. That put an end to the messy room.

One day, out of the blue, she announced that Dannon was dead. Yes, dead. He was in a car accident and he was dead. Days later, I asked her if she had talked to Dannon. She reminded me of the car accident. I told her that I thought maybe he had come back like he did from Sun Valley. She said, "No mom, people don't come back from dead."

She has had no imaginary friends since then. I have to admit, I kind of miss the drama.

Home Sweet Home

2009-03-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

We are home.

We are tired.

Disneyland was fun but oh so crowded. So many people. If this is off-season, I hate to see what peak season looks like. We had to do some creative fast pass/parent switch pass tricks to get in the big rides. Peter Pan was a long, painful wait. And yet, crowded Disneyland is usually better than real life.

Pictures tomorrow. Today we have tutoring at Kumon, grocery shopping to do, and snowboarding to top off the day.

Lucky us.

We are off!

2009-03-07T08:03:00.000-08:00

Today is the day - we are leaving for Disneyland. The kids can barely contain their excitement. Mimi is coming as well as Uncle Brian, Aunt Erin and cousins Jack and Sam.

Our bags are packed.

Yesterday I bought Heeleys for Ella which will help her "grow" that last inch so she can ride Indiana Jones. This is the greatest trick in the books and I am sure the Disney height police are fully aware, yet it still works.

Cory and the boys left first thing thing this morning to help Grandpa Hal remove the BIG Christmas star still hanging over his garage. Ella and I are packing the last few necessities, but only after we ate the cake she made for breakfast.

But before I go, I am leaving one great quote from Grant. He was discussing his ongoing obsession with becoming a zookeeper "when he is big" with my mom (Mimi). He was describing all his plans for "Utah's Hogle Zoo" when he suddenly started to cry. When Mimi asked him what was wrong he said, "I'm just sad because you will never see my zoo." Mimi said, "Why wouldn't I come to see your zoo." Grant, through tears, replied, "Because you will be dead."

Can't argue with that logic.

Egg Pie

2009-03-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I decided Ella and I needed to spice up our lunches. We usually feast on the same turkey sandwiches or soups and I had had enough. I informed Ella that I was making a really good surprise lunch. She got excited and asked if it had pickles, I said no. She asked if it had red tomatoes, I said no. So I explained quiche to her. I told her we were going to mix eggs, bacon and cheese, put it all in a pie crust, and bake it. She scrunched up her face and said, "Hmmm . . . egg pie."

Once we sat down for a lunch of quiche and grapefruit, we had a conversation about career choices:

Ella: Mom, I'm having a really hard time deciding what to be when I grow up.

Me: What are your choices.

Ella: I have four I'm trying to decide - Robot Girl, Rock Star, Zookeeper or Mail Girl.

Me: Those are all good choices and I think you can be anything you want to be. Plus you still have lots of time to decide.

There was a long pause and then . . .

Ella: I think when I am old, there are going to be tons of Robot Girls so I think I will just be the Rock Star, Zookeeper and Mail Girl.

Snow, Snow, Go away!

2009-03-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

It is snowing again. My house suddenly feels colder and the big windows in my great room are freezing to the touch. My spring bulbs (I'm not really sure what they are yet since they were planted by the previous owner) were just peeking through the ground. Now they are covered in cold slush. But it is ok because we are leaving for California in three days. So snow all you want Utah - just make sure to have it gone when I return!

Sugar Overload

2009-03-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

Whenever Cory goes out of town, I seem to get the desire to make cookies. I'm not sure why that is. Maybe it is because I feel the need to occupy the kids who are constantly asking, "When is Daddy coming home, when is Daddy coming home?" We pulled out all sorts of cookie cutters including the new "animal cracker" cookie cutters I just bought from Williams and Sonoma. Have you seen these? They are so little. I am always drawn to things that are smaller than usual so when I saw these, I knew I had to have them. We rolled dough, we cut, we ate raw cookies and cooked ones. We frosted. Some we gave away, most we ate. After our bellies were full of sugar, we made grilled cheese sandwiches for dessert.

How to spot a policeman

2009-03-02T21:09:00.000-08:00

Me: Ell, you need to strap in.

Ella: Mom, there are no signs of cops. Do you know the signs of cops?

Me: No. What are the signs of cops?

Ella: The signs are a police car, a blue uniform and eating a donut. Got that mom - car, blue, donut.

Really Kinda Brown

2009-03-01T20:49:00.000-08:00

See this room? This is my boy's bathroom. This is what it looked like when we bought the house. Now, 10 months later, this is what it still looks like (minus the previous owners' lovely decorations). Grant finds this room "really kinda brown" and wants to know what I can do with it. That means I have a project this week. I plan on transforming this room with paint - paint on the walls (Souvenir - a pale blue color), paint on the cabinets (Salsa - red, red, red) , and yes, paint on the tile (white). It is possible to paint tile. Did you know that? Here's to hoping for much nicer pictures by Friday. Wish me luck!

Project Day - Take 1

2009-02-27T07:45:00.000-08:00

Every Wednesday my sisters, mom and I spend the afternoon going to lunch and hanging out. This "hanging out" usually involves the mall and spending ugly amounts of money on things we don't need (my latest weakness: kids clothes). In an effort to control this spending before the husbands rally together in protest of sister day, I created "project day."

Here is the idea: we all meet at my house, we each take an assignment for lunch and we bring a project that we need to work on.

Here is what we accomplished:

Erin made an acrylic scrapbook and Cyd painted a metal garland (no pictures - won't happen again)

Mom made necklaces for each of us girls:

I made a flower garland. It is a great project for all the scraps you have around the house.

Want one? Here is the link

And Ella painted this:

Here is what we ate:

Warm Bread

Chicken and Brown Rice Salad

Dressing:

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 T. Dijon mustard

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1/2 t. each salt and pepper

1/4 t. sugar

Salad:

1 cup whole grain brown rice

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 lemon, juiced

2 whole chicken breasts, cooked and cubed

1 bunch green onions, minced

6 to 8 ounces snow peas, ends trimmed and cut into thirds

2 ripe avocados, chopped

1/2 cup pecan pieces or slivered almonds, toasted

Combine the rice, chicken broth and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer, covered for one hour, or until rice is tender. Drain off liquid, if any is left.

Add the green onions, snow peas and dressing to the rice. Chill for two hours or more. Add avocados and toasted nuts just before serving.

Strawberry Shortcake for dessert

Girls ate, babies played. It was awesome!

Conversations

2009-02-25T17:06:00.003-08:00

8:02 am

Call from the school:

Zach: Mom, my planner and my homework folder are not in my backpack.

Me: Zach, I watched you put them in there this morning before you left.

Zach: They are not there. Could you look outside to see if they fell out.

Me: I watched you walk to the bus stop. I promise they did not fall out. Did you take them out on the bus?

Zach: No. I have looked everywhere. They have to be outside . . . Oh, wait. Ya, I am stupid. Here they are.

Me: Where were they?

Zach: In my backpack. I'm really stupid. See ya, mom.

12:47 pm

Ella: Mom, why do you do stuff you do?

Me: What do you mean. What stuff do I do?

Ella: Stuff that wastes time.

5:14 pm

Grant: (after staring at me for a moment) Wow, mom. You are really getting old.

But I did find these little dinosaur replicas made from pipecleaners all over the house as a "mom present" for me. That makes it all better.

Colors in Quechee

2009-02-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

I have a horrible case of Spring Fever. Today is one of those days where it starts to get a little warmer, I get used to the nice weather, but I know more snow is around the corner.

I have been thinking back to the trip to New Hampshire Ella, my mom and I took last June. We went to stay at my

long lost brother, Brett's house.

Brett is the world's most fun person to travel with.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to go on trips with Brett.

While we were there, we took a day and went to the balloon festival in Quechee, Vermont. You show up, find a place on the grass among the many, many balloons being prepared for flight.

Notice the boy poses (funny faces) and the girl poses (fancy, fancy)

While we waited, the kids ran around inside a partially inflated balloon.

The balloons are filled with hot air all around you. Some flew so close over head we could touch the bottoms of the baskets.

We laid on the grass until the last balloon was out of sight. The Quechee balloon festival is something everyone should see.

Self Portraits of 6-year olds

2009-02-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

We had Ella's 6th birthday recently and her first birthday party with friends. Because this was such a big deal to her, she changed her theme every day, from princess to fairy to "cooker." Finally, this is what we came up with.

I bought a bunch of tank tops at Target and skin colored acrylic paints. I cut a potato and stamped a "face" for each girl on the tank tops the night before. The next day, the girls used fabric markers and drew self portraits on one face on each shirt - assembly line style.

Some drew two dot eyes, line mouth and quick squiggly hair (Ella) while some drew bow details and glasses (Molly). In the end, each girl got to take home a shirt with all their friends' self portraits. It has been really funny to see these shirts on Ella's friends at the movies, Chick-fil-a and Target.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my angel!

100 Days

2009-02-21T14:55:00.000-08:00

The kids with cousin Trey

Ella's responses to her "100 Day" questions:

I wish I had 100 "prens" (presents).

I wouldn't want 100 "fir" (fire).

I can eat 100 "rasi" (raisins), but

I could never eat 100 "cucaks" (cupcakes.

If I had $100, I would "prifet jet" (buy a private jet).

When I am 100 years old I will "bi a wilher" (buy a wheelcheer).

2009-02-20T07:49:00.000-08:00

Here is the plan:

We find the biggest hill possible, drive the kids up on the snowmobiles, let them sled down, do it again. Fun day at the cabin.

Here is what really happened:

I get stuck at the bottom of the hill. Cory gets stuck at the top of the hill. I hike up the hill to help dig him out.

Zach loses his sled at the top of the hill and has to hike down and retrieve it.

Grant cruises down the hill sideways.

Ella crashes mid-hill, rolls head over heels three times and yells, "Dad, you turned me into a snowball!"

I drove Cory to the top so he could snowboard down. I almost ran into that patch of trees at the top.

The kids made snow angels and found "ice dinosaur bones." After several runs, we made our way back to the cabin for warm pasta and bread.

2009-02-15T17:24:00.000-08:00

We are just starting up our blog. For now here are some pictures.