Skiing at Sundance

One of my New's Years resolution was to take Mckay and Ellie skiing. So one gorgeous Saturday I took them skiing at Sundance. We couldn't have asked for a better day. We hiked up to the bunny hill started skiing. Ellie wanted to go first. I had taken her skiing last year for the first time and she was really excited to go again. She was also a great support to McKay. Ellie is so brave and really did a great job. She has the idea with the french fries and pizza pie. She can stop and start all by herself.

She made is all the way down the hill without dad's help.

She had such a great time and I loved every minute of it. I think she did too.

Mckay's turn. He was so brave to do this. He is not one for trying new things unless it is fun. Mandy and I told him how fun it was and Ellie helped to. So here we go!

Standing in line for the rope tow. McKay was smiles the entire time. I was so proud of him.

Hold On!!

Ellie was having a great time playing in the snow while I was skiing with McKay. I love the look on her face.

Way to go McKay! You are skiing. He didn't want me to let go of his hands, but when I did he did great. He really caught on to the french fry, pizza pie concept. For Mckay this is huge. I can't wait to get him up on the slopes again. I'm so impressed.

Ellie and dad on the second run up.

Ellie wanted to hang on all by herself, but the rope tow was to hard to hang on to. Nice try!

Ellie was awesome! She really is a natural at skiing. She is working on her pizza pie.

McKay's second run down. I really wanted to see if he could go by him self, and he said that he wanted to try. So as we were skiing down, I wanted to have some fun with him. So as we were practicing his pizza pie, I wanted him to keep his arms up and so I had him make a growl like a T-Rex dinosaur. He thought that was so funny, but it worked, and he was skiing all by himself and loved to stop and growl. I have a video of this, but it didn't down load, I will have to try again. Again, I'm so impressed with McKay and Ellie, I love you both so much.

The kids and I only did two runs each, but the most important thing is that they had a great time, and they both want to go again. I love both of you so much and can't wait to go skiing again with both you of. I'm also very impressed with how brave McKay was, and how Ellie never lost the technique. Thanks again for making my day turn out perfect. I love you guys.

Christmas Bowling

I have been a complete slacker in the blogging department but I have no excuse not to post this one since all the pictures were already uploaded.

For the last 5 years of so my family has done an overnight in Salt Lake instead of presents. This year we just kept it closer to home and had a fun night at Fat Cats.





My nephews Morgan "Muggs", and Taylor.



Who knows what face McKay is pulling here!?

Clara with Angie and my mom. Angie introduced Clara to bowling. First Clara would just walk down with Angie every time it was here turn. By the end of the night she was really enjoying herself pushing her ball down the ramp and watch in roll down the lane.

Lindsay and Aaron hijacked my camera so I had to post the pic.

Annie and Ellie

Everyone got involved helping Clara bowl.

After bowling, the whole crew headed to our family restaurant, Guru's, for some dinner.

Grandma Judy, McKay, Alex, Annie, Ellie, Lindsay, and Aaron.

Cory (Angie's boyfriend), Angie, Hailey, Colton (Kim's boyfriend), and Kimberly.

Taylor, Morgan, Grandpa David, Kathy, Clara, and Me.

Clara enjoying her Quesadilla.

After dinner we went back to my parents for dessert and games. It was a great night with family.

Ellie turns 5

Commentary to come later. I just wanted to show off my cutie.

Sledding

With all the snow we have gotten lately and the mild temperatures, it has been perfect sledding weather.
Ryan took McKay and Ellie and let me stay home with Clara in the nice warm house.

The kids had a great time.

I sent McKay with Ryan not knowing if he would even try sledding and only got him to go by telling him he didn't have to go down the hill but that he could just play in the snow. Ryan was patient with McKay and let him take it at his own speed. McKay loved it and by the end was going down bigger hills all by himself.

Ellie had no problem. You can see her climbing up for another run behind McKay in the pink pants.

Thanks Dad for taking the kids! Next time I think Clara and I will come too.

Christmas Day '08

Christmas morning, ready to open presents.
Clara got the hang of opening her presents very quickly. But brother and sister were standing by just in case she might need any help.

McKay with his Batman legos.

Ellie with one of her two Barbie and the Diamond castle girl dolls. After opening these she was much happier about the boy dolls she had received the night before.

Clara with her new Baby Alive that giggles and coos.

An old time classic, Lite Brite.

Some Littlest Pet Shop.

Clara's favorite present from all of Christmas, her Fur Real cat. It is very realistic and purrs and meows at you. It even hisses if you grab it wrong. The body is all hard but she still loves to carry it around everywhere.

A better shot of the front of the cat.

Late Christmas morning my family came over to see the presents and have cinnamon rolls. The wonderful Uncles and Ryan went outside with the kids and dug tunnels through the snow piles. The kids loved their "igloo".

Christmas afternoon we headed over to Ryan's grandparents for lunch with the whole family. It was fun having everyone together.

Great Grandma and Grandpa knew just what to get the kids. Littlest Pet Shop animals and board game for Ellie.

Race car legos and an Etch-a-sketch for McKay.

Clara received a cute stuffed animal dog and some Dr. Suess books. After opening presents she was getting a little silly, it had been a long day.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for a wonderful afternoon.

We had a terrific Christmas!