Snowin' on Ladybug Saddle

So when it got really cold and the weather was crap, we had the great idea to go play in the snow with the kids on MLK day. We got some donuts and hot cocoa and headed up the mountain. Ryan has only seen snow 2 times, once was in the back of Micah Woods truck. So all the kids were stoked. I hate to be cold but it ended up being a blast. When we first got out at Ladybug Saddle, we all were so cold that no one was sledding. Next thing we know, Jeanne, Nathan's mom, is at the top of the hill and headed down. You can't see her very well in the pics but she was the first one down the hill and went down every hill after that. She keeps us young and having fun! I love her to death. It was SO cold and it took my butt a while to unthaw. But was totally worth it. Mom even made homemade stew for dinner. YUMMY!I only got 3 pictures cuz it made my hands so cold to get the camera out!

Just getting started...

My sis in law Jenni and I spent an afternoon a couple of weeks ago canning chicken. We checked out the Central Ward Pressure Canner and have dubbed it "The Beast!" It is so heavy but we canned 32 pints of chicken in one go round. It was awesome. We had to do it on a camp stove in Jenni's garage but it was fun. I have big plans to have an amazing garden down here and possibly can some of the harvest. Maybe this chicken is just the beginning...

Nice Rack Babe!

You didn't think this was gonna be a post about Nathan huh! I'm a good tricker. :) I had to post these pictures on here because I am always complaining about not having a bike rack for the kids. So the bikes spend their lives in the walking distance between the house and the car. Nathan looked online for racks...for the bikes...and the cheapest one was like $200. A few more searches and a stop at the local hardware store and we end up with this...





Ethan assisted Nathan the whole time, measuring and marking the pvc so Nathan could cut it. It was awesome! The kids love it and mom is happy!

Keeping the road hot...

Ethan just participated in the Central Ward Pinewood Derby. He chose the "model" car he wanted and told Nathan that he wanted me to paint flames on the car. I am not the best artist, but Ethan was happy with the turn out. At the race, all the boys kept saying "that flame car hasn't lost yet!" Ethan had his hands in his pockets and sauntered down to get his car after every race...looked exactly like his dad. Only difference...that huge smile on his face. He was super proud of his car and even covered his face for some of the races cuz he couldn't take the suspense. He ended up coming in 2nd place. Way to go E!




Ryan was super proud of him and they hung the ribbon from their fan in their room! AWESOME!!

Skidoosh.......

Have you ever seen a better Master Shi Fu? This is what you call IMPRESSIVE IMAGINATION! That is a newspaper bag on his head folks! Oh yeah! That is my son!

Turkey Trotters

So I am very behind on blogging... but wanted to post this pic because it is so flattering of Nathan and I and our athleticism. Actually, it was just a really great experience for me to run a race with Nathan. This was back when I could run and my ancient knee wouldn't weep and wail and knash it's teeth. I am so thankful for a husband who still wants to do things with me. It was fun to run together. It was stinkin cold but so great to cross that finish line together. There were times that he was in the lead and I was struggling to keep up. Then others where he would tell me to go ahead. But we stayed together and I couldn't help but think how great it was that the most important thing to us was staying together. We didn't care what place we came in only that we kept challenging eachother and finished the race TOGETHER. It will have been 10 years this year and I have to say... there is nowhere I would rather be! I love you Nathan!

Anyone for a Quickee? I mean Quick Trip?

I am usually pretty private when I post things about Nathan, and about our family life in general... yeah...so anyway...he has been working out of town for about a week and a half. After talking about it, we decided that is the longest he has ever been out of town. I have talked to several of my friends and Queen Creek during the past week when he has been gone and I must have sounded down right desperate and pathetic. I was trying to find my game face and be a big girl even though I was missing my husband like crazy and trying to find my "routine" in my new town.... and then, like magic, I come home to get ready to go to Garett's basketball game and Brooke, Laura and Sherree were at my house... IN THATCHER...WITH DINNER! I know, right? I was so excited to see them and even more excited when they told me to pack a bag that they were kidnapping me and taking me to see Nathan. I am not gonna lie... I cried a little. Wierd I know. So kidnapping really means saving me by delivering to my sex god... and Quickee well yes... it really means quickee. Is that even how you spell it? I stayed the night with Nathan (BOO YEAH!) and then did some shopping while he had class the next day. Then we headed home. It is so great to have him home and all I have to say is that I have some of the best friends in the world. They listened and we laughed and then they had the guts to tell me to buck up and start making friends. I am so thankful for honest friends and a sexy husband who doesn't care all too much about hairy legs. Life is good.