Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 BlogDown Spectacular

It's that time of year.
Time for the 2011 BlogDown Spectacular!

In January I spent some quality time with my fantasy BFF in Reno.

JR looked super cute in February at Scout Sunday.

And channeling "Edward Vampire" for the Snowdown parade.

In March I turned in an embarrassing time at the Canyonlands Half Marathon, but at least Marcia, Kari, and I looked cute in our matching T-shirts.

And I had a blast hanging with Cassidy and Kylie.

March also brought fun family time on "the big boat".

Kyle and Reed started soccer in April.


And we learned that the ladies love them some JR.


Speaking of JR, in May, he celebrated his 8th birthday the day of the Iron Horse Bicycle Race.

We had lots of celebrity sightings in June, as we saw Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos in Telluride, and Cassidy introduced us to the Food Network's Keegan Gerhard in Denver.


We didn't see any celebrities in July, but my girlfriends and I dressed up like one for the Britney Spears concert.

And the boys had the best decorated 4th of July "floats" ever!



We took a 3 family vacay to Phoenix in August.

And made it home just in time to pick up Reed's award winning duck picture from the La Plata County Fair!

September was all about Jason as he went Over the Edge for the Special Olympics.

And took JR both alligator and antelope hunting.



In October Jason and I finally got around to celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary with a trip to Sedona.

And Kyle and Reed rode away with trophies at the BMX track.


November brought this mama a proud moment at JR's piano recital.


And we all made a new "friend" named Sam this December.

Here's hoping for a fun 2012!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Express Post

We made the trek up to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
The Polar Express is always so much fun, as you can see by the happy faces.


There was some serious concern (on JR and Kyle's part) that Kyle was going to be on the naughty list for his treatment of Sam the Elf.

Everybody took a big sigh of relief when Kyle received his bell!

The others were pretty sure they were on the nice list, but it's always good to have Santa confirmation.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The Fast and (not so) Furious

It seems we've turned snowmobiling on Christmas Eve morning into a tradition.
It really does seem to be the best activity to get some of that Santa-Comes-Tonight excitement out of them.
We do the same trail every year, but it's gorgeous, so it's not like you can bored of views like this.
(Jason and his mom and dad with the kids.)




The kids did a great job driving!

Just kidding, the little people didn't really drive.

(Although they thought they did.)


And I had a snowmobile all to myself the entire trip.
Moms don't catch enough air for small riders' liking, ya know.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

But the Fire is so Delightful

We went up to Telluride last week to go skiing with The Waylands.

Some of us did a lot of skiing.

Others, not so much.
What can I say?
It was warm, cozy, and there was fabulous conversation in the lodge.
Outside it was 10 degrees.


That's not to say Liz and I were total ski bunnies.
We made a few runs.
See, I took this picture of Jason and Steven.

I don't have a picture of the kids skiing since they got on the mountain and we never saw them again.
They couldn't possibly slow down enough for us  "old folks" to keep up.


I did, however, get a picture of JR the only time he wasn't a blur whizzing past me...while riding the gondola.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Just an Old Fashioned Christmas




"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14

Friday, December 23, 2011

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

I'm Pretty Sure I Lost My Mind

Since the JR crafting was going so well, I figured tonight was as good a night as any to get the gingerbread train and the 3 year old friendly Christmas ornaments made.

I opened up the Wilton version of the gingerbread train (BIG mistake, I shoulda picked a generic) and began reading the instructions. 
It only took me about 2 seconds into the "You Will Also Need" list to change my game plan.


You Will Also Need:
rolling pin, granulated sugar, small angled spatula, paring knife, cornstarch, ruler


I told the boys we'd just decorate the premade train pieces, no need to put it together in 3-D form cause...I'd let them eat it right away!

Had they known the Bill Cosby "dad is great, he gives us chocolate cake" song, they'd have been rewriting it starring me.

And I totally let them do the whole thing. 

And I mean, everything.

Not only did I let a 3 year old squeeze their own icing


I let twin 3 year olds do it. 
At the same time!


And they were so busy, they were actually polite. 
This is a picture taken after the words "please pass" were said!


Piano, biking, or cookie decorating...the tongue will come out.

And then things took a turn for the not so Christmas card worthy.
And I was totally fine with it.

While Kyle was in the bathroom cleaning up from making a cookie that looks like this


I turned around to find Reed doing this
And if you're wondering if I own those fancy Wilton frosting bags, naw, they came with the kit.

After finishing "the train" (the last cookies of the row are the pieces we should have cut into threes to "brace" the other train pieces together (uhhh, okay)
I figured they were jacked-up on frosting and candy enough to whip up some ornaments.

Which they did.

Red frosting face and all.


Yep, it's missing an eye. 
Small things get lost in small hands.

And I am now declaring that my mom Christmas crafting/baking/merry-ment making duties are officially completed.