The Post Office Incident

I will never go to the post office in Morton Grove ever again unless: 1.) Morgan is old enough not to be recognized or 2.) I have changed my hair style and she is not with me.

We have been having behavior issues with Morgan - as I am sure that most parents do with children of this age group - 2 1/2. I think about what people say about having a second child, you have probably heard it, that they are usually worst than the first. Well if that is to hold true, Morgan will be an only child! Today has to be the most embarrassing moment in all my life with her. I needed to go to the post office in the worst way today. My girlfriends birthday was last Friday as in the 16th and me being the aweful friend I am, has not gotten her birthday present in the mail yet! Plus I need to mail another couple pieces to another girlfriend that she requested I pick up for her for one of her friend's birthdays in April, which I needed to mail before we left for Canada! Please tell me that there are others of you out there who are as bad as I am when it comes to getting things done - I need support. So I really felt that I had to get this done today.

We were standing in line, as it seems we have been doing all day today, when she began playing on the heating vent that ran along the window. Now if it wasn't for the metal railing running above it about 3 ft higher she probably would never have even bothered. Admittedly, my hands were full with all these items and her Dora backpack, so I asked her to please get down three times, to which she ignored. It wasn't as if I really thought that she would listen, but like God does, I was giving her the choice to behave. Wrongly, I ignored it all while I felt the holy spirit inside of me telling me to pick her up, but like the sinful person I am, I ignored. Father, forgive me please. I figured, if I picked her up with all this in my hands she was sure to throw a fit. As we turned to corner I approached the lady behind the counter as Morgan began to scream! I told her she was going to have to come over here and just throw her fit. Well, I got what I asked for and more. She began throwing herself on the ground screaming her head off to the point people were starring at me and making comments all while I was busily trying to get all the packages together and addressed. I couldn't exactly walk out because I hadn't paid yet for the packages I had grabbed to use...so we stayed. I am glad I didn't take a shower this morning before running my errands because if i had, I would have had a second one in sweat! On a side note: My deodorant broke off today into a hundred pieces so, one pit was "fresh," while the other was not so (see Jami's blog, live, laugh, love for the inside on this). Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I was done and we left. I am sure they threw a "going away party."

1, 2, 3

I don't know if I just have an unusual child or what, but the kid never wants to eat! Getting her to eat dinner is such a chore sometimes. I am not sure how it happened but last night dad got her to eat by playing a game. He said "let's eat our meat at the same time, okay?" To which Morgan replied "Yeah!" Then he said "on 3! 1, 2, 3!" And they both ate at the same time! He got her to finish her meal by playing this game until all her food was gone! It is amazing to me at how hard somethings can be to get a stubborn, independent toddler to do, but yet when you come at it from another angle, it is equally amazing how easy it can be too!

If you have an example, please share!!!

Kind of Like Going to a Mini Zoo...

To get out of the house for a while, Wednesday, Morgan and I decided (okay I decided) to go to Petco to look at the animals. Petco in my opinion has the best selection of animals to gaze at followed by Petsmart and then Pets Supplies Plus (which hardly has any - not really worth the trip). I know this because after we spent an hour in Petco we decided (yes, I) to go checkout what Pet Supplies Plus had. I have to admit, we had a hard time finding the pets and I almost decided to just go home. However, the store is set up in such a way that you are directed all the way down aisle one, before you are permitted to enter anywhere else in the store. They must have all those impluse items there.... Anyway, after our disappointment, we (still I) decided to go to Petsmart. And low and behold the never often seen, mysterious, pet of all pets was starring us in the face. Of course Morgan says, "mommy, what's that?" To which she asks another 3 times before I can explain! It was a baby chinchilla!!! Okay, so maybe not a "baby," but in Morgan's world everything is a baby_______. Have you ever seen one of those critters? They are quite interesting to watch. I wonder does God say the same thing about some of us???

Here are some of the animals we saw, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rats (in all varieties - don't ask!), mice (they were actually cute - did you know they come in apriocot??? Me either!), hamsters, birds or all varieties (yes, that one was easy), fish of all sorts (fresh & salt water), turtles, lizards, snakes, spiders (I wish God had never made them, but what do I know they are useful for something - couldn't they have at least not been so ugly?), cats, and many other things! Why pay to go to the zoo when you can spend a couple hours going to pet stores and seeing all the wonderful (strike the spiders) animals? We had so much fun and the best part...Morgan hugged me all loved on me when we left because she was so happy to see all the pets!

Satan Up to his Dirty Tricks....Again

"The Jesus Family Tomb"

To read the biblical response to this hype, click below!

http://www.harvestbible.org/Content/4/25526.pdf)

One thing: In my opinion, Don't you think that if a scandal as claimed here was going on in biblical times, it would spread like wild fire and be known the world over, supressing the bible forever? Have you ever seen a scandal remain secretitive that didn't eventually get out? And yet the most hated tool used by Christian's, the bible, has survived centuries, remains the best seller, and has been copied more times and published in more languagues than any other book on the planet. I have a number somewhere as to how far it exceeds the 2nd most published book, but I am too lazy to look it up! Regardless, it is not a close 2nd by far!

Ok, off my soap box!

Drawing the Line

Who said "doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity?" Well, don't we all do that from time to time? And sometimes do you just feel lost for ideas as to what you should do differently?

Tonight, we were able to hopefully leave a lasting impression on correcting Morgan's behavior and more importantly what undesirable behavior would cost her. We have been going to "The Little Gym" now for about 6 weeks maybe? Our first "trial" was so much fun and she loved it so much that I went ahead and signed her up for the next session which will be over sometime in June. Since that initial visit, we have been experiences the law of dimenishing returns.... Each time she enjoyed less and less, to the point where the last few times, she has been down right nasty. It is very frustrating to me because, we spent good hard earned money for her to be able to have something she might enjoy and an outlet to release a little energy during the latter part of the winter and early spring season. The idea of not going or leaving kills me because I envision a toliet with dollar bills going down as the handle is flushed.

I realized though the value of a lesson learned is like that toliet regergitating with dollar bills flying out of it.... Okay, so you get the idea that the return is much higher than the cost!!! So each time she has been nasty and mean to me, I have tried reasoning with her, letting her sit out for awhile until she got herself undercontrol and I gotta tell ya, it is exhausting!!! This is supposed to be enjoyable for her and I, but it is not anymore. It is a battle of her will.

Tonight I had had it. I was done. I told her we were leaving and I took her out into the waiting area while I put my shoes on, grabbed her shoes and jacket and we left - her kicking and screaming, barefoot and all. Don't worry - it was 67 out tonight so she was just fine with no shoes and a jacket for our short walk to the car! She screamed all the way home and I think the message was quite clear.

When we got home I took her upstairs, sat her on my bathroom counter and explained to her why we left. And then I made her tell me why we left. I also explained that we would not go back if she was going to be nasty and mean to mommy. I told her that she was going to sit in her room until she could come downstairs and say she was sorry. Which she did immediatly and of course I asked her why - and she could even tell me!!! Oh, my - I think she understood!!! I just thank God for finally getting me to just do it and I pray that this will have a return on my investment.

Congratulations Gina!!!!!

I am so happy to announce that my wonderful girlfriend Gina is spoken for!!! March 16th was Gina's birthday to which her equally as wonderful boyfriend, Brent, proposed to her! All her girlfriends, and especially her mother are so excited for her - she is such a great person and deserves all the best! Congratulations!!!

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada Trip #3

Can I just say hallelujah!?! I am very happy to relingush the title of "world traveler," but also thankful to have been able to go on all these trips! I am looking forward to starting work again and having some different activity in my life!

Our third trip started out with leaving Morgan sick and me being sick from Morgan! We left on the 6th of March. It was such a long trip!!! Our flight was 4 hours to Vancouver, then we waited for an hour to take a bus another 2 1/2 hours to Whistler. Once we got there and checked in we unpacked relaxed a bit and then went down to get some dinner. We ate there in our hotel and I had awesome chicken quesadillas. As I said I was sick, so I went to bed at 7 pm (which would be 9pm central time) only to wake up to aweful stomach pains at 9 pm. For the next hour I would be gripping the sides of the toliet as I sat there in horrifying pain from guess what??? Food poisoning. So back to bed about 10 ish, then up at 3 am in horrible cold sweats to take a bath, and again at 5 am! I woke about 8 am again. So Kyle and I went to get something to eat, and me being the tough cookie I am decided that I WAS going to ski. So I suited up, sweating all the way, and down to the ski lifts. It only took me two runs and I felt terrible. My lungs hurt so incredible bad I thought that I might have walking pneumonia. After talking to my mom, I decided that it might be a good idea to see a doctor, just to be sure. Of course, I was fine - I had the typical flu with a cold attached to it. She gave me some antibiotics just in case it didn't get better. Thursday, I rested all day and sat in the steam room in the spa downstairs a few times, which was heaven to my lungs. Later when Kyle came in after skiing, we went down to lower Whistler village, and I filled my prescription. I figured that it couldn't possibly hurt, since I had not had an antibiotic since having Morgan. After my day of rest - and a dose of antibiotics - I felt really good! Friday I went out and skiied all day, and felt as though I could have gone all night! Talk about a 180! Well, Saturday I was exhausted and it took me a lot longer to get moving. We skiied about a half a day and called it a day. Everytime I think about Sunday, I thank God for the rain, not only at the village level but also for the rain that reached the summit. Needless to say we stayed in and went out for lunch and dinner only!!! What a great way to spend a day - in bed. I was so tired I really could have slept the whole day. I wasn't feeling well either, but this time I felt weird. I remembered that I was allergic to an antibiotic that I couldn't remember the name of, when it was given to me in Louisianna when I had bronchitis. Well, as I felt weirder and weirder I realized that this was that antibiotic! So I stopped it immediately. However, the lasting effects of it was almost a week. I struggled the rest of the trip to feel good and only made it out one other day to ski. What a huge blessing God gave me to just relax. There was no point in being mad or disappointed because for one I just didn't have the energy to be and for two, I had already been given two other wonder ski trips. How nice, to be able to relax and not worry about a toddler or dinner or laundry!

The weather while we were there was very much like spring - no not necessarily warm, it rained or snowed everyday we were there!!! How depressing.... It would rain mostly in the village or at base level. So they had these bubbles on the chair lift up the mountain to keep the rain off you. We started off up the lift with rain, then sleet, then a huge cloud, and then better visibility and snow at alpine level! Weird, very weird! Most of the good skiing is alpine level to the peak, but because of the weather being so crazy, you never knew when a storm would blow in as we would travel to the peak making conditions so aweful you could barely see your hand in front of you let alone the person in front of you or the terrain of the mountain. Then in 30 minutes it would be clear! Crazy. There are two mountains in Whistler: Whistler and Blackcomb. We both agreed that Blackcomb was by far the better mountain. It opened in 1981 and I am sure after realizing the mistakes made on Whistler, made getting to runs and the layout of the mountain better.

We finally saw the sun on Wednesday 8 days later, the day we left to come home! It made for some wonderful pictures on the way back to Vancouver. I think of all the trips we had been on this year, Whistler to Vancouver was the most beautiful I have ever seen. I just wish the sun would have been out more to enjoy more of the beautiful surrondings.

Vancouver, is also the site of the 2010 winter olympic games. Whistler will hold the skiing events, bobsled, and louge. Hopefully, it will be good weather, so everyone can see how beautiful this creation is. Vancouver also is an absolutely beautiful city. There is the ocean, the mountains and and the sky scrapers making for a beautiful backdrop.

You want me to pay what??? For that???

Ok, so Kyle and I have started the home shopping process and I realize that your dollar certainly doesn't go nearly as far in Chicago as it does in most normal places. So what do you think this home is worth? Take your best shot! It will shock you! In fact, you might want to sit down.... Would you pay $150k? How about $300k? Me either but what about over a 1/2 million? How about 549K? Yep, I can't believe it either!?!?!? What has this world come too? Can you believe that some one would actually ask that for a dump like this??? The inside - oh watch out - it is seriously scary! And to make matters worse ok, this home is sitting on one of the busiest 4 lane roads in this town! Now you still gaging??? Or have you fallen over from a massive heart attack yet?

Needless to say "sticker shock" is beyond the actual meaning. I am stunned at what the prices of houses are...I can't get over it. Everytime I pull up realtor.com I guess I am expecting to see a revelation or something. But, to my dismay it never seems to happen.... How will we ever afford to live here? And you know what makes me even more sick? Is when I see these ugly little sad houses being bull dozed only to errect a massive mansion on top of it! And I wonder why the prices of house soar???? It gets worse too....there is this nice community where the glenview air naval base used to be that is gorgeous, but there isn't a home in there for less than a million. How sick??? There are tons and tons of these extremely overpriced houses - everywhere. What the heck to people do for a living???? Are they morgaged to the max? Because I refuse to be house poor. What is even more sad is that there are hundreds of these huge mansions out by Lake Michigan - huge - gigantic - gargantuan - what do they cost? Who the heck lives there? What on earth do they do for a living? Talk about culture shock. My small little bubble has been burst.....and I am sad....I just want a place to call home.

Girls in Chicago

Shortly after the return from our ski trip, a couple of my girlfriends from the east side of Cleveland, OH came to visit me! Tanya is on the left and Patti is on the right. I was so happy to see them! What a wonderful break from all the craziness of returning home from a trip. It is so nice to be with the girls and go shopping - not necessarily to buy things (although I did), but just to enjoy their fellowship and catching up on what is going on in one another's lives! Since their flight got delayed on Friday - it was to late to go downtown shopping so we grabed some lunch and I showed them around Glenview a bit, the club, and where Morgan's daycare is. Saturday was our big outting on the town, specifically Michigan Ave! We enjoyed searching for the best deals, eating cookies, and taking a carriage ride around downtown. We topped the night off by eating dinner on Rush St at Carmine's. I was sad to see them go, but I look forward to a future summer visit!!!

Ski Trip #2: Steamboat Springs/Vail, Colorado

As you have read by now we are very thankful to be home! Ski Trip number 2 started off great! We landed in Denver airport on Monday the 5th to wonderfully warm temps. It was hoovering somewhere in the 50's. Talk about a heat wave in comparison to what we had been experiencing here in Chicago, -25! I called my mom to tell her I was ready to get out my bathing suit and spreadout in some snow! She thought that I was kidding regarding how warm it was but I had to assure her that I was not! So from the airport we went to get our rental car and begin our 4 hour journey to Steamboat Springs. It took about 45 min to an hour just to reach to the base of the mountains! I loved driving through the mountains - it is so beautiful, especially when you realize how small and insignificant you are in the world. On our way, I quickly realized that Colorado is not just all mountains in the mountains! Their are countrysides and many, many ranches! I have never seen so many ranches! Who knew?? I just had always thought that once you reached the mountains all it was, was well, mountains! It was beautiful and very enjoying!

When we finally reached Steamboat Springs, I was a little shocked at how different it looked than Snowbird, UT. Completely different! The mountains looked more like huge hills! The community was very different. And the skiing was different too. We stayed in Steamboat for 6 days, in a condo and Kyle's assistant from Sand Ridge and his wife joined us for 4 of those days! We very much enjoyed their company and it was a nice lift of spirits after someone had stole Kyle's skis after just a day and half!

We also met up with Kyle's Titlest rep that had been in town for already a week plus. He had us over for some drinks, and to look at his timeshare at the Christy Club, which was very nice. It would be a great set up for any family as Steamboat is very family friendly year round. Kids ski free up to 12 years of age! That is huge savings! Plus they have all kinds of things to do in the summer, that makes it more appealing.

We left Steamboat Sunday, the 11th and traveled about 2 hours to Vail. We also took a different route to Vail so we got to see more of the countryside - how beautiful it was! I just wonder if the people who live among the mountains ever take them for granted??? Their massiveness and beauty are just breathtaking. Vail was gorgeous! Needless to say I fell in love with Vail in like 3 hours! The mountains are steeper and closer together making it feel as though you are nestled between God's creation. Vail is just massive in terrain. My favorite places were the back bowls, which just took my breath away and the openness and vastness of this giant! So much so that people looked like ants on the hill. One on the 5 bowls had to be a 1/2 mile to a mile long - and you could see all the way to the end of it! Just to lay out some stats on the 3 places we have been - it is amazing:

Because I can't get this to post the way I would like the stats go in this order:

Snowbird, UT. Alta, UT. Steamboat Srings, CO. Vail, CO. Next Trip: Whistler, Canada
Average Snow fall: 500" 500" 334" 348" 396"
Vertical Drop: 3,240' 2,020' 3,668' 3,450' 5,280'
Base Elevation: 7,760' 8,530' 6,900' 8,120' 2,140'
Top Elevation: 11,000' 10,550' 10,568' 11,570' 7,494'
Skiable Acres: 2,500 2,200 2,965 5,289 8,171
Number of Runs: 89 116 164 193 200+
Number of Lifts: 11 11 ~21 ~24 38
Longest Run: ~2 miles ? 3 miles 4 miles ?

I am so thankful that we have been able to go and enjoy these trips. I am sure next year will not be the same! I guess this was Kyle's year to really get into skiing. I am thankful to be his wife!!! God has revealed so much to me during these trips and it has been a great spiritual journey as well. Thank you Lord!

Finally Home...Stolen Skis...Missing Skis...

Oh, I am so happy to be home! More on the actually trip later, but here is what is going on now...we have had a whirl wind of a ride home. We skied all day yesterday until 4 pm and got in the car and on the road by 4:25 pm. Of course the conditions were a lot worse than we expected as it started snowing about noon yesterday. But I figured it was because we were in the mountains. So last night we drove 2 1/2 hours in a blizzard to get to the airport. We had plenty of time but had issues with finding the check in place, then we had to move clothes around 3 times until we got the weight right in all our bags. After that we searched for security for 20 mins -ugh! Our flight was a little late because the plane arrived late from California, then we had to de-ice. Finally we got in the air! Fortunately, it was a smooth ride and nice landing, so praise the Lord for that! Especially considering the conditions. So once we got off the plane, we went to baggage claim and waited another 45 mins for the bags to get there. Not fun when you are dead tired and just want to go home, but also not the end of the world. Because Kyle's were stolen the 2nd day of our trip (yeah, can you believe someone would have the nerve and we were mid-mountain too! Unbelievable), we only had my skis, boots, and his boots to pick up after we got our luggage and guess what??? No skis! I found out that they were left in Denver and that they are supposed to deliver them today. So, okay, not a huge deal....we didn't get home until 2 am and finally to bed at 3. I called this morning to find out what the status on my skis were and they don't know where they are! Can you believe that???? It is not like it is the end of the world, but such headaches! And to make matters worse - guess what else happened? We got a call from the General Manager and the golf shop was flooded last night too! So, we have a bit of a mess today and besides we are supposed to pick up Morgan and the dogs. But God is good and he will work everything out, so I am not really worried, but we could use some prayers! How boring would life be if we didn't have these little hiccups! Praise God for excitement! Nonetheless, we are just happy to be home and to get back to a normal life again - at least for awhile!

Who Knew...

that potty training would be so easy? It has been 3 weeks since I pulled the diapers and Morgan has taken to potty training like an all-star! Over the course of 3 days when we started we had 1 full blown accident when she was with dad at McDonald's and created a puddle big enough for the mop to be brought out and just a few mini accidents where she started and stopped before she made more than a teaspoon full of pee in her underwear, but then proceeded to the bathroom to finish. Even #2 has gone smoothly - only two accident with that as well one of which was at daycare! It is so hard to know when the time is right to start potty training your child as a first time mom. I'm just thankful that everything went so smoothly and hardly any hiccups!

Akiane, Child Prodigy

Has anyone heard of this girl? Strange thing happened to me yesterday at Barnes and Noble... I approached a woman working in the kids section to find out if there was a "religious" section for the kids - I was looking for a book for Morgan, and there just are not very many christian book stores here, except for our church, which I never have time to enjoy. Anyway, she began asking me if I knew about this amazing little girl who began drawing at age four when she either had a vision or God showed something to her. She was apparently born to atheistic parents, which she lead to Christ at age 4! I am interested in reading her book, but just typed in her name in google to see what it was all about. She has poetry, paintings and drawings, and her book for sale. Her paintings are amazing. But as fasinating as it was too hear about her in the moment, later I realized that I may have missed my opportunity to share with her the good news and how Christ has worked in my life. She said she had a boyfriend who is very into God and that he is turning her onto Christ and she is very interested in learning more. I did make some comments about the holy spirit as I chatted with her. I also informed her that God can reach us anywhere - even a 4 year old born to non-believing parents. That God reveals himself to everyone at some point in our lives.... Well, anyway, I just found it all very interesting and wondered too if in some way God is divinely directing my steps in all this...

Here is her website if you are interested in checking her out: http://www.akiane.com

We Did It, We Did It, We Did It - Hooray!!!

Well, amazingly taking the diapers away has been a success....at least with #1! The rest of the afternoon she went potty twice on the big girl chair! I was so proud of her that even when I bribed her with candy, she went right in, sat down and tinkled! I can't believe it, she actually CAN do it! Left to her own choices, she would be content to continue going in her diaper. So, I didn't know what to do today as we had daycare. I certainly did not want to send her in big girl underpants and she have accidents all day, but on the other hand I didn't want to put her back in a diaper after I told her we were not wearing diapers anymore. So I let Morgan choose and she insisted on wearing big girl underpants. We went into daycare, and I politely explained that I told Morgan yesterday that mommy was done with diapers and that since she has used the big girl potty with no accidents. So I left her with a change of clothes and said good luck! Kyle and I had been anticipating picking her up all day to see what would transpire. We really didn't know what to expect. I knew she could do it and with the other kids there going, I figured it would be just more encouragement. On the other hand, in a different enviroment, playing with the other kids, getting distracted, I wondered if she would forget and relapse. So initially we were downhearted when we went in to see her in the change of pants that I had sent with her. But once we talked with her teacher she said Morgan went on the potty all day, except when she laid down for a nap, which I forgot to tell her to put a diaper back on her. Sometime between sleeping and standing up after the nap she had an accident. So her teacher changed her, and Morgan wanted her big girl underpants back on! That is a good sign! I think that is it, she is pretty much trained for #1, except for nights. She has even gone once since we have been home and when I took her diaper off her when we got home it was dry! She has not gone #2 yet, so I am anxious to find out how that will work....stay tuned for more updates.....

Is Creamer Bad?

This morning after Morgan and I got up, we went downstairs and while I was making coffee I took some of those little portable creamers out (because we need to go grocery shopping) and poured it into my coffee cup as I awaited my coffee to finish. Of course Morgan wants to do everything mommy does and says "what's that mommy?" I told her it was cream for mommy's coffee, of which she responded "Morgan needs some." So I indulged her by asking "would you like to try a little bit of mommy's cream." Naturally she said "yes." So I gave her a little taste, to which she replied "mmm, mommy, that's good." So I asked her if she would like some in her milk this morning and she said "yes." She thought this was really something neat, because she said she was drinking coffee like mommy! I can't imagine that creamer would be bad for her, if anything it's got more calcium. Of course, maybe not the portable ones!

Does this ever happen to you?

Morgan is such a joy and blessing in our lives. I couldn't possibly imagine my life without her. I can't imagine waking up every morning not going into her room to see how her night went. The first picture is the way I saw her Tuesday morning. The second picture is her in our bed Wednesday night....again. Periodically I wake up to Morgan in strange place or sleeping in weird positions, this by far is the craziest I have ever seen! On the other side of the sleep pattern, is at night when we try to get her to go to bed, and for the most part it is pretty easy, but from time to time we head up to bed only to be startled by Morgan in our bed! So, I am wondering if others of you have as interesting sleeping patterns from your children as Morgan does? Oh, by the way, the flashlight, yeah that's her reward for going to bed since she is terrified of the dark and will sleep with every light on in her room - yes, even the flashlight shinning in her eyes, she has still managed to fall asleep!!!

Diaper Crutch?

Is there such a thing as a diaper being a crutch and aiding in holding a child back from potty training? I am thinking that that is where we might be right now. I gotta say I had it today! Morgan and I came home after MOPS this morning and as I was checking some email, she came up to me to let me know she had poopy pants. So like any good mom, I took her up to clean up the mess, only to open one of the all-time most disgusting diapers since she has entered our lives! I had it! So right then and there she and I had a talk about using the big girl potty from now on. I told her I was done putting diapers on her and done cleaning up the mess.

So my question is when is enough, enough? She fully well understands the whole potty concept and has on occasion used it. She knows when she goes in her diaper and every stuffed thing under our roof has used the potty. She gets it! So when does a diaper become a crutch? Is this the point you pull the plug and say no more? I did end up putting big girl underpants on her this afternoon and kept remindering her to let me know if she needed to use the potty - and guess what? She did do it! So going forward do I no longer allow a diaper at home and while she is awake? I need advice, if ya gotta it post it!

Ski Trip #1, Snowbird/Alta Utah

Well, we have been home now for about a week since our 8 day trip out to Snowbird, UT. Besides all the wonderful skiing there is, and we had, the most amazing thing to me so far in my short, somewhat senic, sheltered life are the mountains. What a creation they are! My mouth just drops in awesome wonder to the creation God has made. To me, if anyone has not pondered the meaning of life and if there is a God, I don't know how you could look at something so magnificent, so powerful and not begin. When I look at the mountains it is as if I can hear the seraphim shouting from the heavens "holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory." The moutains scream creation all over and they are flooded in the glory of God. Just look at this picture! However it does no justice at all to being there surronded by them.

Thankfully, I would say that we had a successful trip. No one came back with any broken bones and I am so thankful for that and the fact that God has provided Kyle and I with something we can enjoy together. So, picture this a hotel room with 2 beds, a small love seat, and a bathroom. Yeah, all four of us slept there for 8 nights! Leslie (my sister) and I bunked together, and Brandon (Kyle's brother) and Kyle bunked together. For the most part we all got along really pretty well. There were a few spats, but nothing that couldn't be worked out with some sleep. While, Kyle can be a snorer (sp?), I had no idea the amount of noise a nose can produce - and it wasn't Kyle. One night I found myself not being able to fall asleep because of the penetrating sound of Brandon's nose! So, I headed off to the bathroom floor with a blanket, comforter, 3 towels and 4 pillows. The first time I awoke was to my sister needing to use the bathroom. While my head was at the opposite end of the toliet, it seems I awoke nearly on top of it and was confused to exactly where the door was! Eventually after some good feelin' around and assurance to my sister that I was coming, I did find the door. The next time I awoke was Christmas morning!

The other most amusing thing that happened was Brandon's gracefully shot down the hill off a jump, landing perfectly, continuing on down the hill to finally arrive in some fresh powder! Picture this: Brandon and Kyle were at the top of the hill and while les and I were skiing with them on a green run, we waited halfway down the run for them to catch up. So in our leisure time we decided to take a picture with her camera phone. We were standing at the edge of a little ledge smiling at her phone as Brandon, wosh down the hill ski tips pointed straight forward with no sign of making turns or slowing down. As he picked up speed nearing us, he went of the ledge we were at and shot up into the air to some 5o feet later land the jump and continue like a maniac down the hill picking up more speed all while les and I are screaming "sit down, sit down, sit down." So you gotta understand something, this was only Brandons 3 time skiing ever, so what we were witnessing was terrifing in the moment. Evidently, Brandon found a soft landing spot and vered (again sp?) off into some powder. After thinking it all through, he realized how scary it was, but we all got a good laugh in the end reliving the moment!

Both Kyle and Brandon became pretty decent skiers by the end of the trip. Kyle wound up chasing Les and I down some black diamond runs, some that we wanted to wring leslie's neck for, but others not too bad. Brandon upgraded to some blue runs. We also enjoyed celebrating Kyle's birthday the day before Christmas. All in all we had a wonderful time, and even the drill sargent (which is what they were calling me) was tired by the 8th day of straight skiing! Thank you Leslie and Brandon for accompaning us and making our time more enjoyable!!!

Bauer Christmas

Here are pictures of the Bauer side Christmas before we left for UT. Morgan passed out all the presents to everyone there. As she passed them out she would say Happy Birthday! Poor kid is so confused with having mom's birthday in November and Celebrating Kyle's birthday before we left and then Christmas! Well, I take that back, she is correct it was afterall Jesus's birth! How confusing! We finally got her to say Merry Christmas as she delivered presents. She even said Feliz Navidad a couple times! It was so cute. Her most beloved gift this year was her Dora backpack, which she never takes off and has even slept in once! As you can see she also received an Illini outfit as well....looks great with the backpack on!!!

A special visitor stopped by bearing a gift - Santa Claus! Needless to say she was shocked and almost scared out of her wits!!! We enjoyed our time there together. When it was time for us to leave, she didn't seem to even care that we were leaving her behind with the dogs that night!

Christmas with the Stafford's

We also celebrated Christmas with the Stafford side on Saturday the 16th. We kicked it off with a wonderful dinner that included, turkey, ham, creamed corn, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, au gratin potates, pumkin pie, apple pie, and cookies!!! Needless to say we had plenty of leftovers to get us through the rest of the week until we leave for UT.

I think Morgan caught on this year as to opening presents! However, once she openned one she would want to play with it - I can't blame her!!! She had so many in comparison to us, that we had to continually keep her on task of openning presents. Mama and Papa Stafford got her many outfits for this summer, which are adorable, Dora's talking house, a Dora tree house tent, and a butterfly plack thing to hold her outfits on (so she can choose what to where). Aunt Les, got her a water table, which we filled with rice and is now all over the basement floor, a dora ABC game and a necklace and bracelet. We are headed down to Mama and Papa Bauer's tonight for our Christmas celebration there