Friends Get Together

We enjoyed our annual friends family dinner at Dave & Rain's. The kids absolutely love these dinners. They disappear to the basement and we don't see them for the whole night. Actually I guess the adults love these kind of nights too!!

Stepping Stone Christmas Program

Taylor so looked forward to her Christmas Program this year! She walked around the house all week singing the songs so loud, so ready to perform!! That's why it was some what shocking when the program started Taylor disappeared into her shell. Two fingers went into her mouth and she looked down at her shoes the entire night. This photo was taken during the finale, she was finally ready to participate (sort of)!

Maui 08

This Thanksgiving I am very thankful for.....

frequent flier miles

Starwood Hotel points

a sister willing to share Starwood Hotel points

a family I love to spend time with

a spouse who loves to spend time with my family

the greatest set of in-laws anyone could ever ask for

long days spent in the sun playing TTR

Manastics

Taylor absolutely loves "manastics!" It's quite fitting actually since she is build exactly like Mary Lou Retton. She's 100% fearless and it shows. At the end of class they were on the trampoline and the teacher said they could all do what ever they wanted for the their last few minutes, "Except for you Taylor, no flips today." "Oh, Why Not??!!" Came Taylor's reply.

Lunch Dates

This week was "bring a parent to lunch" week at Hailey Elementary. Lucky for Drew and Dani they were able to bring both parents. One parent who was willing to pose for pictures, and one who was smart enough to bring the camera! Skip always loves walking the halls of his old stomping grounds and even seeing a few familiar faces. The kids have Mrs. Nelson for Tech and she was one of Skip's favorite teachers.

Baby It's Cold Outside!!!!

Guess how cold it was skiing on Saturday???

Cold enough to freeze a poor little tongue and lip to the ski lift! Poor little Taylor had resisted the silver, shiny pole all day long. But in the end the curiosity got to her. Hopefully it will only take her once to learn this lesson. Skip and I were on the chair lift with her, about mid way up we hear her making strange noises, Skip panics as he realizes she's stuck and pulling her tongue trying to free it. He is pushing her head towards the pole while trying to blow hot air or spit on it to free her, but she decided it would be easier to just throw her head back and leave a little bit of her tongue and lip on the pole. What a bloody mess!!

Elk Hunt 2008

Fair warning to my nephew Sam. This is a post you are going to want to skip.

The elk hunt this year is quite possibly the shortest hunt in history. Skip and Roy headed up there Thursday night and stayed the night with the horses and the 5 th wheel anticipating a long weekend of hunting. But low and behold they got their elk on Friday and couldn't wait for us all to come up and be a part of it. Since I had just left the kids at the Smiths (thanks Jason) and Mindy and I were headed out for a very mini girls night out, we put off the visit until Saturday morning.

The horses were the highlight for Drew and Dani. Taylor wanted nothing to do with the whole experience. She wouldn't get out of my arms and there was no way we could talk her into even petting the horses let alone ride on.

And now the prized elk. For any of you that care it's a 5 point. They were fairly proud of it. But more than anything I think they were really excited to get home earlier than expected and enjoy some college football.

Back to Normal

It took Shalece 2 whole weeks to get back to normal after having her 5th baby. I know, I know, you look at the photo below and can't believe it but it's true. Not only did she make her return to Girls Day she brought the lunch. The girl never quits blowing my mind.

Little Addaley spent most of her time protected from all of our germs, but I just had to peel back the protective cover for a quick shot. She is so tiny!

Drew's Big Day

How did this happen?? How did my baby boy become a 9 year old? Even though I had a hard time accepting it we decided to celebrate anyway.


The highlights of this years gifts were Legos, Legos, and more Legos. He and Poppa John had them all assembled before Poppa left town (and we all know that's pretty quick)! Grandma Arleane opened Drew a savings account and he thinks it's the coolest thing ever. He's suddenly motivated to gather up money, some of it even being his, and head to the bank and make deposits.
And of course for his very special birthday meal he chose.....McDonalds!

Halloween

Halloween Parade at Hailey Elementary. Danika loved having me there but it's happened....Drew was a little embarrassed of me and my camera. He wouldn't even slow down for the photo op.

Taylor had a crazy day. She was so excited all day for the trick or treating around town but fell asleep right before we left and there was no waking her. It was all I could do to get her back into her costume (and forget about doing her hair or wearing a crown) for our party at the Minors.

This was the best weather we've ever had for Halloween. It usually marks the first sub zero temperature and a little snow. The walk about town couldn't have been more pleasant.

Not quite sure what the giant mouse was supposed to be, but the kids were very excited to see it.

We loved the annual spagetti dinner at Hank and Heathers, but the trick or treating in Elkhorn left a little to be desired. The vote was made to have the dinner at our house next year so the kids can visit some houses were people actually live year round!

Pumpkin Carving

The kids patiently waited to carve their pumpkins. Picking them at the pumpkin patch weeks ago was a cruel trick. They did a great job! The coolest find I had this Halloween was the strobe light pumpkin inserts! No lighting of the candles, just flip the switch!