Feeling guilty

As we drove home after skiing for 4 hours yesterday, I was feeling very guilty. There was still so much powder to be had. Darren and I had enjoyed 4 hours of exhausting fast skiing. Every run we took was covered in wonderful fluffy white stuff.

Sadly though, we had to leave. I for one was getting sloppy and was falling down too much. Falling down in at least 3 feet of powder is quite the workout when you are trying to get up!

Darren lost a ski at one point of the day, but thankfully managed to find it buried deep in the snow. Solitude Ski resort is wonderful and so is my husband!

Our Christmas Holiday

What a week for snow around here. Most of my friends either don't live around me, don't ski or have a job... so I couldn't find anyone to go up with during the amazing snow days. Thanks to my sister and my parents, Darren and I went up the 24th morning and skied a wonderful half day alone. They opened up Honeycomb Canyon just as we went up a run, and so we had three runs of blissful powder... floating on feet and feet of fresh powder. It is magical!

Then my parents brought up the kids and skied with us the rest of the day. Ella didn't fall asleep this time which was REALLY nice!

Christmas Eve night we had both sets of Grandparents over. A simple dinner with wonderful desserts. Followed by a great puppet show about Jesus being born. A few songs were song and Tyler preformed a few songs on the piano. Then we headed over to our church for the Neighborhood Christmas Eve devotional.
Christmas morning found us bright and early. 7:30 I guess isn't too early! Pat and Seth joined us for the festivities. It was a wonderful Christmas morning. Ella got a few more princess items and was as happy as could be.
Grandma Balls made my kitchen helpers aprons just for them. We have already used them.
We spent the rest of the day relaxing, talking two walks, visiting my parents at their house to open socks and a few more presents. Then to finish off the night we went to my Grandma Elaine's house. The kids love Aunt Linda because she has so many fun things to share with them. My Grandma just called me a few minutes ago, just to tell me how much she was like Ella when she was young. She was active, excited, full of joy, bouncing... I asked her for some advice of how to be the best parent to her and my Grandma said, take your vitamins, just take your vitamins!

Ella first day with no ropes

This is Ella skiing the run before she fell asleep (while skiing)

What Darren has been doing!

Wasatch Dawn Patrol - Nov 30, 2010

A fun weekend

We went downtown this week on a Tuesday. It was much less busy than a weekend, yet still very full! It was warm which made the whole experience more enjoyable. One youth group even gave us all hot cocoa and fresh doughnuts.

Here is the best story about our weekend.

We took the kids up skiing at Solitude. They did really well. So much so that Tyler went down a few blues. At the end of them he said his little legs were tired!

Ella was ready to take off the ski ropes from her back. We hold on to the ropes to slow her down. But she was ready to just work on skiing on her own. She and I skied several runs on the beginner hill alone. Then Darren and Tyler came over to see how she was doing. The time was now about 3:15 pm. (Ella usually naps around 1:30 every day)

Darren rode the lift up with her. He commented later that she was rather quiet as he talked to her. We get off the lift and start skiing down. I have to keep reaching out to her and slowing her down. She was just going so fast. Each time I grab her she kind of laid her head down on my out stretched arm. I didn't think much of it, just that she must love her momma! But by the third time of racing up to her and slowing her down , and the third time of her laying her head on my arm... it came together in my head. I bent down and look at her eyes through her googles. SHE WAS ASLEEP! Eyes closed and all!

I picked her up mid ski run and carried her down to the truck. Darren undid my skis and I walk her to the truck. We take off her hat, goggles, skis, boots, and coat and she doesn't even move. I lay her down and she sleeps!

Other news:

• Darren has been skiing early mornings with a friend. Mike, his friend, calls the group he skis with the "Dawn Patrol". I will post a video of their fun adventures. Darren isn't actually in this video. But I think my husband is pretty cool for getting up at 5:00 AM and hiking up a mnt, skiing down and then heading into work!
• I have been climbing still with my friend Ang. It reminds me that I can be a mom, a wife and still be Amy- having fun!
• Tyler is working on Spanish still. He is also practicing the piano a lot.
• Ella doesn't sleep in a crib anymore. She is almost three and I just felt guilty putting her in a crib. But in the last 7 days of no crib, she has taken two naps. She just doesn't want to nap anymore. We all pay for it around 5:30 when she falls apart!
• I got to ski two runs on my own yesterday. Wonderful powder. Darren gave me his "old" skis. Wow! What a difference. I was skiing on skis that were only 9 years old but it was night and day difference with newer skis.

MERRY Christmas Everyone!

Or Happy (late) Hanukkah

Getting Older

I turned 31 on Friday. It was a great birthday. Yet it was so different than any other birthday I have ever had.

This birthday was quite, not too many people and just for me! Darren and Tyler "surprised" me with breakfast. We did put candles in the omelet and it was good! I met Darren for lunch with the kids. Then the kids and I went to Provo to rock climb with my friend Ang. The kids loved it... and so did I. We try to go every week, so they are finally getting better behaving there (which makes for a more enjoyable experience).

Then the rest of the evening just fell into place. I was so grateful! We had to go to a work party in Alpine. The kids got to play with my cousin Kimi and Carlee. They loved it! But the best part was putting my kids to bed at home, and having them wish me a happy birthday all day.

Then Saturday Darren took me on a date. Mexican food at the fish taco place - No I didn't try the fish tacos, just Darren did. Then he told me he got tickets for some movie... "The Tourists" or something like that. I tried not to be too disappointed. But Darren said I failed miserably! I couldn't tell if he was serious- I kept saying, are you serious, you didn't get tickets for Narnia, the Dawn Treader?

He finally told the truth, He did have tickets for Narnia! THANK GOODNESS! I have been so excited to see it!

Does it mean I am getting old when I like quite peaceful birthdays with my little family!?

Texas cousins

My brother is in Iraq for another 6 weeks. So to break up the last stretch of his absense my sister in law, Jeana packed up 3 kids and came to visit. It was a great Thanksgiving treat. Now they can head home, prepare for Christmas and New Years, then he will be home the first half of January!

We made turkeys one day. There was all kinds of goodness to decorate them with. Lunch wasn't a big success after the activity. It seems more candy got in tummies then on the popcorn turkey balls!

This is cousin Seth helping Ella with her turkey. Tyler and I took Seth skiing one day. It was SOOO cold- as in, 9 degrees cold but it was his only chance and it was only for an hour and a half.

Grandpa took all of us to the dinosaur museum at Thankgiving Point. It was a huge sucess.
We could have stayed for longer but the adults were tired and hungery!
Tyler got to hang out with Cousin Spencer. There are 5 cousins all about the same age and when they get together they have fun.
Ella and Sophie had a great time. Ella really is happy in this picture, I must have just caught her at a funny point. Both girls didn't take naps for 3 days and wow, they were done by the third evening together! Too much fun!
We also spent Thanksgiving in Logan with the Balls family. I love Skype. We talked to Ranell in Minnesota, and Jason and Whit in Florida. My parents and Renee were in Washington having Thanksgiving with the Allen's and the Thomas's. I will be there soon!

Green Eggs and Ham anyone...

I follow my cousin's cooking blog.

asianflourgirl.blogspot.com

I love the recipes and try most of them. One of my favorite things she does in her posts is say what she learned while cooking each thing. I always check this before I cook it because I tend to make lots of mistakes while cooking and want to avoid anything she points out.

Well I made her zucchini fritters- This is her photo from her blog- They look GOOD!

http://asianflourgirl.blogspot.com/2010/10/recipe-39-zucchini-fritters.html

So we made some. But I knew my kids would eat it better if they couldn't see the healthy zucchini in it. So (mistake #1) I pureed the zucchini. Then added the other ingredients like cheese, ham and eggs.

Then Darren helped me cook up the fritters (or the mess, the glop, the whatever you want to call it- it was pretty scary looking)

Here is my picture- It looked the same before we cooked it as it did after we cooked it. Still not wanting to give up- Tyler has been reading all the Dr. Seuss Books. So we pretended to have made the crazy dinner just for him.

He tried a bite or two. Darren and I ate some- and the rest went in the garbage.

What I learned: Dont puree Zucchini- It makes a big watery mess!

Carmel Apples

I have wanted to make carmel apples for a long time. Finally we got to it today.

We used extra Halloween Candy to decorate some of the apples. They turned out wonderful!

Halloween Weekend

We went to the Natural History Museum the other day. Ella really wanted pig tails.

This is my husband who I love so much. His boss.... His boss came up with the idea that the whole accounting department should dress up the same. Then he chose the theme---- they should all dress up Gothic- you know all in black, earrings, piercings, etc...

So if Darren has to do something he does it right. His poor children wouldn't even hug him good bye.
Tyler dressed up like a soccer player. He really likes soccer. and Ella dressed up like a cowgirl. Really- neither child cared much about dressing up they just wanted the candy.
We made it trick or treating for about an hour and a half. - in that time we made it down our street and one other. WOW!

Two things I learned

I seem to always have recipes that call for Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk- and I never have any on hand.

I have found two great recipes- and they are cheaper than buying the stuff

Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 cup hot water

1 cup non instant dry powdered milk

1 cup sugar

1 tbs butter

combine ingredients and mix in blender. use immediately or store in fridge or freezer

Evaporated milk

1.5 cups of water

.5 cups +1 Tbs dry non instant powdered milk

combine ingredients and miz will before using your recipe. Yield:1.5 cups- the equivalent of a 12 oz can

Family photos

My sister in law took some great pictures of our little family this weekend. They worked out really well. She has some fun ones on her blog- so if you want to see a few more cute ones, some with Ella and Tyler too... click here

http://nolanandcorie.blogspot.com/2010/10/pictures-darren-amy-kids.html

Everyone needs a Daddy

A few weeks ago I posted Ella riding on her balance bike. That wouldn't have happened so soon, but she has a Daddy. I find myself being too schedule oriented. I like my lists and getting things done. She would still be riding her tricycle around now - but she has a Dad who says, you can do it. Lets go.

Well this weekend Darren spent some time with Tyler. Tyler is a very sensitive boy. I love that he loves to cuddle up with me, He loves to get hugs and kisses. But he hates it when Darren and I leave.

We went on a date earlier in the week, and Tyler was rather upset. So to make up for it, Darren took Tyler out on a ... date? I don't know what you call it- not a daddy daughter date- but something- is there a good name for a son outing?

They came back with doughnuts and STUFF from Home Depot. Several weeks ago they drew up plans for how to make a crane in the new club house in the back yard. This way, Tyler can lift things up and down from the upper level of the club house. (I believe he got the idea from watching the curious George show)

Now they finally got to start working on it. Notice they both have their gloves on, and this is serious- Tyler is into all this stuff 200%! Therefore I am grateful for Dads who know how to do that kind of .... stuff... with little boys!
They just asked me to help paint it before they finish putting it together. I can do that! Just add it to my list!
Here are the plans to their project.

Tyler turned 5 year old

Tyler wanted to have a rocket ship theme for his cake this year. So he spent several days prior to his birthday drawing rocket ships and posting them around our house. Finally on Friday we got to make and decorate his cake. I drew a man in the space ship and Tyler let me know we had to put another circle around the mans head because he needed a space suit on.

Instead of a party this year, he just got to invite a few friends over.

They each got to make some food to eat, play with play dough, and run around in the back yard. Then we cut up the rocket ship cake and they devoured it!
Darren had a race on Saturday. (He improved his time from last year by 13 minutes) Nice job!
But after the race (in Ogden) we met Grandma and Grandpa Balls and Nolan and Corie for lunch. Tyler got a huge birthday cookie with icecream TO SHARE!
We all tried out bowling. Tyler worked hard on perfecting the art.
Ella really did amazing. She could throw the ball down our lane, the neighbors lane, down the gutter (and the gutter things were up) and even behind her! But she wanted to carry that ball alone- by her self! Miss Independent 2 year old!
Finally Sunday was actually Tyler's Birthday. He got some fun presents and has spent most of Sunday and today (Monday) in his room building with his new legos. We had more cake and celebrations with the Harston side.

All in all- I realized one thing. Saturday night Darren and I were up late talking to a friend. His daughter turns 8 next month. ( I still remember us all being newly weds and now he has an 8 year old) Then he commented how fast those 8 years have gone. He said in only 10 years she will be 18- moving on to college. As I reflected on Tyler and his young five years, I have to agree. Where has the time gone. It is moving fast. I need to enjoy every minute of it before it is gone, and he is gone- a mission, college and married!

Tyler's 5th Birthday

Tyler had a three day birthday celebration. As things finished up tonight he was exhausted.

Each friend helped cookie the treat we made. They were magic muffins- a marshmallow rolled in butter and cinnamon and sugar. Then put inside a crescent roll to cook.
Darren did his last triathlon of the year today. It is one he did last year. He improved his time by 13 minutes this year. We are proud of him!

Ella on her bike

Ella took off today- She just started riding! I have been to nervous to let her try to much. It took Darren taking her out for me to realize she is ready. She is amazing!

closing down

I track all my blogs with bloglines.com

But they are shutting down, closing down their website.

I have loved to be able to go on their website and be able to check all my blogs at once. (well they told me when people had updated their blog)

So what else can I use? Ideas?

Telluride 2010 -Day 1

I love my kids... and I love vacations too.

Darren and I took a few days away.

A few days of

- no responsibilities

- no waking up in the night to help a dog or a kid

- no helping a 2 year old go potty

- getting to feed myself first and when I want

- getting to sleep in until whenever

- reading a good book

- Darren time

This is the sunset outside of Moab.

It has to be a good trip when it starts this way!

Telluride 2010 -Day 2: Road Biking

We woke with a great view out our tent window.

Camping really is so easy with just two adults.

We went for a run up the canyon. Fantastic!

It is only a 3 hour drive from Moab to Telluride with some great roads in between.

We took about 5 hours getting there this time and took turns riding our road bikes on quite Colorado back roads.

When we got to The Bear Creek Lodge a nice guy gave us some extra tickets to see a show in the "Telluride Film Festival" that was just winding down.

"Tamara Drewe" was the shows name.

What a gorgeous name

Tamara, not Tamra, but Tamara...

maybe if we spelled it Tumara it would be pronounced right...

AND no we are not announcing just thinking of cute names.

SO....Why do people rave about film festivals. We saw one show and that it was fine. Some people (with in 3 days) had seen over 15 shows! oh my!

Telluride 2010 -Day 3: Mountain Biking

The last time I mnt biked was at least 10 years ago.

I dont mind it at all, I would just rather do other sports.

Telluride is know for several things but our favorites are skiing and mnt biking.

I borrowed a bike from a friend and set off.

With in the first 2 miles I had

- cried

- crashed (with quite a bit of bruising to show for that!)

- and walked the bike several times

Darren was beyond patient. It took us so long.

He would go and wait, go and wait.

I would go and try not to scream, go and try not to fall off....

12 miles later. I was happy I did it.

Maybe next time I will try to figure out what I am doing before we get there.

Telluride 2010 -Day 4: Ice Lakes

This is the only day with a lot of pictures. But I want to remember it well!

We decided to drive over a pass to get to a place outside of Silverton, CO

to do an amazing hike.

The adventure started here.

Driving out of Telluride to a small town call Ophir.

This is a photo of one of thousands of mines with the tailings

that were dumped out of the mine.

(the part of the rock they didn't want)

We drove down a nice road through beautiful trees.

Then got our first look of where we had to go.

I was so glad Darren was driving - I would have passed out half way across!

The road barely fit our truck. I can't even explain how I felt crossing that. So I wont try!

It was mostly the after thoughts that scared me.

1. I thought about that we need to make a will

2. We need to ask someone to be the caregivers of our children should we die young

3. I thought about the fact that I should have called my sister to tell her where we were going in case the people of Ophir find a beat up white truck with the license plates that start with 222 but they cant identify the bodies because they were so damaged in the roll down the complete drop off and the the truck burned up when the gas exploded!!!! ENOUGH!

Needless to say we drove all the way around when we went home,

forget trying to save half an hour!

At the top ...breathing

We were in the clouds!

And the other side was prettier but not a whole lot better.

This mnt is so steep there are avalanche shoots all down it.

This is the drop off! Really the other side was so much worse!!!

I might have been able to take two steps on the other side before I fell to my death

but this side was at least 7 or 8 steps before you died!

I was so happy to get out of the car.

We started the hike to Upper and Lower Ice Lakes.

Weather Forecast: Rainy with chance of lightening

Last year in Telluride we got caught in a quick summer storm. It wouldn't have been so bad, we had rain jackets, but last year.... we were above tree line when the storm came in. Within minutes we were engulfed. Lightening hitting all around us!

SO...

This year we were all ears!

Thankfully we made it to the top.

But not without being drenched in rain.

You can't even see the mnts in this picture.

I believe in prayer.

I prayed for safety and if possible a few minutes of sunshine.

As we were leaving (we were only on top long enough to take a few photos and listen for lightening- notice no trees!)....

but as we were leaving, it cleared up for a few minutes.

The miners had it very rough 100 years ago,

but they had it rough in a very beautiful place.

The ruins of a mining shack

All told- 2500 feet of elevation gain in 3 miles. And we were hiking morph speed!

We were tired and wet.

A quite drive home, a hot shower, and some yummy mexican food helps everything.