Winter at the end of February

 We finally got snow the last few days of February.  It was the first time the kids have been able to play in the snow in our yard since we moved in.  yep... end of February.  But Abby and Ella loved it.  Darren and I went for a night run in the snow after the kids were in bed.  The dark and snow didn't allow Darren to capture how breath taking it was.  We were in the clouds over looking a beautiful valley.

 I am still doing cub scouts with lots of boys.  We got to go to Home Depot the other day and learn about tools. They gave us a free wood project for the boys to make.

 The beginning of February was warm... well almost all of February was warm.  Tulips were coming up and we didn't have to wear coats some days.

 My Dad has offered to babysit so Darren and I could go to the temple once a month.  The didn't know their Grandpa was an amazing artist until they spent a few hours drawing with him one night.

 We made Tylers Valentine box.  Its a skyscraper building.  Super tall.

 One weekend in February we drove down to Las Vegas to hike and climb and bike in Red Rocks State Park.  My friend Pam helped me pack.  She had to lay on the box so it would close.  But we got everything down there.  Since we didn't have service in the Park Darren and I didn't take any pictures.  So the only picture I have is me taking a picture of abby while while we were hiking so I could see if she was awake or asleep.

Darren has been training for bike races. I have been training for a marathon.  It was fun to try on my wedding dress one weekend and show Ella.  I could zip it up but I dont know if I could sit very well and BREATH in it!

We ski almost every weekend.  Sometime with friends, or Grandpa, Once with Uncle Ben.  I enjoy it so much!  

 A few funny pictures of Abby.  She found Q-tips. She loves the bubbles in the tub.  She is  a bit of a dare devil, going down ramps on her tricycle.  She takes good care of her babies.  She likes to sit on the potty which means, she likes to sit on the potty, not use it, but put lots of toilet paper down the hole.  I also continue to find our pet lizard in random places.  Last week it was in my fridge.  Thanks to Aunt Nellie who encourages this activity, my children find it very funny when I open it and jump!

January 2015... A New Year

We started the month with lots of family.  We had a whole crew from out of state and all those from in state.  We finished off the month with a Blue and Gold Scout Banquet.  Tyler and Darren were supposed to decorate a cake for the dinner.  It was a fun night. 

 

The rest of the month was filled with playing, fort building, Tyler getting sick and having to stay home from school.  We had friends over and played out sometimes.  Its been in the 50's which is crazy.  I enjoy so much having lots of friends sitting around my kitchen and hearing their chatting as they eat good food.  I hope that will be something that continues forever.  We even got to see our dear little Bella.  She is happy in her life.  I wish we could have stollen her away from her sad life, but she seems to be doing well.

Tyler and Fisher did a science project together.  It had to do with Legos which was fun.  Ella's hair is growing longer.  We are definitely mother and daughter.  Our hair is almost exactly the same.  Abby and I even got to go to Corie and Nolan's house to help them get some things moved in.  I found three cute cousins sitting on the couch enjoying Dinosaur train.  

Kirsty here from Australia

My high school friend Kirsty came to America for a few weeks to visit.  She did an exchange program our senior year and we hung out with her all the time! Darren and I went to Tasmania to visit her in 2003.  Now we are all grown up and have kids.  How times flies.  

We had a late night one night.  Tawnie came from St.George and we sat in the hot tub and talked for a few hours.  Kirsty celebrated her 35 birthday while she was here.  We took her out to lunch with some friends.  

We went to the Natural History Museum at the U of U.  Her little Grace is a doll.  She looks a lot like her daddy, Kallan.

It is nice to catch up with old friends.  even better to still have lots to talk about and feel like ... time has gone by but we are still friends.  

Skiing

Its been a great year to ski.  Maybe not the  best snow or snow cover all the time. but its been a great year of skiing with friends and my kids.  Darren has been a few times in the early morning hours.  Hiking with lights before the sun comes up and then skiing down.  He got some great shots.  

I dont mind the hiking but I do love a good steep groomer too! Ang (and Steve and daughter Olivia) took me to Solitude one day.  I heart Solitude.  But one run in particular has my name all over it.  Its a black diamond that is super steep.  They have a running competition to see who can get down it fastest.  I was the leader for a little while but by the end of the day I was down to 3rd place by one second.  1 minute and 46 seconds.  If I ever crashed it would hurt a lot!  Fun day.  

The kids and I have been going up quite a bit.  Ella and Stella LaRiviere took one day to ourselves.  I took them on their first ever run labeled a double black diamond.  They were amazing.  I was so proud.  It is nice to have all that hard work finally pay off.