Soldier Hollow

Right before our move to California almost four years ago now, we took the girls, Maddy (4 at the time) and Audrey (2 at the time) to Soldier Hollow. I am not sure if they remembered it, but they had fun and so did we. Soldier Hollow was an Olympic venue and now they turned it into a tubing hill. You pay for a two hour period of time and get to sled the lazy way. You sit on your tube as a pulley drags you to the top of the mountain and then you sled down a groomed hill. It is a ton of fun. So the Conrads (Andrew's sister's family), Andrew's mom, our friends the Daytons, and us got all bundled up and went up to Midway for some sledding. Here is Andrew's sister Camille with Drew and his cousin Ryan. Ryan is only a couple of month older than Drew.


Best buddies Maddy and Aubrey.



Waiting in line for the "lift" service. They do limit how many people are on the mountain during the two hour time periods but there is still a wait to get up the hill.


Me with Audrey and Drew.


Here is my niece Emily with her friend. Emily is sporting her new ski outfit.


Paul and Camille with Ryan.

We had a blast that day. My kids have really missed the snow since we moved and they just keep talking about this place. I guess we will have to make it a Christmas tradition. Small side note...we totally saw Kobe Bryant with his wife and kids exiting the previous session when we came for ours.

I AM ONE

I blinked and here we are a year later. I LOVE this kid. He has me wrapped around his little finger. I have had such a fun year with him. He has got a great personality and I am trying to enjoy ever minute of it. We were still in Utah for his birthday so we were able to celebrate with Andrew's family. Andrew made him this sweet cupcake football cake. I think I will leave the cake making up to him from now on.


Here is Gavin waiting in anticipation for his first try of sweets.

Yum. I think he liked it.


Trying to get every last morsel off.

Yep that is one happy baby.

Having a birthday in December is rough but three days after Christmas, sorry Gavin. We did have more presents for him though. He got a fun little push car and a small, soft and squishy BYU football. We are starting early with the indoctrination process. HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet little guy. We love you.

CHRISTMAS MORNING 2008

Every other year we pack up all our Christmas loot and head to Utah for the holidays. This year we were able to spend all two weeks there. We sure had a ton of fun. On Christmas morning, we first opened presents with our kids. One of the traditions in my family growing up was to have your picture taken in front of the Christmas tree before all the unwrapping frenzy started. Now I have started that tradition with my kids. So here they are just out of bed.


Here is Gavin with one of his two toys he received this year...he doesn't know any different.



Then after we finished opening gifts, it was time to help get breakfast made. The tradition in Andrew's family is a huge buffet style breakfast. Ham Souffle is the main course and then there is cinnamon rolls, clam and onion dip with chips, all types of fruit, vegetable platter, and treats. Around 11am everyone else in his family showed and we spent a while eating and then eating more. After the kids could not contain themselves anymore waiting on us...we opened presents with grandma and the cousins. Here is Aubrey and Maddy sporting their new matching jogging outfits. These two are so close. I love it.


And a picture of the on lookers. Each grandchild had to watch as one grandchild at a time opened the gifts as to avoid chaos. So here are some patiently waiting for their turn.

Winter Amazement

We spent Christams Eve over at Camille and Paul's house. It was a great evening with really delicious soups. During dinner my brother in law Kip told us that there was this guy up by where they live that makes these amazing snow creations. I guess whenever it snows he uses his tractor, blow torch and creativity and comes up with things ranging from the Simpsons to Madagascar. So after dinner we did a drive by so the kids could see it. I was in totally shock of how seriously crazy amazing this guy is. Just check out the pictures.

Madison Is Student of The Month

Our little Madison is such a great student. She always goes above and beyond what is asked of her. This month she was recognized for all her great achievements and was student of the month. At Friday morning flag salute the school presented her with an award. She was surprised to see Andrew and I and Krystal and her kids there to support her. We are so proud of you. Here is Maddy getting her award. It was pajama day that Friday so that is why she is dressed in her pajamas at school. No I did not forget to get her dressed.

After she received her award we got to have a little breakfast snack with her before she had to go to class. I love that girl. She is just so sweet and just always trying to be her best.

Gingerbread Houses!!!

This year Audrey had a fun activity at school making Gingerbread Houses. It has been so nice for Andrew to work in Temecula and have a slightly less demanding schedule. He is able to be more involved in the kid's lives and they have been so excited to have him there. Here is Andrew supervising Audrey. It was a slightly messy activity but very fun. I am glad the Kindergarten classes take time out of their academics to still do fun things for the kids.

Audrey was very into making it look just perfect. A perfectionist just like her daddy.

Joy School Nativity Scene

Our joy school group went to a Senior Center to perform the Nativity. Drew was Joseph in the Nativity. He was so cute but he was so shy to perform his part. I think all the "grandparents" thought it was so cute even though it wasn't perfect.

After the Nativity was over all the kids went and hugged the "grandparents." I captured Drew giving one of them a big hug. It was so cute. I know these seniors loved having them come and perform. It seemed like it was the light of their day.