Our way fun weekend!

Our weekend activities started Friday with skiing at Anthony Lakes. This was probably Hyrum's 3rd or 4th time skiing and Lydia's 1st. Though Hyrum's been a couple times, they've been pretty spread out (his 1st time was just after he turned 3) so he's never had consistent time to learn. He did a really good job on the bunny hill. Unfortunately, he didn't know how to turn or stop so each time down he'd ski way past the conveyor belt that gave him a ride back up, which resulted in him having to hike up to the belt in skies each time Definitely, not easy work! I don't think I've ever seen him more exhausted at the end of a day. Way to be, Hyrum!

Both of the kids had a great time. Lydia kept saying, "I love skiing! It's so much fun!" When we went in for lunch it wasn't long before she was asking to go back out. She surprised both of us with how long she lasted.

Hyrum had a few good falls and his skies would come off each time. Thankfully, Jon was there this time to help him gather them up and put them back on.

We used this Elmo leash with Hyrum when he first went skiing. It makes it so nice!

All fed and ready to go back out

Lydia really wanted to ride the ski lift so we took both kids to the top. I had to snow plow down with Lydia between my legs, which turned out to be quite a bit of work. When we made it to the bottom we'd been separated from Jon and Hyrum and Lydia really wanted to ride the lift again so I took off our skies off and up we went. Too bad you're not allowed to ride the lift back down... It would've been nice to know that before we got on. The mountain manager came up on a snowmobile and was going to take us back down, but then a ski patrol guy showed up with a sled and offered to take us down that way. It was pretty fun to ride in one of those sleds though I hope I never have to again. We ran into Jon and Hyrum at the bottom of the lift as they were loading up to head back up the hill.

Hyrum riding the lift

I guess Hyrum had a scary time coming down from the top the 2nd time. Jon set up a contraption of sorts with his ski poles that sort of worked like a leash since Hyrum didn't know how to stop or slow down. Well, Hyrum let go and took off through the trees and slid into a tree. Thankfully, by the time he hit the tree he had slowed down enough that there wasn't any damage done.

Lydia and I at the top

After skiing we went to Haines Steak House in Haines, Oregon a tiny town. Supposedly, it's world famous (or something like that). The food was yummie and the kids had a fun time playing with this horse that moved it's head and made noise.

This is free advertisement for Jon's buddy who's a fishing guide in Alaska-- Valley River Charters, look him up if you're heading that way.

Saturday we set two friends up and went on a double date with them. We ate dinner at Costa Vida and then went to an Idaho Stampede basketball game. Our friends hit it off so well that we gathered at our house after church the next day for dinner and games. They're friends we don't get to see very often (one lives in WA and the other in Star) so we had a great time visiting and hanging out with them. The kids had a great time playing the Wii until way too late in the evening. Our friend from WA left about 7pm to head home and my friend from Star and I finally said good-bye about 11:30pm. That's what you get when you put two girls together:)

Aunt Elise is....

The BEST!!!!!

Something wonderfully exciting appeared in our mailbox today. How, oh how, did you know I've been dreaming of more ginger chews??? I've almost called you a few times to see if you would send some our way, but then thought, "I'm sure I can just find some." I've looked on line several times with no success. I even ordered some ginger chews from Azure last week, but they were raw sugared ginger. Good, but not TING TING JAHE good.

Yummie, yummie, yummie!!

You must know Hyrum well. He LOVES gum! And, you'd be happy to know, he shared a piece with his sister, thanks to your encouragement. Though, he did let Lydia know he doesn't expect her to share her princess bows in return.

They're sending kisses your way

We got the package as we were leaving for the gym. As soon as Lydia saw the clips she had to have one in her hair. A lady at the gym even commented on how pretty her clip was. Way to earn brownie points with Lydia-- she LOVES them!

4wheelers, guns, and boys

Jon took Hyrum, and his friend, 4wheeling today. They took a small pistol and Hyrum's BB gun and worked on some target practice. Meanwhile, back at our quiet home, Lydia napped and I read a wonderful book called "Alma." Later tonight we went to the gym and the TVCC basketball game. An enjoyable Saturday indeed!

Jon went 4wheeling by himself on Thursday and came across this almost washed out road. The road's on the side of a hill/canyon and at the bottom is the Snake River. Definitely would not want to be on that road when it gave out...

The last few weeks

Thankfully, the last few weeks of our lives have been pretty low key. Jon is the type that likes to be going and doing every available minute so I cherish weekends when we just stay home. I typically look forward to the winter months when life seems to slow down. For those of you that are familar with energy types, you know that a slower pace life fits my fourness :)

Some more self portraits by Lydia

Jon is really good to read to the kids. As long as they're willing to sit and cuddle with him he'll read for hours. He loves to cuddle with his kids. (Picture by Lydia)

Last Saturday we took the 4wheelers out. It was quite muddy, but fun to get out. Lydia was pretty tired and didn't feel too great so it was a pretty short ride for us girls.

I think the muddier the better for the boys. I'll never understand the male mind and what drive them. The rougher and riskier the ride, the better according to my boys!

Hyrum enjoys his BB gun. Every chance he gets to use it he does, even if it is just shooting snow.

Sunday I had a pretty bad headache and I'd asked Jon to massage my shoulders. As wonderful as Jon is, he's not much help in the massage department. He doesn't ever get headaches (lucky him) so he really doesn't understand. My Dad on the other hand, is amazing! (Maybe that's why Jon doesn't try, he knows I'm comparing him to my Dad...) So, after Jon miserably failed and quit massaging -a minute after he started- Lydia took over to show him how it was done. She was even telling him, "This is how you do it, Dad. See, you do it like this." Thank goodness for sweet little girls!!!

Lydia playing with play dough. She misses Hyrum quite a bit while he's at school. She started Preschool last week and really enjoys being able to go to "school" herself.

Our little princess

Another picture by Lydia. Jon seems pretty excited to have his picture taken. What a fun Dad!

This is a common scene in our home. Hyrum's fully decked out in camo and they're on a hunting excursion. Not sure what the scarf on Lydia is for....

Also, Jon and I started swimming and working out a few weeks ago. It feel sooooo good to finally be exercising again! I love it!

New Year's Eve

We've made a tradition of spending the New Year's in Washington with my family. I really enjoy having something to look forward to after Christmas. I love the Christmas season so much that I have a hard time when it's over. Having a fun little vacation to look forward to helps with the disappointment of Christmas being over. (I find myself repeating often the phrase "Only 11 more months till we start celebrating again. Only 11 more months...")

Unfortunately, I did not take one single picture the entire time we were there. It's extremely unfortunate because we stayed at my parent's new house for the 1st time. My parents no longer live in the house I born and raised in. They lived there for just over 31 years! It's now being rented out. I did get to see it empty right before the renters moved in and surprisingly, I wasn't that sad about it. In fact, I quite enjoyed staying at the new house and didn't even miss the old house. The only downside to the new house is that my sister now lives 9 miles away instead of 1. That makes it a little less convenient for the kids to get together, but I'll take the 9 miles and the brand new beautiful home.

Jon spent quite a bit of time helping my Dad empty out his garage. I have to admit I had a hard time imagining my Dad's garage EVER being empty. My Dad likes to collect things and has a hard time getting rid of stuff because he "may need it later." I think Jon's nature to throw things away and get rid of stuff helped speed the process. Plus the fact that I assume after almost a month of moving and trying to get the house ready to rent, my Dad was more than ready to be DONE! He seemed quite excited to be completely out of the house. Way to go Mom and Dad we're excited for you guys!

Jon's been trying to get me to move for a while now, but I've never wanted to. Now after staying at my parent's new home I think I might be okay with the idea. Okay with the idea, the actual act may be a little different :)

So, for New Year's Eve we all gathered at Taunya and Jason's house for games and yummie food. It's always so fun playing games with my family. We had a lot of good laughs and a great time.

New Year's day was relaxing. Some family came out to my parent's house and we played games again. The next day all of us girls went for pedicures and manicures (my Mom's Christmas present to us). As you can imagine we had a wonderful time visiting and being pampered. After that a few of us went to lunch and then did some shopping. Later that night I attended the Temple with my Mom and then Jon and I and Taunya and Jason played games until the wee hours of the night. So much fun!

(photo courtesy of my sister)

After attending Sacrament meeting the next morning we headed home. While we were there though, we did some gift exchanging. Grandma and Grandpa gave Hyrum two DVDs (Ammon and Alma) and Lydia a barbie that she loves. The each also got some candy. As I mentioned, they gave me the pedicure and manicure, and Jon got a gift certificate to the outdoors store there. We went in with Tauny and Jason and Marshall and Tasha and gave my parents some decor for their home.

The Holiday season was much enjoyed this year. Now we're off with the old (2009) and in with the new (2010). Looking forward to the best year of our lives yet!!!

Lydia and Anikah are so adorable together. Here they're coloring pictures in their panties, as they call them.