Snow Bunny

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Hey there, Daddy's 2nd blog post:

Last weekend, I took Abby up to Timberline for her inaugural ski trip. A couple weeks ago when Dani mentioned her friend Crissy was taking her daughter, Maddy, up skiing we started talking about taking Abby up. It dawned on me that I haven't been skiing in...I have no idea how long, and I missed it, but even more, it would be so much fun to show Abby how great it is.

We went and rented her ski equipment on Saturday afternoon and she was beside herself excited. I couldn't believe how small everything looked! So cute!

Sunday morning, we left early, had McD's breakfast in the car and met up with Maddy and Crissy in Sandy before driving the rest of the way up to Timberline together. On the drive up I thought it was important to make sure she understood that skiing took a lot of practice and part of learning was falling down. I knew if I didn't get that seed planted, I'd be in for a long day... :)

When we got there, we got our tickets, put our lunches away in the locker and then headed out. Luckily, the beginner hill was only about 30 yards from the ticket counter. Once we got pictures taken, I tackled the first challenge of teaching Abby how to get clipped into her skis. After a couple practice runs and a few fall downs, she got all clipped in and then we worked on the "A" or "Pizza Slice" or "Snowplow" stance, which she mastered pretty quick. Then we slipped and slid over to the beginner hill.




I was impressed there was an actual chair lift to take us the 100 yards up the hill to the top...this is clearly not the rope pull bunny hill I learned on! :) Anyway, the first run down I had her in front of me, in full snow plow position while she just tried to figure out how to keep her feet from sliding all over the place. She picked it up pretty quick. She also picked up the chair lift pretty quick - tips up at the top... :)

About the 3rd or 4th run down the hill, she decided she'd gotten the hang of it and wanted to try it herself...so that is this series of pics above. She started side ways, got the skis around, slid down the hill about 10 or 15 feet and ended up on her back. But I was proud that she 1) wanted to try it herself already, 2) wasn't afraid, and 3) didn't mind the falling down part...she wanted right back up to try it again! That's my girl! :)

After about 6 or 7 runs, it was time to break for lunch and then head back out. In the afternoon we tried more runs with her beside me, holding her hand rather than her in front of me holding her waist. Her balance had improved a lot and she was actually staying up for most of the run while standing next to me! I was so excited. On one of our last runs, we had actually made it about 3/4 or more down the hill before she fell and as I picked her up she said "That was awesome, Dad!" I couldn't have asked for anything more in that moment or from the day. She had been a trooper, she tried hard and she was doing really well and she knew it!

Maddy and Abby decided to finish up the day with some snow angels and rolls down the hill. We had a fantastic day, and Abby said we could go back up "every snow day!" Hopefully she doesn't find out for awhile that every day in the winter is a snow day up on the mountain! :)

I can't wait to go do this again with her. I want to try and keep this momentum going and hopefully teach her a skill that she can use for the rest of her life. Until next time...

Abby's 4 1/2 Year Old Studio Photos

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Here are Abby's latest Studio Photos - 4.5 Years Old Already! She did so great - as always... :)

Andy's 18 Month Studio Photos

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Here they are! I know you have all been waiting on pins and needles for the latest installment of Studio Photos - enjoy!

The 18 Month Photo is a BIG Photo on my side of the family. Everyone gets one - everyone. It is the one that is framed in your house, your Grandma's house, etc. That started w/my Grandma Wiesner and the baby pictures of her kids (my Dad and Uncles - who knew they had camera way back then! :). She had this wall of framed 8x10 photos in her dining room - the entire family's baby pictures done up "Family Tree" style. I always thought it was so cool - and not just because I'm the one that measured, and hung, and dusted them either! But, I'm sure that helped! :)

For that reason, I asked my parents to come along on both Abby and Andy's 18 Month Photo shoot. That way I could get some family pictures, and mom could pick out exactly which 18 month photo of Andy she wanted to add to HER Grandma wall.

They turned our really great!

Andy and his Grandparents:




Andy and our Family:

Andy and his Sissy:

I was SO happy with how these pictures of them turned out!

And finally, just Andy (and Puppy):

Now, which one of these will I choose for MY wall?

Andy - 18 Months

As promised, a cute 18 Month Photo of Mr. Andy Pandy!




Good News! The LAST Molar came in 01/26th. Now, on to the canines... groan...

January 2011

Here are just some random pictures from the end of January...

Abby and her Play-doh Creation:




The Many Faces of Abby:

Andy is ALWAYS up to SOMETHING:

These are primarily for Cousin Sarah's benefit. Figuring out the 'Little Blue Potty' - "What is this thing for? A Chair? A Step Stool? Not sure, but they say it is mine..."

Four and a HALF!

Little Miss Abigirl turned Four and a Half on Jan. 21st!

Since she is a "summer" baby, her birthday at school is celebrated on her 1/2 birthday. I love that. I love that they get a special day with their school friends. And, since I'm a "Half Birthday" fan, I particularly love it!

As an added bonus, your mom (or whomever) is invited to join the class for the day. Last year, I didn't know that. So, I scheduled Andy's 6 month well baby for that day and missed it. I felt horrible. But, this year I was THERE. Andy and I spent the entire day in her class. It was so fun to watch their routine and finally understand, fully, what she is talking about when she comes home.

The day started off w/some free playtime, then circle time, and then a Bible Story lesson (Noah and Mrs. Noah visited the class).

At the end of the little skit they pretended to release the dove, and one of the teachers said "Look, what is that up in the sky?" (meaning a rainbow). One of the little boys says "Superman!?!?". I about lost it. Gotta love Preschoolers!

Andy pretty much did what he wanted to do and caused havoc on whatever the structured thing was supposed to be.




Next we celebrated Abby's special Day. They make a pretend birthday cake, complete w/candles (her friends), dance around in a circle, and then blow them out (they fall down). Andy refused to "fall down" when he was blown out. That bothered some of the other kids. But, he didn't seem to care!

The best part was when they were making the cake. The Birthday Girl gets to say what ingredients are needed for the cake and then they throw them into the middle of the circle to mix them up. The entire class is in a circle around the carpet. Abby has them throw in sugar, milk, and eggs. Next thing we know, Andy is laying in the middle of the carpet, tummy down, "swimming" thru the milk and eggs (of which he is allergic to). Maybe you had to be there, but it was funny - and ironic.

After the cake is made and the candles are blown out, Abby got to do "sharing". Now, in all the excitement of the day (and getting out the door w/snack, etc.) we forgot a sharing item. So, at the last moment, we decided that Andy would be her sharing item. She, and the rest of the class, thought that was SO funny. So, it all worked out.

Mrs. Nelson: Abby, how long have you had Andy?
Abby: A long time.
Mrs. Nelson: Abby how do you turn him on?
Abby: Giggle, Giggle. He is already on.
Mrs. Nelson: What do you like to do with Andy
Abby: Play w/him.
Mrs. Nelson: Is there anything Andy does that you DON'T like?
Abby: He HITS me.

I just had to laugh. Because he does. Little Brothers I tell you... Little Brothers.

For snack, she decided to take Ice Cream Sundaes. I got some Ice Cream and Whipped Cream and then Abby and her Daddy went to Winco and picked out some Bulk Items to take as toppings (Chocolate Chips, Marshmallows, Gummy Bears, and Gum Drops). It was a big hit. Some kids made their Sundae more of a huge Candy pile, but it was fun. Nothing like a total sugar infusion at 10 a.m. in the morning! :)

The rest of the day was Free Play Time, Recess, and Art Time. It was a great time and Andy and I had so much fun being the special guests for the day! I enjoyed watching Abby in a different setting. She is a good kid. And, I don't just say that because I'm her mom! She really is a good kid...

Happy 1/2 Birthday to my Little Abigirl. I love you!

Andy - 18 Months Old (Almost)

Okay, so these pictures are from the 18th and 20th of January. So, I hope to have a good Jan. 24th shot to post up here - eventually... But, he needed an update anyways - after all, I had cute pictures to share!



Not too much is new with the Little Man this month. He got his third molar (Dec. 30th) and the last one is HANGING on, or in. It just won't come thru. Not sure what that is about almost a month later. But, I'm sure it will show up - eventually.

He is saying more and more words and phrases - "Tank U Mama" is my personal favorite. He is also going thru a total "Mama" phase - even his best mommy friends won't cut it right now. A little annoying, and frustrating - But heartwarming as well!

He is at that "shoe" stage. The one that requires him to carry them around, try them on, and then walk, fall down, and get mad. It is cute. A little tiring putting them back on him all the time (because he almost immediately walks out of them), but cute nonetheless!

Funny thing was we were looking at Abby's scrapbook the other day from when she was the same age (Jan. 2008) and we had pictures of her walking around in my slippers. Andy has moved onto my jogging shoes - I guess a sign of how my leisurely habits have changed in 3 years! :)

And yes... he is starting to get a mullet - but I just keep waiting for it to curl up like Abby's did... and waiting... and waiting... Boo.

Bowling Babies

One day, after Abby's gym class, we met up w/our gym buddies (Aliah & Tyler) for a little bowling before lunch time. Abby loves bowling, but I wasn't sure how it was going to go w/the little man. After all, they would have balls there. Balls that could do some serious damage - to him or the building!



He actually did great! At first he just sat in the stroller and watched - awesome. Then, he figured out it was fun and wanted to get down - I was nervous. But, he did really good. Only tried to run away a few times and didn't try to run down the lane at all. Phew...



He helped Abby a few times and actually even got to bowl a few frames himself. He really liked it. And, I have to say... He looked pretty dang cute trying to tote that #6 Orange ball around!




We will do it again during Sabbatical I'm sure. After all, kids' shoes are free until 4pm and on Tuesdays they eat free in the Restaurant. Yep, I'm sure you are right. We will have our own "Tuesday Lunchtime League" here in a few months! :)

2011 Already!?!

Happy New Year everyone! Hope it brings you Health, Happiness, and Love...

After all the Christmas Craziness, I gave the camera, and the blogging fingers, a rest. But, here are some cute photos from January so far...

Andy has figured out Cereal - with Milk (Coconut, Almond, or Rice). Rice Krispies seem to be the favorite and I think it is because they get mushy fast - making spoon maneuvering easier? He isn't good at it. But, watching him problem solve it brings a smile to my face - every time!





This is from a few days later. Not sure what prompted it - were they going thru "posed picture" withdrawals? No sure, but Abby requested a photo shot - and I never say "No" to that!!

Abby decided to go to Space. And, to take her Daddy w/her. This is what you wear when you go to space - just so you know!

Mickey Ears, a Cape, and an Apron - she is ready for anything!

As most of you know, Pancho is sick - very sick. His days with us our numbered, and decreasing everyday. Two months ago they said 2-6 months at the most. We are at the two month mark, and unfortunately, it looks like he is going to fall into the short side of that window. Hard for me to talk, type about it. But, I will say the last month or so has been a blessing. I have spent lots of cuddle time w/him, and captured some priceless moments w/him and the kids on my camera.

Here is Andy feeding him Breakfast. He found the Cat Food bag in the bottom of the Pantry, got it out, and started feeding him - a kernel at a time. Sadly, this is the day we found out his days with us were just mere days now. But, this was definitely a touching moment I caught that day...

Now I'm too emotional to type much more! Good thing this is my last picture. I actually don't know what this was - I just decided to include it because she looks so pretty here!