Whitney...the snow skiier

Yes, we FINALLY convinced her to try snow skiing...and now she LOVES it!

On February 13th Chris and Whitney (along with my dad, Cam, and Abbie) went to Alta for their first "daddy daughter" ski lesson.  They worked on the tow rope for the afternoon and then did one run on the lift before heading home.  Chris says she was very cautious and careful in the beginning and then started to feel more comfortable on her own toward the end of the day.  She came home quite proud of herself, and she even wrote in a school assignment that she had "recently become a skier".  :) 
Chris carried Whitney's camera in his pocket and was able to get a few shots...

Lesson #2 was yesterday at Brighton Ski Resort with Brandon & Jessica, and cousins Olivia and Alex.  Chris worked with her alone for the first few runs and described her as unsure of herself, cautious, and slow.  Once she became more confident in her abilities, she was OFF...and able to keep up with her cousins.  They even gave her the nickname "Fast Fry" (which she told me with a HUGE grin on her face)!!  I'm told they skied until the lifts were ready to close and that Whitney had INDEED "Become a skier"!!  (Sorry...forgot to send the camera)  Whitney was also excited to run into her friend Luke and his dad at the Resort! They were able to ride the lift once together and then ski for a short time. Maybe she has found a new ski buddy for next year??

She is hooked!  Already talking about her next ski trip, her own equipment, and next year when I can come along to see her ski!!  I am SO incredibly proud of you Whitney!  I knew that you would be a great skier and love it...that's why we pushed you so hard to at least "TRY".  xoxo, Mom

Hawaii 2010!!

Yes! I went on a last minute trip to Kauai!  Happy Birthday to me...right? 
Here's a quick version of how it happened...  As I mentioned in an earlier post, Chris went to North Carolina for training meetings for a week in January.  He left on Sunday AM and by Wednesday AM I was already feeling crazy!  He sent me a text that read... "Asked to go to Derm Conference next week, want to go to Hawaii?"  I totally thought he was kidding!!  His boss had asked him if he wanted to join him for the meetings and work the conference.  He said I was welcome to come, I just had to pay my own way.  I never thought I would find a flight, find someone to stay with the girls, be able to travel with a baby, and have it all work out with such short notice, but it DID!  How could I pass it up?
So...here are some of the many beautiful things we looked at for a week!!  Sorry that so many of them are of Colin or just scenery, but keep in mind that Chris worked every day from 6:30 AM to 1 PM while Colin and I walked the resort, went to the beach, etc. Whitney really wants to go to Hawaii and asked me to take pictures of EVERYTHING! Someday it will be her turn, but for now she just gets pictures. :)  No, it wasn't all work for Chris...he did join us at the pool in the afternoons and he even had the opportunity to go zip lining with one of his dr friends from Portland. 

Grand Hyatt Kaua'i

Chris coming out of the waterslide

"Spouting Horn" aka blow hole :)

First day at the beach!

This is how Colin spent most of his days in Hawaii...asleep in the stroller

These beautiful birds were perched in the resort lobby every day.  We were lucky enough to be there when the trainers had them out for guests to hold.

Chillin' on the beach...Heaven!!

This is the only picture we have of the 3 of us together...and it was taken by some random stranger across the coy pond :)

Zipline Adventure

"Tunnel of trees"

This cool looking factory was out in the middle of nowhere.  We thought it made for a great scenic picture?

Glen (Chris' boss), his wife Thoa, and Colin after my "birthday dinner". 

Chris is still such a kid...catching geckos almost every night on the way to our room.  This one ran up his arm and stayed on his pocket.

One of our many food experiences...Asian style noodles

Finally a little sunshine after rain all day!

Cutest boy on the island!!

One last Shaved Ice before heading home...YUM!!

Even Colin was a huge fan! :)

Colin's "red eye" flight experience.  He was an ANGEL!!  Slept the whole 4 hours to the mainland (LA)

Happy to see his BIG Sister!!

BIG "Thanks" to: my mom (and dad) for watching the girls, Molly for driving carpool ALL week, Natalie for the use of her stroller, and Chris for letting me use his hard earned Sky Miles to get me to Kauai!!  Love you all!!

Colin 6 Month's

Colin turned 6 month's old in January.  He is such a fun and happy little kid...smiling all the time!  He learned to roll over both directions at Christmas time and is now eating baby food.  Aside from a few minor issues with his sleeping and eating habits, he is a GOOD baby.  Most importantly, he is HEALTHY and such a blessing to our family.  Here are his 6 month stats...
Height:  26.5 inches.....48%
Weight:  16 pounds 1 ounce.....20%
Head Size:  17 inches.....30%

I'm back!!

I'm back...from my long (and not intentional) blogging break, and from my relaxing week in Hawaii!!  My Hawaii post will come later, but for now I wanted to fill in the gaps since Christmas.

We had a wonderful holiday season and end of 2009!!  We spent a lot of time together as a family...hanging out at home as well as other various activities.  The kids enjoyed Christmas and all the gifts they received.  We had a lot of fun dancing with Rabid Rabbits on the wii, playing with new toys, eating good food, and spending time with family and friends.  Here are a few picture highlights...

The girls both got new (and much needed) snow clothes for Christmas...which they were so excited to try out after a big snow storm!  No matter what I told her, Lindsie just could NOT stop eating the snow. Yuck!

New Year's Eve we took the girls to see the new Disney princess movie.  This was Lindsie's first trip to the movie theatre, and she did very well.  She did watch most of the show, but got a little distracted once all the food and snacks ran out! :)  Thanks to Nana and Papa for watching Colin and then meeting us for dinner.  We ended the night early...no ringing in the new year for us...Guess we were exhausted from all the fun?

Chris was able to spend 3 whole weeks in town over the holidays, and I loved every minute of it! It was so nice to have him around to help at dinner time, in the evenings with the kids, and more!! He is a great dad, and we love having him at home! BUT, I also know that travel is part of his job and how he provides for us. His company was sold to Galaxo Smith Kline last year and now in 2010 it's almost like he has a new job. He had a very LONG travel week to the new headquarters in North Carolina and has had a TON of new training for procedures, products, etc. It has been a very busy year for for him already and we don't see it slowing down any time soon. :(  Which I guess is both good and bad?  Atleast he has a job, right?

I feel so blessed to have a great husband, friend and companion.  He loves me even with all my craziness and quirks!  He knows me so well, (the clean freak I am) and he surprised me with a new washer and dryer for Christmas.  Some may frown at a "mom gift" like that, but I was in HEAVEN!  I have been washing EVERYTHING! :)  Thanks honey...you are the BEST and I LOVE YOU!!

We had a wonderful 2009 and have some many great memories and big events that took place this year to look back on.  2010 has been eventful so far...I hope for more fun, family time, good health and prosperity for the remainder of the year!  I AM BLESSED!