Being a Boy is AWESOME

First, Brennan has made huge progress in the toilet training world. As much as he wanted to in the past he couldn't quite master the concept of holding the wee. We have turned a new leaf and he is doing a great job--yes I know there will be accidents now that I said how well he is doing. The best thing about toilet training with a boy is the fact that they have a penis. They can go ANYWHERE! There is no complicated squatting or holding in mid air problems. I love it--and Brennan actually does better at giving notice when we are driving, because he LOVES watering the trees.

Next, The threat to Brennan's eye was great when he was putting a stick in the mud and then fell into it with his eye being the target. He was really such an awesome sport, barely cried and would stop when I asked him too. Then he was sitting nicely and letting me dig at it to clean it. He really is a fabulous patient.

Buzz and his Bus. Two things that were fixtures for awhile and now they are hit and miss. He had played so hard this day and we were on the school pick up, when he fell asleep within seconds of leaving the drive.

This was the same day that I turned in his pre-school application for this September. It is bitter sweet, but I think he is going to love it. We talk about school, he is learning his letters right now. If he sees any letter, he first says--EEAAOO(sounds of course). it is quite hilarious. He also tries to write his name with many little circles put together. :) Brennan is a really good buddy to be home with.

Mom and Dad

What can I say that hasn't been said before about these two fabulous people...I love their guts!!! Thanks for everything guys. You both amaze me in different ways. I'm glad I have a bit of each of you in me somewhere, it makes me who I am. I like that. Can't wait for your visit.

The traditional Kevin pictures.

Like before, never leave a camera where Kevin will get to it. There are pictures I kept off of here for the sake of your gag reflexes. :) This is Matt and Kevin playing around with mine and my mom's camera's. They also included Noah and Kris in their shinanigans.

The below picture was something the Bears fans in Utah took for my poor husband who was stuck at home with his lovely and energetic children. How thoughtful, from two fans to another..with love :)

The final Gatherings

Noah , Kris and Myself being silly with the camera. As you can tell i am all about self portraits. It isn't always the most flattering, but it is fun! I was able to hang out with these handsome boys Sunday night and Monday when they were off of school and the daycare was closed. It was a good time. They were super fabulous while I did my homework that I needed to finish and then we enjoyed our time together at the cinema. Noah, I found out your dirty secret in telling Aunt Hollie what treats you 'usually' get, which apparently you don't. That is cool though--cause that is what Aunties are for!

This was Christy and I using our mad photography artist skills with a squirt bottle ;)

This cute kid was used as a tool to get Kevin and Matt their THIRD piece of Grandpa's awesome Bundt Cake. YUMMY

Don't tell Grandma--but flipping into the couch was happening while she was in the kitchen. Kevin, you better hope she doesn't remember how to get to the blog. :)

I just love the many photos I have of a different group of people chatting around this counter. I think it is my favorite scene at my parents house.

Jamie, it was weird to think that I am not the only one that lives far away now. I kept thinking of you, and at different times expected you and the fam to walk into the house. The traditional sisters picture wasn't complete, but still necessary, as it is at every trip.

Us with our lovely Grandma and Grandpa Mason. So glad to see them again and spend some time with them. I enjoy every second that I get with them.

The clan that was there, we are missing the following people in this picture....

Jamie, Mike, Zoie, Joshua, and Sahara ( Virginia)

Matt and Kevin (the photographers at the time)

Ryan (who got called to work because someone else had a heart attack--scary)

Skye and Wynt (at their dad's house)

Richard (who also had to work)

obviously--the rest of my clan. :)

Love you all so much and missed each of you that night, but was grateful that even if it was for a short time I was able to see you. We think about you all so much while we are away..probably more than what you would ever guess, but we do. :)

My trip was filled to the brim with people to see, places to go, and restaurants to eat at. I saw old friends, friends from North Dakota, friends I've met in England, and had a blast doing it all. I am grateful for those I did see and those I missed this trip I still love you deeply..I always run out of time for some reason. I shopped with people, ate out way to much than is good for you, ran up hills, ran down hills, ran in the mountains, ran in the valley, chatting with loved ones, hugged so many people that I love it made leaving super hard. As always the time came fast, but it was well spent.

Rollicks=FUN

Saturday evening was filled with some crazy fun. If you have not played the game Rollicks-you should. I will get to that in a moment.
Landon(above) was so excited the week i was there because he was dropping teeth left and right. I would get a report every time I saw him. At first they were wobbly, then he lost one, then the other came out. It was an exciting time for Landon and Aunt Hollie--who loved that that was the first thing he would tell me about. I hope your other wobbly tooth has come out as well Landon.

Jace being super cute, although still shy with the crazy Auntie that he never sees. He was having some fun with his Papa and so the smile was easy to catch.

Thus begins ROLLICKS-a game of two person charades that can be a real blast if you have people who aren't afraid to get up close and personal sometimes. :)

WARNING** Do not have young children close by, they could or could not end up being knocked over by adults flying through the air. Not that I'm saying that happened, just a precaution you may want to take.***

Jeni and Amanda

Matt and Blake

Denise and Chelsi

Kasey and Derek

Another of Matt and Blake

I'm going to say it...I'm pretty sure that Kalli and I owned that game. Yes, I just said it, we rocked and I will challenge anyone who argues that fact. :) To bad no one picked up the camera for our many exciting turns.

Brinlee and Chloe. A pair of cuties right here. I loved how much Brinlee would come and give me hugs while I was in town. I saw her quite a few times and each time she went on and on about everything in her life. Including asking why I didn't bring her a gift at her birthday party :) LOL Loved it! I told her she forgot to invite me to her party. Love ya girls!

Blake and Gracie hanging out.

My nieces are better than your nieces, :)

Wynter showing off her stuff. Syke and Wynter are total rock stars in my eyes!! They had a snowboarding/skiing event while I there and I was so glad to be able to see them do their thing.
Wynt and Me

Syke showing of her skills

Skye and Me

Wynter, Grandma, Skye and Grandpa

More goodbyes

Grandma, Aunt Pat, Aunt Linda and my Dad. :) AKA...some of my favorite people in my world! I still need to blog about a visit, last year, I had with these wonderful women you see here. I am calling them out here to see if i can get those pictures. :) Love you guys.

Grandpa, Mindy, Linda, Grandma, Pat, Andy, Hollie, Denise, Don and Vic.

Don and Linda live in MA and were headed back late Friday night. I was glad that after my fabulous shopping day and pedicures with Mindy, Mom, and Christy I was able to visit with Linda and Don before they headed back.

Mike and I would love to have an east coast assignment, maybe even in MA so we could live close by for awhile. :) I have a feeling we might be at least visiting that area when we go back stateside, it is just so tempting to explore when you know people who live somewhere fabulous.

Snow Shoeing

Christy in her element of being in the snow on top of a mountain. Christy invited me to do some of my training up in the mountains with her in the way of snow shoeing. I have to say, I loved it! Even though there were times when breathing was difficult due to the lack of oxygen at that altitude, I had a blast. I have never actually been skiing or snowboarding so even going on the lift was a new experience for me. I will admit I was a little nervous, but I made it to the top. Didn't dare take a picture from up in the air, that would have required letting go of the bar.

The newly fallen snow that week had made it an extra awesome time on the trail. We were fortunate enough that someone had already broke most of the trail. I didn't realize how grateful until we had to break our own trail. :) This is a picture of me on top of a branch or something else making up a small bridge over a frozen stream. It was so gorgeous up there.

Christy in all of her gorgeousness. She has to be the most active person I know, if she is not snowboarding or patrolling for her job she is teaching yoga, or other aerobics class. If she is not doing that she is gardening, running, or just having fun with her hubby and girls. Love her to bits and pieces. Glad we had this chance to be together in the mountains.

The part of the trail that we had to break, this was behind us.......

This was the trail in front of us. Christy estimated we were in about 20 inches of snow, fresh snow that is. :)

Not going to lie again, I am a scaredy cat. Christy looked over her shoulder from in front of me as we were going sideways across these hills to get to the easier way down.

She said, "sorry this is kind of awkward going at this angle."

I replied, "well it is awkward and slightly terrifying."

I was really just waiting for myself to go tumbling down the hill. Luckily, I didn't.

Thanks to Christy for the great day out. I don't think I am quite the expert, but I do hope that our next assignment will put us somewhere where we can do some more snow time activities like this.

Dave and Verlee

My dad and I got up early Sunday morning and went to my Grandma and Grandpas house to say goodbye to Uncle Dave and Aunt Verlee. They had to head back to WA and wanted to get ahead of the storm that was coming down and piling snow by the inches. I adore these two and have great memories of attempting to ski in the Columbian River with them. For the record, my Aunt Verlee makes some fabulous enchiladas as well! :) I'm trying to convince them a trip to Europe would be a grand idea.

SNOW!

SNOW!!!!

I was so happy to see the huge flakes falling Saturday night. Obviously being born and raised in Utah I have fallen in love with snow and miss it when we are away. Even though I was ready for bed I had to throw on a coat and play in the snow. The snowball I threw at my mom went a little off course and ended up in the house. Its been awhile since I was guilty of this crime. :)

Family

Just a few random shots from the funeral. Matt, Mindy, Kris, Noah, and Kevin all hanging out waiting for the service to start. I laughed when I learned what Noah said when he found out i was coming to town. Mindy told him I was coming in and he said, "yes, I love when she comes, she always brings us the good chocolate." :) If I had to be known for something, I was grateful it was for something as important as chocolate.

My mom with Uncle Kent, Uncle Bob, Aunt Diane, Aunt Selma, Uncle Craig, and Jenny(cousin) I have no idea why my Aunt Cheryl was missing from this picture--she was there as well.

Aunt Verlee with Heather

My Grandpa Galloway and myself.