My snowmen

Just thought I'd share a picture of my cute little snowmen and their friend " sparky " from a few weeks ago when we got a lot of snow. It is so fun to just forget everything for the moment and go outside to play, laugh, and create with these boys. They really are sweet (mostly when they are separated from one another).

So much for snow this past week, it has been so warm outside! I sure hope we get snow for Christmas. A whole lot of it.

Santa's Workshop

A few weeks ago Scott took Kael, Karson, and Beau up to Santa's workshop on his day off. The boys had a blast riding all the Christmas themed rides, visiting with Santa, and eating lots of treats. This place makes me want to be little again! I would highly recommend it to any visitors (hint hint) and it's open year round. It is up in the mountains, so the scenery is beautiful.

I love Christmas time.

Beau riding a reindeer.

I just love this picture. Beau's face says it all. Serious business.

Front seats on the candy cane roller coaster.

Karson on the rocket ride.

Flying around on the Christmas tree ride!

This is always one of the kids favorite rides. You can see how beautiful it is in the background!

A great way to start out December!

Thanksgiving 2009

What a day to be thankful for! Our first "real thanksgiving" with more than just our mouths to feed! I would call today a huge success. No drama in the kitchen ....... and fantastic friends and family to share the day with. It doesn't get much better than that.

To top it off it was a gorgeous day.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Joel and Regan's newest addition wanted to say hello. Anderson you are too cute!

Here is our top turkey chef. He did a fantastic job!

Showing off my potato masterpiece. I just love the serving bowl.

The women of the kitchen, Jenny, Regan, myself, and Kera. I love these ladies. Look at that feast!

Scott and his little gal enjoying the food.

Hope you all had a wonderful day.

Celebrating 8 great years in VEGAS!

November is always an exciting month because we plan something fun for our anniversary. Well, Scott was full of mischief and tricks this year. He planned a surprise weekend away with no kids to Las Vegas! He did all the planning of having Grandma Joan come to watch the kids and other details without me knowing. I eventually figured it out and was so excited! I am so lucky to have such an adventurous and thoughtful husband. We had such a great weekend and I felt so spoiled and pampered. Scott had purchased tickets to Phantom, Jersey Boys, the PBR finals, and the Beatles cirque du soleil! We have never in our 8 years of marriage experienced such delicious food, exciting entertainment, and weird people all in one weekend before. It will be the anniversary to beat!!

The Phantom was my favorite show by far, it's so romantic.

The PBR rodeo finals were awesome! (Scott's favorite for sure)

We won't mention how many bills slipped into that machine?!

The Titanic exhibit was amazing.

We felt like we were in Italy staying at this hotel.

The Palazzo is out of this world beautiful! I loved staying there and hope to go back one fine day.

It really was the perfect getaway. Thanks babe for an unforgettable romantic weekend! Love you!

Oh Canada how I love thee!

I have so much to catch up on over the last month. Wow. It was the busiest 4 weeks ever but also the very best! I was able to see lots of family and friends when I went home to Canada. Can I just say how much I love that place! Waterton was amazing. We had a late Thanksgiving there together and it was great (but not complete without Joel and Regan). I was not sure what to do with myself most of the time having only one child to take care of ......... Scott had the boys in Montana. He is so good to me, and he survived the week with two crazy little boys, which is impressive.

I also got to spend some one on one time with my sister Emily and her darling family. We have never really had the opportunity to just really catch up and enjoy our time together. It was fun to stay up late and chat, watch girlie movies, go out shopping, or just sing our hearts out and be goofy. It was perfect. I love you Em thanks for everything.

Here is everyone slaving away in the kitchen for our big turkey dinner........

My gorgeous sisters and Mother.

Grandma with Jade "Elaine" her namesake.

We got creative and that is supposed to be Joel in the middle?

All siblings together ......... almost.

Waterton. My favorite place. Pretty amazing to see the wildlife this close.

Nadine and the cutest little bowl cut boy you've ever seen!

Emily and I.

Her youngest boy Seth, so cute!

Emily and I having a photo shoot on her farm with the perfect tire swing!

This moment sure made it hard to leave.

I had so many pictures and so little time to post this. I am so grateful for my amazing family and for the time I had to spend with each of you! I love you all!

This girl loves to dance...

and........these are her first pig tails!

So I finally caught Jade on video busting her moves. It is so funny because she will only do it to this song! This is just a glimpse of it, she usually will dance the entire song if I'm not right there with a camera in her face. Still so cute though! Enjoy!

Hiking the Manitou Incline

So, some of my friends talked me into getting up at 6:00 am to hike a 2,011 ft vertical incline........ which meant climbing 5,000 steps straight up this mountain.  It was so beautiful outside and made it worth all the pain. After reaching the top we ran 3 1/2 miles back down. It felt so good and I would totally go do it again with you girls, so until next time........

Here we are at the beginning..... it was cold out and hard to breathe!

NO TRESPASSING SIGN. Doesn't seem to be stopping anyone.

Cool rock near the top...... gorgeous view.

Yes, scary steep. This guy is getting his butt kicked and that IS what we all looked like at this part of the incline!

At the TOP! Yeah...... now it's time to run  back down the mountain (that part was so much easier).

I was so glad I made it. I really was wondering if I would?

Albuquerque Trip

Just a few weeks ago we went to New Mexico to visit our good friends the Sigmon's. We go way back with these guys and have great memories from the time we met in 2001 in good old Rexburg. It's one of those friendships you hoped would last, and did! We were excited to finally go visit them  and have quality time with their beautiful family. We pretty much laughed hysterically the entire weekend!! We love you guys and had such a blast! 

We went to the state fair and the boys loved it!

This is Kael's nervous smile.

All the kids sorting their goods.

Lance and Nicolette.

We got to ride up the mountain in this cool cable car, and enjoy an amazing dinner at the restaurant at the top of it! Yummy. Best date night ever. Oh ..... and we also got MAC makeovers before so we could look sassy.

Lance and Scott getting ready to go dove hunting out in a cornfield. 

Scott holding his two dead doves. poor little birds.

The true cowboy holding his prize also (he shot more than that).

I can't believe we didn't have little Jaelyn in this girly shot!!

It was so great to see you guys and we can't wait to come visit again soon! You are the best host/cook ever Nic! Love ya!

Can't keep up

We always have something going on it seems......... and I have missed out on posting about some major things. Like having my sister move all the way from Canada and becoming my new neighbor!  Never in a million years did I see that one coming. Now that she is here with her family, I'm afraid I might not survive again without her........... I'll just have to pretend she's never going to leave I guess. Just wait, it even gets better my brother and his wife also moved into our neighborhood in July and so yes, I am feeling very spoiled, but also very deserving of having my siblings close by. I don't have any pictures of all of us yet because we actually see each other more than 2 times a year now....... so who needs pictures? 

I feel very blessed to be able to have family close by, and I know I will not waste a minute while they are here. Colorado is obviously where the party is at right now if you haven't noticed!

Here's the cousins: Kael, Beau, Hillary, Karson and Maguire.

Adding to the fun this month we had a visit from Grandpa & Grandma Probst. They drove 1000 miles to come see us and had to leave after 3 days to drive back to Montana. We had so much fun with you guys and wish you could've stayed longer! Scott hates it when you leave...... he kind of turns into a little baby when you go.

We love you and are so grateful that you always make time to come see us!

Grandma and Karson baking together.

Grandma took Jade in the hot tub for the first time!

Grandpa trying to cuddle with a feisty little girl!

Come again soon!