Ski Trip

Well, we just got back from Keystone Colorado. We had a great trip and a lot of skiing over 5 days. The weather was great except for Sunday which was freezing! On Saturday night, we went to a fondue restaurant on top of the mountain. The first picture is from the gondola ride up the mountain. It was sooo cold but it helped by having 6 people in the gondola and they also give each person a blanket on the way up. The course consisted of cheese fondue, caesar salad, your choice of two meats and then the best part...turtle chocolate fondue!! Us, the Terrys and the Willefords. The Crawfords were missing because Martha Lynn came down with the flu and altitude sickness. She was not able to ski until Monday so she missed 3 days of skiing.This was Ryan and I at Arapahoe Basin, also known as A-Basin. This is the mountain where locals go skiing. This place was beautiful and is only about 5 minutes from Keystone!

This was our last day of skiing. We decided to go to Breckenridge for the day. Breck is about 30 minutes from our condo. This was probably my favorite place to ski out of the 3...probably because the blue runs were easier here! Time to go back to the 'real world'! We had a great time all week but it is also nice to be home.Thanks to the Willefords for inviting us on such a fun trip!

Birthday and Super Bowl Parties

Saturday, we celebrated Hailey Story's birthday. I cannot believe that she is now 1 year old! She got tons of cute gifts. I bought her a stroller which she seemed to love. I only knew to buy this since some of my friend's girls (Amanda and Natalie) love pushing a stroller around the house. I figured this would be a good thing since she is taking those first steps. I also made her little outfit and I think that it looked really cute on her. That is the first cupcake dress that I had done for a birthday.

On Sunday night, we went to Mark and Melinda McInteer's home for the super bowl. They actually bring the big screen tv out on the screened in deck to watch the game. Well, since the game stayed 7 to 3 for the longest time, the girls decided to start doing old school hair styles.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RYAN!!!

Today, Ryan turned 27...yes, I am older than he is. I just wanted to make sure that he is around when I am old since women live longer! We celebrated his birthday this past weekend by going to Ruth's Chris with the Crawfords. The food was great, but wow, that place is expensive. I think that we will be sticking with Outback from now on.

I gave in and bought Ryan a flatscreen TV. He did not expect this at all so he was a little shocked when he opened his gift. I had been saving my money for this and he didn't even know.


On Tuesday nights, we have 'American Idol Parties." We rotate each week to someone's house and they cook dinner. I love this because I will only have to cook one out of fourteen Tuesdays! I cooked Chicken Cordon Bleu, corn casserole, homemade mac-n-cheese, green beans and rolls.
I also gave in and bought a Wii for Ryan(really I should say for us!). I did not use my own money for this though...thank goodness. I sold books back on-line and made enough money to buy this. We have had a lot of fun with it so far. It is hilarious to watch people play especially if they are boxing!

Cold but Fun Weekend!

This past weekend, a group of girls from church went on a retreat. We had a lot of fun just playing games, reading magazines, eating, and eating some more! I am so thankful that God has blessed Ryan and I with a great group of friends at church.
Jennie, Reid, Keri, and Heather

This was hilarious to watch. Sara was teaching Mandi, Heather and Lia how to do the "Soulja Boy" dance! Not near as good as watching some of Kyle's boys do this dance!!

Ashley, me, Sara, and Lindsay

It was 8 degress when we woke up on Saturday morning.Well, Heather thought it would be a good idea for us to walk for 50 minutes after lunch. It was a lot of fun but quite cold! Below is Jennie, Reid, Sara, Lia, Mandi and me.

Due to a lack of sleep Friday night, Saturday was filled with tons of laughing at stupid stuff. Sara and Mandi were trying to see who could make the ugliest face. You can be the judge of that.

Christmas to New Year's!

Okay, so I guess it is time to post again since Natalie and Mandi tell me that they are tired of looking at my Christmas decorations! Sorry, but I have to post one more time about the holidays. To be quite honest with you, I was somewhat dreading the holiday season. Since Kyle, my brother, passed away, I knew that this Christmas would be very different. I have to say that my family handled this year much better than I thought we would. The season was filled with a lot of happiness, tears, and joy. (I was especially glad that 2007 was over!) Our God is a great God, and He continues to bless my family and guide us through each day.

Here are some pictures from holiday parties, Christmas and New Year's. The first few pictures were from game night at our house. The girls lost and we had to go sing Xmas carols to a lady across the street. I think that we made her day.

Christmas with my family which included Tina(my sister-in-law), Craig(my brother), my grannies, mom, dad, Ryan and me.

Hanging out with friends one night over the break.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

This is my favorite time of the year! I just thought I would share a few of my Christmas decorations with you all. I know this is not near as exciting as seeing little kids in their holiday outfits:-)

The Bell's Shower

Some of our good friends, Angela and Derek Bell, are adopting a little girl in January or maybe sooner. They are going to name her Ava Grace which means "voice of grace." This little girl is going to be so lucky to have them as parents. Please be praying for them as they prepare for her arrival and also for the birth mom and all the emotions she too will experience.

Here is the wall hanging that I painted for her nursery. I cannot wait to see it in her room. The verse around the side is Psalm 127:3 which says "Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him."

Angela got a baby sling from Lori. It was the funniest thing watching Angela try to figure out how this thing works with baby Garrett!