Fun FHE

We had a fun Family Home Evening making Halloween cookies and taking them to our neighbors last night. I know it's a little early for Halloween, but I always plan on decorating cookies with the kids and then never end up doing it for some reason. [My guess is I just procrastinate and forget all about it.] So I bought the candies and put the cookie cutters out on the counter to remind myself that was what we were going to do.



They really did have a lot of fun. I'm not sure what some of those faces are all about, but I promise I'm not pinching them or something! Oh- and they are all dirty because when we delivered the cookies our neighbors were actually roasting marshmallows to make smores and they let the kids have some as well. Talk about a sugar high... Ah- who cares!!! We had a fun night and that's all that matters.

Oh Boy!

Need I say more?! Need? No, but I WANT to say more.... I say this happened on his father's watch, but Nate says otherwise! I'll let you decide.

Haley Boo

I just realized I never posted Haley's "one year old" pictures. She seriously wouldn't hold still and this is really the only one that she is half way smiling in. We still love her all the same, though!!

I think she looks so sweet yet curious in this one. Ooh, I just want to smooch those cheeks!!

Lake Tahoe

Nate and I went to Lake Tahoe to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Nate's parents watched our kids while we were gone for 3 nights. It was so nice to have a little break from life and to just be with Nate (my BFF... I've been dying to use that abbreviation, sorry!)

We flew to Reno then drove down to South Lake Tahoe and had a great time...

Emerald Bay

Here we are at Emerald Bay. The water REALLY is emerald green. Beautiful!

Here we are on our way down to Vikingsholm. We had to walk approximately a mile downhill to it, which interprets to a mile uphill to get back to our car. When I say "uphill", I mean UPHILL! You'll notice I didn't take any pictures on the way back up. It was all business. No detours. Just one goal in mind... get to the top!! I am the first to admit I am a whimp!


Vikingsholm
This was a summer home built in 1929 by Mrs. Lora Knight at Emerald Bay. She was a wealthy woman and thought something with Scandinavian architecture would be appropriate since the area reminded her of Norway. Well, since I am of Norwegian descent this was of interest to me. :) [If you are bored, then go blog surf or something!!]

Our tour guide, interestingly enough spent 14 summers here as a visitor when she was young. Her parents were friends of Mrs. Knight.

The thing that caught my attention on the inside is that it smelled and was reminiscent of Aunt Lillas' house. [I know only my family will understand exactly what I mean, but I couldn't leave that detail out!] Right off Nate said, "It smells like Lillas!" For the rest of you, Lillas was my great aunt who married late in life and never had any children. [Her father (my great grandfather) was from Norway, hence my Norwegian blood line.] She lived in the house her parents built in Idaho and was left with EVERYTHING. Just look at how the rooms are set-up. Lillas' house was the same way... almost as if the rooms are waiting for a guest to come and stay!


Heavenly
(That's the name of the ski area... I'm not THAT cheesy!)
Going up!
So I'm thinking... This is ok. It's not that high and steep.



And then..... I got a little nervous. We were still on our way up, but I looked down behind me! Nate just laughed at me. [What a whimp! I am, I tell you!] I have an initial fear of heights, but once I get used to it I'm fine. [I was still getting used to it here!]

I'm glad I did it, though! It was gorgeous up there. This was the first stop then you get back on the gondola and go further into the mountains where the ski resort is. We had lunch up there, but opted not to do any hiking. I was in some cute little flats that aren't much good for anything but looking cute (oh and I am a whimp, but I think we've already come to that conclusion)!!

EEEEK! Going back down wasn't my fave either!



M.S. Dixie II Cruise
We took a two hour cruise on a paddle boat on Lake Tahoe. It took us into Emerald Bay. It was fun to see the bay from a different perspective and to be out on the water. The wind was blowing and the sun kept hiding behind clouds, but it was fun. Ok, ok... So I got a little bored about 3/4 of the way through this one. I'm sorry, but I was cold and a little tired and we still had to "paddle" back to dock!

Side note: If you notice the island in the pictures, it was part of Mrs. Knights property. She built a Tea Room on the summit of it. Maybe twice a summer she would have a servant row them out to the island for tea. The roof is now gone, but the walls are still standing.



All in all we had a great time just being together, relaxing, shopping and not having a schedule. I will leave you with some pictures of some new friends we met during our visit.

Mr. Squeakers
(He's a bit of a loud mouth, though!)


Coolio
(I'm making this up as I go. Can you tell?!!)


Little Bear
(Can't you see him? Look closer... a little closer. Oh shoot! I didn't get my camera out fast enough! He was there I promise. He ran right across the highway and up the hill. We couldn't stick around for introductions, though. We had to catch our flight AND his momma probably wouldn't be too happy if he talked to strangers!)

10th Anniversary

I can't believe Nate and I have been married for 10 years! These have been the best years of my life!! So, to let you know just how kind and sweet Nate is I will make a list of just 10 things I love about him. They are in no particular order and of course, there are way more things I could list, but we will stick with 10.

1- He makes me laugh everyday (whether he's in-town or not).
2- He lets me talk his ear off.
3- He also listens.
4- He is goodlooking (despite what he thinks).
5- He helps me clean the house.
6- He loves to play with our kids.
7- He never gets mad.
8- He is a hard worker.
9- He will watch chick flicks with me.
10- He will help anyone at anytime.

I want to keep going, but will leave it at that. I am so blessed to have him in my life!!
I love you, Nate! Thanks for a wonderful 10 years!

Snow Day!

Let's take a trip down memory lane...

Now, I know some of you remember this "snow storm" Rachel and Kaden produced back in 2006!

I wasn't sure if they had completely ruined my couch when I first layed eyes on the mess. Luckily they hadn't and I was able to re-stuff the back cushions and all was well.

Well, it must run in the family...

The same old couch... it just isn't our "good" one anymore [luckily!!].

"I know!"

This little guy cracks me up!! He'll ask a question, then when I answer him he makes me feel like I am the one bugging him. It might go something like this... "Mom, where's Hay-wee (Haley)?" Then I'll answer, "She's having a nap." Then Tye will say, "I KNOW!" Keep in mind it's not just any "I know". It's like I've just told him something he's known his whole life and he's tired of me telling him over and over again... yah, kinda like that. It makes me laugh, but I have to admit it's wearing on me a little. I'm finding I don't want to answer his questions because my answers aren't appreciated!! So today I am going to defend myself with questions for his questions. Then maybe, just maybe I can break this cycle we keep getting caught in!

Moments like this...

On Monday nights I set aside time to lay by Rachel at bedtime. It's our only real one-on-one time that we actually have scheduled. Is that sad that I have to "schedule" one-on-one time with my own children?? I myself would say yes, but with Nate traveling I find it hard to even find time to breathe sometimes. Rachel hates going to bed... she always has. So the Monday night time with me is something that helps her go to bed and stay there (hopefully with minimal whining, as well!). She looks forward to it and so do I. She tells me about school and her friends. Often times with more detail than when I just ask about school right when she gets home. Well, tonight I asked her who her best friend was in her class (since none of her really good friends from last year are in her class this year) and she said, "Mia". So I asked if she plays with her at recess and she said, "I try, but she won't let me because I'm not in her club." So my heart breaks just a little because my daughter isn't in "the club". I tried not to make a big deal out of it, but had to ask her if that makes her feel bad. She says, "No, I just play with Courtnee and Angeli." (Those are her friends from last year.) I am so glad she hasn't felt rejected... yet. I hope she'll always be able to let things roll off her shoulder and move on with cheer AND I hope she'll always feel she can talk to me. (High hope? Maybe.) So then I started drawing (scratching/tickling) on her back and she said, "Ah darn! Now I can't stare at you." I asked her why she'd want to just stare at me. She said, "Because I love you!" And that was it. My heart melted. My day was all worth while after all!!

Ready... Set... Go!

Haley is walking!! Rachel, Kaden and Tye all waited until after their first birthday but before they were 13 months to walk. And like clock work... Haley did the same! It is so fun to watch her pitter patter around the house. And I might add that the thought of pants that are NOT worn out in the knees sound good! (Just look at the picture!! My poor ragamuffin!) Each day she gets better and better. The only problem is she's growing up way too fast!!

Mm-mm... Good!

Haley loves the peaches off our tree. They sure make her sticky, but what fun would life be if we didn't get a little sticky every now and then??