Engagement Party

Dennis and Christie are engaged to be married 07/17/2009 in Nevada. Congratulations!Here was most of the crowd. Rylee so graciously took the pictures for the evening, not a bad shot!Nick was the master of ceremonies for the evening.My lovely husband.Brody and I.The game was so much fun getting to know Dennis and Chrisite. Way to go Linda Cathy, and Blake! The bread, salad, pasta and dessert was fabulous as well!

Avery's Princess Party

Avery turned 3 this month and invited Rylee to her Princess Birthday Party. Now, if you know anything about Rylee, this was just up her ally. She loves anything girly and anything princess! To me, Rylee's personality is as sweet as her scent. Here she is in her dress before make up. What princess isn't complete without a little curl in her hair and some color in her face!Here is Jon's photo shoot."I've been dreaming of a true love's kiss...""I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you the gleam in your eye is so familiar a gleam. Yes, I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem. But if I'll know you, I'll know what you do, you'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream."Finally, at Avery's castle. As soon as we walked in Rylee was THRILLED because all the princess music from the movies was playing over and over and over. She was in princess heaven.All the princesses Anna (Snow White), Leah (Belle), Rylee (Sleeping Beauty), Kyleigh (Ariel), Avery (Princess Blue), and Annie (Princess Barbie). Not pictured is the other Riley who was a princess fairy.At the party, they decorated princess hats and wands; ate heart shaped grilled cheese sandwiches; decorated personalized heart shaped cakes, learned to play musical chairs (yet a chair was not removed to ensure no tears, but princesses always find a way to shed the tears. They thought that the chair they started in is the one they always get when the music stopped. They'll learn eventually.); and opened presents.
Prince Charming for the day!He actually sat on their massage chair for 15 whole minutes in a trance not moving a muscle. Like father like son. Very unusual for "busy body Brody".

Happy New Year!!!

New Years week was spent up in Tahoe with Oma and all the kids and grand kids!! We had a great time! The first day was spent with everyone gathering to the cabin Oma rented and getting settled in.

Day 2 & 3 - Alpine Meadows and NorthStar

First day of skiing/boarding is always the best. Everyone is fresh and ready for the cold. Jon got to try out his skis and found out he LOVED them! But he surely was the most sore afterwards. Did he mind? Of course not, he always loves a workout...which is why he bought the skis.
The girls (Jessica, Me & Renee)!The boys (Aaron, Sammy & Jon)!The view from the top of Alpine Meadows.Jon and I!Lunch Time!!! A much needed break for Jessica and I to feed the babies. I gave up because I didn't want to freeze my chest, but Jessica fed Max and ended her day. Lunch was so good with large sandwiches and all the fixings brought up by Oma, Dan, Brittany, Chantilly, Rylee, Brody and Max.

Second day of skiing/boarding was the best for Johnny because it was his first day. He asked if it was ok to leave us and go on his own. We never saw him again until Northstar closed.
Renee & Sammy at the top......on the lift...and on the slopes.Jon and I at the top......and on the lift.Here is Rylee trying to warm up in a little shop in Northstar village watching Cinderella, while awaiting Jon and I to finish our last lift of the day. Dan, Jessica, Max, Brittany, Aaron, Chantilly and Rylee all came to the village that day to see what it was all about!"You came back to me!"

Day 4 - Snow Day

We decided to venture into Tahoe City, play in the snow and on a playground; and walk the shops. By now, the Bradley's and Montes' had left so we were down a few family members, but that didn't stop us from having fun! Here is Jon and Rylee hiking out to the Lake.! Throwing Rylee around is always fun! Look at that view in the background. It was beautiful to be out that day.Here is the WONDERFUL Oma and I posing for a pitcure!Brody was a great sport and didn't mind the backpack a bit!! Hey as long as they are being held, they don't care!Dan and Jon brought a disc and they rigged a rope on it and pulled Rylee around on the snow."AAHHH!"Due to the high altitude they both pooped out fast,and of course, Rylee was begging for MORE!Here is picture of the new family of three, The Poulton's - Aaron, Chantilly and Brittany. Isn't she so cute!I know, you'd never guess Jon would be the one screwing around, but he was!
Day 5 - Pilot light problems?...who cares, go home!

Thanks Oma for a great time in Tahoe!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!!!! Let me back up. Jon worked the 23rd and the 24th so it was just the three of us - Rylee, Brody and I for Christmas Eve. A friend sent out an email looking for Christmas traditions she could start with her family. That gave me some good ideas that we could start with our family. This year Rylee and I watched Dr. Suess's "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" and made a cake. After the cake cooled, we frosted it and turned off all the lights except for the Christmas tree lights. We sat around the Christmas tree and read the real Christmas story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. We then sang "Silent Night" together. Rylee was so excited and said, "I know this song!" and belted it the best she could. We then stuck a candle in the middle of the cake, lit it and sang Happy Birthday reverently to Jesus. Rylee blew out the candle and licked the bottom. I cut the cake and we each had a piece. After eating our cake we called Jon at work to tell him we miss him and love him like always and off to bed we went.

That next morning we waited for Jon to get home so he could watch them open gifts. It was a wonderful relaxing time being home together after a long 2 months of killer work for the both of us.Thanks Rylee and Brody for enduring through this time!! I love that our family is back together!

STRIDER BIKE!

Jon new that the grandparents would be giving Rylee loads of presents for Christmas and he wanted our present to be special. He new with all the dolls and other girly items she so dearly loves, his present would get the look over once and be tossed aside. So he gave it to her early.At first she was timid and didn't know how to balance the bike. But day by day she is getting the hang of it. There are no peddles and you just "flinstone" it with your feet. Here is a link to a video, check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_lKGDdVVOo

Ice Skating!

Folsom has a seasonal ice skating rink. It is very small, just our size. We thought we'd give Rylee her first go at it.

"Coach lace me up!""Let's do this thing!""Crap, carry me!""Brody's turn!"Love the boys! Brody wanted to be out on the ice so badly he didn't care if his fingers would get sliced off. Thank goodness they didn't!It was such a great morning and too hot for jackets!

Brody

Brody fell, can you tell?Doesn't matter, he'll still smile for the camera!!!

Fire Rescue

Brody is big enough to fit into the Fire Rescue Jeep! Jon got them both helmets for Christmas and gave it to them early.Rylee likes driving the Jeep, but she loves driving the Jeep in CIRCLES. It makes me dizzy just watching her go around and around and around. As you can tell, Brody is not a big fan of the circles either.Here he is hanging on for DEAR LIFE!CRASH!! She thinks that's the best part!She is such a crack up!