MLK Weekend

I had a goal to make skiing happen over the holiday weekend.  It's never simple or cheap but I was determined.  My mom and dad took Sam for the day so Randy and I could focus on Hank and Max.  

After weeks of nasty smog it was a beautiful sight to see blue skies and sunlight!  It was just what the doctor ordered.  I've got some serious vitamin D deficiencies going on.  After our first trip down the bunny hill it became apparent to me that Max was lacking knowledge of lesson #1 in skiing, how to stop.  Randy and I tried our hardest to teach him the art of the snowplow but failed miserably.  Max was frustrated and scared.  I knew we needed help from the ski professionals.  I could hear Grandpa Karl in my ear saying, "good hell Annie, put him in a class", so that's what we did.  Max needed a little coaxing but really surprised me with his big boy attitude.  It broke my heart leaving him behind.  

Randy, Hank and I made a few runs while Max was in class.  I couldn't stop worrying about little Maxi, all alone in his ski lesson.  I made a detour at the end of every run to check on him.

I made sure to keep my distance so I wouldn't distract Max.  He was doing such a great job.  He learned how to snowplow in the first 10 minutes.  I noticed him wiping tears away at one point.  Talk about a gut wrenching moment for a mom.  Randy assured me he was fine.  It's moments like these that turn boys into men I suppose.  I hate these moments as a mother.

I was so anxious to pick him up at 3:30.  He couldn't stop talking about his adventure.  I asked him if he was crying during his lesson and he said he just missed his family.  He powered through and had a great day and wants to go again!!  I'd say that's success.  His sense of accomplishment made it all worth it.  My little boy is growing up, it's official. 

My other little boy, has one mission when he's on the slopes, jumps!  I can't believe his control, balance, and natural athleticism.  He had a blast.  It is so fun to see.

Not only did my mom and dad watch Sam for us, they had a delicious home cooked meal ready for us after our long ski day.  I can't wait until all 5 of us can go skiing but until then, I'm grateful to have such willing babysitters.

Sam loves Dove.  She is such a mellow sweet dog.



I mean cookies, angry birds, and grandpa, how could it get any better?

I closed out the weekend with our monthly bunco party at Missie's hosted by Jessie.  She really ran with the whole MLK theme.  I haven't laughed that hard since....last time we had bunco!  I love this tradition we've started.  It's so great to see my adorable cousins, aunt and Grandma more often.

I got to take this bad boy home.  Don't be alarmed when you see him hanging in my mud room as you come in my house!

January Happenings

I'll post this beautiful picture first since it was literally the only day in January this year that I could run outside.   We have had the worst inversion I can recall this month.  In fact the air quality is so bad, the kids haven't had a single outside recess day since Christmas break.  Along with the disgusting pollution has come below freezing temperatures every day.  The news reported our air quality to be the worst in the nation.  I'm grateful for treadmills even though I really hate running on them.  I've been able to retain my lightning fast running speeds.  I'm averaging 7:40 per mile for 6 miles!  I seriously contemplated driving to St. George the other day so I could run outside.  It's time for me to find a race in an ocean front location.

Here are some random photos of what's been going on so far this month.

Max has been playing WAY too much Wii these days.  I have to say he's pretty amazing at it though.  I guess that's what happens during the coldest month on record.  He is obsessed with collecting all the Skylanders figures. They are 10 dollars each so it's becoming an expensive habit.  He really wanted to make money so I had him do some jobs around the house for me.  Apparently I wasn't paying him enough because he started looking for employment elsewhere.  Sarah paid him to clean up her playroom and then he asked Grandpa Curt and Grandma Jackie if they had any work for him.  Last Saturday he spent the morning with Grandpa Curt doing odd jobs around the town homes.  After working hard he was rewarded with McDonald's for lunch and 20 bucks!  They had such a great time together and he finally earned 27.00.  Just enough to buy the pack he had been wanting.

He sprinted into the store and luckily found the guys he wanted.  There was only one package left!  He learned the value of hard work and I'm so proud of him.

Hank's been playing in two basketball leagues and is doing awesome.  His ball handling skills are impressive!  He always gives it 100% and is a crowd favorite for sure!

This particular Saturday drew quite a cheering section.  Hank loves his fans.  He has made 2 buzzer beaters from half court in Jr. Jazz this season.  This kid is unbelievable.  

Sammy Boy is teething and has been pretty irritable lately.  Those baby molars have been so rough on him.  He has a nasty rash around his mouth and on his legs to go with it.  His binky's seem to be the only thing to calm him down.  Thankfully he is sleeping really well at nap time and bed time but during the day he wears me out.  It would be awesome to go outside and let him run wild.  How in the world am I ever going to break this binky habit?  It's not going to be pretty and frankly I'm too tired to even entertain the idea.

Newborn binky's forever!!

As much as I'm going to miss him when we go to Disneyland, I know he will be much happier with Grandma Jeri and Scott.  Sorry Sam, next time you'll be old enough!  

Randy is keeping busy helping James coach the sophomore basketball team at Westlake High School.  These two are giddy with excitement on game day.  There is definitely some reliving the glory days going on here.   Hank and Max have a blast watching the games and getting to know the players.  If my boys ever play at this level, I may need to be medicated to get through a game!

Happy Birthday Randy!

Happy 2013 and Happy Birthday Randy!!  Thirty-five looks pretty dang good on my main squeeze, I must say.  I still can't believe that number though, 35, ugh.  That means I've been with Randy for 17 birthdays!  Wait, that can't be right, but I'm pretty sure it is.  Man, we are getting old.  

I suggested Randy take a quick jaunt to Sundance and enjoy a few hours of skiing by himself.  He agreed it sounded fun but in true Randy fashion, he opted to take Hank and Max with him instead. Not exactly a relaxing trip, but they had fun.

I hope these boys realize what an incredible father they have.  He is always thinking of them in everything he does.  They love to be near him always and I can't say I blame them. 

Max had a skiing breakthrough that day.  He fell down about a hundred times but managed to get up and keep trying.  He never gave up and I'm so proud of him.  The fact that he can't wait to go skiing again means success in my book!  I'll just make sure I come along to help out.

I had grand plans for our New Year's Eve/birthday partying but it's a challenge to find babysitters on such a busy night.  We ended up with a more low key approach this year and it turned out great.  My sweet friend Natalie offered to watch the boys while we went out to dinner.  We went to our favorite sushi place, Tsunami, and had a relaxing, delicious dinner.  When we got home the boys were ready to party!

Hank got a little carried away with the sparkling cider.  We had to cut him off after two glasses!  Natalie and Isaac stayed to ring in the new year.  We played Wacky Six up until the clock struck 12.

Max stayed awake until 11:50 but just couldn't hang on until midnight.  It's a little over rated any how.  Around 1:30 a.m. Sam started screaming and wouldn't stop screaming the rest of the night.  I still have no idea what the problem was.  It seemed like he was having a night terror or something.  Needless to say, I got just over an hour of sleep for the night.  Our first day of 2013 was spent trying to recover.

I had to rally because it was time for Randy's birthday party with our families.

How could I deny this 35 year old a proper birthday party?

The Wank's were well represented.

Everyone loves Randy!  Our family couldn't function like it does without him.

I know I wouldn't survive without him.  I just adore this man in every way.  He makes me want to be a better person.  I really don't know a more unselfish person.  He puts the needs of me and the kids above his every single time.  His fun loving personality always makes our home a happy, exciting place.  I'm so lucky.  I love you Randy!  It's going to be a great year!