Finally

Well this past weekend my sweet cousin, Laurie and her daughter Leah, came up to Yakima for a visit. It was SO NICE to finally have someone visit. I have to tell you that it has been really hard not having any family visit! We have lived here for almost 2 years. Well we had so much fun with them. Unfortunately the weather wasn't the greatest but we did make it to the park one afternoon and we went for a nice walk on the greenway. Isaac wasn't too fond of the walk since I brought his scooter and not his bike, but I still enjoyed the fresh air. Laurie introduced us to the Just Dance game for the Wii. We played it on Friday for quite some time and both of us were sore the next day. Of course that didn't stop us from playing several times on Saturday and Sunday before we had to head to the airport. The best part of the game has been watching Gary dance too. He has totally taken me by surprise and is really good. He even beat Laurie and I a couple of times. I just want to thank Laurie for coming and I had a great time. Thanks for the See's too!

White Pass

This past weekend we headed up to the local ski resort and did some sightseeing and enjoyed some tubing. They had some great creatures carved in the snow along with a big Ice Castle that you could sled/tube from. Of course we got half way there when I asked Gary if he remembered the sled and of course that was one item left behind. At least I had all the snow gear for all 4 of us! I haven't been to a ski resort since Gary and I were dating and it brought back all my fun memories of doing the ski team growing up. We met up with some friends while there and she helps coach the ski team. Other than realizing how expensive it would be I would love to do that every weekend. They even had a childcare area so the parents could ski - now that's a great idea! Here are some fun photos of White Pass.




On the way home we stopped at the Elk Reserve and enjoyed watching them for a while. Isaac thought the binoculars were the coolest part of the stop. They don't look very big in the pictures but some of the antlers on the elk were huge!

Grateful

So after having a bad streak between family and friends, it makes me realize how grateful I am to have my family! One of my friends here in Washington lost her almost 2 year old unexpectedly and it just makes me sick to think of losing one of my kids. Life is so precious and I have taken some extra time just to sit down and play with Isaac and Sarah and do things that they want to do. We have been able to go outside, still bundled up, but at least we have sunshine.

Sarah LOVES licking rocks and eating dirt for some reason. I remember Isaac doing the same thing. And Isaac enjoys riding his bike and wearing his new helmet. He even took it to school for show and tell. Sarah's hair is finally getting long enough for me to do some things with it, so here are a couple pictures of her with pigtails!

We had a nice Valentine's day and enjoyed a quiet evening at home. I bought the kids a new outfit and Isaac has worn his 3 days in a row and I finally made him put it in the dirty clothes. My aunt Lois sent both of them a teddy bear. Gary and I don't go out on Valentines Day, we wait a week or two and then enjoy a nice night out. So on Friday we had a babysitter watch the kids so we could go out to dinner. That time away is nice and makes you appreciate your kids when you come home to them.

Sarah is also a climber and we have our bikes in the basement and the other day I came downstairs to her sitting in the babyseat. I asked Gary if he put her there and he replied, No she climbed in there all by herself!

We haven't been on any trips and I am really missing my winter break to Phoenix this year. We are headed there in May so that will be fun. I am looking forward to spring and can't wait to be able to go to the playgrounds again.

2 more sayings

The other night we were sitting down watching a movie and Isaac asks me, "Mommy, can I call you sweetie!" He pretty much got what he wanted that night.

Sarah was talking away in her jibberish and Isaac asks, "Mom, is she speaking Spanish?" I laughed so hard. Kids have such the imagination.

I promise to post pics soon, but I know I need to write these down before I forget them.

Isaac sayings

Mom, when I grow up I am going to have fur on my chin and then I get to be a dad!


Isaac: Remember that time we played with the yellow ball.
Me: No
Isaac: At the Mickelson's house, they had a ball that you threw.
Me: Yes that was Bocce and that was my birthday.
Isaac: Yes, you turned 15!


I love your stories Isaac. I wish I could remember all the things you come up with, but since I know I won't I will enjoy them when I can.

Keeping busy

So we have been busy redecorating the house during January since it is freezing outside and there is nothing better to do. We moved all of the kids toys downstairs along with the TV and the Wii so now they have a huge playroom. We made the upstairs into a nicer sitting room and have enjoyed keeping the house cleaner without toys all over the place.

......................Before .................................................................................................. After
I also decided to paint the bathroom. I really wish I had before pictures because we had handicapped rails for the toilet above and next to it and now it looks like a normal person bathroom! I am still trying to find the right picture to hang on the wall but here are a couple pictures.


Just a funny quote from Isaac:
Isaac: What is on the side of the mountain?
Mom: A radio tower.
Isaac: No I think it is China!

He is still into his Star Wars Legos and you will find him at the counter most of the day! He is really creative and is into making his own ships! This is his drawing of the family! The kids had so much fun playing and coloring these huge pieces of paper. Cheap entertainment!!!


Sarah is into feeding herself and while it is nice to be able to get things done while she is eating she makes a huge mess!!! She loves being very independent and she is starting to refuse the highchair.


Gary brought home this giant cookie from the hospital and we had fun sharing it. The kids thought it was so fun to see a cookie that big.

Christmas 2010

Santa arrived one day early at our house since we were heading to SLC on Christmas Eve. The kids were so excited to see what Santa left under the tree. It was fun to see their exciting faces. Sadly, it takes you months to get everything together and organized and the presents were opened in about 20 minutes. The funny thing is we let the kids open their gifts and then while we were finishing up packing they opened our gifts for us. Isaac made out with more Star Wars legos and a new pirate cove to go with his pirate ship that Santa brought last year. The fun toy was a remote control car that flips over and can drive on both sides.

Little Miss Sarah received a shopping cart and play food and plates. She LOVES pushing her baby doll around in the cart. She is going to be a good mommy one day! They both received several books as we do a lot of reading time at our house.

Gary and I purchased a shiatsu massage chair and it has been wonderful!!! It feels so nice to just sit and relax.

After breakfast we packed everyone up and headed to Pasco. The kids did great on the airplane and Grandpa Oaks was able to pick us up just in time for the Oaks Christmas Eve celebration. It was so nice to see everyone and Isaac was so happy to see his cousins. After fun games and opening gifts we headed to my parents house. Once again Isaac was so happy to see Clara. I love how they are such good buddies.

Christmas day was filled with more family time between Gary's family and mine. It was nice and relaxing.
We had a lot of fun hanging out with everyone and I hate that our vacations go by so quickly. It was fun to see my cousins, Kristin and Laurie. We enjoyed one day at the indoor water park and loved every minute of it. I love seeing Isaac enjoy the water.
My best friend from college, Janel, got married on New Years Eve at the Stein Erickson Lodge in Deer Valley.
She had been planning this occasion for a long time. Everything was absolutely beautiful!!! The one part of the whole day that we will never forget is that the ceremony was held OUTDOORS!!! The temperature was -12! I am so thankful for the faux fur shawl that we had to wrap around our arms. Sadly our toes all froze. Once we all thawed out we had a wonderful night full of amazing food, fun dancing and wonderful fireworks at midnight. Congratulations Janel and Cameron! We had a great time.