Great-Grandma turns 99

My Grandmother turned 99 in February- just 9 candles on the cake though so as not to start a fire! She continues to do fairly well and enjoys seeing the kids regularly.

Valentine's Day

The kids were very excited about Valentine's Day again this year. We even had heart shaped pizza for dinner! Both kids had parties at school and Avery even picked a Valentine- her buddy Tyler who lives in our neighborhood. According to the two of them, "they really like each other and hugging is fine, but no kissing allowed! Yuck!"
The kids each picked out a new Build-a-Bear for Valentine's. Carson got a monkey (whom he named George after the curious monkey) and he is a knight in shining armor.

Avery choose a dog covered in hearts that she appropriately named Valentine.
Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

GO ZAGS!!!

We have gotten to be Gonzaga basketball fans and recently attended a winning game. It reminds me of all the games we went to when I was a student at VT, although the school spirit of the students is way more amazing than ours ever was. They have all these great moves, like turning their backs to the other team when they shoot free throws. You can see them in all the red shirts- they always dress alike. The kids seemed to enjoy it, they spent some time dancing in the stairway and yelling "Go Zags!" Avery was even seen on the overhead big screens rooting for her team. They replayed her dancing that night on the late news, of course she was in bed and missed it.
Avery and Carson proudly supporting their team.

February 2008, after the blizzard

After 70 inches of snow so far this winter, we are spending lots of time indoors. The kids had an entire week off from school (ahhh!) and the governor declared a state of emergency. During this time Avery lost her 3rd tooth. The one next to it is wiggly so soon the tooth fairy will visit again.
One of the kids favorite indoor activites is dancing to music. Somehow Carson has learned to spin records and make rapping sounds. It is hilarious to watch!

Avery's best buddy Ashley just celebrated her 7th birthday. We have gotten to be really good friends with the whole family and were very sad to see them move to Portland this week. We will be visiting them over spring break. so the kids are really looking forward to that.

Snow, snow, and more snow!

Since Saturday we have had about 17 inches of snow total. For the first time in 11 years, schools have been closed- we are on Day 3 of no school which is testing for everyone!
The kids enjoyed making a snowman and playing in the snow. They are happy each morning when we hear school is closed yet again.

We had 14 inches in the front yard and about 17 in the back yard. The roads are pretty bad up here (they are much better in the valleys) and we are preparing for another storm tonight that is supposed to bring another 6 inches of snow. As if we need more snow! Over the last 2 days I have gotten my van stuck in our cul-de-sac, and our 4WD stuck near my Mom's house. Tim has luckily been able to rescue me each time. He now answers the phone when I call from my cell, "Where are you stuck now?" This eastern girl doesn't do to well driving with so much snow!
Carson is standing in my footprints- up to his waist! He insisted on trooping through the backyard to sled on our little hill, but it was a struggle for him.

Ski Lessons

Winter in the Northwest means snow, and what better way to enjoy it then learning to ski! Avery has been going to lessons on Sunday's. She seems to really enjoy it and is doing well picking up the sport.
Carson had his first trip up to the mountain this past weekend. Tim has all kinds of devices you attach to children to help them learn to ski. Carson had a great time and after skiing the bunny hill several times, he decided he was ready for more advanced hills. Like his Daddy, Carson has no fear and is sure he can do anything! Give him a few years and he'll be skiing the double black diamonds with Daddy!
Our future ski bum.....

New Year's Eve

We spent New Year's Eve at Matt & Melanie's with several other couples we are good friends with. The kids celebrated a little early with noisemakers and sparkling apple cider. They had a ball and both kids were asleep in the car within minutes of leaving. That's Avery below with her friends Ashley and Elizabeth.
Matt set up a makeshift movie theater for the kids in their basement. The kids thought it was great, and they all sprawled out on their blankets and pillows to watch Toy Story. Carson is sitting just as close as he can get! That's his friend Thomas next to him and Elizabeth sitting above.
Here's about 1/2 the kids watching on their "big screen"