heres the number

435 787 4630

New Phone Number

We changed our cell phone to a land line and our number is now changed. Hope you all had a great Christmas! We loved to see all your pictures. This photo was suppose to be our Christmas cards. Better late then never!

Christmas Fun!

WOW! Two in a row, Mindy you should be very proud!

Here is our Christmas Day documented from start to finish (almost, we are watching Milo and Otis right now, a Christmas bedtime movie) Note that none of us have changed out of our PJ's, except Dalyn who wet through two outfits already. AHHH Christmas.

We started at 7:30 am after a family sleepover downstairs in Aubrey's room. The kids discovered the piano right off (thanks Mom and Dad). Then came upstairs for presents. We had a blast opening all together. The highlights were the pink baby pig, rubiks cube (thanks for introducing us, Josh) the motorized lego set, the power ranger guys (amazing how a dollar store find can delight for hours) the new video game for Aubrey and Dalyn, the pink Jacket from Mom and Dad (with Aubrey yelping in delight, "It's pink, I can be a pig when I wear it!") and the Magic Treehouse books. And of course for Scott, the new fish tank stuff and his two favorite movies, Gladiator and Jerry Maguire in PG edited form. For Me, the beautiful framing job that Scott and Garrett worked on to FINALLY get my temple picture framed. Also, couldn't end this blog without some picts of our nativity reading.

Mom and Dad, we are SO SPOILED! You are amazing. This Christmas has been absolutely amazing and it is mostly due to you and your generosity. Scott and I have been shaking our head in absolute amazement at all our blessings today. What is Christmas without the love of our family here at home as well as from those of you celebrating elsewhere! We are surrounded by love, how blessed we all are!

Downtown Spokane at Christmas

For all those considering Spokane as home in the future, here are just a few more reasons to move to the Lovely city of Spokane. We have gone downtown at Christmas the last 3 years and enjoy the free carriage rides, carousel, gingerbread house display and pure winter fun! This year we were even quoted in the Sunday paper! We had a reporter ask our family some questions and record our family downtown tradition. Here is documentation of history in the making!

The Stone

At about 3:42 PM on Friday, December 21st, Mindy went to the emergency room with severe pains in her lower right back and abdomen. We suspected kidney stones, but were not certain. After some grueling pain, very strong pain medication, and one catscan later, it was determined that Mindy did, indeed, have a fairly large kidney stone (about 5 mm by 7 mm). She was sent home with lots of pain medication and a pee strainer, in hopes that the stone would pass on its own. Well, after many strains of the pee, we are proud to announce the arrival of the kidney stone at 6:32 AM, Sunday December 23rd. Mindy and stone are doing well. We truly consider this little gem to be an early Christmas gift. For those of you who have never had the opportunity to pass one of these for yourself (consider yourself lucky) we have attached a picture for your viewing pleasure. Merry Christmas, everyone!

All Done!

I have been working with Coop for a while now to raise both his arms above his head to signal that he is "all done" after eating. First I would show it to him, then I would help him do it. Just yesterday, he decided he could do it all by himself.



We are so proud ;-)

Rice Cereal...Yummmmmmm!

What is this rice cereal stuff?

This spoon thing is kind of cool.

Yeah, I think I liked that.

It's a party in my mouth!

Ski Bums

Caleb took Coop up for his first day of skiing. Coop sat comfortably in the front pack while Caleb did some easy green runs. My favorite part of it all was the cute ski goggles he got to wear. Coop didn't make a peep the whole time so I think he was trying to figure out what was going on altough we think he enjoyed it.

Ta-Da!

It took 4 long grueling days of work, 13 trips to Home Depot, 4 coats of spackle, 3 coats of paint, 1 trip to Bed, Bath, & Beyond & 2 great parents to finish this tiny yet, hugely messed up bathroom. As with every project, if something could go wrong it, it did. We thought it would take 2 days, it took 4. We spent most of one day finding out that the vanity we bought wouldn't work, returning it and the medicine cabinet only to discover there weren't any other types in that color so changing our whole plan that turned out just as good. Long story short, Dad, Mom, & I had a fun time redoing the bathroom together. Dad is the fix-all handy man; if it's broken, he can fix it, no matter what it is! And he wouldn't be able to do that without his beautiful assistant Vana White, I mean, Mom, who finishes all the little odd jobs, and makes the project beautiful. Thanks so much Mom & Dad! We love our new bathroom and we loved spending time with you this week!
BEFORE

DURING

AFTER

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow

Coop wasn't quite sure at first, but as soon as he found out he could eat it, he was in love.

He ended up getting a brain freeze after this huge bite!

Isn't he just the cutest little snowman you've ever seen?

Anyone for snow angels?

Picking the perfect one

I was thinking about Christmas trees. It's one of my favorite traditions and even though it's expensive, messy, and it's a pain to set up, I still refuse to get a fake one. It's too much fun to spend a night going to tree farms, all decked out in our winter gear, and find just the perfect fit for our family. Coop liked feeling the branches and eating the bright-colored ornaments although he didn't get to put any on since it was past his bedtime. He did enjoy the decorated tree the next morning though.

Happy Decmeber 1st!

What a perfect first day of December...the first real snowfall of the year, my two little snow angels, and a miniature frosty. We had so much fun frolicking in the snow, while Ethan watched from inside our warm house. Hope your first day of December was just as wonderful!