Happy Thoughts

Just some random pictures from the past week or so. I think the random shots are my favorites- much more so then pictures from events or places we go. The girls sometimes do the silliest and most random things and my camera is always on the counter- just in case. Chris is getting better and grabbing and getting a few shots of whatever they are up to at the moment.

Getting ready to head outside for some much needed fresh air.

Such a sweet little face! Heading out for the first walk of the year. The weather finally was warm enough and the snow had melted so we could grab the stroller and hit the pavement.

Getting some new rain boots! She couldn't wait to get outside for some stompin' in the puddles.

Channeling her inner Napoleon Dynamite!

The cutest little mud stompin' boots!

Chris has been working with Rylee almost every day to write her letters. She is getting really good at it- She now recognizes and can write A-R. They have been adding a few new letters everyday. The goal is for her to be able to recognize and write every letter before Chris gets called back to work. She is SO PROUD of herself! Pre-K round up is just around the corner and I think Chris and Ry have really done well to get her ready. I can't believe how fast she is growing and that school is coming sooner then I really would like. Rylee on the other hand thinks school should start tomorrow where as Mom would like her to stay little much longer then she would. Who can blame me though

I was going through some clothes boxes the other night putting the 12 month stuff away and pulling out some 18 months clothes. Hard to believe that Quinn is already 17 months old. Anyways, in the boxes I found some tiny night gowns and pulled them out for her to wear. She thought they were the best things ever- she LOVES wearing them. It is super cute to see her floating around the house in them, twirling and showing off a bit. Ry loves night gowns too so they both had to wear one.

Daddy and his growing girls

Miss Quinnie and her galloping horse.

What? This isn't for riding?

Quinn LOVES yogurt and is at the stage now where she says "MINE, I DO" to almost everything- including feeding herself. Breakfast is quite the messy experience, but she loves to eat herself. She does pretty well with a spoon, but sometimes you have to use your hands to get to the bottom.

Off to the Zeum

Rylee and I woke up one Saturday morning to watch some PBS morning shows. Rylee saw an ad for the science museum and said "hey mom, we should go there today". And I thought- why not? So, when Chris and Quinn woke up I mentioned it to Chris and off we went. Rylee was so excited, I don't think you can put her excitement into words.

The start of our fun filled day at the "Zeum" as Rylee kept calling it.

Chris and I Ry trying to pull the weights down, kinda funny to watch as it was not as easy to do as some might think

Dancing Queen!!!

A little Dancing Queen in the making.

The girls couldn't get enough of watching the ball spin round and round. We must have spent 20 minutes watching it

Quinnie trying to pull the lever to close the mouth of the dinosaur.

Jenga anyone?

Quinnie trying to figure out how to build a fire in the Hmong house.

Quinn found an exhibit that was just her size! She kept saying "puppy, puppy"

After almost 3 fun filled and hands-on hours we headed home from the museum. We stopped at Wendy's for lunch and the girls discovered how yummy a Frosty is. About 5 minutes in the van after lunch we had 2 sleeping girls.

Feliz Cumpleanos

For my birthday this year I wanted to do something big as it was a big year for me. I would be turning 30 and we never have done much for birthdays. For Chris's we spent the weekend at Lake Owen camping and then in Milwaukee for a Brewers Weekend. So Chris and I started throwing some ideas around like Vegas, Florida, the Bahamas. Then we found out about an offer that was too good to turn down for a week in Cancun. Mexico was never on my "must see" list but for the price offered I was willing to go anywhere as long as it was warm. So, we agreed and immediately thought of taking some friends with us. We couldn't take the girls with this time as neither had passports and the long flight with their ages just didn't seem like the right mix this time. One couple couldn't go but the Meyers were up for it if they could get passports. A lot of work went into it but in the end they got the passports and it was Viva Mexico!!

The view from my beach chair! It was warm, breezy, and a little piece of Heaven!!

Chris and I outside of the villa we stayed at. We were heading out to dinner and thought we would try to get a nice picture of us with the beautiful beach in the background.

The Meyers joining in the fun at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. They were good sports for wearing the shark hats. It was at Margaritaville that I discovered my love for guacamole. I had never had it before but quickly found out how much I loved it!

Chris and I outside the Resort.
A beautiful sunrise from the balcony outside our room. We spent every night and morning out there. It was beautiful!

We spent one day at an Eco waterpark called Xel-Ha. It was beautiful- we snorkeled, went tubing, and Cory, Chris, and Jolene went cliff jumping. I was too chicken and knew it so I didn't even attempt to try. I'm ok with that. I know what I will and won't do. Jolene was super brave and did it quite a few times!

All over Xel-Ha were these huge iguanas. Just ask Cory about them- he practically stepped on quite a few of them. This picture probably doesn't do justice to the size of them.

A view of the water at Xel-Ha.

Chris and I on the last morning in Mexico. The wind was super strong the last 2 days that the resort staff couldn't keep the sand from getting on the pool deck. Almost everyday someone was sweeping and hauling away sand but that day it was just too much. It was everywhere- the pool deck, the pools, the restaurant.

A little tribute to my birthday!

Chris writing the girls names in the sand when we went walking for sea shells to bring home for them. Ry was really excited to see the shells even if she can't say sea shells quite right.

So, after 5 fun filled days in Mexico it was time to head home. The flight home was a little stressful as Atlanta was getting hit with a snow storm so our connection would be missed but the people at Delta were great and upgraded us 4 to a non-stop flight home to Mpls. Bonus as we didn't have a layover and got in 3 hours ahead of planned. I was happy as I missed my girls so much and wanted to get back to them.

If it could only have been as warm in WI as it was in Mexico.

Thanks to Chris and the Meyers for helping me celebrate my birthday. I had a ton of fun and will remember this always. Thanks guys!!

A Magic carpet Mom!!!

My work held a family afternoon at Trollhaugen Tubing Park on Feb 6th. The weather was pretty good considering it was February. We decided to brave it and took both girls with as they had a kiddie hill that Quinn could go on. It was a nice night and there was a good turn out. While Chris and Ry checked out the hill I went in to pay. It was quite spendy I thought considering I had to pay for Quinn to go even though she was too small to ride alone. Although they tried to tell me that all riders had to be in their own tube- meaning Quinn was going to go down alone in her tube. Um, don't think so. I held Quinn on my lap and only went down the kiddie hill while Chris and Ry braved the Magic Carpet and went on the big hills.

Chris and Ry at the top of the "big kid hill"

Miss Quinn and I on the kiddie hill. Even the little hill had us going pretty fast for a 1 year old. I was a little nervous but Quinn had a blast and laughed the whole way down.

Miss Quinn and I warming up for a few minutes while Ry and Chris head down a few more times.

Miss Ry hamming it up for the camera!

Chris and the girls on the final run down the kiddie hill before heading out for home.

Snow Day!

Over New Year's weekend it was finally warm enough outside to take the girls out for a little sledding. We don't have to go far, just the second half of the driveway. It has just enough incline and with Chris giving the sled a boost- the girls have a ton of fun and we don't even have to leave home. We lasted about 30 minutes before Quinn was shivering so I took her in while Chris and Ry went for a few more minutes.

Miss Rylee getting ready to sled. She loves when Chris whips her down the driveway.

Ry and Quinnie. Ry didn't want to go alone so Quinn gave it a shot. She had fun and you could hearing her laughing the whole time. Thank goodness they didn't flip or who knows what she would have done then

The bottom of a fast ride. You can see the expressions of both girls- having fun!

This is what Quinn looked like when Ry wasn't behind her. She was so bundled up that she couldn't sit up alone.
Someone wasn't happy that we came in and Chris and Ry stayed out.

This is the face that started to show when she heard the 4-wheeler start up!

This is the face when she saw her Dad and Rylee flying around the yard on the 4-wheeler and she was stuck inside with Mom! Not a happy camper at all!!

This is what Ry looked like after the 4-wheeler ride. Quinn was really mad at Ry and wouldn't look at her. Daddy got a little talking to about taking turns.


All in all, even with tears shed, it turned out to be a lot of fun in the snow.

THE 4 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

This year was a very busy year for Christmas parties. We had 4 in 4 days- with no break at all. It was great seeing everyone and spending time together, but it was very nice that the Christmas season has ended and we can try to get back to a normal routine.

Day 1

Christmas Eve we started out by heading to the early Church service at 4pm (opposed to the 10pm service) and then headed to Doug and Annette's for Christmas Eve. Doug and Annette made yummy Chicken Parm., Molly made yummy artichoke dip and we brought salad- pretty lucky for us! While waiting for Andy and Abby, we played a few games on the Wii- even Ry and Quinnie had a turn. Andy and Abby made it about 7pm and then we opened gifts (as the girls were about to burst from excitement and it was almost bedtime). The girls LOVED the stuff they got and had a blast opening gifts. Day 1 ended about 9pm when we left for the slow ride home as the roads were not the greatest.

The Williamson Family on Christmas Eve

Rylee and her Gingerbread projects that she made with Uncle Luke. She was so proud of what she made- Thanks Uncle Luke!

Rylee anxiously awaiting presents.

Miss Quinnie being a silly girl! She thinks she is pretty cool now that she can climb in and out of the chair on her own

Hula Ladies! Grandma Annette found the girls this huge trunk for their dress up clothes and gave them a few more things to add.

Just too cute for words!

After the 30 minute drive home (which normally takes 10), Quinn was too zonked out to help with the treats for Santa so Ry assisted. We had to have cold milk and then cut up apples for his Reindeer. Ry was upset we didn't have any carrots- but we assured her that Santa wouldn't be mad.

Day 2

Christmas morning was so much fun. The girls oohed and aahed over everything they got. After the night before, Quinnie was really getting the hang of things.

Daddy helping the girls get stuff opened. Who knew there needed to be so many of those metal twisty tie things! AGH!

Miss Quinnie and her new baby and carrier. She has really fallen in love with dolls in the past 2 months and drags them all over the house.

Day 2 1/2

We spent Christmas morning at home with the girls and then headed back over to Doug and Annette's for the Williamson family Christmas. More food, fun, and presents. Everyone wanted to go sliding, but the steady rain fall made it pretty unappealing so we stayed inside and played bingo and Wii. Another night that ended about 9pm along with another slow drive home due to bad roads.

GG having a little bit of fun

The girls being silly and sweet


Look at Me!!!!

Rylee opened 2 packages of Princess Dolls- 1 from every Disney princess movie! What more can a girl ask for?

Day 3

Day 3 started with us heading up to Luck for Christmas with my family. Joel and Mindy and the boys weren't able to be there as they are in Colorado but the rest of us gathered. After a yummy meal of Prime Rib and Cheesy hashbrown potatoes we went over to visit GG at the nursing home.

Kellen, Ry, Haley, and Collin spending time with GG

Look at our little Santa Baby!!

Uncle Bill was super nice this year- Ry is in LOVE with her new scooter!!

Ry and her Dora tent that Uncle Luke gave her. She is quite smitten with it as "it even has a tunnel Mom!!!"

After 4 days of Holiday Fun and food- we are glad to be home and done with Christmas. It was a wonderful time with wonderful friends and family but we reached a point where all we want is to be able to spend time at home with the girls, watching them enjoy the new things they were so fortunate to receive. I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and the Best to All in 2010!