New Years Eve

It's 2013!

We have lots of long-lived New Years traditions, some of which go back to before I was born.  They include sledding, watching Better Off Dead, playing UNO, frying won tons, and dippin' some fondue.

Each year there is some sort of firework display whether it's just sparklers

or a good illegal aerial display.  This year was pretty good.

We added playing Werewolf because the older kids couldn't get enough of it last year (and they can't wait to play again next year)...and then  we broke open a card game called Makin' Groceries, a game given to us on our trip (16 years ago!) to see Kristi in New Orleans.  I am sure this game will be added to the New Years celebration.  The kids couldn't get enough of the Cajun accent.

"Ya gots dem beignets?" 

"Naw...go make groceries"

New Years - Sledding

New Years - The Fat Bikes

As a gift to each other, Darin and I rented Fat Bikes over New Years.

Because I want to keep this....

This poem means something to me. I want to keep it, and re-read it and remember it.

Problem is that I hate papers laying around.  

I don't ever look at things that get filed, they just stay filed away.

So I will post it here.

Thanks for sharing Fi, and listening....always.

After a While
(You Learn)
© Veronica A. Shoffstall 1971

After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning,
and company doesn’t always mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses are not contracts,
and present's aren’t promises.

And you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead...

With the grace of a woman,
not the grief of a child.

And you learn
To build all your roads on today,

Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while you learn that even sunshine burns
if you get too much…

So, you plant your own garden,
and decorate your own soul...
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure…
you really are strong,
you really do have worth.

And you learn, and you learn…
with every goodbye,

You Learn…

Miriam Update

Our Little Groundhog turned 9!

While thinking about what to say at her school spotlight, I realized one of Miriam's greatest qualities is her versatility.  She is very feminine, and sweet but also brave and adventurous.  She is a naturalist, loves bugs, reptiles, birds, she would LOVE a pet rat.  She is a great hiker, biker, roller blader, ice skater, swimmer, baker, crafter, reader, and dancer.  

Some of the things Miriam has been up to this school year...

First, she received her Bachelors degree.  This is a program her teacher offers if the students get above a certain level on their work, and do a few extra projects. 

She has earned her Masters Degree as well. The ceremony will be mid-February.

She was an orphan in her school's performance of Annie.

(Thanks to Aunt Julia for the costume!)

She was a Chinese Dancer in the Jazzy Nutcracker.

She is a busy girl but manages to find plenty of time to watch Cupcake Wars, play games on the computer or create some craft or another.

Love That Girl

Hangin' out with Marcus

 Turns out, Goonie-Bird Gene runs throughout the family.

Christmas Day

Grandma and Grandpa made sure this boy's Spiderman dreams came true.

These two made out pretty well too...everyone must have been extra good this year.

Darin and I got spoiled too.  I am totally set to run in the winter...if only the blasted inversion would clear out. The kids gave me the cutest running shoes and multiple bars of fine chocolate. Darin, as always, was super thoughtful and searched out the perfect gifts...not only things I would like but things that improve my life.  He is sweet that way. My parents did too.  I am surrounded by great gift givers and am completely flawed in that area.

My parents hit the jackpot with Darin's gift, a remote control helicopter.  Since the kids all got outdoor toys from Santa my dad took us (my siblings and nieces and nephews) down to the church gym to try everything out!  This was of course after opening all the gifts and snarfing down my dad's traditional Christmas Day ebelskivers.

We played with all the toys everyone received, and then added in some basketball, and general mayhem.  I don't know why we haven't done this before, it was so fun! 

I got Lasik right after Christmas (I know! Totally spoiled.) so I was suppose to wear glasses from Christmas Eve past New Years. I did my best but I really hate glasses.  They squeeze my head and slip off my nose and it's one more thing to keep track of. So far I am LOVING my lasiked (word?) eyes, I would do it again in a heartbeat and I had to do the PRK kind.

A good friend of mine went through the death of her father over Thanksgiving.  She made me promise to take pictures of my parents,  She said I would regret it if I didn't.  So glad I got this shot.  I need to tie my mom down and get some pictures of her with the kids.  She is usually running around providing food, and entertainment she doesn't sit still very long.

Aunt Sarah is a goon. The funniest goonie-bird Aunt you ever met. Soren may have inherited the same goon-genes.

Christmas Eve

I have been really really bad at taking pictures lately. 

Well, it was a lovely Christmas, even if I have no great photo documentation to prove it.

I LOOOOVE when it snows on Christmas Eve.
My parents were hosting Grandpa Young and Uncle Damon and Aunt Gwen so we took the kids sledding to let Grandma cook, and keep the house clean.

The snow was too fluffy to be thrilling sledding, but it was a fun hill.  Our HUGE childhood hill has been taken with a new housing development...so until we find another one Pioneer Park will have to do. Great place to practice snowboarding.

None of the adults had snow clothing so we lasted as long as our toes could handle it.

We took the kids home for quiet time and to help with Christmas Eve Danish dinner prep.  Darin and I were in charge of the carmel potatoes (Brunede Kartofler) which is really hard so we cheated with some karo syrup. No one could tell.
Delish Danish Dinner....as always.
Thanks Mom.

I was in charge of a family Grinch story gift exchange, which in the end provided the dessert (chocolates).
Then on to our talent show.  Miriam and Ali played the piano, Josh the trumpet, Madison and Grandma sang a song, Marcus did karate and then we had all the grandkids sing and/or play bells in a rendition of "Christmas Bells".  It was darling.

Grandpa was in charge of the Christmas devotional this year.  He chose The Living Christ to focus on and then all the grandkiddos got a wooden nativity ornament.

A brief, or not so brief intermission (to dress the kids) then led to the Nativity. 

We each took turns skyping with Unlce Mark and then playing card or video games.

We ended the evening with the cousin gift exchange and then the traditional Christmas Eve jammies.

Why is there no picture of this?? I don't know what I was thinking....actually my head was probably spinning by this time and I was thinking how it was time to get sugar plums dancing in my kids heads.

Cousins left, we put the kids to bed with a Christmas story and then Darin and I laid under the Christmas tree feeling tired, and full, and happy, and content. 

Thanksgiving

Comfort food and cousins, what could be better?

Grandpa giving roll making lessons perhaps...

and then cinnamon roll lessons the next morning maybe,

and then Dad putting together the gift Miriam and I brought the boys from The Met in New York,

Leonardo's catapult.

Yeah that could ratchet up the fun.

We were going to take a family outing to go bowling, or ice skating but the weather was SO GOOD we went to the park instead.

These pictures make me long for warm Fall Days...it hasn't been higher then 20 degrees for sooooo long!  

The Big Apple Day 6- Home Again...

Our last New York city meal was breakfast at Sarabeth's  on Monday morning. It's located right across from Central Park, which put us right by 5th Avenue, which means we were right near FAO Schwartz when they opened their doors.  All the employees lined the entrance and clapped as we walked in...talk about a red carpet experience.  Then we ran into Tiffany's to take in some sparkle. I texted Darin to joke with him about making some big purchases...then I said that I actually prefer jewelry made by Darin & Co. (he has made me jewelry before...including my engagement and wedding rings).

Then off to pack and get to the airport.

That was stressful, getting that many people anywhere always is, but we made it.

We all had a sweet moment in the Colorado airport taking turns telling our favorite moments from the trip.  My favorite part about the whole thing is that it happened! I have been thinking lately about how many of my dreams spoken aloud have come true.  It really does speak to the goodness of life and of the people around you...when you say what you want, and work hard, sometimes things just fall into place.  I forget this too often. Life is beautiful.  

My OTHER favorite part is that both Miriam and I were surrounded by unique, inspiring women. I loved the example we were showing our girls....that life doesn't end when you grow up and become a wife and or mother.  We showed them how to be brave, to be yourself, to take a time-out when you need it, to appreciate art, to be patient, to remember our past, to be excited for the future...I could go on.  

My OTHER OTHER favorite part of the trip was coming home to Darin and the boys. I had missed them so much! I loved hearing how much fun the boys had spending time with Dad and Grandma and Grandpa. They had just as much fun and adventure as we did, and they were overjoyed with their gifts from the big city.  

And guess what? 

Darin had been working on some Darin & Co stuff all weekend, so I came home to some shiny!