Fun with the Fam

Afternoon basketball game filled with popcorn, dancing, and of course, Aubie!!!

Telluride

We had the best vacation in Telluride! Lots of skiing, fun, and food to be had! The McDonalds were great to let us and the Thames crash their annual vacation! We were so impressed with how gorgeous everything was. Super cold and 17" of new snow -- the most snow either of us had ever seen -- we got "dumped on" with lots of fresh powder!
I spent two days in ski school and then skied some the last day -- can't say I'm hooked, but I did it. Alex tore up the mountain and pretty much did every run except for the some of the double blacks. Can't wait to get home and see Kirkley -- thanks Grammy for keeping her while we were gone!

Some Telluride favorites:

• Steaming Bean Coffee -- We brought home 4 pounds!
• Our hotel, The Inn at Lost Creek -- ski in, ski out, hot tub on the roof, great restaurant inside, lots of perks -- would totally stay there again! They gave us a good rental/lift/room deal, and I wouldn't go without the little guy waiting outside the door ready to hand me my skis.
• Great food -- Cosmopolitan was probably our favorite with the brie at the Floradora coming in a close second. We ate well knowing we'd ski it off!
  
• Seeing my husband's face soooo excited as he conquered Revelation Bowl and the black runs -- he was too cute and this was his kind of vacation!
  

Nap alone?

Not this girl! She takes everyone with her! We get them all lined up, tell them all night night, then it's time to sack out -- makes for one crowded crib! Here she is snoozin at Grammy's. Grammy got some cool inflatable thing so that Kirkley's friends {and Kirkley} don't go anywhere! She's somewhere in that twist of blanket....

Granddaddy!

Kirkley had so much fun getting to see Granddaddy! She was too funny checking him out and trying to decide if he could stick around. Come visit again soon!

Surprise Visit!

Alex was totally surprised today by a special visitor!!! His dad came in town from Texas for the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting Alex helped organize. It was a great luncheon complete with Kirkley's favorite friend!

What's Cookin'?

On the menu lately: eggs, rice, and peas.

Kirkley is cookin it up all the time! She'll stay at the stove, taking tops off and on, and stirring the rice. Then she'll put a few things in the microwave and press the buttons saying, "boop boop boop!" to turn it on. Once it's ready, she gives a bite to everyone around. Today when Sadie was here, she was quick to tell Kirkley, "You already gave me a bite!" Too cute -- Elmo and Aubie are always excited for their bites!

Bouncing is more fun with a friend!

Sadie came over this morning while her mom took her baby brother to the doctor. The girls had a GREAT time playing -- not one mishap! They insisted the animals bounce with them and they were too funny with dance music going! Bouncing sure does crazy things to their hair!

Perspective from 1 Cor 13

Just got this from my friend Sarah -- a reminder I always need!

I also liked this I came across a few days ago on a similar note...Her children arise and call her "busy."

Perspective from 1 Corinthians 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with exquisite flowers, pristine vases, perfectly leveled pictures, and fine rugs, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of cakes, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, sing at the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I bake meals for friends in need, attend a myriad of social gatherings, attend church regularly, and sing in the choir, but do not focus on Christ (and share Jesus), I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

Once a Month Cooking

Anyone used this book or idea? Just got it, and I really like it so far! I can't say that I'll spend a whole day getting a month of meals prepped and in the freezer, but it would be great to get a few prepped during a nap time. The recipes are generally healthy and each have a point at which they can be frozen. Afterwards, it's basically thaw then bake/cook/crock pot. We already tried the crustless spinach quiche, and everyone, including K, loved it!

Running Girl

We're fortunate to live next to lots of open space for Kirkley to run. With the warm weather we're having, she's been out running several times a day. Of course, usually she's in play clothes, but we caught her running this afternoon in her boots before we headed out for the evening!

Her pink boots are second favorite to her Aubie dress (cheerleader outfit) -- why did I call it that?? That's what she asks for now every time she gets dressed. "Aubie dess??" She now has the AU symbol memorized everywhere. She points it out on socks, shirts, everywhere! She's an Aubie girl!