Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day!

Our Valentines Day, here in Kodiak, was rather windy and rainy. Chris got me a wonderful and thoughtful gift for Valentine's Day - a beautiful pair of diamond earrings!! They looked similar to the earrings he got me many, many years ago. Sadly, I had lost one of the old earrings down the drain while in the shower and never got it back. These new earrings remind me of the old ones and it was the perfect gift!

For Valentine's Day Emily got a bunch of presents...it was like a mini-Christmas for her. And, she got a TON of candy!!! She loved everything! Auntie Lisa sent a whole bag full of candy, which Emily asks to "eat this?" all the time! Grandma and Papa sent more candy, a cute shirt for Emily, a V-Day outfit for Ethan...and...a TON of toys for Emily, which now are all in her Minnie Mouse "purse" that they also sent (the "purse" is actually a Minnie grocery bag and she drags it around with all her V-Day candy & stuff in it.) Scott & Mel sent more candy and stuffed animals. Auntie Diney sent cute socks for the kids. And Mommy & Daddy gave her more candy and some Toy Story stuff. She made out like a bandit for Valentine's Day!

She is really loved by everyone!! (Thanks to all!)

Here are some pics of her opening up her V-Day gifts:

V

Yet Another Reason Kodiak is Awesome

Yet Another Reason Kodiak is Awesome!!

(this would never happen in California)

Superbowl Sunday

No big parties this weekend, so we threw our own little Superbowl Party at the house. Chris and Ethan cheered on the players while eating a smorgasbord of snacks. Emily and I sneaked off during the second quarter to catch The Princess and the Frog which was playing on Base. It was a nice and relaxing weekend.

Snow Shoeing

It took quite a feat from my little family, and a few of my friends, to get me out of the house, but today...for the first time...I went snow shoeing.

I thought of every excuse not to go...the kids were crying, we weren't ready in time, it was cold outside, and I had to put on a lot of layers. But, despite my resistance, Chris dragged me out of the house to push me off to my friends.

I met Doris and LeeAnn on Base and we all carpooled to the Ski Chalet, which is where everyone goes sledding. We then strapped into our snow shoes and began our hike up Pyramid Mountain. I borrowed all of Chris' gear - he loves to go snow shoeing, so he has everything you'd need!

It was quite a steep climb and my legs were KILLING ME! Going down wasn't much better...the trail was still steep and the butt muscles were hurting with that one.

But...WHAT A VIEW!!! Kodiak is BEAUTIFUL!! We had a lot of fun snow shoeing, and I hope it won't be the last time I get to go.

The View from the parking lot

The view from the Top

Me and Doris

The view from the top. If you look closely, the little-tiny dots in the valley on the right-side of the picture...that is the parking lot we hiked up from. It was FAR AWAY!

Tummy Time

Emily's Big Girl Room

Here are some shots of Emily's new Big Girl Room! She is so excited about it and LOVES that her walls are green. It wasn't an easy paint -job, but thanks to John & Lauri we were able to get it all done. Chris painted the totally cool white bookcase of toys (it used to be wood stained), and then it took days to organize all of her toys in her room.



Giving Emily a Big Girl Room opens up a room for Ethan to have all on his own. Yes, he's still sleeping in our room, but we're hoping he'll be able to sleep in his own room soon. (That room is still a work in progress...I still don't know what to do with the computer stuff.)



So, here's a tour of Emily's new room.

The BIG 3-0!

Well, I turned 30 last week...adding another decade to my life. I feel ready to turn thirty. We've got a house, two kids, and a good life; I couldn't imagine looking back at my twenties and wanting to revisit those. I really enjoyed my twenties, but it's now time for the next chapter of my life.


We didn't do anything special for my birthday. We're so far away from friends and family that the EXCITEMENT of turning thirty has kind of been lost. Besides we're planning a trip to Mexico, and that's our birthday present to eachother this year.


The night before my birthday Chris and Emily baked me a cake. The following morning, as I was getting ready to go to work, Chris and Emily surprised me with a beautiful pink/strawberry cake, full of candles. We had cake for breakfast...it was very nice.


Chris and a couple of the girls here tried to throw me a surprise party, but it sort of got botched and...well...let's just say it didn't go so well.


All-in-All...I'm saying "goodbye" to my twenties and "hello" to my thirties!