God's Beautiful Creation

It has been so beautiful here lately, hard to imagine it could get more so every day, but it seems to. I had to put in some of the pictures we have taken around the valley. Miss everyone so much, but do you see what you are missing by not coming to visit!!! My sister is coming on Monday - we can't wait.

Fresno Falcons come to the Park

Our "local" (two hours away) hockey team came to the park the other night and the kids got to skate with them. They are the Fresno Falcons and their Mascot is Freddie Falcon. It was really cool. Jack had such a good time. He really wants to play, I think next year he will. (In the group picture Jack is all the way to the right, behind the kid in an orange jacket) They also had lots of fun giveaways and then they signed autographs. At first Jack asked me what an autograph was and why should he have one. So after I explained, I sent him through the line with his friends. When he was done, he came running back to me and said mom, quick, give me my puck, they can sign those too (I guess he got the whole autograph thing).

At that point Molly decided she would like to have whatever it was that seemed so cool, and off she went armed with her puck and a smile. She would not get to close to them and she would definitely not talk to the players, but good old Jack did enough talking for everyone in the park. In the end it was a good time had by all! Brian will be sad he missed the event. But I think Jack would like to go to a game, and I would love it, so we will have to do that before the season is up.

Molly is wearing "The Golden Jacket". That is what she calls it and I think it's funny - had to share.

Snowman

Yea!! We finally had perfect snow for a snow man on January 5th. The four of us went out into the meadow with Izzy (who loves the snow) and made snow angels and played for quite some time. Then we made a great snowman and since we can't use any food or all the crazy animals that live in the park will eat it, we had to use things like leafs and sticks for eyes and whatnot. It was really fun.


Jack also made a little snow sculpture (he called it) in our yard. Molly just had fun playing in the snow! It looks like it is almost dark in the pictures, and it is certainly getting close. We are getting used to it getting dark early and settling in and playing games inside. We have all become quite the game players.

And here is a picture of our house with its little lights and snow on it. Thought I would show you b/c we are moving to a bigger house in a few weeks, so this will no longer be our home - sad. It will be nice to have more room though! In the new house we will have a nice guest room, so come and visit!!

The Chair Lift

Both kids made it up the chair lift this week on their fourth day skiing, ever!!! They graduated from the baby hill and headed on over to the lift! It was very exciting to watch!! They loved it and both did really really well. Molly told she thought it was like flying and she said she thought maybe she was a bird - too cute! Jack has become a speed demon coming down the hill. I have a few pictures from Jack's school ski day on Wednesday.

Brian and I took the day as well and went up to join the school. Brian convinced me to try snowboarding - not a good idea. It was awful. Brian was very good at it, and I have decided once and for all that I do not like my feet stuck together on the same board like that. Also, I am thinking that it is a sport more suited toward men as the boots are not all that attractive and they make you look like you have kankles. But I did give it a go with the help of my nice instructor from Argentina. I think I would be dead if it were not for him. I got the hang of it, but I just really like the gracefulness of skiing. The next thing we are doing is cross country and snowshoeing. We figure, we are here, so we might as well try it all and enjoy it, otherwise, what's the point.

Okay, that is all for today. I am all chatty today - Brian is in New Hampshire for the week on a business trip, though he did call me this morning to tell me they were going snowboarding (nice business trip - maybe someone could send me :-) We miss him quite a bit, but are very busy this week and he will be back late Thursday night.

Here is a little video of Jack going down the big hill for the first time.

Happy New Year!!!

2008, Wow, where in the world did 2007 go? I have no idea. It was big year for us though. A new job and a giant week long trek across the country to move to California!!! We feel truly blessed! I mean, How can you not when you live in a place as beautiful as Yosemite. It is breathtaking!!!

We spent New Year's Eve at the Lodge at Yosemite Falls. It was a hoot and half. They had a kids New Year's party and I called Sara in the middle of it and told her that is was like being at a really fun club, with the music and all, but it was full of kids. It was the most hysterical thing I have ever seen. Brian and I just kept laughing. It really was a lot of fun. There were prizes and hats and crowns, balloon animals and swords and at the end (9pm-our NY time) a balloon drop to top it all off.

I told Brian that I think I have found the perfect place for me...A place where I can stay up to see the Times Square ball drop and still be in bed by 10!! Now that is perfection!!!! :-)

Yosemite Anthem

So this was a possible ad for Yosemite. Yep, that is our family in one of the shots (Jack up close and Brian, Molly and I in the background) and then one of just me up at Taft Point. It was so pretty when we were up there for the shoot.