St. George - April 2011

In April we got to go St. George again for a dance competition.  It was so nice to get away and enjoy the sun for a few days.  We made it an extended vacation and stayed Thursday through Monday.  We all really want to go back with the crappy weather that we are having here.

 Emily says "Oh Yeah!  Pool Time Baby!"

 She was wild.  She did not stop moving, and was being so brave. 

 She would jump in the pool without anyone catching her, go under the water, swim back up, then swim to the edge of the pool and do it all again over and over.

 Ali was tickled pink with her new goggles and snorkel that we found her at TJ Maxx. 

 One of the days was really hot, so we had some fun tube action in the pool since no one wanted to get out of the nice water.  Matt would pick the girls up in their tubes, spin them and then throw them and they would skip across the top of the water.  They had a blast.  Ali is now wishing that we lived there.  I will be too if we don't start getting some sunshine.



My Little Artist

 Ali loves to draw.  She says that when she grows up she wants to be an artist and a dance teacher.

 She will spend hours drawing pictures on this dry erase board, one right after another.  She even takes it with her in the car for some amusement. 

Rec Center Fun

 Ali always loves to start her trip out to the rec center with a  quick climb on the wall.  She is actually getting pretty good, and can make it a good ways up the wall. 

 Ali's swimming skills came right back to her and she was off and swimming like a little fish the minute we got into the pool.  I think Emily is going to have it down pat after a couple more trips to the pool.  She was doing excellent and can totally float on her back now, and do the back stroke. 

 As usual, the girls love the slide and spend most of their time on it.  Emily can not wait for the day that she can go on it by herself.  The girl has no fear.



Best Buds!

One day during nap time Emily really wanted Sophia to lay by her, Emily logged out and Sophia just chilled right next to her for a good long while while she was sleeping.  

Soldier Hollow

 This year we tried the Soldier Hollow tubing hill.  Lets just say it was pretty awesome, and definately the only way to go sledding.  The girls and Matt had a blast, they had permanent grins on their faces.  The ride up the hill was just as fun as the ride down.

 Emily all ready to get pulled up the hill.  She went more the relaxing route.

 Matt and Ali on the other hand enjoyed throwing snowballs at each other.

 Pure excitement on the way down.

 The tubing gang, Lex, Ali, Isabel, Marianne, Shane, Matt and Emily.

It was such a beautiful day that we had to top the day off with a trip to the outlet malls and play on the snow covered play ground. 

Valentines Memories!!!

This year for Valentines the girls got to hang out with Nana while I went to Instacare for the billionth time this year and Dad was at work. They had a Papa Murphys pizza party, and they also got a few surprises from the Nans of course to go along with it.

Who doesn't love starting off the new summer season with a new pair of shades?

As well as some springy pajamas, and a polka dot bikini.

Thanks again Nana for a wonderful Valentines, and "Peace Out" from two of your biggest fans.

Brighton 2011

In February we went up to Brighton for another try at snowboarding, or body sliding, whichever you prefer. Obviously Ali likes both. The minute we got there she went to this hill in front of our car and slid down it a gazillion times. I think people were thinking that she was nuts.

She did such a great job again this year. I think that after a couple more times she will be better than me. I am not very good, so she probably already has me beet.

She took another lesson, and had no qualms about being left with her snowboarding friends. She is growing up too fast. Matt and I actually got to leave the bunny hill and go on Majestic with our friends while she was busy for two hours. It was awesome.

The day could not have been any better, it actually could have if I could have taken a nap on the chair lift. The sun was heaven.

~ Until Next Year~

Ice Castles

Back in February we went to see the Ice Castles with Becky's family. The kids thought that they were so cool. It was crazy to see these castles of ice that men spent hours making in the freezing cold winter nights. They were pretty incredible.

The kids loved stomping around in all of the ice slush, and going through all of the tunnels.

Emily enjoyed picking up the large pieces of ice off of the ground and showing them to everyone. Then she wondered why her hands were so cold. Of course she would not keep gloves on.

Matt and Steve started talking to one of the guys that made them, and he explained to process to us, lets just say that it does not sound very fun to be to have as a hobby.

They go out there at like three in the morning and build the castles with PVC pipe, then they stand out there all night spraying water on them.

We appreciate them doing it for our enjoyment.

High Flyin Fun

A couple months ago, yes months, we got to enjoy some wonderful weather and play outside a lot. The girls love it when Matt throws them up in the air and catches them. Here are some of their big air throws.

Emily was so excited to get to ride bikes, it had been a long cold winter

Ali of course has more body to throw up into the air, but she still got really high if you ask me.

We even got to take advantage of the warmth by one of the girls favorite things. Popsicles, Hence the bright red lips.

We even had a bit of Hula Hoop action. Ali is still a pro, and Matt and I are trying to brush up on our skills. Woo Hoo Matt!

Super Bowl and Sophia

This year we went over to Jakes house for the big Packers vs. Steelers game. Since Matt is a Packers fan and Jake is a Steelers fan we thought that we should watch it together. It was so fun, and the girls loved playing with Sophia while the big kids watched the game.

Ali had fun taking pictures of Sophia, here are a couple of the ones that she got.

Whoo-Hoo, the Packers won. It was a happy day for Matt.

Sweet Caroline

One day Emily was coloring all nice and quiet at the table and all the sudden she started singing "Sweet Caroline" totally out of the blue. The girls have been loving this song lately, so here is Em sharing it with you all.

Sleeping Beauty

I thought that this picture was so funny. The girls love sleeping in these masks, I don't know where Ali picked up the fetish, but she has now passed it on to Emily.