Very random, some unflattering, pictures of Easter

Easter 2013

Alex made a leprechaun trap!

Not totally sure how it works, but there is a bell attached so I know it will work! Love that kid!

RIP Chewy

My sweet little Chewbacca birdie died this week.  I was home with him for a few hours on Tuesday and he was out of his cage, walking around, climbing on me, just happy as can be!  He likes to wander downstairs and just walk around!  I couldn't find him for a while and then saw him sitting next to the dryer all cuddled up and happy (the dryer was on and obviously warm).  I didn't think it was the safest place for him with all of the lint around, so I brought him back upstairs to his cage.  The night was normal with him and I didn't notice anything at all wrong with him.  Wednesday morning I was getting the kids all ready for school and hadn't uncovered Chewy yet.  He usually lets me know by squawking a lot and making himself known!  I didn't hear anything from him.  I think deep down I knew something was wrong but I was afraid to look so I kept on doing morning chores for a little while longer.  I finally got up the nerve to check and found him at the bottom of the cage.  I didn't want to tell the kids before school so I covered him back up and tried to keep my composure.  I sent Andy a text and, being the sweet boy that he is, rushed home.  Once the kids were out the door I let the tears flow!!  Andy helped me find a box and put Chewy in it until the kids got home for a funeral.  The worst part though was telling the kids.  They were heartbroken (only for about a minute), but that was a long minute!  We had the funeral and buried him in the backyard.  

I loved my little birdie. 

The Canyons 2013

 This year we finally got the kids and Andy up to the ski slopes!  We enrolled them in The Canyons Ski School and it was a huge hit.  Alex went snowboarding and Samantha and Andy skied.  It was a nice day and everyone did well.  I was shocked that Samantha liked it because she is usually terrified of fun and new things....especially when it involves mountains and things!  ;-)  Each class only had 5-6 kids and they really seemed to get some attention and good learning.  I'm hoping we can make it up one more time this year and let it become a fun family adventure!

January thus far

January has been a busy and exciting month so far.  

I started school on the 8th and have finished 2 weeks so far.  It's been interesting.....school is very different this time around!  Most of my teachers are around my age and therefore are MUCH less intimidating than I remember them being when I was 19.  I get tired a lot more quickly too!  I attend class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8.30 until 12.45 and by the end of that, I'm beat!  Thursday nights I have a sports medicine lab from 6-9 and that makes Thursdays EXTRA tiring and long.  I am enjoying learning though and my brain is recalling some things that it learned 11 years ago - which is majorly impressive!  I am grateful to Andy and the kids for being helpful and supportive.  They have had to step in a bit more with house chores and no one has complained so far!  Good for them!

January 10th was my favorite day though!!  I got a call from my mom at 4.45am saying the Richele was in labor at the hospital.  Her labor was progressing quickly and they decided to forgo the c-section and go for it the other way.  The hoo-haw way!  Poor Shell-Bell!!  The whole family was there in time to laugh and cheer Richele on as she gave birth to the cutest little bug in the world!!  Quincie Susan Cook!  

I wuv her so much!!!

Christmas 2012

 Kids getting milk, cookies, and carrots ready for Santa and the reindeer.

 A Christmas morning hug for mommy!

 Samantha opening up her tablet from Santa (which was a cheap piece of crap and has now been traded up for a Kindle.)

 Alex coming into the fun.

 Checking out his piece of crap that is also now a Kindle.

 He was pretty happy about it though.

 They both were excited.

 Look how grown-up and big they are!!!  My babies!

 The glorious Christmas mess!  See if you can spot Samantha on her tablet.

 Alex quickly got to setting up his legos.

 Alex doing Legos, Samantha on her tablet.

 In the late morning we headed to Grammy's for brunch and presents.  There were enough presents to keep anyone happy for years!

 My beautiful Samantha.....even with dark circles around her eyes.

 Grammy telling the kids to start the madness. 

 The present-opening madness.

 Cute cousins.

 Richele's butt.

 Grampy being a sweetie and playing Go Fish with the girls.  Heaven forbid we play with toys we just got at Christmas, let's pull out the ages old card game!!

It was a fun, fun Christmas with lots of good food, good gifts, and awesome family.  We missed Andy's family this year as his parents were in Wisconsin visiting Dave and Pam.  We should get to see them in a couple of weeks though.  After our fun time at Grammy's house we went home so Andy could get started on the Prime Rib. We had mom and dad over for Prime Rib and Yorkshire Pudding and games on Christmas night.  The kids had a blast as did the adults playing dominos.  

And now, we are starting a New Year.  I look forward to all that 2013 will hold for my little family!  Especially the much anticipated London/Paris trip in 4 months!  Woo hoo!!!!