Happy Birthday Shonda!

I have the greatest Sister. I only have one sister, so I don't have to worry about offending any one else, and I am certain that she is absolutely marvelous! Here are a few reasons why I adore her...

1. She listens to me babble... everyday
2. She's much smarter than I am
3. She is amazingly creative
4. She actually thinks of real solutions to my silly situations
5. Hello, have you seen her photos.....
6. She lifts me up so I can stand on mountains ;-)
7. We can always laugh at the same old memories
8. She is my medical consultant, my therepist and sometimes my punching bag
9. She watched my kid for 17 days straight
10. She has a different style then me so my clothes have always been safe from her.
11. She lived in Grants Pass and liked it.
12. She finds silly things to do like letterboxing and I end up liking it.
13. She is funny and doesn't always know it.
14. She went to BYU so I didn't have to.
15. She is a great mother.
16. She married a man with red hair and thinks he is so hot.
17. She uses the words "kick in the pants and britches"
18. She is very poetic
19. She always ratted me out in high school, probably kept me out of trouble
20. She made me her Brides Maid.
21. She is a great help with my church lessons
22. She helped name our dog, which she hates (not just him, but all dogs)
23. She has a nack for naming kids too
24. She can relate things to an episode of Oprah (she's seen them all for the last 5 years).
25. She can quote any part of The Princess Bride
26. She can be so beautiful
27. She has a little bit of "Banks" still in her like me
28. No one has ever decorated a chicken coop as cool as her
29. She loves me despite that I wasn't always as loving to her
30. Because she is my sister

Happy 30th Birthday Shonda!

Boys....

Boys are SO much fun. I'm so glad I have 2 of them! This was the first time that they sat next to eachother and we were butter. Of course, running off to get the camera and smiling at them sitting on the couch. The funny thing is Simon actually fell asleep a few minutes after this picture and Trenton was so wonderful, he just called us for help.

I think it is the funniest thing when the little guys can't control their eyes yet and go crossed.

There she is! My Grandma. She's pretty hip too. Look at those cool glasses and the trendy jacket. I hope to be that cool when I'm her age. The greatest thing is that my boys will know their Great Grandma. I never had the privilege and I'm glad she's here.

Oregon at its best

Then... after all the fun. We went up to paradise. Mt Hood can be the most beautiful place on earth when the snow is piled up high and we get to play in it.


Just to get into the Valentine spirit of things, I thought I'd share this. I was a little more in love yesterday, because Emile and I had one of our earliest dates up at Govy, we had shakes at the Huckleberry Inn and sat on (yes, on not in) the parking lot for hours and just talked, and there was no better time than yesterday to find a shake at the old inn, see all the skiers and snowboards walking around town, see all the snow (there is so much snow right now) and remember the moment. I LOVE Mt Hood. I LOVE the snow, and most of all... I'm still just as in love with Emile now as I was then.

Have you ever seen the America?? For those of you who have been up to Mt Hood have you ever noticed the America (all 50 states too) that is on the side of Tom Dick and Harry Mountain?? Just as you go through "silent rocks" and head into the "fall to your death if you go off the road" corner, you look to your right.... Here is a peek so you know what you're looking for.
Better yet... does anyone know the story behind it? I've lived here my whole life and don't know the story. Help!

Snow day

I am feeling great after we got out and visited my Grandmother up at Mt Hood. She calls herself GG for Great Grandma, and that's fine... I guess at that age you can call yourself whatever. Trenton had a TON of fun playing in the snow. He went sledding and built a snowman. (Snow bunny actually). I'm not sure what Emile was doing on that one, but there is nothing wrong with switching things up a bit in the snowman arena.