Thoughts for Today and The New Year ~

I started doing this in 2008 and i really enjoy looking back on them...so here goes.....

I'm feeling...very lucky!  2012 was a great year, and i look forward to what 2013 will bring!

I'm seeing...the snow falling outside our window...its only a little bit, but its beautiful! (and definitely needed)

I'm thinking...of all the great adventures we had in 2012, Jordyn playing soccer, our trip to South Dakota, the High Park Fire scare, starting a girl scout troop and many others...what an incredible year!

I'm appreciating...a warm home, a healthy family, food on the table and laughter in our hearts!

I'm cooking...king crab legs...we decided our seafood feast at Aunt LeAnns was sooo much fun last year, that we decided to do it again this year!  Im also bringing up some espresso cheese, crackers, salami and olives.  What can i say, its the last day of the year before i start back up on my healthier eating :)

I'm planning...to get back in shape and start working on a healthier lifestyle!  i know a lot of people say that every year, myself included, but im really feeling out of shape lately trying to keep up with Jordyn, and i know i will feel a lot better if i shed some pounds and exercise more.  Wish me luck! :)

I'm reading...11/22/63 by Stephen King...im only about 1/3 of the way into it, but im really enjoying it!  The Passage by Justin Cronin was in my stocking this year, so i look forward to reading that one next.

I'm wearing...the same thing as last year, warm sweats, and im about to put on my snowsuit and join Justin and Jordyn outside for some sledding.  Its 20 degrees out right now, but its supposed to drop into the single digits tonight, which should make our nighttime fireworks a chilly event!

I'm creating...lots of different things...finishing up a few quilts, and table runners, and also some miniature quilts.  i want to get out my watercolor paints more and also my colored pencils...surely theres enough time in the day for all of my hobbies :)

I'm hearing...Jordyns laughter as she slides down the hill onto our frozen pond! I think ill go join them...be right back!

I'm enjoying...the new Etsy website i set up...and even though i havent sold anything yet, i still feel a sense of accomplishment at putting it together and creating things to sell.  Im looking forward to adding more items to my shop...if anything, it keeps me creating!

I'm sharing...a few photos of our afternoon on the sled run...it was great to get out of the house for a while and have some laughs! 

 May 2013 bring you all good health, lots of love, joy, happiness, laughter and fun! 

On Holiday ~

 We've been enjoying our winter break from school!  We spend soooo much time in the car, we thought it would be fun to hang at home for a few days...so we spent a lot of time playing Legos, sledding, playing games and reading!  Jordyn built this entire Lego set by herself...i was quite impressed!
Heres a shot of Jordyn enjoying her brand new puppy pillow!  Grandma Kristi bought me a green suede pyramid reading pillow for Christmas, and i just LOVE it!  Unfortunately, so did Jordyn...and she was trying to commandeer my pillow, borrowing it every night, so i decided to go online and order her her very own!  Besides, if she loves using it to read, how can i say no!  Reading is awesome!  and she agrees!  :)

 She finished her new magic treehouse book and immediately started on another one we picked up at Archers Resort (thank you Connie).  The weather has been really chilly and windy, so most of our fun has been indoors...so we decided to get off the mountain for a bit today and go to the Mulberry Pool!

 Daddy even came with us, which was great since he hasnt been in a pool in ages...so while Jordyn practiced her swimming and floating techniques, i swam several laps in the lap pool (im sure ill be feeling it later, but im determined to get back into shape!)

 We all enjoyed the hot tub for a while, and then Jordyn hit the water slide feature before it was time to go.  After some yummy food at El Burrito and a quick trip to the store for some tasty New Years Eve treats, we headed home!  So far its been a wonderful holiday!   Cheers~

Celebrating Christmas!!!

 

Merry Christmas!  Jordyn was kind enough to let us sleep in till 7:30, then it was time to see if Santa came!  Looks like she was good this year...a new camera and a Monster High Doll awaited her under the tree.  The stockings were jam packed too!

Of course, Trash and Fuzzy had raided their stockings during the night, as we found a few cat toys on the floor that werent there before :)

 

 

Great Grandma Anita made this pretty scarf and hat for Jordyn, which she was happy to model for us.

She also received a new pair of snowshoes and poles!

Time for mommy to steal some hugs...then it was back to presents...

Along with new clothes, there were Friends Lego sets from Aunt TJ as well as Mommy and Daddy, the game Sorry, lots of books and movies, a portable DVD player from Grandma Barbara to enjoy movies on the go, a new alarm clock from Aunt Denise that Jordyn kept playing the music from, a Katniss Barbie from the Hunger Games Movie, a fuzzy zebra blanket, a knitting machine to make scarfs and hats, a new my little pony and a watercolor travel set to name a few things.  Jordyn also found the pickle ornament, so she got a new nerf gun set to do battle with Daddy!

Grandma and Grandpa joined us for brunch; a big plate of fresh fruit, a breakfast casserole and mimosas!  There were more presents to open, and then Jordyn showed them all the cool stuff she got for Christmas.

  Grandma and Grandpa headed off to Steamboat to visit the other grandkids, so the three of us lounged around in our pj's ALL day!  Justin and i took a very long nap on the couch, while Jordyn played with all of her toys, waking me every so often to ask, "Mom...can i open this?....Mom, can i eat this?....Mom...can i get out my Legos?"  It was a wonderful, relaxing, peaceful Christmas! 
  That evening, around 6 o'clock, Jordyn dozed off reading her new Jack and Annie book (as she likes to call them, from the Magic Treehouse Series), Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Christmas Eve Celebration ~

 While Justin and i were getting the house ready for the holidays, Jordyn was anxiously awaiting the festivities at Grandma and Grandpa Bears house.  To her, the hours were dragging by, and she kept asking, "when are we going up to Grandma and Grandpas house?"...which was always followed by a long sigh after my answer :)  To help the time go by faster, she decided to read a bunch of her Christmas books.  She has become quite the avid reader, though she struggles with some words now and again, she insists on reading the more difficult books and loves reading herself to sleep too.

 Finally, the moment had arrived...it was time to go to Grandma and Grandpas!  Grandma always saves a few of these little crocheted ornaments for Jordyn to help her put on the tree.

 Once the decorating was done, it was time to check on dinner...we had a delicious feast of pork tenderloins, wild rice with cranberries, baked cauliflower and a spinach salad.  YUM!

 Jordyn tried to be sooooo patient during dinner, but all she could think about were those presents in the living room.  The tags were written in cursive, so she couldnt tell whos was whos and it was driving her crazy!

 But now it was PRESENT TIME!!!  She got a lot of cool gifts from Grandma and Grandpa...this money ball puzzle that you have to put quarters in to play, and if you solve it you get all the coins inside.  Needless to say it got filled with a lot of coins, but hasnt been emptied yet!  Then she opened this gorgeous new winter coat...she was excited to have a new jacket...but nothing compared to her next gift....

 Thats right...her very own computer!!!

 We had a wonderful evening...but it was time to get home!  Santa would be by any minute and we still needed to set out his cookies and Jordyn needed to change into her new Christmas pjs from Grandma Barbara.  Once we were all settled in, it was time for our tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas, however, this year, Jordyn read it to Daddy instead!

 Then she listened to this animated Santa tell the story again, and then it was time for bed...

Sweet Dreams Peanut!

Christmas!

Snow Fun ~

While i was working all weekend, Jordyn and Daddy worked on our sled run...

Looks like Jordyn gives it two thumbs up!  :)

The Polar Express ~

Jordyn builds a train to travel to the north pole with Santa and Squirrely...the in-flight movie, The Polar Express.  "Well...are ya comin....to the North Pole of course...this is the POLAR EXPRESS!!!"

A Christmas Card to All of You~

 Our Christmas card this year....

Thought id send out a virtual card to all my blogging friends....Merry Christmas!

More Holiday Fun ~

There was some beautiful music with Christmas caroling and story telling at the library yesterday...and Jordyn and her friend Serenity got their groove on!  Any excuse to get up and perform...what a couple of hams!  :)

I tried a new way to display my cards this year...i think it looks kind of fun...and yes, the temperature was 19 degrees out!

Remember my dear friend Patrick that passed away in January?  He always sent out the best Christmas cards, so clever and funny!  Well, it appears those traits were passed on to his daughter, as i received this Christmas card from "Patrick" this year.  That's him hiding in the trees, and it says, "I'm watching you!"  I just LOVE it...thank you Jenny!

And it looks like we finally got that snow the weatherman has been promising us....7 inches outside...which meant a 12 mile drive of unpaved mountain roads this morning to Jordyns school with up to 12 inches along the manhattan road.  I decided to help out at the school a bit, and then go out to breakfast before heading home, which allowed the snow plow trucks enough time to cover my turf!  whew!  Thanks guys...you rock!  Enjoy the snow Coloradoans....we needed it!

Space World Adventure Station ~

 I am deeply saddened by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School today.  I read about it on my computer while my own daughter was away at her elementary school, and it was all i could do not to drive there immediately to hold her tight.
 When i went to pick her up today, all of the teachers and staff at her school were clearly troubled, and more than a few tears were shed.  I couldnt wait to get Jordyn home!
  When home, i received a few fun things in the mail... first, our Christmas cards arrived and they are beautiful, i also received my "new" diploma from college, that recently became a University, and i received a girl scout award for being a volunteer...alas, i could not find solace in any of these things.  As i watched Jordyn play, i realized how many parents were robbed of these moments today and forever, and that made watching her all the more special!  We enjoyed a movie together, Christmas Vacation, and then Jordyn decided to design a new rocket ship out of a package that arrived in the mail today.  Jordyn and Daddy visited Jupiter, Neptune, Saturn, Mars, Titan and io.  The it was my turn!  She made me a ticket for space travel, but this time we decided to take Trash and some night vision goggles.  It was the best trip ever!  (though Trash seems to disagree)  I love you kiddo~

Holiday Concert ~

The school concert was on Tuesday night, and all the kids were dolled up and ready to go!

 Jordyn had been practicing her songs for weeks, and tonight was the night!  Deck the halls was sang in full force, and she was one of only about three kids who actually knew and sang the last line of that song...Justin and i were soooo proud :)  She was also excited to be in charge of the snowflake for this number...

 And then there was the moment of Santas arrival...look at the joy in those faces!

Yep...the magic of Santa was in the air...surrounded by music, dancing and laughter!  Happy Holidays Everyone!