Sledding in February

It seemed like several weeks since we had done something fun as a family so we seized some perfect winter snow of President's weekend to head out to Belt to do some sledding in the park again. Sledding was fun as usual, but this trip the girls found a giant dirt hill covered in snow and loved sliding down the hill on their butts. I was staged at the bottom of the hill to push them halfway up the hill and Jeremy was at the top of the hill and would lean over and pull them to the top to slide down all over again. I worked up such a sweat pushing and heaving everyone up to the top that I am certain I got quite a workout.

Rylee's vocabulary is really taking off lately. She now talks in enough of a sentence that you know what she is talking about, for the most part. She'll even tattle on me. She'll ask to watch a movie and I will tell her no so she will head to the bedroom and tell Jeremy, "Mom, Nemo--no." She does the same with food just in case Jeremy will let her have a snack when I won't. Snacks are a common occurrence for Rylee...she's more of a snacker than big meal eater. She's a smart cookie and uses the right words like "peese" to get her treat. Who can resist "Tootsey owl peese"..grandma and dad can't that is for sure.

Rylee likes to color more now and likes to play games. She still is mean to Abbie and doesn't share well or isn't patient with Abbie and is always yelling at her. Meanwhile, Abbie shares everything and puts up with a lot of Rylee, however there is a little more standing her ground on Abbie's part. For example, before we left for sledding while I was dressing in the bathroom Rylee was pushing the door open to hit Abbie with it continuously. Abbie eventually got fed up and pushed back which resulted in squished fingers in the door. This fighting is happening more and more as the two strong willed personalities continue to develop. This will be interesting to watch the personalities develop in the next few years. Abbie did say she "hated Rylee" a few weeks ago and we had to talk about how lucky they are to have each other and how much I wish I had a sister. Abbie got very upset that she said it and hugged Rylee multiple times the rest of the night. I am sure that will continue the rest of their lives, right???

Um, mom I sure have a lot of clothes on!

In fact, I've fallen and have too many clothes on and I can't get up. Help! Help!

I am so proud of myself and these pictures. I took a class in Missoula a few weeks ago and used all manual settings today which was hard with the snow background. I realize they are not perfect but still am happy with the outcome as I taught myself about metering out with the white background.

CMR Dance Camp

Abbie and Jenna liked the GFH cheerleading camp so much that we signed both girls up for the CMR Dance Camp the next weekend.

The girls started out timid and shy, but Abbie sure warmed up to the idea of performing in front of a crowd.

Check out these moves...

We may have a future cheerleader in our family..or is this, hopefully, a dance move?

Ah, great friends!

GFH Cheer Camp

I am certain you are already questioning why Abbie is wearing blue and white and to put your mind at ease we are not switching to the "other" high school. Abbie's kindergarten teacher is also the cheerleading advisor at GFH and so Abbie begged to do the cheerleading camp at the "other" high school. Abbie's teacher is so organized and structured we decided that the camp would be worth going to, even if she did have to wear blue. Abbie had a great time doing the camp with Sarah, Jenna, and many of the other girls from her class.

Waiting patiently....

What about, what about, what about a color shout....blue, blue, blue, blue!

Part of the dance portion...

Big hugs with Jenna

2011 Church Epipheny Program

Abbie and Rylee were angels again in this year's church Christmas program. The program told the Christmas story and what better angels than my two girls. Abbie was the head angel this year and led the group down the aisle and made sure everyone was in their spots. I had a part in this program too. I was the voice of Mary offstage but was close enough that I could still see the adorable acting and singing of Abbie and Rylee.

Rylee held Haley's hand as she stood around the manger.

The finale of the program was all the Sunday school students in the front of the church singing "This little light of mine.." and even Rylee joined in with the singing.

New Years Day

We had a very low key New Year's Eve which meant we had a fun-filled New Year's Day and anniversary. We headed out to Belt early in the morning on a beautiful winter morning. We went sledding with Chloe, Caitlyn, and Ashley and both Grandmas. The Grandmas were great sports about sledding and seemed to really enjoy the laughter with the girls. We did some sledding and then warmed up at Grandma Nita's with some hot chocolate and bowl of chili.

Jeremy is always careful with the precious cargo.

I even pulled Jeremy with Grandma Nate, Abbie, and Ashley.

We ended the perfect anniversary and family day with a adult date at Chili's with Brett and Jacie. Jeremy is still talking about how good the ribs were that he ate there that night!