Happy Birthday, Papa Stan!

Happy Birthday Papa!

Talking to my favorite Aunt Mandi!

Thanks for the Shades

Our deck project.

Bath time for River made easier with Ava's help.

New shades, Montana State shirt, Tutu, and new underwears

Thanks, Aunt Jan and Uncle John for my new shades.

Ava turns 2

Well I can officially say celebrating two was much more fun than her 'birth' day. No major pains, no hospital lockdowns, no staying up all night because we were too excited to sleep. Instead we had a request for cake to start the day. We transformed that into mouse-shaped pancakes which were a hit. Dan and I got her a slide to play on inside so we slid, and slid and climbed and slid. Her cousin Katie sent her a card with Katie singing her rendition of 'Happy Birthday.' We listened to it a lot. A dinner of enchiladas, salad, and cake rounded out an amazing day. We are blessed to be Ava's parents. The last two years have been crazy; however, she is fantastic and on days like today we just sit and smile at our daughter.

Ava's Kitchen

Dan and I made Ava a little kitchen for Christmas inspired by my cousin, Erin. I started last summer, and well it was done Christmas morning with some late night help from Santa.

Weekend Away

The end of January Dan took Ava and I on a surprise weekend. We went to Elkhorn Hotsprings. He rented a little cabin, we skiied, hiked, swam and had a fantastic weekend. Thank you, Dan for the surprise.

Yellowstone in the Winter

For my Dad's 60th birthday, my family rented two snowcoaches to travel through Yellowstone. It was a beautiful day with snow, sun, family, love and seeing Yellowstone in a new season. A snowcoach is a van on tracks similar to a snowcoach. We travelled from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful had lunch and watched old faithful go off and travelled back to West Yellowstone.

Need Some Perspective

Rain in January has made me feel a bit of the grumps. Some days I feel like all I do is clean and my house is still in complete chaos. All I really want to do besides feel overwhelmed by my crazy house is...

Drink hot cocoa after sledding.

Go fishing with Dan and shoot photos all day.

Listen to live music.

Pretty much anything with Ava when she isn't whiny and break molars.

Color with my niece.

Hike.

Wine tasting in CA.

Watch my nephew's infectious smile.

Complete an unfinished project with my mom.

Help a child have an 'i get it' moment.

Watch a thunderstorm with my dad.

Laugh with my sis.

Dance in the kitchen with my hubby.

Listen to music while reading to start a great day.

A nap in the sun shining in the window.

Sit by the woodstove and sing with Ava.

Have Ava ask to hold my hand for a while.

See wildlife.

Visit Michigan.

Cook out.

Play games with my family.

Learn a new skill.

Find a new recipe that actually can be made.

Well, I guess there are a few great things I could do instead of cleaning tomorrow.