Train Park in Arizona

We visited the McCormick-Stillman Train Park while in Arizona. We had a glorious day in the 80s with a slight breeze. The kids were not sure about these shirts with no sleeves.... At first, Brynlee kept trying to pull them down to her wrists! We had a great time in Arizona for a week, and thank Grandma and Granddad for their hospitality and for all the food, fun, and love while we were there invading their space for almost a week. :)

Ouchie Cactus

Tevin can never resist the urge to visit his prickly friend, but this is as close to "him" as he is willing to get! Brynlee, however, will never turn down a photo opp, no matter how 'dangerous'!

Blizzard 2009

Our backyard... There is significantly less snow in the back because the wind blew it south and east.

Out our front door. The huge piles are from where I shoveled around 4 p.m. yesterday (at that time, we had about 8 inches on the ground). It continued to snow through the night and we had another 6 inches this morning!

This is the path I shoveled for Darren's car to get out of the garage/driveway. And all of this will be gone by the end of the weekend as we'll have 60 degrees by Sunday!

Sooooo Pretty!

I have a girly-girl on my hands. If you can get past the tomboy outfits I always tend to put her in (I thought it was hereditary??), she is frills and lace down to her core. She loves dresses, shoes, purses, and accessories. When I myself put on makeup, which isn't very often (again, isn't that hereditary??), she always wants to watch. She refers to blush as "pink", and insists I put some pink on her cheeks. As if they aren't blushy enough, lucky girl! Yesterday my dad was watching the kids while I went to teach. He told me when Brynlee woke up she asked to see her hair in the bathroom mirror - she needs to be lifted up to see. After examining her reflection, she said, "Oh, not pretty!" My dad said she sounded so sad and hopeless.... So he got out the spray bottle and a brush and made it all better. She looked in the mirror again and said, "Sooooo pretty!!!" Ooooh boy......

Kitty Love

Toby and Oscar like sleeping in the same bed. Well, Toby likes sleeping in the same bed as Oscar, but I can't be sure if Oscar actually enjoys it. Toby has his own bed, but there are a couple of things wrong with it. Firstly, it's a little too high for his scrawny little legs. Secondly, it doesn't contain an Oscar! Good thing they seem to love each other (most of the time)!

Let's Go Tae Bo!

I returned from California yesterday afternoon after spending three hard days training to recertify to teach Tae Bo at my local gym (or anywhere else, for that matter!!). The weekend was indeed a difficult one both mentally and physically, but I left with a sense of excitement and fulfillment. Shellie is an amazing woman and is a fantastic trainer, motivator, and friend. The bottom two pictures were taken in our dobaks (pronounced "dough bock"), what we wore when we were taught Tae Bo Kwon (combine Tae Kwon Do and Tae Bo). I am a First Degree Black Belt! I have spent the bulk of this day in a coma of sorts; the extreme exhaustion of an exhilarating weekend yet to wear off. Thanks to all who prayed for me this past weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Ok so MAYBE this picture was posed (Darren had to nearly FORCE Tevin to put his head toward Brynlee instead of pushing away as though she had the plague), but I'd like to think that somewhere in their little hearts these two kids actually do LOVE eachother. At least this pose is a little more convincing than THIS ONE:

I think we've come a long way in 2 years!!! Happy Valentine's Day everyone!