Snow-shoeing

So we're still here. Kent didn't get the job in Portland. So we are here, in our home. It's the place we should be. So now we are unpacking some of the boxes that we packed just last week, so silly. I figure whatever we do not use in the month or so that we stay here, it will be taken to the DI. It is ridiculous how much stuff we have accumulated. I mean really, it should be against the law.

I went snow shoeing today. Here are some pictures of some of my buddies.

This is Hike-a-Deb. Her nickname was given to her by Bella when she was only 2, because when I would say, "I'm going hiking with Deb" Bella would respond in her 2 year old jargon, "I go with Hike-a-deb". Anyway it stuck. It fits her. We don't call her anything else. To say that this is the most generous, kind woman would be an understatement. Truly, an angel.

Hike-a-Deb and sweet Suzette

All right, to me nature is poetry. For every principle in the gospel there is a parallel in nature. God, being the Master Scientist, wouldn't have it any other way. What a gentle, patient teacher. He'll let us see as much as we can into it, no more. This is the view from what my buddies call "Kristin's spot". No matter how pressed for time we may be or what the weather is, I always make them stop here to look. This view speaks to me. It is thoroughly stunning in every season. But in the winter after a snow storm the world is written in white. This picture doesn't do it justice. Come over and I'll take you to see it.

Spaghetti for dinner. So fun.

Ice skating, friends & leaves

"I'm shy".......NOT!

Today was a great day. Bella entertained herself really well while I finished packing. Harry actually took a good nap. When I got out of the shower, I found Bella outside with her plastic shovel digging in the 5 feet of snow out our front door. When I asked what she was doing she said, "I am trying to find the leaf." Honey, you're gonna have to dig for a while to get to that leaf. I hope she doesn't catch a cold, she was only wearing a sweater.

Then we went over to a little town to our favorite place in the world for a "let's forget everything, hey I went running today" dinner. Kent had glorified mac n' cheese and I had GELATO. But not just any gelato, homemade fresh everyday mint chocolate, hazelnut gelato from Spin Cafe. Absolutely amazing.

Yesterday, we went to Tot time at the rec center with our friends. It was SO much fun. Why don't we do that more often? They blow up those huge castles to jump around in. There were 3 of them and the kids were going nuts. Some of them brought their bikes to ride around on the turf, which is why I had to dig in the snow to find Bella's for her today.

On Monday, I took Bella ice skating for her first time. She loved it. It took her all of two laps before she said, mommy I do it by myself. I really was hoping for her to make it to adolescence before I heard the words, "Mommy I don't need your help." She kept pointing out the ice-ballerina and saying that's what she wants to be when she grows up. Then she would let go of the little trainer-walker thing and do a wide spin by herself. It was so cute. It was so much fun and she was plum-tuckered when we got home. Wore her out, kept her out of the box-filled house, had fun, made memories - mission accomplished.

Touchdown Daddy....now where?

Harry really does do "touch down." Sorry daddy that the Pats lost. Really though, TB needed to be humbled slightly. Sorry for the blasphemy - no more, just accept our semi-heart felt condolencses.

So....what are we doing? That is an excellent question. When I know what we're doing for the rest of our lives, you'll know what we are doing for the rest of our lives. Our house is in boxes, depressing but necessary. We are either moving to Portland or my mother's this week. Nothing like the unknown to try your faith. In spite of all that, I know that my Heavenly Father has heard our prayers and His will will be done. Now if I just knew what that will was.

Anyway, the kidlets are doing fine. Harry still wakes up a couple times a night but that is a far cry better that what he was doing - so I'll take it. Bella is excited to go to the "new house." She is a little frazzled because everything is so crazy but that girl is a champ! It is so nice having daddy home after 12 days of interviews and networking in Portland. We missed him enormously. Life is an adventure and although we don't know what is next at least, we are on the journey together, that is all I need.

This is picture from the end of January. Bella was so sick. She threw up 7 times in one day. Luckily, we were able to keep her hydrated so no doctor visit but the poor thing. We just cuddled and watched DORA and princesses and read books.

Conversations...

"mommy, we go get the cinderella dress at the store....is far away. It's really heavy, fifty five bucks. And the giraffes at the zoo are really busy."

-conversation before bed, 1.16.2008

"Dadadadadada" "Mamamamama" "Bbbbbbbb"

I'm the "stubba kid"(daddy's nickname) or "Harrison Barrison puddin' & pie"(bella's nickname for me)

Harry..

Harry is a cuddly, hillarious little man. Naming him was hard, Kent was dead set on the name "Damon" and I thought "Abram" was it. On the way to the Birthing Center to have Harry there was the most stunning sunset. We decided that if possible we would add the word "son" into the little ones name. After about a week and alot of Hmmmm and Hahhhhhing, Harrison stuck because we knew that this special angel had a sense of humor to boot. The faces he pulls and the personality he exudes are all hysterical.

Now that you are introduced I will post his many, varied and unusual ways as often as possible.