It's March???

I recieved my gas bill in the mail today that said I owed a huge amount of money....to my shagrin I never paid it last month. There really should be no surprise there, the month of February just seemed to fly by. My natural reaction in the coldest month of the year is to hibernate and thus life seems to just float by as I snuggle in my warm blanket with a cup of hot chocolate and a a movie (or lots of reruns) Isn't it supposed to be warming up? The mounds of snow in my front yeard seemed to only grow -no global warming here. The snow did eventually start to melt and I could see grass only to be snowed upon again. I thought the weatherman (or "weather person") coould give me some sort of hope and it may get up to 50 this weekend. Can I even remember what that feels like?
I also realized that the insane amount of time that I spend indoors has triggered a need to just unload junk, yet it is too cold to go outside and start the process. Entering the garage is entering like entering a huge freezer. Part of my need to unload is that we really are running out of room. I have done the organization and such but I am running out of space to store things. I love my home with all the work we have put in to it- and I have oh so many more ideas on what to do. But Carlos and I decided before we start all that reconstruction and such we would try to find something a little bigger. So we put our house up for sale....not expecting much action but enough faith that there is someone or some family out there that can make this thier first home and enjoy it as we have. IF not....then I will invite my friend Marisa over to help me punch some holes in the walls (since she won't do it at her house I'll volunteer mine). So wish us luck... ( just a side note...we are only interested in something a little bigger but in no way are we anxious to start a new life with new friends, ward and school...so we will sticking close to HOME.)

Mom and Madi sledding

sledding

Just a little sledding on New Years Day. I can't decide if my kids are just fearless or I am just gutless. The hill isn't that bad but once I get on that sled my maternal insticts or just an overreactive imagination...I get scared and amd white knuckled all the way down. The kids had a blast. Madi would just giggle all the way down...even tried out some little jumps (against my better judgment- she is a strong willed kid). Sam again missed out on the snow... he fell asleep in the car (the drive was less than 5 minutes). Maybe next time.

Christmas

WE had a fun morning..the kids were so excited to see what Santa had brought them. Madison loved her little princess kitchen and princess dolls.. She also recieved a cute outfit from G & G Swanson along with a little doll that she just adores.
Sam went from one thing to the next but the first thing he noticed was the small broom and mop...he went all over sweeping the floor ( a little easier to handle than my big broom...less injured siblings too!) Sam also got clothes form G & G Swanson that are just perfect!!!!

Jacob had a great morning. After sleeping on the couch trying to get a glimpse of Santa he awoke in his own bed.. Apparently Santa put him back in his bed. Jake got lots of great things. Clothes, toys, cars. He really wanted a Wii, but even Santa couldn't find one. So he has a coupon from Santa to get one whenever we find one at the store. (we've been calling daily to check on the shipments...it could be awhile.)
Carlos and I were treated good too. I finally got a camera that isn't broken and Carlos is getting a fishing trip on the Green River..
We couldn't ask for anything else. we are all well and happy and together. IT has been a good year.

AHHHHH...first snow

As cold is it was outside my kids were anxoius to get out in the snow...all thier snow gear is too small leaving a gap between the snowpants and the boots I guess it is time to get some more warm clothing. Madison was content just eating the snow...which is more that I can get her to eat without a bribe.
Jacob wanted to spend the whole day with his snowboard and the sled..,.. I can't understand how they didn't realize how cold it was...is that something that only adults are aware of... just the thought of going outside in a snowstorm makes me cold and I am ready to get the blanket, slippers and a nice cup of hot chocolate. Poor Sam doesn't have any warm snow gear so he was only able to watch from the window....don't you just feel for him.


The kids couldn't wait to go sledding...they got out the sleds and used the freshly shoveled sidewalk as a thier snow course.

Mountains, fresh air and Fishing

Carlos loves to fish. He would rather take people fishing as a job instead of 9-5 (or 3pm -3am) job. He and Brian Allen seem to make it a quest to find the best river each week...or so they would like. They do have a lot of fun....his way of releasing all the stress of a long work week.. I do tease him sometimes about how much he loves fishing. There is a country song that goes:

Well I love her but I love to fish I spend all day out on this lake nd hell is all I catch
But today she met me at the door said I would have to choose
If I hit that fishing hole today she'd be packing all her things snd she'd be gone by noon
Well I'm gonna miss her when I get home but right now I'm on this lakeshore
And I'm sitting in the sun I'm sure it'll hit me When I walk through that door tonight
Yeah I'm gonna miss her Oh lookie there I've got a bite...

I would never give Carlos an ultimatum...in fact I would like to be able to go do some fishing myself...next summer when Sam is bigger that should be possible....so you might see pictures of me too.