Allie's December Quotes

"Sometimes little kids don't do stores because they get tired."

"I don't want to see Elfie (after getting in trouble)
"Why" says mom
"He'll take away the presents I'm dreaming of."

Frosty The Snowman

We received some snow over the last few days and decided to go out and enjoy it.  We walked down to one of the parks in our neighborhood to try out the "sledding hill."  It is the perfect sized hill for Allie to be able to go down by herself, walk back to the top, and repeat this process till she was worn out

Allie ready to sled away

Our neighbors joined us for the afternoon.  Allie had a blast on their little green saucer.  It would spin her around in circles as she went down and she loved this

Then the girls decided to double up for a few runs

While the kids were sledding and I was busy chatting, I decided to start making a snowman.  I got one ball made when the kids decided they were ready to head home. I couldn't leave all that hard work behind, so we loaded up part of our frosty and I pulled Allie and the snow ball home

When we got back home the girls helped me finish making Frosty.  They were so cute because they both really wanted  Frosty to come alive once we put the hat on.  Sorry, we don't own the magic hat to make Frosty dance around; maybe next year

Happy Birthday Brynn

We were invited to a little party at the ice rink to celebrate Brynn turning 2.  We met a lot of Blake's family out there and such a great time considering none of the little kids had ever ice skated before. After the rink Papa Von treated us all to ice scream at Baskin Robbins.

Allie was a little apprehensive at first and would freak out if you weren't holding onto her hand.  She enjoyed skating around the rink holding dad's hand

Allie really got skating fast and loved when we got to use the metal assistance device pictured above

Until we lost a skate....but we were still smiles

Allie really started to warm up to the skates and would finally stand without us holding onto one of her hands

And before we knew it she was off...all by herself

She was loving it!

Aunt Katie teaching the kids how to make a train....who's going to get whipped?

Happy Birthday Miss Brynn!  We love ya!

Christmas!!!

We had a great Christmas this year and I am so excited that it continues to get more fun from here.  Blake and I were so excited on Christmas morning that we had to wake Allie up at 9:00 to get going.  It was so cute to see Allie walk down the stairs and see her stuff from Santa.  She was so excited that she laid down on the floor and just started kicking her feet in excitement to all of the magic that had occurred

Allie impressed Santa with her good behavior because he brought her a "barbie house."  Allie told me, "this is just what I was dreaming of."

Allie trying out some new skates.  I totally used to have a pair like this when I was little; the kind where you slide in your whole shoe and strap in.  Allie needs some practice so she can keep up with mom and dad on our rollerblades

Blake in his BSU Christmas Hat....off to the Fiesta Bowl

We made the rounds to all of the grandparents.  Our night ended at Grandma and Grandpa Hansen's house.  The kids enjoyed popping corn together and watching movies

The kids all watching UP.  Blake got this movie in his stocking and we watched it on Christmas morning.  When we got to Blake's parents house that night we were excited to watch it once again with everyone.  It was such a cute movie

We had a great day lounging in our pajamas and spending the day with family.  We are so blessed to live by almost all of our family.  Merry Christmas!!!

Elkhorn Yurt 2009

We headed off a few days before Christmas for our yearly Idaho City Yurt Trip.  We couldn't have asked Santa for better conditions.  We had new snow, a freshly plowed course, and great sunny skies.

A happy camper ready to venture off with her doggy by her side

My brother and dad were able to join us on our trip this year.  This was a shot at the start of our course.  We were very happy because we didn't know what we were going to be getting ourselves into, being the first year we have ventured to the Elkhorn Yurt

Were are again smiling because we had just reached the summit of our excursion.  The first mile and a half were up hill.....a little bit of information we learned about 1/2 mile in.  The course back to our yurt was so steep we had to take off our skis and hike in our ski boots because we were being pulled backwards from the weight we were carrying

Bear Crossing....luckily we didn't run into any hibernating bears

When we arrived at the yurt we were exhausted; we had missed the turn off to the yurt and ended up skiing an extra mile.  We were all hungry and ready to eat lunch; the noon hour had expired and it was now nearing 1 o'clock.  We had great yurt guests who proceeded us and ended up locking the bottom handle on the door; not knowing they were only supposed to lock the dead bolt.  All of the men put their brains together to try and finagle a way for us to get inside.  The thought of having to hike back out and not get inside the warm yurt was a thought I was trying to not think of.

How many guys does it take for us to get inside.  Luckily Papa Jim was among us and he jimmied us in with his pocket knife



Here were the kids so happy to be out of their sleds waiting to get inside.  I think they were the happiest out of all of us as.  The adults were all tired, hungry, and cold

The bunk beds are always a hit for the kids.  They just love to play on the top bunks

We found the game Jenga while we were up there and the kids had a great time building with the blocks

Laying with Uncle Blake and looking out the top of the yurt.  They were trying to find the moon and looking at the endless number of stars that filled the night sky

When you get up to the yurt you have no running water so you have to 1. Gather snow in the pot and melt it over the wood stove 2. Use the water purifier to pump some fresh drinking water

Amazingly enough we woke up to find that the Elf's had followed us to the yurt.  They watched every move that the kids made, so they could report back to Santa

Allie had such a great time playing in the deep snow

There was a large standing snowman welcoming us when we arrived at the yurt.  The head of the snowman kept falling off and the kids enjoyed sitting in its place

We had quite the hike to get into the yurt, but we ended up with a great view and another great time at one of Idaho's Back Country Yurts

Saturday Christmas Events

We woke up early to start our day of Christmas activities.  We first got ourselves ready for the YMCA Christmas Run.  I used to run this race as a kid with my dad so it was fun to get my family bundled up in Christmas attire to go brave the cold for the race and to also start a tradition with my family. Blake was unable to make it because he caught the "flu" bug so we hope he is well next year and can join us.  Allie and I met up with Blake's family and enjoyed the race, admired those dressed up in costume, and loved those standing by to cheer us on and sing us on with their caroling.  We can't wait to run again next year.

Allie ready to be bundled up in her Xmas jammies and Santa hat......

And mom in her Christmas socks

After the Christmas run we got ready for a Christmas Party over at Blake's cousin's house.  We look forward to this party every year because we get good food, good company, and we get to visit and sing Christmas songs with the same Santa every year.  He by the way is the BEST Santa!!!

Santa asking the kids if they think they have been good this year.  Looks like everyone been's deserving of presents from Santa

Allie and Santa! Allie was so shy this year and Santa was too cute with Allie.  Allie wasn't talking and so Santa told her they had something in common.  Allie wouldn't guess what it was and so he told her they both had a beard.  Allie cracked a smile and said "NO."  Then Santa asked Allie again what they had in common and finally told her that they both had rosy cheeks.  It's the truth!  Allie's little cheeks get so red the second she starts to run around; I just love them!

Christmas Cutie

Ready to head off to church with Christmas dress and all

First Snow

We got snow for the first time this winter.  I just love it!!!!  I get so excited when it starts to snow and have so many  memories flood my memory reminding me of the days I got bundled up as a kid and enjoyed playing in the snow, came inside to drink hot chocolate, and laid across the heaters in my house warming back up.  Oh memory lane; I hope Allie and I can create some great memories too. 

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Allie and I could hardly wait for the snow to accumulate before we were outside playing it

I rigged up our sled and a jump rope so that I could pull Allie for a spin around the neighborhood

She thoroughly enjoyed her ride and I was loving the workout  that I got as I ran up and down the streets with my snow gear on pulling my 3 year old in the sled.  I would stop for a moment to rest and Allie would yell, "more mommy more."

Max wasn't quite sure what to think of the snow but decided to join us for the afternoon.  He would hide under the cars in dry places and then come running out in the snow looking for dry patches in the grass.  We hope there is lots more to come for everyone.

Tiny Taper

Well it's been a long time since our last post.  I'm not sure where the month of November went, but we sure had a great month.  Allie finished up some tap lessons this month that we took down at Fort Boise.  It was a little bit of a trek to get down there every week, but well worth the class and the fun that Allie had and well worth the cheap money we had to pay for the class.

Allie on her first day of tap

Already posing for me before we even got to class

A few weeks into class we are still happy and smiling before going to class

Every week they always started out with a little bit of stretching

There had to be a little bit of fun in the class for these 3 and 4 year olds....one week they busted out the parachute

After 8 weeks of hard work and practice they had their final performance

A nervous habit that Allie developed while she was at dance was sticking her fingers in her mouth.  Caught red handed during the final performance.  Allie said she didn't want to dance because she was scared of all the people that were in the room watching her.

During their final performance they were supposed to be twirling their ribbons like they had practiced the last 8 weeks. Well Allie was so nervous she just started wrapping herself up in the ribbon.

After their final performance everyone ran off stage except for our stage fright little girl who was left alone on stage and was frozen still.

So happy to have that performance over and so glad that she was able to take her tap class. She loved it!!!