Toothless

This weekend the tooth fairy visited our house! Katie lost her first tooth. I am hoping to get a picture of her without a tooth and Clint with all his new teeth (he is on tooth #4 at the moment!). Katie has been wiggling this tooth since October. On Saturday she came down the stairs after waking up in the morning wanting me to feel her tooth! It wiggled so much, and I asked if I could pull it. "SURE!!" she exclaimed.

After a couple of tugs the tooth was out. Katie didn't even wince. She dutifully put the tooth under her pillow that night and the tooth fairy came and picked it up leaving her $5.00! She can't wait to take it to the store and spend it!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Siblings

Katie has loved Clint from the start. The jealousy that most parents fear has not really reared it's ugly head in our home. Oh sure there are moments when she shows some signs, like when she is being a typical 4 year old and I am losing my temper with her antics, and she thinks I am being nicer to Clint than to her. Duh, he isn't talking back!!!!! But she really loves this little man with all her heart.

And the love is returned ten fold. He thinks (at least it looks like it) that she is the most amazing creature he has ever laid eyes on. She makes him laugh the hardest out of the three of us by dancing for him, making silly faces, etc.

He is beginning to kiss, which is so fun, because it isn't like a kiss it is more like and open mouth slobber. And sometimes you think he will kiss you but then he bites your chin. So you never can tell what you are going to get. And those teeth are sharp! Katie always gets a gentle, wet kiss from her little brother.

After he kisses he has to look at you like "what do you think of that?" She tells him she liked it! Then she tells him how amazing he is by saying "what a good boy, you are such a cute boy, I love you so much!!!"

And then he gives her a BIG hug. Just melts your heart, doesn't it??

Snow Days

We had our first storm, well one that put a touch of snow on the ground anyway. Katie couldn't wait to go out in it and play and neither could Dory. We were dog sitting and Katie was happy to wear her out by throwing snow at her. I love looking at the snow the first thing in the morning. It is like a blanket over the backyard. But then by the end of the day it is obvious that a child lives here and the foot prints, and snow angels are everywhere. So yes Katie was able to enjoy the snow with her beloved canine... Wait where is her beloved canine?

Aaahh yes, Molly hates the snow. Her feet are frozen, her belly hurts from dragging in the snow, and she gets stuck. She is a California girl through and through, and now spend the majority of the snow season in the house. If only she could use the toilet she'd never have to go outside!

Clint and I also stayed inside. It was after all about 7:30 am, and a very chilly 20 degrees. But Katie kept him entertained through the window. She makes for a interesting breakfast show.

Clint is eating lots of different fruits and veggies now. This morning he was eating barley, and bananas. More snow will come. We'll have Daddy take him out to experience the cold wet stuff. Mommy will stay inside and take pictures!!

Sisters on Vacation

With Katie, Clint, and Rick off in California, Dee decided we needed a mini-vacation ourselves. So she booked us a room at a 4 star hotel in Jackson and we hit the road.

We were super excited for our adventure which mostly involved shopping.

Right after Pinedale, we were singing to the radio and I yelled "MOOSE!!!" Dee was completely dumbfounded as I pulled over to the side of the road to take a picture of these two bulls. I am sorry in advance for the photography. I brought one lens, the short one, and I am no professional! But these two gentlemen were walking by the side of the highway, and in Wyoming, when something like this happens you pull over to take a shot...with a camera of course!

Dee and the moose.

Me and the moose!

We arrived in Jackson early and walked to the town square for an infamous shot at the archways. Dee wondered if they were all real antlers and I told her they were. And they really are.

This was our hotel. It is a very old hotel and it was AWESOME!!!

This is the entry way to the hotel.

This is our room. Duh, right?

And the bathroom. Again Duh, I hear ya!

As we walked around shopping we saw they were setting up barricades in the street. Come to find out the Capitol Christmas tree was chopped down in the Teton Natl Forest and was coming right through town. Well of course we are never one to miss such an "important" event so we sat down at the appropriate time to watch.

Then after about 20 minutes of waiting a police officer walked by and informed us that the tree was out by the airport and would be awhile. We asked how far the airport was and he said about 15 miles. And how fast were they driving? About 15 mph. So we saddled up to the Cowboy bar for a drink. Dee said these were the most comfortable bar stools she'd ever sat on. I walked out a little bow legged.

But as with all federal events when it FINALLY arrived, police escorted of course, we ran out to witness.

Here it is. Sorry for the clear shot of the man's head and blurry picture of the tree. The people of this community were ever kind enough to decorate it!!!

Just kidding, the real tree had to be pulled by a big rig.

And here she is. It was a pretty big tree. Now when you see the tree on TV you can say you saw it here first, freshly cut!

Here's a couple of goofy shots we took. There are statues of wildlife everywhere in town.

We drove out to see the Tetons the next morning. The weather was near perfect. 40's no wind. Dee thought everyone was joking when they said they were enjoying the weather, because she was FREEZING. But it was truly gorgeous. Just wait till this week. It is supposed to get REALLY cold, and stormy!

Dee in front of the Tetons. She was standing on a rolling log, I don't know why, maybe to get a little taller?!?!?

Oops, "wait sister" she said, as she lost her balance on the log.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, as she regains her balance.

....and then wisely steps off the log!

At another stop a family was there to kindly snap our photo. A little far away but oh well. It was an awesome vacation. More sleep then I have had in a month. Yummy food, and lots of laughs. Thanks Dee!!!

My family is leaving me...for a week. Clint, Katie, and Rick are off to see the Grandparents for a week, and I can't go. Working up to this morning I was excited about the prospect of sleeping all night, (with the cold Clint has, we have been up a couple of times each night to clear out his nose.), not worrying about feeding anyone on a schedule, possibly attending a Zumba class, and just generally relaxing.
But now I am rethinking the whole thing. I am hoping I can control myself as Rick loads up in the car, and not grab his ankle and beg him not to go and take my babies with him. All these irrational worries go through my head and I think that the real relaxation won't come until they are safely back in my arms!

This will likely be a hard week for me. But I know it will be an amazing week for them! Rick has been told by everyone we know how awesome it is that he is willing and able to take 2 kids on an airplane trip by himself. He is looking forward to the challenge! Katie is super psyched to see her grandparents. She has special things she loves to do with each of them; tell made-up stories with Grammie, play cards with Great-Grams, and bake cookies with Grandma. Go throw bread out to the ducks with Papa, tease Great Grandpa with her stuffies (stuffed animals) and if she could bring the Wii, beat Grandpa at Mario Kart. Clint will look forward to all the hugs and kisses, and he will happily give them back!

I know they will have fun, and I know I will too. Miss them I will, but Dee is here to hang out with me for the week (although Katie thinks she is going on a business trip today and will be back to our house when she gets back.) We have plans...Big grown-up girl weekend plans. Maybe this will be more fun than I thought!