Big Sky Montana

We had a great time in Big Sky, Montana. It was absolutely gorgeous and the temps were not that bad. We just bundled up and we were good to go. It snowed a little every day we were there. We were there for 6 days (warning lots of pictures!). For me, 6 days was a little too long to be gone( there wasn't a lot for me to do). It was a very small ski village but great for skiers. The one bad thing was that we got back after midnight last Sunday and I had to go to work the next morning.

I think everyone had a great time. My favorite part was night time b/c that is when we were all together. Most days, Allie and I ate breakfast together around 9, played a couple of games, went swimming, watched a movie and then met everyone for lunch. We would attempt a nap in the late afternoon, but usually we didn't fall asleep. Around 5 we would all meet in the main common room and play games and drink hot chocolate. Then we would go find somewhere to eat.

Allie and Jarod both took skiing lessons. Allie only took it once. She liked it okay, but we didn't feel like it was worth our money this time to continue with lessons. I think she was still a little too young. She had a good time making snow angels and eating snow. Jarod really enjoyed skiing and had really improved by the last day. He did take one day off so I could get a massage. It was one of the most wonderful things ever! I was having a really hard time with leg cramps and achy legs and I slept great that night.

On New Year's Day, Jarod's dad broke his leg on his last run for the day. He had to stay in Montana and have surgery. We found out yesterday that he will have to stay there for at least 2 weeks for therapy.

We are so thankful we were able to spend time with Jarod's family. We are looking forward to seeing them again this summer. I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year.

Yummy Snow!

Jarod and his brother's Pearse and Declan

I decided to finally take a belly shot. I am just over 27 weeks in this picture. I feel huge! I'm hoping you look more at the scenery than me!

White Christmas

We had a very busy week leading up to Christmas! With last minute shopping to do, I tried to fit in some time to bake some yummy treats (Christmas cookies, glass candy and puppy chow) and Allie and I went and saw The Princess and the Frog. I am exhausted from our week, but we had some great time with family. I think the most memorable moment of Christmas 2009 is the snow God blessed us with. It was amazing to sit in the kitchen and make cookies, listen to Christmas music and watch the snow fall outside. I haven't had a white Christmas in over 14 years (use to live in Nebraska). My parents slowly made their way to our house Christmas Eve. We ate dinner and opened a few presents. Then we woke up early the next morning and saw what Santa had brought Allie. This year was so much fun with Allie. She just loved everything about Christmas and was so excited to see what Santa had brought her.

We attempted to make donuts and they didn't turn out too bad. Then we packed up and headed to my brother's house in Arlington. We had some wonderful food and great time with my family for a couple of days. I am so blessed to live so close to my family. After church today, we came back to the house and started to pack for our trip to Big Sky, Montana. We are flying out in the morning and meeting Jarod's dad and brothers for a week of skiing! Don't worry, I will not be skiing. I plan to play in the snow with Allie and enjoy my week off from cooking and cleaning! I may even try to get a massage, mani or pedi. Should be lots of fun. I'm looking forward to some time with Jarod and Allie before the baby gets here.

I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

Some how my pictures got out of order. Oh well! Here is Allie enjoying her cookies.

Cookies and milk she left for Santa. Next year I plan to find a Santa plate to leave her cookies on.


Jarod took Allie out to play in the beautiful snow. Good practice for our trip!

Holiday Breakfast

We had our Holiday Breakfast at church today. This was our first year to go and I am so glad we did. It was wonderful and I was so impressed by all of the decorations and activities they had for the kids to do. When we got there we had a yummy breakfast and then Allie and I headed off to make lots of fun things. She made a goody bag, reindeer food, apron, decorated a cookie, made an ornament and a picture frame and last but not least, had her picture taken with Santa. She loves having her picture taken with Santa (do not have a copy yet). She has never been afraid to sit on his lap and she always smiles! We had such a great time as a family today and look forward to it again next year.

Allie in her holiday pj's

Allie and her buddy Hannah

A few of the fun things we made today

"Mommy I Want to Meet Mary"

Allie has been learning about Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus at school. She even got to dress up like Mary and hold "baby Jesus" one day. After I picked her up yesterday we started talking about her day. We talked about all the things she did that day and then we started talking about Mary. This was our conversation:


Allie: "Mommy, I want to meet Mary."
Me: “Well not today, Mary is in heaven with Jesus, God, and Joseph."
Allie: “Well I just want to meet her."
Me: “She is up in heaven and one day you will, but not today.”
Allie: “I will take a plane up in the sky and go meet her.”
Me: “No, you can’t get to heaven by a plane. Heaven is like a magical place and we can’t see it. It’s really high in the sky.”
Allie: “Well, I just want to meet Mary."
Me: "Yes honey, I understand but not today. One day you will get to meet Mary."
Allie: "I will jump really high on the clouds to go see her."
Me: “Okay Allie."


Thought maybe you could all use a laugh today!

Turkey Trot and Happy Thanksgiving

My parents, Jarod, Allie and I headed off to the Turkey Trot early this morning. We have gone for the last 3 years and are trying to make it a Varner tradition. It was pretty chilly so we were all bundled up. Allie's hat was a little big for her, but it kept her nice and warm. Only Jarod ran this year. I'm truly amazed at how many people come out to the Turkey Trot. While he ran, we took Allie to see the animals, ride the ponies and jump in the bounce houses. We had a great time being together. Then we headed back to the house to work on yummy food!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are very thankful for so many things this year and feel so blessed to be able to spend it with family.

Allie loved hearing the turkey say "gobble, gobble".

Baby Brother for Allie

For those of you who haven't already heard, we found out Wednesday that we are having a little BOY. We are all so excited, especially Allie! We did not care what we were having as long as the baby is healthy. Everything on the sono checked out great. The little guy is kicking more and more every day and Jarod can now feel him kick too! Allie came with us to the appt. I had prepared her for what she would see and showed her pictures of what her sono gram looked like. On the way to the doctor she asked if our baby would come out black and white (the color of the picture). I had to fight back a laugh on that one! She also thought that the baby was coming once we got to the doctor. I think her favorite part was hearing the heartbeat. I am so glad she got to experience that with us. After the appt. she and I went to McDonald's (her favorite), plus I was able to get my burger fix!

I'm still in a little shock that we are having a boy. All I've ever thought about for the last 3 years is girl but I know I will get use to thinking "boy" soon! I can't wait to find sweet little boy clothes.

18 Weeks, Comparisons and Man Food

I decided that now is a good time to update on how my pregnancy is going so far. I'm sorry that I do not have a picture. I haven't taken any pictures and I'm sure I will regret it. There isn't really a good place in my house to take one and it we've had a lot of rain this month! I'm going to try and get one this week since it's supposed to be beautiful outside.

I can not believe I'm already 18 weeks. I already feel like this pregnancy is going by so fast. Once I got past 14 weeks, I was not getting sick anymore. I was not nearly as sick this time as I was with Allie. In fact everything about this pregnancy has been the exact opposite of mine with Allie (hmm... maybe a boy?). With Allie I was pretty much sick from the time I woke up, to the time I went to bed. This time I was only sick at night but it lasted for a long time.

My appetite is huge! Even when I was sick, I still wanted food all of the time. I really didn't care to eat at all when I was pregnant with Allie. I love food this time! I've decided to call my cravings "Man Food" b/c that is what I want all of the time. I want anything that has to do with meat, except chicken. I can eat chicken but it's not what I crave. I really love chili, hot dogs and hamburgers. Not only do I want all of this "Man Food" but I also want "Man Portions". I'm having a hard time adjusting to the food I am craving and the amount I like to eat. I do not give in to all of my cravings but I do get chili from Wendy's about once a week. Other foods that I like are salads, fruit and sour things like pickles. I'm also addicted to lemonade! With Allie I couldn't even look at meat (cook or eat).

Allie is still very excited about being a big sister and she is determined that she is getting a brother. We talked about it tonight and I asked her if it would be okay if God decided to give her a sister instead and she said, "No Mommy, I want a brother." I honestly think she will be happy with either one, but right now she is determined that I have a boy in my tummy. We will find out what we are having on the 11th of November.

Last Thursday (exactly 18 weeks) I started to feel the baby move! I actually think I felt movement earlier in the week (only at nighttime) but just wasn't sure. With Allie I didn't feel anything until I was 23 weeks and that was big kicks and rolls. Feeling the baby move is the most amazing feeling in the world. I had forgotten how amazing it is and how real it makes everything feel.