Allie loved playing in the snow a couple of weeks ago. It was great snow for making a snowman and for sledding. Thanks to our neighbor, Allie got to sled for the first time. She loved it! I was in charge of making the snowman. It has been years since I've made one. It is not my best, but she loved it and was sad when he melted. I still can't believe how much snow we got in Texas!
I am not a huge fan of the Winter Olympics, but I am a little more interested in them this time because we have actually been to where they are being held. This summer, Jarod went to Vancouver for work and I was able to join him for about 5 days. For some reason, I failed to ever put pictures of trip on here so I thought I would share a few now. I fell in love with Vancouver. It is a beautiful city and there was so much to do. I don't feel like I did a great job of choosing pictures to share but it really is gorgeous. We ate a lot of yummy food, drank great coffee, enjoyed tourist attractions, kayaked and on our last day we rented a car and drove up to Whistler. The drive was breathtaking and Whistler is gorgeous. It was actually pretty hot that day and the pictures do not do it justice. We were able to go to the top of two of the mountains there. It was amazing being surrounded by God's creation.
As we have watched the Olympics, we have seen a lot of places that we have been too. It is hard to tell where everything is in Whistler because they have added so many things (besides tons of snow!) since we were there in July.
This is us on top of one of the mountains. I have no idea which one!
View from the chair lift up to the mountain (we saw black bears while we were going up).
Another mountaintop picture
In the Gondola on our way to the 2nd mountain. A family of 4 was with us and we got stuck mid air for 5 min. It was a little scary when we were swaying in the wind!
This picture was actually taken on the drive to Whistler.
Vancouver
Downtown Vancouver is behind us This post is well overdue!!! We misplaced our cord to our camera and just now found it.
A few weeks ago some of my sweet friends gave Baby Jack and I a beautiful shower. There were lots of yummy treats (my friend Jenn made awesome cookies) and lot of friends and family to talk with. Baby Jack got a lot of much needed items. It was a little weird seeing blues, browns and greens because I have been seeing pinks and purples for four years. He got some adorable outfits, blankets, towels and much needed diapers! I had a wonderful time being with friends and family. We are so blessed to have friends and family that love us. I really didn't get a lot of pictures. I was so busy talking that I didn't even get a picture with my mom, aunt or sister in laws. Oh well! Thanks to my wonderful friend Courtney, I do have a few photos to share.
My sweet friends: Courtney, Emily, me, Amy, Miranda and Jenn
My good friend Jenn (who is extremely talented and needs to start her own business) made this for Jack's room. Isn't it beautiful? Thanks Jenn!
Jenn, Miranda and Amy
Hattie (she is due 9 days, I think, after me and having a girl), Emily, Abbie and Mica.
Abbie, Me and Mica
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!
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!
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 todayAllie 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!
