A Fun Friday For All

So Logan and Rich started Karate last month. They had a couple one on one courses with the Instructor and then they started attending regular courses. Rileigh and I attended this last Friday night to witness the breaking of the boards and blocks. It just so happen that we got front row seats. Mind you this was Rich's second time in a class and he is a white belt, meaning the bottom of the class. He did it, he did it all, he broke the block and the boards. As he was walking up to break the block I was shaking my head NO...I kept imagining him breaking his wrist, again. I could tell by the look on his face there was no stopping him. He claims he cannot remember doing any of it and was most excited about the look on Logan's face after he broke the block...priceless. Rileigh got to were she couldn't even watch. So after the block Rich proceeded on to the boards, piece of cake. He broke one board with his hand and the other with his foot. That is my man, after he did it I realized it was indeed mind over matter. He's got a lot on his mind and needed to get it out. It was a fun Friday night and he's trying to recruit Rileigh and me to join up.

So not to take away from their fun I had a fabulous Friday myself. I took advantage of an opportunity to go skiing for FREE. Meaning free lift ticket, no rental fee and free babysitting. I have to give a shout out to my friend Mandy who made this all possible and Brooke who went with me. I didn't think I would keep up with skiing as a hobby. But I really do like to ski and loved it. We had a great time and it was a beautiful day.

Family Reunion

So this past week we had family out from Ohio and California. It was like Christmas all over again. Never mind those blah January Days with post Christmas let downs, we kept the festivities going. Why? - You ask. Rich's mom got some not so good news with her health and to make a long story short she starts Chemotherapy Tuesday. She's is a very optimistic person. When I first found out I called her and she clearly said, "Oh Amberlee I'll be fine, can I call you back I'm shopping!" All with her happy tuned voice and giddiness that she so often carries with her. The above picture from left to right are Rich's parents Rick and Barb, then Barb's Sister Aunt Jane, Barb's Mom Grandma Adam's, Barb's other sister Aunt Jeri, then Rich's Brother Matt his Wife Jenny and Matt's daughter Kat in front of them. Front row sits, Rich and Nellie (5 mo.) Me, Amberlee, Logan and Rileigh, then Rich's sister Tami with Katie (6 mo.) Her husband Chris and their son Noah. It was so great to see everyone. Rich and I got to spend individual time with all, we did the Rock Band thing with Aunt Jane and Jeri, we established Weebl that rocked three nights in a row with Matt, Jenny and Kat. We dished it out over a card game with Chris and Tami and ate lots of great food at Rick and Barbs. Our prayers are with Barb and Rick and hope all goes well, we love you.

Nellie Mae is getting SO BIG!

So is there some un-wriiten law that as parents we are to take our kids' pictures every three months; at three, six, nine months and one year of age? Well I completely forgot. One more check mark on the bad mom list for me. So I put my four and a half month old back into her blessing dress and took some snap shots. I was able to get some pretty good shots, not bad I must say so myself. She has been such a joy in our family. She lights up when she sees or hears her Dad. Logan has been so good with her, he is extra gentle and loving. Rileigh follows Nellie and me wherever we go and is the best helper. Rileigh started calling Nellie "Roosters," I don't know where that came from but it's cute. I will roll my tongue and make sounds in Nellie's face and then pause and wait for her, than she'll blow bubbles and literally try and roll her tongue just like her Mama. It is the funniest thing we got going. We'll go back and forth, we had Rich crackin' up one night.

Play Date with Dad

So I've owned snow shoes for quit some time and haven't used them since moving back to Utah. Rich and I decided to take the kids (three kids) and a dog and go up to Basin for some trail snow shoeing. Let's just say Gertie got to ride in the car and then it was quickly decided to leave her in the car. We took five human beings, two pairs of snow shoes, two sleds and one kid back pack; a dog was just way too much to add to the equation. Needless to say we had a great time, I am way way way out of shape and need to go as much as possible to get rid of my mom butt that has appeared since giving birth, or was it before that?