One Fine Day

Alan's not much of a hiker, but on Saturday I desperately needed to steal him away from his studies. Thankfully he was willing to go along with me because hiking is something I LOVE.

So we went to Sugarloaf Ridge Park in Sonoma. I had been there years ago but I forgot how steep and how long the hike was.

He started out strong and confident. . .

But became slightly agitated-- and winded-- as the hike became harder and harder.
We enjoyed the scenery and wildlife. . .

But let's face it-- my man currently spends most of his life at a desk and wasn't ready for what I dished out.

But he promises that when he's in better shape, we'll go back there and complete the hike (we made it half way to the top). He said, and I quote, "My body isn't ready to do things that require basic fitness, because I don't have basic fitness. Put that in your blog."

There's still time to change him. I will my friends. I will.

Valentine's Cupcakes

On Valentine's Day we made lovely cupcakes with Grandma Kari and brought them to my dad and his buddies at the firehouse.




The next morning the girls wanted to eat some cupcakes for breakfast and Alan said no, because of course, that's what responsible parents say. But soon thereafter I found him sneaking some in the bathroom. ;)

I hope you had a wonderful Valentines Day!!!

Some Favorite Books

These are some of the girls recent favorite books. I thought I'd share in case you're in need of some new terrain to explore!

"Me Hungry" is short and sweet and I love the illustrations. Emma memorized it after only 2 times and she "reads" it to us, chuckling all the while.

"Pinkalicious" is probably the girls' favorite book of all time. They were captivated by it the first time we read it and they still can't get enough.

"To Be Like the Sun" is beautiful in every way. The illustrations are absolutely incredible to me and the language is poetic.

"How Do I Love You" is as cute as it gets. ;) I love the illustrations in this one, too. I want to write a children's book someday I think. Not sure what it would be about, but I'm sure the inspiration will come to me if it's meant to be.

This Song Rocks!

This Christian band called "Superchick" has a super cool song called "We Live." Check it out! The chorus is my fav.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kuBgh0VCqI&feature=related

A LITTLE HELP PLEASE!!!

This may look like your typical, innocent potty trainer. But looks can be deceiving! We started potty training Brooke about a month ago. She's done fairly well with the pee pee part and usually makes it to the potty on time. But she is doing HORRIBLY with the poo poo part of things. She's only pooped on the potty once and that was because I sat with her for about an hour until she couldn't hold it in any longer and I made her sit on her potty and poop. She was sooo dramatic about it. And it's not realistic to do that every day. Not for me. What should I do to get her to poop in the potty? She says she's too nervous. Emma was trained in about 3 days so I don't know what to do. . . HELP!!!!!!

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it was fun! Just Bold the ones you have done and then post it on your blog!

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it was fun! Just Bold the ones you have done and then post it on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland or Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke42. Seen Olde Faithful Geyser Erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater55. Been in a movie or on a TV show
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Had an encounter with a wild animal
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching63. Got flowers for no reason64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt73. Stood in Times Square74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox89. Saved someone’s life90. Sat on a Jury
91. Met someone famous92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee100. Taken a martial arts class

Happy Groundhog Day!

Up until last year I had never seen the movie Groundhog Day in it's entirety, only bits and pieces. Just enough to know that Bill Murray painstakingly wakes up to the same exact day over and over again. This looked like the dullest movie of all time. Alan always talked about how great it was and told me I had to watch it for him. So last year on Groundhog Day we finally watched it together. It wasn't too bad, actually. It's still not my favorite movie of all time, but we've decided to make it a tradition to watch it every year on Groundhog Day. By the way, reports say this Groundhog Day has indicated that we are in for 6 more weeks of Winter. Not my favorite season, but we need the rain!