1rst ski trip

Scott has been so excited to teach the girls how to ski.

And the girls are soooo excited to learn.

(It looks like I am going to have to try to figure this skiing thing out if I don't want to be left behind)

This picture was taken the night before when Scott got his ski's out & was explaining things to Addalie.

Scott & Addalie went to Bear Creek & had a fabulous day! 

(Jyla & I stayed at home.)

This is the picture that I recieved as a text half way through the day! 

Look at her short little skis!! 

So cute!!

Things went alot better than Scott anticipated.

Addalie does not like "pressure" situations & does not like to fail-

so we both had visions of her "trying" & falling & being "done" right from the start!

But, Scott borrowed a harness from the Millens'

& got some teaching tips from Greg-who has taught all 5 of his kids to ski. :)

Scott has so.much.paitence!!!

I'm sure he did a great job with Addalie!!

This is another cell phone pic from their lunch in the lodge.

Scott had said that he thought Addalie would be ready to head home after lunch,

but instead, she asked if they could do 4 more runs(because she is 4 years old)  & that they did!!

She had such a good day with daddy!!

Next year will be Jyla's turn to learn.

SHE CAN'T WAIT!

Great Wolf Lodge

For Christmas our employees gave us a gift certificate to "Great Wolf Lodge".

A few weeks ago we used it.

It is a family resort up in the Poconos.

A highlight is the huge indoor water park!!!

We had a BLAST!

When we arrived we settled in & then went & got dinner at a nearby Red Robin.

When we got back we changed into our suits.

We had lots of fun at the water park!! 

It was pretty massive. (about twice as big as what I got in the picture)

After a few hours we headed back to our room.

The geniuses at the resort situated a Starbucks in the lobby for the dripping wet parents to pass as they return to their rooms.

I had to partake!

Addalie was so excited about the bunk bed in the girls' room.

It was so cute & looked like they were in a cabin. 

Yummy breakfast the next morning. 

& then more fun in the water.

The 2nd time around,

Scott discovered a bunch of water slides that "he thought" would be appropriate for the girls. 

I was amazed.  Addalie was fearless & did them all!

Jyla is soooo little so she got thrown around a good bit & wasn't as thrilled by them.

I couldn't really get pictures of the water slides.

There was one "group slide ride"...

& it was wayyyy crazy!  It was enclosed & totally dark & FAST! 

I was sure Jyla & Addalie were going to fly out of the big tube & over the edge...Scott & I were holding onto them for dear life!

There is no way that they should have been allowed on it.

But, we made it....

O my word.

the wave pool

 

I did manage to get a few pictures of the little water slides.... 

I was in the pool to take these.

But the other slides that they went on were much bigger then these.

FUN.FUN.FUN!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this gift for us!

We loved it!



i CANNOT wait to do this again in a few weeks!

Holmes beach 2011

She is such a little munchin!

I'm learning

that Jyla has a certain "laugh".

When I hear this "laugh" no matter where I am or what I'm doing-

I know that I need to quickly go & see what is going on.

I have a hard time getting her to take me seriously. :)

These are the faces that I see all the time

(especially when I am trying to correct her.)

Her eyes are so expressive!

I am a very "watchful" mom.

Probably more then I should be.

But I only have 2 kids-so it's not as hard to keep track.

I CANNOT imagine the things that would go on around here if I wasn't peeking in on this girl.

A few days ago she cut a good 6 inch long chunk of her hair. 

Luckily she has lots of hair right now so you can't even notice it..

& Luckily Addalie told me about it before Jyla could keep going...

I know this is normal-

Yesterday she was playing outside.

When she came in there was mud ALL over her mouth!

I asked her to open her mouth & there was dirt all over her teeth...Like inbedded in her molars.

Clearly she did more then just taste it...

She was eating it.  I couldnt get all of it out-there was so much...

Again, I know that lots of kids do this-

Today I found her running around the house with a large container of yogurt & a spoon...

eating & laughing & leaving a trail of yogurt behind her in 4 different rooms.

She thinks that she is just "hilarious"

She loves it when Addalie tells her that she is "crazy"!

At lunchtime today she said

"When I grow up, I want to be a mommy so that I can be in charge!"

Some very cool printables!

found these on Pinterest today!

I have no words.....

scott

my husband grew up in a house full of boys!

& now-

he lives in a house full of girls!

his "sensitive side" is definitely broadening :)

*addalie has a bad cold. 

last night before she went to bed, she called scott at market

& asked him to bring some orange juice home for her cold.

he said it was too late for him to go to the orange juice stand & that he probably couldn't get any.

but, this morning-he had a full cup of OJ waiting for her with a SWEET little note written on the top.

*also-another sweet note that i have to brag about him up for:

on valentines day, he had a red rose for each of the girls & a Dora valentines card & chocolate!

he is definitely figuring the "women" in this household out! ;)

Chinese New Year 2012

In January we celebrated Chinese New Year!

The girls got dressed up in their kimonos

& we went to our favorite restaurant.

They have "sunken tables" where you take your shoes off & climb "into" the table.

The girls loved it!

Ken & Karen joined us.

The food was delish.

Addalie tried sushi for the first time & liked it.

Jyla was super excited all night long!

Scott thought it would be fun to do something special after dinner

so we took the girls to see Beauty & the Beast in 3D.

Todd & Alicia joined us.

Yes, we had the theater all to ourselves!

Such a fun fun evening.

Mountain Cabin

In January we had the privilege of going to Scott's Aunt Sally & Uncle Myrons mountain cabin.

They invited all of their married nieces & nephews & kiddos.

We love going to this cabin.

There is no cell phone reception or TV's or inter-net.

It is quiet! & refreshing!

Addalie & Jyla had so much fun playing with their 2nd cousins. 

Myron & Sally did all the cooking. & FED US WELL!

Group picture (minus me.)

Thank you Myron & Sally for your hospitality!

We always enjoy our times & conversations with you both!

jyla....

Jyla is doing well.

Thank you to those who prayed, texted, called & emailed.

This is her as we were waiting (& waiting for 2.5 hrs in the pre-op room) 

She got a little crazy after they gave her valium to "calm her". 

 I asked if I could take some home with me...& I think they thought I was serious.  maybe i was? :)

This is her after surgery-still a little out of it.

She wasn't allowed to eat or drink before surgery & after she had to have liquids for awhile

so the nurse gave her a popsicle & Jyla thought she was pretty cool. 

She made tons of friends in the OR with the doctors & nurses.

& was greeted with a "get well" balloon, flowers, stuffed animal & candy when she got home.

*thank you grandma & pa pa stoltzfus*



my "little lou"

...that's what i call her.  i have so many "names" for my girls.

i love this sweet picture of her with scott.  reading her bible while daddy is reading his.  :)

Tomorrow morning bright & early (6:30) she is having surgery to have tubes put in her ears. 

Pray for her & I if you read this before then. 

She is a brave little girl-but i never quite know how she will respond in "different" situations.



Today Scott is returning from a Colorado ski trip!

A beautiful february day!