Suncadia!

This year (especially with my mom's cancer scare) we decided to exchange the gift of a family experience for Christmas. We went to Suncadia for a fun (and hilarious) filled weekend!

The crew...so many family memories together...now we have one more!

Here we all are on the stairs in the house. We had sucha great time together!

This is the tubing hill. It has a rope tow to get you back up. Chad's rope broke and I was behind him so I told him...don't worry...I got you. Then I promptly let him go... (he was heavy!). It happened again with Keri and Aaron caught her...and carried her all the way up. I guess blood is not necessarily thicker:-) You had to be there to get the humor...

What a cute fam!

Ava didn't go tubing but she loved watching!

Malia's first time ice skating!!! She was great!!!

The whole fam playing cards and gambling...just a little bit!

Here are the girls...these are two chairs pushed together.It became like a big comfy crib!

Melly's Visit

Over break, my life was enriched by a visit with my best friend, Mel. It was the very best gift a gal could get for Christmas. I have not seen Mel since I was 5 months pregnant and I felt like I was going a bit crazy. She has been my best friend for half my life and is more like a sister. She flew in early and surprised me at Red Robin. Aaron was in on the surprise and was wonderful enough to capture the moment.
Here is one of the many nights that we went out and had a few! This night we were at the Swiss and we had SUCH a great time!
Here is a photo with Mel's badge. She has always wanted to be a police officer and I remember when she became a mother at such a young age...she wasn't sure if that would happen. I am SO proud of her determination and faith. She NEVER gives up and is an inspiration to all.

It is a tradition to sing a song for Melly. I don't sing all that much anymore but always for her.

The fam came out to celebrate Melly's return home!

This is our standard pose. I think I have about two hundred pics of us like this :-).

Great times with the fam!

There it is...don't blink. The infamous sweater. Shiree (love her!!!) made a comment...the sweater ended up in the garbage. The rest is forever one of my favorite drunk stories!

Mom, Melly, and Meg. The three M's!

Love these girls! I have known them all since high school!

Ava was SO happy to see her godmother for the first time!

This is Melly and I saying goodbye. Is it obvious I don't want her to go? I got in my car and sobbed. It's like a piece of me is gone:-( However, it makes me appreciate her all the more. Can't wait for the next visit. Vegas anyone?

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to everyone! We have been having the best time this holiday season. My godkids are here visiting and I am counting the seconds until my best friend, Mel comes for her visit starting on the 1st. Christmas was such a great time, mostly because we got a chance to see those that we love dearly!!! Best wishes to everyone!!!

Ava had a blast for her first Christmas!!!

Malia is taking it all in!

Momma and the girls!

Hard to believe there was a time when she wouldn't take the bottle!

The crew! Me, Aaron, Malia, Ava, Godsis Jazz, and Godbro Andre'.

She is such a wonderful girl!!!Growing up so fast...

Ahhh....such great kids!

Malia loved dressing like her cousins in their Christmas jammies!!!

Meeting Santa!

The girls went to meet Santa today. Ava wasn't sure about it...not upset really, just trying to take it all in. Malia of course is not shy at all. She told him she wants a tool set (funny girl!) and a baby...with a medicine kit. Afterwards the excitement had her exhausted.

Let The Good Times Roll...

Ava is 8 months old now and quite the character. She is a funny, even tempered baby! She loves to get a reaction though. It is not quite as easy to get her chair pics each month as it was with Malia. Ava is learning to crawl (Malia believes she is teaching her) and we are busy with all of our holiday activities! Life is great.

I wonder what mommy will do if I try to get out of my chair?
Oh yeah...this is funny.

Bye bye mommy...see you later!

She finally took pity on me and took a picture:-)

Family Fun at Zoolights! Brrr....

Malia had to get some allergy testing done at the doctor...she was such a champ!!!

This is Malia teaching Ava to crawl...so cute.Malia LOVES to wear Aaron's shoes...it is hilarious. This is one of those that when she grows up she will beg... "please don't ever show anyone this" ...so I thought I would put it on the blog:-)

Update!

Here is an update for you on mom...they were able to remove the tumor. Her cancer did not spread and they were able to get it all. She does not even need chemo. She checks in every few months but other than that...she is GREAT!!! God is good...thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. They worked!

Life is Precious...

My mom was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. Even now, this seems very surreal. Last week she went in to have her tumor removed. They are hopeful that they got it all, but we are awaiting results. This post is not so much about that, as it is about how amazing my mom is. She has faced every step of this with faith and humor. She is an inspiration.

This picture is my favorite. We are cracking up about how crazy she looks with all her stuff on. I did ask the nurse," can we be 86'd from a hospital?" at one point. This truly proves that my mom and I can have a good time anywhere...and I mean ANYWHERE.

Here is Michelle...God bless her. She takes such great care of my mom. She has worried so that we don't have too. Love her.
I added this picture to remind us of our blessings. Two years ago this month, I lost Baby Dos. Now, I look at my life and am so blessed. This was the first time I truly looked and saw my girls playing...how amazing is that? This is what I think of when I think of having a sibling. Someone to share life's moments with. I am so glad my girls will have each other.