Fort Fun!

It's a Monday night, Joe is at the Nuggets game with Poppa and Uncle Chad. The kids asked if we could build a fort. They also requested that I be in the fort with them. It was so much fun, we looked at stars, read books and took some pictures. It was a great way to break up a normal Monday evening!

Jack's a big boy!

During all of my knee stuff Jack decided he wanted to stop peeing in a diaper. While this wasn't the best timing, you have to maximize it when he is ready. After talking to Auntie Jamie on Monday, she gave me the idea to take him out of diapers all together and put him in big boy pants. That's what we did! He has done so well. He still has a few accidents, but I am shocked at how well he is doing!

Knee Surgery

I didn't plan for the 2010 to start off this way....but it did! I had been training with Jamie for my first 1/2 marathon in Arizona on the 17th of January. I did 3 triathlons this summer and I think sometime during of of my races or just the training I injured my knee. It has hurt off and and on for awhile. So when I was at my dad's after Christmas he did an MRI of my knee, which confirmed a torn meniscus. My dad said I probably wouldn't be running my half, but my plan was to still go have a girls weekend and cheer on Jamie! I had my first surgery on Jan 8th, all went well I came home that evening and was taken care of by Joe, Emma & Jack. I had the weekend to recoup and that's what I did. By Monday I was just not moving as fast as we thought I would be, so Joe decided to work from home. About 1pm the pain set in and there was nothing I could do to get it to go away. Finally about 530pm Joe took me to the ER. I was admitted and put on antibiotics, because they thought I might have an infection. After being there for the night my Dr. decided to do another surgery to clean it out. Today is Monday and I feel great! I am so bummed that not only was I unable to run the half but I also wasn't able to go on my girl's trip. The good news is, Joe, Jamie, Chad & Brandy and I are all going to Vegas for March madness on the 19th of March. I guess everything works out!! There is always next year!

New Years Eve at the Armstrong's

Joe and I wanted to stay close to home for New Year's Eve this year. It was a low key evening with Hutch, Sherry, Somer, Tom, Kayleigh and Kelly, us and our kiddos. All the kids played so well together, while the adult snacked and had some cocktails. I was shocked that ALL of the kids made it to midnight and were all still excited and in a good mood. Such a great way to start 2010! Thanks Hutch & Sherry!!

Salt

My mom's birthday is December 27th, so with it being after the holidays a lot of times her day kind of gets lost in the shuffle. This year Kate, Emily and I made reservations to a little restaurant named Salt and brought her favorite white cake with white frosting. You could see in her eyes, how good she felt to celebrate 'her' day!

Solider home for the holidays

My cousin Phil is a soldier in the US Army. He is currently stationed in Anchorage Alaska. He has been to Iraq and back. I am so grateful to all of the men and women that serve our country. I am proud to say that my cousin is one of them! He was able to get leave time and come home for 2 weeks over the Christmas holiday. It was wonderful having him home, he hasn't been at Christmas in several years. The night after Christmas, all the cousins and one of Phil's buddies went to dinner and out for some drinks. Cheers!

Glenwood Springs to visit Grandpa Charlie

This year for the holidays Joe was off of work from December 24th-January 4th. We wanted to get out of town for a few days, so we decided to take a little trip to my dad and visit Dry Hollow Ranch. We got a room at the quality inn and suites (nothing fancy, but when you are a kid and there is pool nothing else matters!), we headed to my dad's where we hung out and had a chance to drive the 4 wheeler around in the snow, pet cows and horses and sled. After a day in the snow, Grandpa Charlie and Ronda headed back to the hotel and went swimming with the kids. The kids even wanted to tuck Grandpa Charlie into bed!

Christmas Eve & Day

I have always felt so lucky that we have such a close relationship with both my side and Joe's side of the family. When Joe and I lived in Georgia for 2 years, and we missed Christmas it was so hard being away from everyone. While I loved the time with just him, I am so glad we are all in the same state and can share the holidays together, especially now that we have kids and nieces and nephews. Traditionally, on Christmas Eve we go to my mom's. We head to church and then back to the house for a bowl of chili and to open gifts. Following that my mom has always had 'Moose Milk' a very good holiday adult drink! Joe and I haven't been to the moose milk part for a few years, we need to get home and put the kids to bed so Santa can come! This year was no different other than it was hosted at my sister Kate's house, and Jack and Emma had a cold. It was still a very nice evening, even though poor Jack coughed the entire time!

On Christmas morning, Mimi & Poppa woke up early and we here to see the excitement on Emma and Jack's faces when they walked out to see what Santa had left. After gifts, we had a nice breakfast and then played wii and napped. For Christmas dinner we always head over to Mimi & Poppa's house for gifts and the traditional Raviloi's! One of my faves!! Went over there about 4pm, met Aunt Jamie and Uncle Chad, Clayton & Taylor where the gift opening began, and boy did it begin. The kids were having a ball, paper was flying everywhere! Following gifts was the incredible Italian dinner. After dinner there were more gifts to open Uncle Gary, Auntie Elvie & Jennie all came for dinner and then we did gifts with them. It was a busy day, but more fun and excitement than I could have imagined. Each year gets more and more fun!