May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor

And for the record, of course Jack and I have tickets to see the midnight showing of The Hunger Games. We will be snuggled into our seats by 9:30. I'm bringing a blanket because I'm famous for being cold at the theatre. We both have books to read while we wait for the show to start. He is re-reading THG b/c he says he doesn't remember it that well, but he is wrong. The kid's mind is a steel trap. I'm reading The Storm of Swords. No, I have not watched the HBO series.

As soon as I walk away from the computer I am getting my costume together for the premiere.

“Only I keep wishing I could think of a way...to show the capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than a piece in their games.”  I know how you feel, Peeta.

I'M EXCITED. PLEASE DON'T DISAPPOINT ME LIKE PERCY JACKSON DID.

The Last Six Months in Photos part 4

In January, I was waiting for winter to arrive, but it never happened. So I continued going outside every single day.

We hiked Angel's Landing in Zion's National Park. 

We only took the older kids (plus our cousin Hailey) because, as you can see on the sign, 6 people have died on this hike since 2006. Stella and George sat this one out.

Summit: 360 degree views. Unbelievable. 

Going up was the easy part, coming down was much harder.

We were lucky enough to spend an evening with my cousin Dan & his wife Cindy plus their delightful children.

Here is a series of photos of Stella and Hailey acting silly. They were fast friends.

They didn't actually stay with us, just popped in for supper one night. That's how they avoided me dragging them off to ZNP. 

My other cousins, Maegan & Chelsea and their husbands and Maegan's baby also came for a weekend. The only picture I have of their visit is Eli with Ginger... and now I can't find it. 

I did't forget that they came, I just didn't photograph them.

Still to come: my dad and his wife actually came in February, we have been skiing/snowboarding, and a trip to Las Vegas with one of my Iowa girls. Stay tuned.

The Last Six Months in Photos, Part 3

December-New Year's Week

My mom and Sara packed up the car with 3 week old Axel and spent the weekend here so that we could construct our Gingerbread houses together.

George and Grant's first stop: my bathtub.

Creed is a regular baby hog. If there is a baby around, he wants to hold it. His talent at calming a crying baby is uncanny.

Stella and Creed helped my mom decorate her G-bread house.

Grant has recently been introduced to Star Wars so he was thrilled with my Star Wars Pancake skillz.

 When Eddie came we took him & his friend Lani on a local hike.

Newspaper rock from above: Jack & Eddie.

(Not pictured: Christmas. Duh! See this post for a Christmas Re-cap.)

The Roses came for New Years. 

Creed . . . . holding baby Peyton.

Robert's mom, at 69 years old, decided it was high time she learned how to ride a bike.

I suspect that dodging the kids who were running around the backyard made it extra challenging.

After a couple of hours and a few skinned knees, she had it figured out.

And she was pooped.

The Last Six Months in Photos, Part 2

November

We found a ballet school for Stella.

Almost all of the Rose family came for Thanksgiving. We took them on a hike in Zion's National Park.

Hiking to Emerald Pools.

Our group, after the hike.

A few of the boys: Christian, Cole, George, Justin and Kaleb.

Auntie Sam obliged my kids with endless games of Chess all weekend. She's a trooper.

Also, my sister's baby, Axel was born. George and I drove to SLC to meet him and help out a little. All the way there, my jealous baby kept telling me, with a very serious look in his eye, "Mom, you betta not hol' that baby."

The Last Six Months in Photos, Part 1

October 2011

A hike to a small waterfall with a swimming hole in Zion's National Park.

Another hike to a different waterfall in Red Cliffs. This waterfall was more like a waterslide down the slick rocks. 

Zion's Overlook with Nick & Kara visiting from Chicago. To be honest, they were in Salt Lake visiting family and they couldn't resist coming to spend some time on So. Utah.

We were also graced (twice!) with a visit from Iowa friends (who now live in Salt Lake) Nick & Michelle. 

Karen and Paul (Robert's sister and her husband) came down to close on our house. Here is George with his cousin Cole.

 Halloween. George went as a superhero to the kids' Halloween Parade.

Warmer climates = outdoor school parades in late October.

Creed, who now goes by Henry unless you are related to him, was a One Man Piggyback for Halloween. He was pleased with his costume because, according to him, "All the girls dig me, dad!"

And one more picture of Stella because, seriously, how cute is she?