We Have Seen the Top of the Mountain!

Well, we made it through another Presient's Day Snowmobiling Extravaganza!! And this time, no "major" injuries! We packed our bags, our Californian cousin-folk, and sleds and headed for the mountains of Utah! I think the pictures will tell it best...

The weekend started with a broken sled (okay, there a few injuries...)






But that (of course) won't stop any of the fun... SUIT UP!!

Get ready to ride...

Lets Play!!

And some other random stuff...

As you can see, we had a great time and already look forward to next year!!

Though, now that we have this trip out of the way, we will be glad to see some sunshine and spring weather (hint...)

The Princess & the Party(s)

wOw! It's been quite a busy February and it's only half over!!

We started out with Rylee's birthday weekend. First it was a little surprise pizza party at the local pirate-themed restaurant, where both kids were immediately scared to death by a) all the pirate-waiters walking around, then 2) the thunderstorm effects which included lightning and thunder, and finally the frequent pirate battle show with pretend cannon fire and smoke machines. Luckily, these fears were easily remedied by the arrival of pizza and bread sticks.

After, it was off to the arcade where we competed with college students to play games that were clearly designed for small children. When that ship had sailed we headed back to port to get ready for Saturday.

As dawn broke (not a Twilight reference) we prepared for the "friends" party more appropriately princess themed. 10 giggling little girls all dressed as their favorite princess converged at Nana's house for (of course) giggling, eating cake, opening presents, and an appearance from real royalty, Princess Amerah. The princess told stories about her many adventures and took pictures with each little girl (and a few of the boys) and even brought in her magical dog. She was actually able to get those little princess types to sit still for nearly half an hour!

P.S. - If you are looking for a good party idea for you little girl, Princess Amerah is the real deal... we highly recommend her!!!

P.S.S. - Below is an inside look at what boys do at princess parties:


The party then moved over to Grandma's where extended family got a chance to hang out and eat more cake.


All in all we made thru the weekend and no princesses were harmed in the process (short of anything psychological) and we had a pretty good time. So I think it will be recorded in history as a success. Now where did I put that crown...

Tune in next time when you'll here Scott say:

"Are you sure this isn't dangerous?"

Happy New Year 2010!

Okay, we realize it's nearly February, but it's still the first of the year, right? Cut us some slack... we're running a family here...

2010 has been pretty mellow for us so far. Jami is pluggin' away at her new job and seems to really like having adult conversations in daylight hours (that just doesnt sound right, does it?).

Scott traveled to Vegas for his first ever work type convention, Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week. Four days of talking shop and going to seminars at the Mirage Resort. FUN!

Rylee and Luke are having a blast at the new school. Rylee performed in a dance recital and Luke is beginning to speak in full sentences, his favorite being "I don't want too..."

We're gearing up for Rylee's birthday in February and look forward to even more princess toys and accessories for her castle!

All in all things seem to be going fairly well. We'd love some warmer weather, or at least some snow so the cold weather was bearable but you get what you get.

So, what are you guys up to?

P is for preschool

So, I know that everyone says this at some point, but when did my little girl get so big? Wednesday was Rylee's first day of preschool. She couldn't be happier to leave the roost for a couple hours twice a week (I think she thinks it's about time she was intellectually challenged by someone other than mom and dad).
But, I am a little saddened by this whole experience. Not because she is going to preschool - no, no, it does us a world of wonder to be separated, but I am sad because both times she has gone this week, as I go to pick her up after school, I ask her how preschool was and what she did. All she has to say is "Mom, I don't want to talk about it, I'll tell you tomorrow morning," or something along those lines. Now, you may think, oh, she doesn't like preschool...I don't think it's that. I think she thinks she's too cool to talk about school with her mom - I'm not even kidding! It's like, all the sudden she's a 6th grader and could care less what I have to say. So, for this I am saddened that somewhere along the way, she forgot she's my little girl that I can't ever get to stop talking! Maybe one of these days she'll remember she's only 3 1/2 and will feel the need to act so(sigh)

No news is good news

So, now that it's only been 4 months since the last entry, I guess I should really try to play catch up!

Here's the update on the Holdaway's:

Luke: We like to call this boy either Monkey or Tasmanian Devil depending on if he is climbing up a tree or tearing something completely apart. I tell ya, no one prepared me for what a little boy can do! How lucky are we to have a boy who is so very interested in anything and everything he can get his hands on!

Rylee: Princess Rylee just finished her first year in Ballet and LOVED it! She is currently finding new ways to make Luke scream like a girl, implementing a dress into every scenario, or getting into moms makeup and applying mascara to Luke, her care bear, Luke's teddy bear and all of her dolls. She is my girlie girl!

Me: Not much here. No....really. Besides my daily vengeance I have with the weeds, I am just trying to keep up with the kiddos and hope they don't get too sick of me before nap time...Oh, but I did try the new glitter toes! It's a love-hate relationship...

Scott: Scott is now part of the family business at AAA Spring. His office mostly consists of the open road travelling to visit clients and such (for those who know him, this is a great perk of his job for him - he loves the travel)! It's nice to know that he has a somewhat predictble work schedule instead of standing out in the rain all day at the Usana ampitheatre...so says me!

Oh, and we took the kids on their first camping trip! Here are some pics to prove it!

W stands for Winter

So, I'm sitting here eating my tortilla chips and am thinking, "you know what would go really good with these chips? A beer and something from the Barbecue." Then I remember that A) I'm not the partying beer drinker that you all just pictured me as and B) It's frickin' freezing outside and there's no way in H-E-double hockey sticks I'm standing outside to BBQ!
Oh, how I miss the warm weather. The sound of my flip flops on the cement as I go outside to bask in the heat, actually wanting ice in my drink, the kids spraying me with water as the inflatable pool fills up, and actually needing to roll down my window while I drive.
Seriously though, the tips of my fingers are coldly drumming away on the keyboard as I type and I can't wait to stop typing so I can get them warm again. I know we don't have it as bad as, say, the midwest, but man oh man, I think I've hit the winter blues!
Till next time...keep the toes warm!

Turkey Day, and then some

So, Thanksgiving has passed and I think I may be able to squeeze back into a pair of my jeans, but the Christmas goodies may have a tight hold on that one too. We'll see. Not a whole lot to report right now. We're just feelin' the Christmas vibe and trying to get all the shopping done before it's actually the 25th! Rylee helped me wrap a present to daddy today and she was all gung ho that he needs to unwrap it right now! I'm just worried that she will tell him what it is before he even gets to see it! Ah, the little innocent minds!
Until next time, Merry Christmas and all that stuff...