Where's the sunshine?

The one thing I absolutely can't stand in winter is a nasty inversion. We are what, a week plus into this one? I see on the news the pictures from Bogus and it is sunny and 45 and just looks beautiful!!! Let me tell you it's killing me!!!! So today as a nice Sabbath family outing, after loading up on a wonderful meal, we headed up the hill. Just in case your unfamiliar with inversions here is just a shot from the car on the way up. Just nasty no color grey! It was about 34 degrees here in the valley and as we traveled into the clouds it was 25!!! BURRRRR Everything was covered in thick frost.

See. It does make everyting look a little prettier though doesn't it? Right about 5,000 feet we broke out of the clouds and Oh the Sunshine!!! It was so beautiful!

The temperature began to creep up and the sun warmed the car and ooooh it felt SO good! The girls had fun throwing snow and exploring. I could have just stood there and let the sun soak through me the whole time!! Time goes quickly when you are having fun....

It was a great day, however all good things must come to an end, sigh.

S-T-I-RRRRR-I-K-E!!!!!

With all this cold weather, we have been a lot more home bound than we like. So a couple weeks ago Todd had a great idea, Let's go Bowling!!! Well it sounds like fun I thought but what about Aaron he goes to bed at 7, and will Paige and Claire even be able to do it?, What about the smoke? See I always try to plan out any difficulties that we 'may' encounter, and avoid them at all costs. It's the mom of 4 coming out of me, something I am going to work on in 2009. Sure it's good to think ahead, but I can't let it keep me from doing things all the time. We decided what the heck let's just go and have fun. The Bowling Ally we went to was smoke free!! We set up the pack and play right there next to us, Aaron hung out while we all had a ball! It took us quite a LONG time to play one game. The girls would get up there and roll that ball and it would take 3-5 minutes (no joke) to make it all the way down the ally! After the clerk had to come and fetch a few balls that didn't make it, he brought over a slide. The girls loved it!!! Paige got 2 strikes and 2 spares to win the game with 139! I don't know that I have EVER scored that high. Despite the loss it was a great night and well worth it! Here are a few more shots from our night out...

Twas the night before Christmas....

...and all through the house, all the Bakers were gathered together at last. The cooking was finished and all the presents were wrapped. The children were bright eyed and ready for cheer in hopes that opening presents soon would be near.

Paige and Uncle Rob admiring the tree

Todd and his brother Brian deep in conversation

Olivia and Jessie playing with new toys

Michael on the move

Later that evening at home we tucked the kiddies in and then Todd and I went to play in the snow. We had so much fun making a snowman.

Then we got busy making our house ready for Christmas morning.


Merry Christmas!

Let it snow!

We sure have been enjoying all the snow that has been falling! Nothing says Christmas like snow! I don't mind driving in it and I say if it is going to be cold we may as well have snow! Everything becomes quiet and beautiful. Our faces have been pressed against the windows as we watch excitedly. I felt like a little girl again. I was watching the snow fall and as it fell harder and fatter flakes I ran from room to room telling everyone "look now, now look, doesn't it look pretty, don't you love it!!" We have been busy making snow angels, sledding and trying to make this powdery snow form a ball!! Here are a few photo's from the fun....

Early Christmas

My Dad Kirt arranged a family lunch yesterday. All the local family gathered together after church to have a Christmas meal. He said this was the only time that he could give my mom her Christmas gift and he wanted us all present. He was making a pretty big deal about this gift. Saying things like "Sandra(my aunt) you are going to cry" , "it's time all the Medrano's got together". Even my Auntie Elva came! (which is a big deal) Well Friday night I was trying to figure out this surprise. I was sure that I had. It had to be that he had flown my Grandma in!!! I was so certain. When we arrived at my mom's Kirt told all of us "no one goes up stairs till I say so" I smiled, so sure my grandma was up there...

I was wrong. While I wish that it had been my Grandma I am so excited about the gift that my mom did receive. Weighing all of 1 lb. or so and covered in hair, here she is....

She had a big first day in our family. I am not sure her feet touched the ground for more than 30 minutes. When we took her outside in the freezing cold she would sit and lift her back legs off of the cement and shiver till you took her back inside! She is just precious, and my mom is thrilled. Her name is Sophie.

Glow

I have always wanted to go to the Botanical Garden-a-glow! The first time we tried was 6 years ago on our Anniversary, they were closed. I am not even sure what happened all the other years in between then and now. It doesn't really matter anyway. Tonight though we were treated to the beautiful twinkling lights, a Christmas choir, hot chocolate, cider and cookies. Thank-you Mom and Dad for the wonderful night. The kids loved it, and were asleep about 5 minutes into the car ride home. Nothing like a night like this to put you in the Christmas spirit! Now all we need is snow which I understand is coming! Now if only I was done with all my shopping. Merry Christmas everybody!!!

And he's off!!!!!

I think we can mark it down as official! This morning my precious baby demonstrated his skills on all fours! After much hard work of sliding, scootching, and rolling He has traded it in for crawling!! I am so proud and a bit terrified too. Here are a couple shots of him in action.

They grow too fast....