*snow days*

This is how we feel about snow these days.



Sam, however, loves the snow.




Last week we had a snow day and he stayed outside from
10 am - 7 pm. He went through 3 pairs of soaked gloves and 2 jackets. He and the neighbor kids built snow forts and had "the battle of Oak Street". I felt like it was the '50's. It was fantastic.

Mia usually lasts about 20 minutes or so... Long enough to build a baby snowman.



Here's some pics of us from our trip to Park City...




Sam tries out skiing- he's addicted.



Mia models on the slopes.



Mini snowmobiles are a blast!!



We stayed at an awesome lodge! Me and Mia loved doing puzzles by the fire.

And the hot tub!






And watching the snow fall out the window.




Visiting the Salt Lake Temple







These pics make me feel happy.







Lots of swimming in hotel pools!




Visiting with family




My mom and Dad drove up to UT to see us




Playing with cousins

So. We're not dead after all.

Things I love right now...

Recent discoveries...

I love the olive oil spray from Trader Joes. Best non stick ever!!!

"boogie wipes". Got at walmart, wet wiped with a tad of saline in them- get those sticky boogies off like a charm!!

I also love Sabra hummus singles from Costco. Yummus.




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*good looking crew*

My sister-in-law is an amazingphotographer. That's different from a regular one. That's why I made it all one word. If you don't believe me check out the pics below... She made us look pretty fantastic dontchathink?














Thanks Shonda!!!

*through her eyes*

We bought Mia a camera for Christmas. She's taken 420 pictures. Here are a few of my favorites, with commentary.

I like how she moved the camera to the side so she could see herself.

This face makes me wonder what he did to her after she took the picture.

This is a monster she made at school. I love it. It's now hanging on her bedroom door to ward off the real thing.

Aww, cute daddy.

Two BFF's -- taken at a play date presumably?

Her view from the back seat... mom and dad.

What can I say about this one besides "special."

Mia's doll "Alexis" and dollar store Teddy.

New tap shoes! Shiny!

Sam got a Mario Bros chess set for Christmas. If you were wondering, there are about 2o more pics of all the other pieces. I chose these two for the fact that they were posed kissing.

What the H?
Sam got some froggies for Christmas... I thought this was a rather artistic view.

Eli with Sam's new hat and Harry Potter glasses on. Don't forget the green donut frosting around his mouth. Sam asked for donuts from Santa. The old man delivered- red and green frosting to boot.
Now this picture might be my favorite. That black thing is a wand. Mia Potter. Which reminds me of this post from years ago...

I love seeing though her eyes. It reminds me of hanging upside-down on my couch and imagining what it would be like to walk on the ceiling.

fit * ness

Fit - like exercise. Ness- like the loch ness monster. I have become a monster. I am addicted to exercise. I like being sore. I like the high you get after you work out really hard. I like having more energy for my kids. I like dropping my kids off in the play place and having an hour to myself. I like how my honey checks me out. I like playing soccer again and rekindling my sporty flame. Man, I didn't realize how much I missed soccer. I'm not too nutso-- I only hit the gym 3 or 4 times a week. It's really healthy obsession, actually. And I need it. The winters can get brutal here. Gotta keep the blood pumpin' and burn off the extra cookies that winter requires as sustenance.

Right after the Ragnar I stopped running for about a month and turned into a crazy person. I think I confused my body. 25 miles a week to ... nada. I was a mess.

There's a lot to be said about taking care of our body. It is the home for our spirit. I have gained a testimony of nourishing body and spirit. Both need constant nourishment or they get sluggish. Add them together and baddabing-- it's amazing! Spirit craves knowledge, scripture, wisdom, light. Body craves health, strength, power to accomplish. The body craves what you give it-- if you eat a bunch of crap- guess what it wants? If you lie around, what happens- you don't want to get up. It's our choice, our will that decides.

So I have a resolution-- not for this year. For life. I don't want to drop the ball again. I don't want to feel sluggish. ever. again. For me- for my family- for my spirit.

*****

Sorry about the rant. Been thinking about this a lot.

I'm trying...

I have been a pathetic blogger. I used to be so good. I've decided that it's because my computer is all the way in the attic. Maybe if Jared bought me a laptop for my birthday (hint hint) I would blog more. I think facebook is also guilty. The time I used to spend on blogs has been vacuumed away in status updates and profiles and pictures... But enough excuses.

So we're knee deep in Barlow birthday season. Mia had a wizard of oz birthday party with 6 of her friends. They had a blast. My sister Hillery came for the week and helped me plan. We had a lot of fun together. We made this cute cake:



You'll have to tilt you head sideways because I don't know how to reorient the picture on my handheld. Sorry- look at the pic at your own risk. I won't be responsible for neck damage.



Look at this Dorothy dress our friend, Sister Wasden, made Mia!! She was thrilled beyond words.



Here are the girls after they fought the bubble monster. They are about to head down the yellow brick road to munchkin land to eat their way through the donut forest and get to emrald city where they will battle the witches spaceship (piñata) and earn their slippers (dress up shoes). Boy we had a great time. But it made Hillery tired!


Mia scored lots of presents from her friends...



Happy birthday Mia B!!

Next up- Sam (6th) Alyssa (9th) Jared (15th).

Me and Hill had some big girl fun in the city too--


This is a sketchy Dominican meal we had on the lower east side- surprisingly good even though the meat looked like cat doodoo.



Shopping...




New hatzzzz




Tenement museum... 7000 imigrants lived inthis building between 1860s-1920s. In the 30s all of the tenants were evicted because the owner couldn't afford renovations and building codes. It stood empty til the 1980's so it was well preserved. They made it into a museum that tells about some of the families that lived here. Fascinating!! Our guide was a little overdramatic and well, gay, but that's ok. We had a blast. Then we hit times square and got spa stuff from Lush for a spa night. Great store.
I'm so happy she moved to DC!!!!

Wooiooooo! Ok, will try not to be a slacker!!!

*back from la la land*

Who says playing isn't hard work? It's totally hard
work. I have been on the move like you wouldn't believe. And then add visitors and Holidays on top of that and you have crazy sandwich with loco on top. But I'm not complaining-- don't get me wrong. Just looking forward to a little normal.

Around November 19th I went to Half Moon bay with Jared. It was a business trip for him-- and a totally relaxing time for me. He was at some annual meeting or something, but the important part was that it was at the Plaza, and the even better part was they gave each of us $250 to spend at the spa and then on top of that the hotel was right on the beach BUT, best of all, there was a mexican take away place not far away. Makes for some heavenly times. We also got to catch up with a few long lost buddies from CA, which was so fun. I also visited my old haunts. We fit in a lot in 48 hours.


Running on the beach


Then I tacked on a girls weekend in NM with my mom and sisters in Santa Fe at the end of this trip.








Suddenly I very tired.....zzzzz