Eddie's 15th Birthday

I can't believe Eddie just turned 15. Here he is with uncle Steve. For his birthday dinner he wanted to go to his favorite restaurant, Sungari in downtown Portland. We all love that place. Great Sechuan Chinese food.
This picture of Connor with Tio cracks me up...Connor doesn't like the fact that Tio is getting too close...typical Connor.
Kaitlyn is very much a daddy's girl! She melts dad's heart with the things she says.
Eddie also got to invite a friend, non other than Casey. These two together are like Abbott & Costello, or Mutt & Jeff, or Bevis and Butthead...need I say more.

Rock on

rockin' to Rockband 2...."The Eye Of The Tiger"...

her cheeks were so red

Colorado Mountains

After Christmas we drove up to the mountains to spend time at the cabin with the in-laws. There was lots of snow and very cold but the view was breath-taking. We had a lot of fun playing in the snow or warming up by the fire. At an elevation of 9,000+ feet you definitely are short of breath when playing. Kaitlyn wore herself out that when she came in, she sat on Matthew's lap and fell asleep immediately...poor baby played hard. Check out her cheeks how red they were.

it was so cold at night...the temperature was usually below zero
there was about 4 or more feet of snow...the drifts went up to the doors and windows.

this was our drive home...a little rough play in the back seat...these two had a blast singing or watching movies...the bumms.

ok so I'm walking down the driveway and feel like I'm being stared at...it was the trees...isn't this cool?

check out the enormous icicle Matthew took off the cabin...it was as tall as him.

the girls get ready to play outside in the snow...it was VERY cold out
Dad gets ready to brace the cold
Connor tries on Opa's hat...he was still recovering from his sinus infection so he stayed in

Ok so Eddie & I spent the day working on a path for him to snowboard down. There was at least 3-4 feet of snow that we had to compact down...after all the hard work I decided to give snowboarding a try...it was a lot of fun but thankfully Eddie was there to help me up everytime I fell.

Kaitlyn loved playing in snow
Matthew brings Connor outside to check out the snow
Connor touches snow for the first time...love his face...probably wondering why his hand is so cold

Matthew and his mom
Eddie & Kristina are blinded by the sun

Mom & Dad

both boys wanted to play on Opa's tractor...Connor was the only one that was kicking and screaming not wanting to get down...thankfully Matthew didn't act that way! Heehee

check out the air balloon flying in Colorado
this mountain pass in Colorado was beautiful
sun sets in Utah

Christmas in Denver

Connor just hangs out but was definitely not feeling well.
all the kids but Connor were anxiously waiting for Matthew and I to get back from urgent care with Connor so we can open presents. Connor took his medicine and went to bed...then we all got to open Christmas presents.
Katy and her family
Aimee and her special guy, Grey

Opa loves his girls and the girls just love their Opa. Rachel is going on 13 and still loves to climb on Opa's lap. He of course doesn't mind and treasures the moment.
Kaitlyn and Sydney want their Opa time too.
Grey, Jacob and Clayton share a game on the computer and were having so much fun together