Our Family: January 2010

Monday, January 11, 2010

Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was a little hectic. Alex, Carlie and I drove out to Salt lake the week before Christmas and were driving back the day before Christmas eve. We got to Larime Wyoming when the weather got really bad. We drove about 30 mph all the way to Cheyenne. The road was a solid sheet of ice. When we finally made it to Cheyenne I found out the roads were closed to Denver. The wind was howling, the roads solid ice and it was still snowing. The temperature was 10 below with wind chill. The waitress at the Village Inn where we stopped to eat told me there was a back way to Denver - I had to work at 8am the next morning! After looking at the roads - the main ones were all closed - I decided that wouldn't be so smart to go on the "back roads" with two little kids in a blizzard, late at night, where there's no cell service. So, we hunkered down and found a nice little motel. I had all the kids luggage, presents, DVD players, toys, food etc in the car. You know what they say about staying in a motel, never leave anything in the car. So, I gave the kids insrtuctions to stay put in the room while I proceded to unload the car. Eight trips later, up two flights of stairs in 10 below temperatures, in the snow, we were unloaded! We went to bed. I woke up at 5am to RE-PACK the car and get us on our way before 6 so I could make it to work by 8:30. The roads were open, but they were terrible! We finally rolled into Denver around 10am. (it's only 83 miles from Cheyenne to Denver- it took 4 hours!) I drove straight to work after dropping the kids off at grandma's. Afterwork we went to dinner at Grandma's and THEN I finally got to go home! Whew! So Christmas morning I was pretty tired. We had a good Christmas though. The kids got what they wanted from Santa. Carlie got rollerblades, Alex got clothes. Here are a few pictures...I hope you all had a great Christmas too!

The tree

Alex

Alex and Mom

Alex opening presents

Mom and carlie opening presents

Carlie with her Rollerblades Santa brought her

Alex with Maggie

Carlie with her Barbie Castle

Margaret and Rita's house

Christmas morning

Rodeo

Carlie looking the part at the Rodeo

Matt and Carlie went to the Rodeo last night. Matt was excited to see Miss Rodeo ans Carlie was excited to see all the beautiful horses! Carlie told me all about the fireworks, horses and the bulls. She was most impressed with the fact that there was another girl rider there with the name Carlie. WAY cool in her book! They had a great time!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

After watching some of her sister's videos, Carlie wanted to make her own movie so she could be famous! So here is her debut!

Big enough yet?

Ollie is just seven months old here, and as you can see he's a lot bigger than his 40 pound mom! He's a super sweet, cute dog! He looks like a big bear, or a sheep, or a Wookie!

He doesn't shed at all, not even one stray hair. It's awesome! I can hug him and I'm not allergic! I've never been able to do that. I love it!

Just threw this one in, Carlie is ready to tackle the snow.......

More of the Big Dog!

Poulton Party

Every year Uncle Jim and Aunt Donna host a party at their home for the Poulton side of the family. There were about 20 kids there under the age of 16. It was amazing. No running, no crying, no one was hurt! At the end of the evening I went down to the basement to retrieve my kids from the fun and I was shocked to see the place was spotless! All the kids things had been put away, all the trash picked up from opening presents. The kids had picked up and kept the place clean all night. We had a great time. It was great to see everyone. Big families are the best! Here are a few pictures from the big night...

Uncle Jim and Aunt Donna - the hosts