Early Valentines

I got home from school and found a package that I was thrilled about.  My Dad sends me and my sisters and aunt ( all the special ladies in his life, my Mom gets some on  the "real" Valentines day)  roses or flowers every year.  He is usually early which surprises us all, because it is not expected.  I love the bouquet that he chose this year.  It is always great to feel the love from your Dad and not just your husband :)  I love you Dad, you always make me feel "special" and I love that you still think of me as your "squirt", cause you will always be my dad!  Thanks, Dad.

Kung Fu Panda

So it was babysit the greatest nephews night.  Briggs and Beckham love coming to our house #1 because they love us :) and #2 because we let them do what ever they want.    Curt had to go out of town to work and so it was me and the boys.  Kung Fu Panda was playing at the Shattucks with Mac and Cheese for dinner, lots of fruit snacks and as much popcorn as their little hearts desired.    

It was so fun.  I love these boys so much and they are my entertainment when they are over.  Here are a few pics of the boys practicing their best Kung Fu moves.....

It was so funny because Briggs wanted to do his moves but only in front of the fireplace and I figured out it was because he could see his reflection!!  You look awesome Briggs.

Beckham gave me some punches and some good kicks.  Love ya bud.

And the final move to finish off the night.  It was so fun and can't wait to do it again!!

Family Photos

Family Photos

We finally got ALL of Curt's family together and I arranged for some family photos.  The last photograph that was professionally taken with all the family members was when our neice that is 15 now was a baby.  Cecilie Ott did our photographs and they turned out amazing.  Her website is

www.cecilieott.com, check her out.  These we will treasure for a long time, since it will be a while til we are all together again.  

My Bucket List....Tag

The "Bucket" List.....Things everyone should do before they die.  I highlighted and enlarged the things I have done, a great list though to get started on, I have now realized there is a lot I haven't done yet that I want to do.

Started your own blog
Slept under the stars
Played in a band
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower

Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland
Climbed a mountain
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo
Bungee jumped (I am counting Curt's homemade bungee!!)
Visited Paris
Watched a lightning storm at sea( Lake Powell, the same thing right?)
Taught yourself an art from scratch
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning (Hasn't everyone?)
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Grown your own vegetables
Slept on an overnight train
Hitch hiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping
Run a Marathon (I will be checking this off my list this year)
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a cruise
Seen Niagara Falls in person
Visited the birthplace of your ancestors 
Seen an Amish community (does Colorado City count? I know they are not amish but...)
Fired a rifle, shotgun or pistol
Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Bought a stranger a meal
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight
Been transported in an ambulance
Had your portrait painted (drawn)
Gone deep sea fishing
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain
Played in the mud
Gone to a drive-in theater
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business (tried to anyway)
Taken a martial arts class
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen
Sold Girl Scout Cookies
Gone whale watching
Got flowers for no reason
Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check
Flown in a helicopter
Saved a favorite childhood toy
Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Eaten Caviar
Pieced a quilt
Stood in Times Square
Been fired from a job
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Been on a speeding motorcycle
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Published something
Bought a brand new car
Walked in Jerusalem
Visited the White House
Had chickenpox
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous
Joined a book club
Lost a loved one
Had a baby 
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Ocean
Owned a cell phone
Been stung by a bee
Seen Mount Rushmore in person
Learned to play an instrument
Held a tarantula
Touched an iceberg
Changed a baby’s diaper

Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
Had a food fight
Had a snowball fight
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
Ridden a roller coaster
Visited all 50 states
Taken a road-trip
Milked a cow
Been in a movie 
Crashed a party
Made cookies from scratch
Gotten a tattoo 
Rafted the Snake River
Performed on stage
Been to Las Vegas
Eaten shark (I think I will replace mine with Crocidile, just as big a deal and tastes like Chicken)

Bought a house
Been in a combat zone
Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
Touched a stingray
Broken a bone
Ridden a horse
Eaten sushi (yes, ugh, I don't think my dad will ever forget my face as he watched me choke that down :)
Had your picture in the newspaper
Gone back to school
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Killed and prepared an animal for eating 
Dyed your hair
Caused a car accident
Saved someone’s life

Well I crossed off a lot but have a lot to conquer, hope this helps everyone reflect the many great things you have tried and hated or liked and also helped you realize even though we are closer to 30 some of us :)  we can still live.

I tag Jessica, Ashlee, Ashlee, Amber and Leslie

Polar Bear Swim

Saturday the 27th was the BIG day:  Polar Bear Swim and get rid of the SNOWMAN.

Curt had wanted Briggs and Beckham to come over to help "beat up" the Snowman.  And it only took a little coaxing before all the nephews were in on the plan.  

We found swords and sticks and the soon had holes and pieces of it missing. 

Soon they resorted to feet....to make it go faster :)

And in the end a good ol' hose and water, smart thinkers.  The head was thrown into the pool by Uncle Curt to see how long it would take to melt.....lets just say it was still in there after most people were done swimming, chilly!!

Next:  The Polar Bear Swim

Everyone anticipating the 40 degree water.  Curt and his brothers always have to do something crazy when they get together and then they convince everyone else that they should do it with them too.  I wasn't convinced.  The rule was everyone get in, swim around and it was going to be who ever stayed in the longest but by the end it was gratifying just by getting in the water :)

Curt and Craig making their way to the other end of the pool quickly!

Even Curt's Mom got in and I think her words were close to " Isn't this lovely."  Always being positive.

In the end all the adult guys and most of the teenagers were jumping in and Grandma.  There were like 10 crazy people out of the 35 of us.  It was all in all fun to watch and by the end of the day Curt did finally start warming up!