So this is where the Abominable Snowman lives!

Kim and Family asked us if we would like to go see some ice castles in the Park City area. None of us had seen them before, but we were interested and excited to see what they were exactly. This is it. . .

Beautiful! I guess they have sprinkler systems that they slowly leak out the top and the water freezes, then they have sculptor people come and make them in to castles. We saw them at about half done, so they didn't look like "castles". But they were still pretty cool.

That's a much better picture!!!!

Rhyan was completely enthralled with the winter wonderland. She just couldn't get enough.

The buddies-Elle and Emmie All the kiddies-minus Emmie. Elle, Reese (eskimo), Morgan, and Audrey holding up Rhyan. Audrey is a huge help with Rhyan. They've had a little bond since the day she was born!

Next year, we decided, it might be better to NOT go during the Sundance Film Festival. Or maybe just us adults can go and spot a star or two!

Yah-Duh-Duh-Duh Elmo's World. . .

When the normal routine of blankie (ginky), milk, and book didn't take her to dreamland at nap time. . .

ELMO DID!Her neck looks like it's about to break off, but hey, she's asleeeeeeeep! (said in my sing-songy voice)

A Weekend in the Mile High State. . .

*Yay for trips, vacations, bffs, and compromising and understanding husbands! *

Growing up, it was obvious to me that my mom's friends were as close if not closer than family to her. After all, we get to choose them! We would often drive from our home in eastern Oregon to where the rest of our family lived in the pretty side of Oregon, the western side. On our way, she would tell me about always knowing someone within an hour who could help us out if we needed it. Which happened on several occasions with any given car we owned. She made close, life-long friends where ever she went. That's just one more thing I learned from my mom. . .be a good friend, and you will always have good friends. I have so many close friends that will always be part of my life whether it's day to day chats or once a year get togethers. For that reason I almost never use the phrase "best friend" because it seems so singular. HOWEVER, When it comes to Jandi, well, there was a time (high school/college) when she really was my only close friend and we were inseparable. So that title has been taken by her and is not up for negotiation. What's the point when I'm not sixteen anymore and friends mean something different? They mean so much more. Lucky for me, I made a really good choice in making friends with Jandi. Our friendship has withstood the test of time through marriage, kids, living in different states, hormonal pregnancies, death of loved ones, new friends, new traditions, changed points of view, and not talking everyday (that was the biggest change). You wouldn't know any of those things have changed us though, if you saw us together. We transcend all that and become youthful, energetic, and giddy. Just like time hasn't past at all. It's wonderful. So when the opportunity to fly ReAlly CheAp to Denver came up, I grabbed the card and made it happen! I got to spend Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon with her and her cute little family. In Jandi style, she had plans/lists galore! The first on the list was an old-school tradition of making sugar cookies together listening to Mariah Carey's Christmas c.d.
"Why, hello! Can I interest you in a SugRawr cookie?"

Friday afternoon, after Jandi's hubby got the kids, we went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch, then...shopping. I don't mean like,"hey, let's stop real quick by Target" kind of shopping. I mean like literally shopping til we drop kind of shopping that neither of us have done in a looooong time. Our husbands would most likely disagree with that, but their version of lots of shopping is galaxies away from our version. Oh, what joy. What bliss!

I forgot to mention, Friday night, we also went to a steak place for dinner where we stepped out of our boxes and tried Bison, Jandi tried crab cakes (which weren't the best), but we had the BEST asparagus, and we got cookies to go (who knew steak restaurants would have cookies?) so we could catch New Moon. Which, we just HaD to see together, even if it was our 3rd or 4th time!

We woke semi-bright and early on Saturday with plans of driving up to some cute little ski resort areas and to outlet stores. Well, we made it up there, but we didn't make all the cute places we had in mind. Darn, I guess I'll have to go back some time. What we did see and do, though was memorable. We went to the most perfect shopping place ever. It was an outlet mall where there was a stream going through it and there were men fishing. Are you kidding me? Problem solved! Husbands CAN go shopping and enjoy it! Brilliant. That was fun, but that's not where it ended.

*The following pictures are before we left

Jandi's daughter, Kinlie, was my little buddy while I was there. She was my "hotdog" buddy. Everything she wanted or needed to do had a "hotdog" in front of it. "hotdog dress," "hotdog shoes," "hotdog hair." You get the idea. She was sad to be left behind with the boys while we got to go shopping, but SRSLY she's not ready for that kind of serious devotion yet. I wish I would've gotten a picture with her boys too. Kole-baby has everyone wrapped around his finger including me, and Kyler, her oldest, loves to chase me with his Star Wars man-thing. I don't know what it's called. Gimme a break, I have girls. The name Breckenridge comes to mind as one of the places we actually stopped . I think that's where the rest of these pictures took place. At 4:30 in the afternoon, Jandi and I realized we hadn't really eaten all day. Snacks don't count! So we found this cute little Italian bistro type place. I forget the name, but it was very cozy. Plus, no one was there but two other couples, the chefs discussing their menu in the corner, our waiter, and a voluptuous bar-maid. We kinda wanted to take a picture because she looked like what every movie likens a bar maid too. But we thought we better not. That would be an awkward picture.

looking nice before the food. . .

After the food came. . .I ordered a carbonara pasta with Italian sausage. We had no idea they wouldn't at least cut it up for me. It made for a good memory. . .my "hotdog pasta." This was while we were still waiting for our food. It was perfect by the fire enjoying our soda pops. Poor Jandi wasn't loving hers. We decided it tasted like "sheee." The fire place was the star of this picture.

We went venturing out on foot for about 2 blocks when we figured out just how frigid it is in December at 9,000 feet! But first, this wheel was calling my name.

We got back to Jandi's car drove to a couple little stores that looked interesting then as we were about to leave, we saw Santa's sleigh. Well, forget the wind chill, we needed to take more pictures! Why I was never picked up as a model, I will never know. . .

I did actually take a few pictures of just Jandi, but since it was all her camera, I guess she figured I didn't want any of just her. You're wrong Jan! That's ok,a picture of Jandrea can't be beat!

After our excursions in the mountains, we went to Jan's house and watched a movie and made bracelets for our little girls. It's always a fun filled time with Jandi. There is never a dull moment. We laugh, reminisce, talk about our futures, talk serious, talk silly, dance, and laugh a little more. I always notice whether we're in a store or in a restaurant, we always have strangers that treat us like we've know them forever. I wonder if it's because there's a different little glow that shows up in each of us when we're together that makes people drawn to us. Or maybe we are just loud and obnoxious, so people feel inclined to be a part of the fun. Whatever it is, I love it. And without Jandi, Jandrea wouldn't be nearly as fascinating.

*I am so grateful for our friendship, our closeness, our opposite traits that only influence the other for good. I am grateful for the shoulder to lean on, and for the advice attached to a listening ear. I am grateful for Jandi.

*Sorry for those of you that already saw Jandi's post. . .twice is nice. Right?!

Christmas Bonding

I decided to shove all our Christmas activities in one entry. Don't get bored! Lucky for you, I don't take a lot of pictures. . .ever. I wish I was better at it sometimes. Then again, I get sick of saying,"look over here and smile." Or," keep doing what your doing, don't look at the camera." It just gets a little old after a while. Then I miss out on the moment and I get a crappy picture! Wouldn't it be nice just to always have a professional follow your family around taking all the shots you wish you could? I guess I could get a better a camera, but what's the point when I haven't even taken time to figure out my "point and shoot" camera? So, here we are back to my picture dilemma. And you suckers have to look at them! HA!
Let's get started. Shall we?
*Here's Rhyan being a "big girl" sitting on a chair by herself at our ward Christmas party. Perfect example of "missing the moment." She was looking up at me and smiling until the flash started, then she turned her head. Still cute, though.
Emmie and her buddy Elle were loving the music, which happened to be provided by my friend Christie's husband (Dillon) and one of his band members. It was fantastic. I loved this picture because both girls were looking up to the stage and hanging on every note. . .like little groupies! Funny story: every year, of course, we have a volunteer Santa. And as soon as he made his entrance on the stage, Emmie shoved her way in to the front of the line, totally cheating. Morgan was completely uninterested and this was Rhyan's face. . .yeah, it wasn't happening!

I was a little sad that Morgan didn't want to go up on stage to see Santa. But then again, she's getting older and has already questioned who Santa really is (thanks to our know-it-all neighbor Joshua). So, I guess I can see why she wouldn't care about some man that looks awfully familiar dressed up in a tattered polyester version of the man in red. On the other hand, it was really cute to see Emmie. Santa asked her if she has been a good girl and he asked her if she helps out at home and she said yes. Then he asked, " What do you do to help out?" She said, " Nothing." Which is completely true. At least she doesn't have a lying problem! Then she asked for the two things that she wanted most: a Whoopsie Doo baby doll and a "sparkly pink barbie mermaid that swims in the bathtub." She's specific, but easy to please. *Emmie has been taking ballet from a new local place that was started by one of our neighbors. This entire fall semester, they have been preparing for their Nutcracker performance. The week before the performance, my neighbor friend (owner) came to me and said, "So, how do you feel about acting. . .like stage acting?" I replied," Well, it's fine. I like plays." She said, " Yeah, haven't you done a little of that?" Me, "Ummm, yes." Her, "Well, we really need someone to play the mom." me, "Oh yeah?" Her, " So, how about it?" Me,"Sure. . .wait! I Don't do any dancing, RIGHT?!" Her,"Right. Just some "miming gestures." Me, "Perfect." Well, after all was said and done, I remembered how much I miss doing anything that has to do with performing. . .especially plays. It can feel hectic and crazy and unorganized and unprepared, but when you get done and the audience enjoyed it, you feel like you could do it all over again! I really loved it, and the bonus was doing it with Emmie. I know this picture is particularly dark and not great, but we tried three times and this was the best one. I had to get her twirling.

Let me guess. . . you're thinking, "where did Andrea get that Amazing pink 80"s prom dress?" Well, it's compliments of Kathie, the owner/friend. Her mom made it! Just for that reason alone, it was good that she held on to that beauty so she could get all uses possible out of it.

The brown brick/auditorium look behind costumed people is sooo familiar to me. I kinda love it!

*On to the next bonding event. We always let the girls open one present on Christmas Eve. And it has always been pajamas. However, this year, they had plenty of pajamas, so I opted for cute robes I got on sale the day after Thanksgiving. I had to wait until after their baths, though, to take pictures so that they looked "good and clean" according to Morgan.

I could just squeeze my Emms to death sometimes. This is one of those times! Ok, so Rhyan actually got pajamas. Like I'm gonna buy a robe for her when she'll never wear it and/or grow out of it in a couple months.

I caught her! I had to post this. I don't think I've ever taken a good picture of my other girls doing the signature blankie sniff.

On Christmas Eve, my big girls wanted to sleep in the giraffe tent that great grandma Georgia gave them a couple years ago. They had a bonding night with hair and elbows in each other's faces. Even though the tent has a mesh closing door, it got quite humid and hot in there. But they REALLY wanted to. I'm just glad it wasn't me. . .

Yes, Emmie is saying, "You're hot." It's become another signature move, as of late. I don't like it.

The last couple years on Christmas morning we have recorded everything on our cam-corder, so we rarely get actual pictures. I warned you! Emmie was not surprised at all that Santa got her the "Sparkly pink barbie mermaid that swims in the bathtub." You can bet we would've heard about it, though if she hadn't! It wouldn't matter if we bought her the best, most expensive toys in the world. If she doesn't want it, she doesn't want it!

Morgan, however, was surprised that Santa got her the pink motor scooter that she never actually asked him for!

I was Completely surprised that McKay was able to find THE red Express hounds tooth coat that I wanted. Bless his heart! He searched the world over for it. Thank goodness for the Internet and especially Ebay! Well, and a willing husband!!!!

Finally, on Christmas day/evening, my dad, his wife Rhonda and my sister Alyssa came to eat dinner and spend a night. I had to take a picture of the girls bonding on the couch with grandpa and nana. I love having my dad closer so that we can see them more often. We really had a great Christmas. It was quiet and lazy and enjoyable and wonderful. Everything I could ask for right now.