Why is it that...?

First of all, I have to say, thank goodness my kids are home! They've been away for over a week on vacation with their dad. I miss them when they are gone for a couple of days, but this was way too long! So, now our life can return to it's normal cycle... which brings me to my question...

Why is it that we have three pieces of very nice, very comfortable furniture, but the whole family (dogs included) decide they will all cram onto one couch? Could it be because they love each other so much, and want to be close to one another?! Okay, well, could it be then, that the love seat is reserved for coats, backpacks and the usual pair of dirty socks (today being no exception!)? Could it be that everyone loves and respects mom so much that they leave her nice, cushy chair alone, so she may sit in it at her leisure? Fat chance! So, what's the deal??!!! I'm going to stick with the whole "love" thing!!

By the way, did you notice the big, empty wall behind the couch? That's where "the" painting will go when it's finished. Can't wait!!!

Family Ski Night

Ok, so the last two nights I haven't actually posted any pictures from the day. Nana's birthday party was last Monday night, and our family ski day was the Saturday after Christmas. I've taken a few pictures each night, but the content left a lot to be desired. I'm not sure how many of you would be interested in the beautiful colors that I've painted the living room, or how many pictures of the dogs you all would like to see. Unfortunately, when the kids are away from home, which they have been since the 29th, Brent and I live a fairly boring life. Not much excitement to capture when it's just two old folks hanging out a home!

But, our ski night was really fun! Brent and Jared both got new snowboards for Christmas, so they have been chomping at the bit to get to the slopes. Jennah and I like to ski and this is her second season. She's a PRO! Bailey has boarded a few times with her school up at Brundage and this was only Caitlin's second time out! Both girls did great on their boards! We had a wonderful time!

I really want to put some more pictures on here, but it won't seem to let me! I really have got to find some "blogging for dummies" information out there! HELP!

Nana's 70th Birthday

Happy 70th Birthday, Nana Johns!

Left to Right - Back Row - Scot, Brent, Brian, Papa

Front Row - Caitlin, Bailey, Nana, Tristan, Tucker, Addison

"The" Painting

"The" Painting
So, back in October, we redecorated the living room and I had found a painting that I loved and wanted to put on our main wall. It was a landscape scene with a huge, old oak tree as the main focus. Of course, by the time I took Brent to see it, it was gone! So, Brent decided that he'd paint me the picture I wanted. He started on New Year's Day and "The" painting is coming along quite nicely! He's taking his time, and spends much of his day looking at the canvas from different directions, weighing his options. Now he can't kid me too much about how long it took me to pick the orange paint for the new living room! Too many options! Too many choices!!!

Our Menagerie

I still can't seem to get pictures where I want them! I'll keep practicing. I'd like to introduce our "other children". You would think that having half of each week with no kids at home, that Brent and I would get bored. But, we solved that problem by adding a menagerie of other little children (who seem to need more care than any of the kids!) to our home. Moose, you might guess, is the big black dog. He's been with Brent and the girls for 10 years now. He's getting kind of grey and is having some hip trouble, but considering how much he lays around relaxing, he should have plenty of energy to live a long, long time! Bandit and Sasha are our little Shi Tzu's. They were our Christmas presents to ourselves 4 years ago. They are both sweet, sweet little dogs... but they come with their own issues! The birds belong to Caitlin. Their names are Rain (the blue one) and Tweety (the yellow one). They are entertaining, but definitely not friendly! The fish belong to Jennah and have just joined us in the last month. They were a school project that seemed to make their way into our home. We've had so much fun with them, that Santa brought all the kids a bigger aquarium for Christmas. We haven't set it up yet, but next weekend when everyone is home again, we plan to take a trip to the pet store for another few mouths to feed! Geeeesh! (We sent the chickens to live with Grandpa for the winter... but that's another story!)

Perfect Ski Night

What a perfect night! Just under 30 degrees and no wind! Beautiful! The kids weren't home tonight, so we got to ski like the old people we are! Slow and careful! Oh yeah, that was just me... Brent is much too YOUNG to be slow and careful. He hit every jump and did every trick imaginable! Jared will be so proud!

Picture of the Day

I've decided to be very BOLD and challenge myself to take at least one picture a day, and then to post it here with a thought. Do you think I can really keep this up for all of 2010? My follow-through skills aren't that great... but, maybe with some coaxing and help from my friends and family, I'll see how far I can make it!

Today I'm just going to post some pictures from Christmas. This is the first year since Brent and I have been together that we've actually had all the kids (ok, well, give or take a few:( )home together on Christmas Day. It was awesome! Even though they are almost past the "Santa" stage, it was still fun to see them so excited as they saw the gifts under the tree. I wish ALL the kids could all be home on EVERY Christmas. But, we've all learned to make the most and best of everything... whatever, whoever and whenever it may be.

Bailey

Jennah

Caitlin
Jared


Brent


Okay, my first blogging attempt has been a bit frustrating! How in the world do you get the pictures where you want them? I can't wait until this stuff seems easy to me!

Until tomorrow, I hope you all had a great Christmas, a happy new year and will all be well in 2010!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010 Everyone!

This blog is part of my New Year's commitment (I won't call it a resolution, then maybe I'll stick with it!) to keep my friends and family updated on our life, to use my new camera, and to keep a journal for myself of all the great things we do!

I've started a few blogs before, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist. I want everything to be just right... and it never seems to be. So, I'm throwing caution to the wind, and am just going to do it! Perfect or not, here it comes!