Maverick

Maverick Mountain has been our source for family entertainment the past 4 weeks. Besides the paramount snowfall on "The Rock," it's also a fairly family friendly place. Kids 5 and under ski free and half day lift tickets are $20. It's affordable, nearby, and well quite frankly, one of the only thing to do around these parts in the winter. I'm not much of a cold weather person, but this recreation is definitely growing on me. The fresh air, beautiful scenery and exercise are enough to warm this anti-cold weather heart. Beyond that, it has been pure joy (and some moments of frustration) watching Kaleb learn to glide on his new skis.

It's hard to understand the mind of a three and half year old though. He is never excited to go skiing, but once he gets going, he is delighted and unstoppable. If it weren't for the licorice ropes hanging in the cafeteria, we wouldn't have a bribe to get him up there. It's good for him, his morale, and excellent for a good night's sleep.

And what about Jaxon? Well, he tags along too. In fact, he probably has the best spot there is. He is nestled behind Eric on his back.

The Schuller boys are bound to be good skiers. If it's not in their blood - it's going to come from Eric's determination to teach them sound fundamentals and no fear. As a mom, I'm learning to embrace the spirit of the boy and just make sure their helmets are fastened well.

Resolving Resolutions

I'm not a big New Year resolution kind of person. I've tried in the past, only to make it a few months, ending with failure and a lack of stick-to-it. That is just part of my personality (just ask Eric). I think it's funny how everyone goes gang-busters in January, resolving to do this, and do that.

In the past I've tried the typical eating better, working out more...yada yada yada. And like everyone else, it works - for a while.

I've been pondering a good New Year Resolution and I have lots of things I would like to do (in no particular order)

-lose 10 more pounds
-use the treadmill more
-eat healthier
-spend more quality time with my kids
-spend more time in the word
-spend more time in prayer
-be more organized
-make more time for friends
-go on more dates with my hubby
-de-clutter my life, house, car
-get more sleep
-drink less soda
-drink less coffee
-recreate more
-pursue my hobbies

The list really could go on and on.

As I reflect on these I started realizing these are things we should do all the time - making a "resolution" more than just once a year. Perhaps we should have more resolutions in our life on a more consistent basis. Maybe every six months or every quarter, maybe with the turn of each season.

And once again, for me, it all boils down to balance. How do you balance all the things you feel convicted to do or be and live a fulfilled quality of life? Doesn't everyone have the tendency to do really good in certain areas of life, while the others lag behind? Ultimately, life is a balancing act and I know everyone else probably feels just like me. So, my resolution, though general and non-specific, is BALANCE.


Everyday I pray for grace and wisdom and I will continue to do so. Hopefully God's divine plan for all of our lives will become clear to us in 2011 and allow us to focus our energy and attention in the things that are the biggest priority. Happy New Year to all. I hope your resolutions are successful and that balance prevails in your life and mine.

Bad Blogger, BAD!

I have been so bad at updating this blog - it's not that I don't love to do it, it's just that I have issues - two, to be exact.

#1. TIME - need I say more here?

#2. Eric and I are now sharing an internet connect and half the time I don't have internet at home because he's taken it to the office. BOO

So, there you have it.... my somewhat legitimate excuses. :)

Here are some recent pictures we had taken by a friend, Christina Engle - Patchwork Photography. She did an amazing job. I'm saving the "best" photo for Christmas cards, so you'll have to wait....but here's a sneak peak.

ENJOY

"I play."

Kaleb started Hand and Hand playschool on September 7th. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized playschool is just the beginning....and my little angel boy is becoming an independent, grown-up, not so innocent kid. As much as I want to hold onto him, the other part of me wants to let him free to spread his wings. It's a funny feeling, really. Bitter-sweet, to be exact.

Every day after playschool I ask Kaleb for a report, expecting to hear what they did in detail; activities, friend names, what they had for snack. But instead I simply get, "I played." And isn't that exactly what it should be for a 3 year old? PLAY. Let him be a kid for as long as he can because it will be too soon that he's faced with responsibility and adult stuff. Come on, don't we all long to be a kid again sometime and just.....play.

Better Late than Never

My baby turned one nearly a month ago. We had a small little celebration. Jaxon slept through dinner and woke up slightly on the cranky side for cake and ice cream. Had this been my first child, I would have been extremely disappointed that he didn't smash cake all over his face, etc.. But since he's #2, the expectations were just not as high. I rolled with it.
I realized afterward that he was cutting a front tooth, so the poor little fellow just wasn't in the celebratory mood - and that's okay. We still were able to celebrate for him and rejoice that he is in our lives; the unexpected gift that God blessed us with. We love you Jaxon Wyatt and happy belated birthday!
make a wish little boy!

Uncle Jon brings in big bear for the happy birthday song

earlier in the day - just being cute on his birthday

....it's a good thing I let him sample the frosting earlier....



I love how the frosting matches his eyes :)

The good, the bad, the ugle & the cute

Twin Bridges parade float: Madeline (the good) Kaleb (the bad) Eric (the ugly) Jaxon (the cute) :)

Jaxon finally gets Kaleb's gun away from him.

Clark Park in Butte - park and water park




Uncle Mikey and Jaxon watching big brother swim at the Sheridan pool.
Uncle Jon and Jaxon
Do you think this helmet will mess up my curl?
Kaleb and his new motorcycle helmet - practically tips his head over it's so heavy.

Ahhhhh summertime

What a fabulous summer it's been so far - once summer actually got here.
Our days have been busy and hectic, full of work and play.
Here are a few highlights with photos below:

-Camping trip with Eric's family up Wise River. It was fun to spend time in the hills with the Schuller family - something we hope to make happen every summer from now on.

-Kaleb's first WEEK away from mom and dad spent with Nammo and Papa in Sheridan. He took swimming lesson, went camping, did lots of swimming in the lake and didn't really seem to miss mom and dad too much, but did miss Jaxon a whole lot.

-Softball tourney and bounce house. Kaleb got to jump in the bounce house before I played softball all day on Saturday. Softball didn't go so well...but it was fun while it lasted. We did however, have a hard time getting Kaleb home from the softball field. He was having the time of his life with the other kids.

-Playdates and popsicles. Need I say more?

-Gunfight at Bannack Days. Kaleb took his six shooter with him and it was a good thing. We watched the gunfight and after it was over he asked me if they were shooting at him.

-Water balloons, sprinkler, water guns....anything water Kaleb loves. We've filled up quite a few water balloons this past July and I'm sure more to come.

UPCOMING EVENTS
There are a few things we have on our list that we want to do before summer is over:

-Sleep out on the trampoline under the stars
-Hit Fairmont and go down the water slide a bunch of times
-Experience the new splash park in Butte
-One more camping trip
-The Madison County Fair

We also have Jaxon's birthday party coming up in 3 weeks. A YEAR? Are you kidding me. How did that happen so quickly?

Kaleb warming up in the sun after a swim in the Ruby Lake

Cute boys in the stroller at Bannack Days. I'm pretty sure if Jaxon could talk he would be saying "I am so getting left out by not getting a snocone."

Could not resist this picture....two amazingly cute bums getting ready for bath time.

Jaxon crashed on the boat and I was wishing I could too!

I love the black and white feature on my camera!


Part of my softball fan-club.




Kaleb going down the big slide at the Bounce House.