California Girls

In exactly 12 days my Ragnar team leaves for Sunny California to run the So Cal race.  200 miles from Huntington Beach to Coronado Island.  Remember how much fun we had at Wasatch Back last year?
This year promises to be even better.  Our team name is Mind Over Mileage or M.O.M.  We have about 40 kids between the 12 of us, so we really wanted to channel our mommy status.  And what could be more "mommy" than a 1950's housewife?  We played off the brilliance of Anne Traintor and came up with some funny running slogans. We donned our aprons and red lipstick and had an amazing photo shoot.  It was a night we won't soon forget!  Our fabulously talented teammate Amy edited the photos, and I have to say, they are better than anything we ever imagined.  Check out our Mind Over Mileage blog if you want to see the full effect.

Naughty little leprechauns!

I am the class photographer for Halle's 1st grade class, and so on St. Patrick's day I got to go see what those sneaky little leprechauns were up to. All the kids had made traps, hoping to catch a leprechaun. Halle was so excited. She said, "Mom, if I catch a leprechaun, I bet I'll get to be on TV, and then I'll be FAMOUS!"
But alas, they are tricky fellas, and managed to make off with all the gold in the traps. You should have seen the mess they made!

Ski day 2011

The annual "Mommy's day off" Spring skiing at Copper was amazing this year! 3 inches of new snow, a clear blue sky, warm sunshine, and amazing conversation combined for a perfect ski day. Jen, Susan, Amber, and I took off to the mountains early, and didn't get home till late. It was a wonderful, well-earned respite from Mommyhood. I sure do love my friends!

Daddy Daughter Ball

 

Rusty here. Last weekend I got to do one of the neatest things ever. I got to take little miss Halle to a Daddy Daughter Ball.  We both got dressed up (I tried to make her a corsage out of some flowers we had, but it kept flopping over), then we headed over to Lifetime fitness.

They decorated the gym just like a dance, complete with dance photos. 
We had dinner (Mac & Cheese for Halle, her favorite), then we danced and danced.  It was so fun to see Halle cut loose and just get to do whatever she wanted.  It was also fun to see all the other dads and kids doing the same. 

We headed out to the parking lot for a horse drawn carriage ride, when it started to rain.  We got pretty wet, but it was worth it. 
We came inside and visited the chocolate fountain with strawberrys, marshmellows, and rice krispie treats.  What an amazing evening with an amazing girl… nights like that remind you what it’s all about!

Forty Under 40

 

Rusty was named to the Forty Under Forty class of 2011 by the Boulder County Business Repot.  The press release stated “Members of the group are young emerging leaders under the age of 40 in the Boulder Valley.” 

We got to attend a fun networking event, and Rusty received a nifty plaque.  It was a fun, exciting night, and a great excuse for a mid-week date!   Way to go, Babe!This is a little clip that was printed in the BCRB with a pic, Rusty’s age, and a little bit about BlogFrog.  

Beaver Creek. Not exactly roughing it

  I don’t think Beaver Creek could have come up with a more perfect slogan.  Rusty and I had the opportunity to head up there for a few days of R&R.  Well, sorta.  Rusty got to present at the Venture Capital in the Rockies conference, while I got some R&R in the hotel room.

While he was at the conference, I spent the day reading, napping, and vegging out in front of the TV.  I did peel myself away from my bed and go watch Rusty give his presentation.  It was so fun to actually hear the “real live” version!  I have spent the last two years listening to him practice and perfect his presentation.  He did such a good job.  I was really proud!  One of his investors came up after and jokingly said, “You did such a great job it brought tears to my eyes!”  Then I got to meet many of the people I’ve been hearing about since the beginning of BlogFrog—investors, mentors and friends.  It is so nice to be able to have a face to put to all the names.  We got to attend a fabulous dinner at the Saddle Ridge Restaurant, compliments of HRO, and then take a dip in one of the 5 hot tubs at the Park Hyatt.

        (That tiny speck in the front of the room is Rusty.  Darn iphone camera!) 

The next day was spent skiing at Beaver Creek, which is one of the most beautiful resorts I have ever been to!  The runs were HUGE, and the scenery was breathtaking.  I thought I was a pretty good skier until I got on the slopes with Rusty—He DUSTED me every time.  I was exhausted by the end of the day! It was so fun to spend an entire day with each other, uninterrupted by the pitter patter of sweet tiny feet. 

A HUGE thanks to my amazing, wonderful, friend Jen who watched the kids for us.   

Cross Country Skiing

Rusty and I went cross country skiing with my siblings over Christmas Break.  It was the first time I’d ever gone, and let’s just say, I am not a natural.  How in the heck do you slow down on those things???

Christmas 2010

I am happy to report that we all waited until AFTER Christmas to get sick this year.  I am sad to report that we ALL got sick after Christmas.  I don’t know what it is about us, Utah, and Christmas, but it has got to end! We want a healthy Christmas vacation!!  Before the sick bug hit, we did manage to squeeze in some pretty fun stuff, starting with Christmas Eve.  We had a talent show at the Bank’s house (Halle and Josh sang Away in a Manger), followed by the nativity.  Sharon is always so creative and the kids had a blast putting together their stables, and then performing the nativity.

   

Then you should have seen the chaos of present time!  The kids all got pillow pets and zhu zhu pets, which were wrapped in GIANT bags, big enough to swallow Blake and Kali whole.

The same scene was repeated at the Cornell House later in the evening, but this time Halle got to be Mary.  I love the way she is looking at the Baby Jesus.  So precious. The evening concluded with the kiddos opening their new pajamas, and the annual sibling sleepover, where we had a rockin Wii bowling tournament.

Christmas morning is a blur, just like it always is.  Presents galore, and  wrapping paper everywhere.  The best part of the day went something like this: Josh runs in to see his present from Santa.  This is what it looked like. Notice it’s shape.

Well, as soon as he saw it, he plopped down on the floor with a very mad expression on his face.  I asked him what was wrong, and he said, “I asked Santa to bring me some cars for Christmas, but all I got was this big stick.  What good is a big stick?”  Of course, everyone is ROARING with laughter and I assured him it wasn’t a big stick.  He opened it to reveal a brand new car rug.  But look carefully at what was in the middle of the rolled up rug:

Yes, a really big stick.  (well, cardboard to be more accurate).  Darn that Santa!  Josh is a good kid—he deserves more than a big stick.  :)

Every years Santa always brings the kids a new ornament.  I’m sad I didn’t take pictures of them, but you can see Blake’s in the picture above.  The front said “Blake” with a picture of a little boy with an angel halo over his head.  The back said, “the destroyer.”  Santa knows that boy well!  Halle got a table and a tea set for her doll, and we have had many fun tea parties since.

Merry Christmas everyone!

The obligatory photos in Christmas clothes

I usually love taking pics of my kiddos near the Christmas tree.  I don’t know why, but this year it was quite the struggle to get it done.  I never did manage to catch Blake when he was clean and dressed……