For Christmas, we get...

Plumbing!!  Yes, you've read this correctly.  We had more 1950's clay pipes that needed to be replaced.  For almost a month now we haven't been able to do laundry, wash dishes or cook really at our house.  Talk about a major inconvenience.  But, with Ryan in school and finishing up the semester we didn't have time until now to trench out the yard and repair the 'ole plumbing. 

This is what was clogging up our piping... I know it looks like... well disgusting.  However, its just mostly tree and plant roots.  

What all the pipes looked like upon removal...

What all the pipes are suppose to look like.  Hence our problem. 

Ryan, Joe and myself spent the entire day digging ditches (maybe the boys did a little more digging than me.. but I still helped!!) around the house in preparation for laying the new PVC piping.

And of course Jona was out supervising!

I'm really happy my mom was in town to hang with Jona during the day and think my dad picked a good weekend not to come into town and visit..hehe.  Fingers crossed that we can fire up the washer tonight and getting started on the heaping mound of clothes. 

Now that we've replaced all the outdoor plumbing and since the indoor plumbing was replaced a few years before we bought the house we are all set with plumbing for now.  And although we think our plumber Norm is a great guy I think we can all agree that we don't need to see him for a while.  Now, onto our next home project.. killing our sand-spur infested front yard and getting started on our horse-shoe drive way!  Yay for more parking space!

Holiday Snapshots

Here are a few of my favorite shots from Thanksgiving.  Last year, we had a photo of Ryan and I taken when I was pregnant with Jona of us standing in the exact same spot.  I think this might have to be a family tradition for us. 

Yes, all five of us adults are attempting to get the kids to look towards the camera.  But.. I'm not sure where the camera is..

Missing someone here...

I just think Jona looks so pretty in these pictures with her daddy.. Oh my, I love her!

           
                                                Group photo!

5 Month Olds are FUN.

So the little peanut has gone through a developmental proliferation of some sort. It is amazing what she can do now that she was not doing two weeks ago.    Of all my favorites though, this little activity is currently my favorite. 

First of all, Jona loves to be on the floor and on her tummy now!  Not sure why but she does and yesterday she scooted backwards while on the floor.  I thought it might have just been an accident but this morning she did it again.  So, she's scooting backwards... I mean, obviously I'm her mom because who else would be so incredibly geeked out over this?  Oh of course, just me.   Ha.  Well, I took a few photos of her cuteness this morning to share with you all... check it out!!

Here's the move in action.  Jona's downward dog and the the slide...

... and voila!  The baby has scooted backwards, by a whole two inches... I'm so proud!!!  Haha.. have a good one family and friends :)

Half Marathon Training Plan

Hey ladies out there who are participating in the Disney's Princess half marathon.  Megan sent this link to me today and I want to share this with you all because the training plan is designed for those who have a little less time to run everyday.  It's a three-day-a-week plan.  Hope it helps!

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--9369-F,00.html

Fire Station!

Finally got Jona up to the station again today!  

Birthday Stuff

Turning 29 has been a little scary for me and although my actually my birthday isn't actually until Tuesday our little shin-dig Saturday is helping the mile-stone slide past me a smidge easier.  We spent the evening munching on my favorite Indian food, sippin' on some of our favorite beers and hanging out with some of our favorite people. It seems like the older I get, the more I miss our family and friends who are far away!  Saturday made me realize that I feel this way and honestly, I just can't wait to see our family from the northern Tundra and my parents!!  

  

My favorite Missy-Ryan photo from the evening. 

This is a pic of Carolina, me, my friend Allison who seriously looks like Jenn Anniston's twin and preggo Meggie!  Oh and that's Stano's head there... I was really glad we got to spend a little time with Ryan's little cousin. 

Hahaaa..

Jamie kickin' the boys' butts!  You're a bad ass!

Cigar City... just such a cool little spot.  Reminds me of the little brewery outside of Alta, Wyoming... I hope I'll be there again next ski season!

Carolina!!

This week I do not have to report to work and aside from getting caught up with, well, everything  I also can't wait for D- n-D to get to town so the cousins can get together and play.  Lucky little girls!

Happiness comes in baskets...

Hello Family and Friends!  The Holidays are upon us faster than we expected and here are a few moments we have captured over the past few weekends.  The more time we spend as a family, the more our hearts are filled with love and happiness and it is quite amazing how much happiness fills our days.  Hope all of you are doing well and enjoying yourselves.. enjoy the pictures!