Fun in Phoenix

Dax and I headed south to Arizona to spend some time with the LaDuke family in the desert over President's Day weekend.  We celebrated Avery's 5th birthday, visited the Phoenix Zoo with Liam, and fed the ducks at the neighboring reserve with all the kids.  It was great to visit the LaDuke's beautiful new home, and Dax had NO problem helping break in the bouncy house.

Avery is 5! And she will tell you on her new microphone.

Dax and Liam at the zoo.

Dax always has time to drive a tractor.

Some Phoenix Zoo Wildlife

Yee-haw cousins

I will destroy you cupcake.

Cousins at the park.

Quick trip to the store.

Liam ponders his next approach to the bouncy house.

Feeding the Koi fish.

Thanks LaDukes!  We love you and it was so great to spend some time with you.

Rubber Lips Skis

Like father, like son...Dax has really been enjoying his time on skis lately.  He now points to the mountain when he see's it and says "Dollar!"  He also announces "Dax ski on mountain" whenever he get's the chance.

And of course the hot coco breaks!  He loved hanging out with his buddy Thijs in the lodge.



Thijs and Dax fooling around in the lodge

And yesterday was Papa Nick's 63rd birthday!  Happy Birthday!

Nick, Dax, and Zach at the birthday party

Thank Goodness for Family

I have to give my husband a lot of credit for his help lately.  Being sick all weekend I turned into a lump of coal when it came to helping with Dax.  Zach stepped up to the plate and took over "mommy duties" by entertaining the little man, keeping him fed, and happy.

Dax driving the snow plow.

Zach entertained Dax for a full day with boy stuff to give me a chance to rest up.  

Trucks = Happy Boys

Roundhouse lunch to celebrate Bryan's new job

Jean arranged to get everyone together at the Roundhouse Restaurant for lunch.  Half-way up Bald Mountain we celebrated Bryan's new nursing job.  After completing his nursing exams Bryan landed himself a new position within 24hours.  Not bad!  

Dax loved the gondola ride and now calls it "go-go-la".

Good times with daddy :)

Nick and Jean were kind enough to take on Dax duties tonight.  

It's so tremendously wonderful to have their help when we aren't 100%.  

Love all my family and working on getting better so I can get back in the game :)

Reno Visitors

Gigi, Erin, Nik and McKinley made the long drive up from Reno to visit with us over the weekend.  Yay!  We were so excited to see them and sad our time together has already blown bye.  

Nick and Jean were so kind to let the Kosach's stay with them over the long weekend.

Of course lot's of activities.

The boys spent most of their time skiing in the backcountry.  

Gigi was an excellent baby sitter allowing Erin and I to get a little skate ski in while she watched the kiddos at my favorite spot Galena.  

Lunch crew gathered on Galena deck.

Erin gettin her groove on.

Baby McKinley get's a bath.

Dax and Sarah head out for a little ski.

Dax and Juliette try to sled down on their bums.

Gigi watches the kids at Galena Lodge.

Cutie McKinley takes a break.

Nik & Zach skiing in the backcountry.

Gigi reads goodnight stories to Dax.

Ladies out for a walk.

So glad you came and PLEASE come again!  We miss you already!  

Next time maybe you can stay longer.

...Oh and go niners in the Super Bowl :)

Cold Weekend

Brrrrrrr...it has been cold around here lately!  But luckily we have had some good snow storms to make the cold seem a little more fun.  

Temperature outside when I woke up this morning.  Yes, that's a -8.

 Despite the COLD temperatures we've found ways to stay busy outside.

Thank goodness for a local indoor pool!

Zach and Dax make sure to clear the new snow as it comes each day.

As Zach said to me it wouldn't be winter unless it's cold.  

He has a point.  I was just hoping for a little less cold.  

New

Lot's of New for this coming year.  

New Year

New Adventures

New Baby

That's right, this May our family is excited to welcome a new baby!  

Dax is going to be a big brother.

We are thrilled and looking forward to meeting the little new-bie.

Happy 2013 to everyone!  

May it bring you health, love, and happiness :)

Merry Merry to All!

Ski Bunny

Admittedly, Dax was NOT interested in putting on his ski boots when we first introduced them.  Who could blame him?  They aren't the most comfortable things made for feet.  Besides, he just learned how to walk less then a year ago.  But in this valley when your walking you are ready to ski!

I brought Dax up to Dollar (the children's ski mountain) in Sun Valley on Saturday and he was still reluctant to try.   After some hot chocolate and observation of other kids tromping around in their ski boots we managed up the magic carpet lift to the top of a little bunny run. 

Riding up the magic carpet with mom.

 

Excited to ski down for the first time.

 I huddled down over him like a mother hen and off he went laughing and squealing the whole way down.  He wanted more!  Papa Nick and Yaya showed up and were a big help.

Papa Nick helped bring Dax down a few runs.

Big day and all were exhausted! 

One tuckered ski bunny

 After  Dax's first day of skiing I have a new found respect for my parents and Zach's for managing to teach their children how to ski at such a young age.  I kept visualizing my dad skiing backwards, video taping us, while towing us down Mt. Rose by a water ski rope.  Wow!  The things parents do to share their love of a sport.  Thanks parents!  We are working on passing the love on.

Winter Farming

A few photos of Zach and his friends last weekend having fun in the Idaho backcountry.

Photos by Matt Walker.

Christmas Tree Hunt 2012

It was a soggy Christmas tree hunt this year but a successful one none-the-less.  

Thanks to help from Auntie Kat, Papa Nick and Yaya.

Kat, Sarah, & Dax

Excited to find our tree!

We know who's in charge here.

Zach, Nick, Dax, Jean & Sarah

Yup- Looks like she fits.

Success!