Vote For Ricky!

So he is in the running on the contest!! Fun Huh??!!

Here is what I was sent:

Congratulations!
Thank you for entering the American Baby Cover contest! Your photo is currently in the running to become a weekly winner on Parents.com Photo Faves. The photo with the most votes in each category will take home the honors!

Get your friends and family to vote too! So, everyone vote for Ricky. Just click here and vote for Ricky.
http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/112340

Wish us luck!

Parents Magazine 2010 Cover Baby contest

Check out Pictures in the link below of Ricky that I submitted to the Parents Magazine 2010 Cover Baby contest. These things are total long shots but he is such a cutie, I figured it was worth it. ***My favorites of them all are just below the link. Fun Huh!

Here is Album 1 that I submitted: (Direct Link) http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/ab-cover-contest-2010/1579800023/?photoId=1577100074

Here is Album 2 that I submitted: (Direct Link) http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/ab-cover-contest-2010/1580200043/?photoId=1577200105

http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/ab-cover-contest-2010/ (Click on this link and go threw the main pages to see the competition. They are sure adoreable kids in this contest. You will see his in there as you shuffle the pages. There are tons of entries so they may be burried deep in the pages.)

Friends visit during the GREAT STORM OF 2010!

HELLO Klarman's!!!! So this was the second time that Doug and Laura have come to visit us since we moved from Utah almost 4 years ago. They came to see us about 2 years ago in Seattle and were welcomed in with about the worst storm in WA history! We had 1 & 1/2 ft of snow, freezing rain that turned to hail and even a sunny day in there, all within a 72 hour period. RANDOM right? Well, we thought so until they came to visit us again this weekend and again, the worst storm in PA history (says all of the residents). Thursday was fine and Friday about 1/2 day was nice until a storm hit with furry. By 6pm when Doug and Rick came back from the Hospital (Rick working and Doug doing a medical shadowing for a job) the roads were covered in about 8 inches of snow. We thought that was rough, but then when we woke up on Saturday we were shocked. We got an additional 12-14 inches!!! We were snowed in like I have never had before. Not such a big deal for those folks in super snowy areas my sister Amy (in Alaska) reminded me, but that much that fast was crazy here. Snow plows were in short supply, roads went untreated, drivers were wrecking all over town (if they could dig themselves out of the snow) and power lines were downed by trees all over the city. To add insult to injury, the power went out! About 150,000 went without power for a decent period of time between Friday and Sunday and there are still some without any power even today! Scary huh. We lost ours on Saturday morning at about 2pm. Yep, guests in town for like 48 hours, 2 kids, a city to see and we were snowed in and out of power! Well, there was nothing left to do but......go to Wal Mart! Unfortunately.....they were CLOSED!!! When has Wal Mart ever closed?? They were that night so we had to forage the fridge and cupboards to see what we had to feed 4 + 2 kids. Sandwiches, shrimp and Swiss chocolates got us through until the next morning when the power came back on (THANK GOODNESS!!). We were not without our traumas but we were lucky. 24 hours without electricity makes you talk, spend time and hang out. We were glad we got to do that with our friends the Klarman's. Next time we come to St. George (or you move here??). There may be a record breaking heat wave, but I am pretty sure we will not have any snow!

We are set for another snow storm starting this afternoon that will bring another 8-14 inches between now and Thursday. CRAZY! Guess I will get some books read and the house cleaned. I miss working out, taking Jake to the Children's Museum and pre-school! Cant wait for Spring!

Jakie at play in the back yard. This is all he wanted to do when it started snowing!

Doug and Laura on our way to the Airport Sunday after the storm hit.

Our view from our front door. That snow was over 2ft deep.

I love the way that trees look when they are frosted over and the tones of greys, whites and blacks come out. The snow was super heavy and took out quite a few trees.

Our front door bushes were covered!

View from the back door (hence the screen griding). There is a huge meadow where Jakie loves to play. It was about 2ft deep too.

SAME

Punksatawnee, PA

Happy Groundhog Day!!!....................... Happy Groundhog Day!!!.......................Happy Groundhog Day!!!.......................Happy Groundhog Day!!!.......................Happy Groundhog Day!!!.......................Happy Groundhog Day!!!.......................Happy Groundhog Day!!!.......................Happy Groundhog Day!!!.......................Happy Groundhog Day!!!.......................Happy Groundhog Day!!!

Well, we sure thought so!

One of the first things we wanted to do in PA was go to see Punksatawnee Phil with Jakie. We definitely thought it was much different than it actually was. We just could not make it work last year, but this year was a go. Rick took Tuesday off and we made the 2 hour drive up to Punksatawnee on Monday night after Rick finished work. We stayed in a hotel and got up early and headed out to Gobblers Knob by 6am. Unfortunately, we missed the last shuttle up the hill and were stranded down in the town below. We were ready to make the walk 1.5 miles up a frozen hill, but were advised against it as the ceremony was about to start and the roads did not have side lanes for safe walking. We were thoroughly bummed until inspiration struck! We headed over to a bar that was open (yes, at 7am) and watched the whole ceremony on a large screen TV. I could not help but think...."Oh great, we just drove 2 hours, stayed the night and now were watching it on TV!" The thing is that as we watched we heard about how everyone is up from 3am drinking and partying on the frozen hill waiting for Phil (the groundhog) to make his appearance and prediction. Then we found out that as soon as people hear what the prediction is they start streaming down the hill to exactly where we were for a street festival and further drinking. So, seeing as how the temperature was about 10 degrees, we had kids and local law enforcement said it was a drunken festival up there w/ 15,000 people ..... I was grateful that we did not trek up the mountain the hour before only to come back down a few minutes later frozen with ticked kids. So, rather than try to get up there, we enjoyed the event from the front row at the bar that morning, tried to cheer Jake up after the 6 more weeks of winter prediction (he was really bummed), and headed out to find a decent breakfast and hot chocolate. Lilly's (a local diner) was what we found and we were able to warm up and check out what was offered in town. We wandered around town looking at local crafts, funny gag stuff they offer for the festival and played a game or two. We even got to meet one of the masters of ceremony that held Phil during the prediction. It was a cheesy thing to do, but we were together, it was fun and (above all else) Jake loved it. I am realizing that often, that is why we do things. Can't wait to do camping, and see the sites out East this summer!

Well, it was a good time had by all. I loved the kids sleeping as Rick and I drove to and from our destination as it is often a favorite time to talk, laugh and just enjoy each other. I think the road trips are my favorites and we will have to do more of them.

So, now I think I believe Phil (the ground hog), because we have had major weather since!!! Anyway, we posted pics below of our fun time. Enjoy!

Just outside of the sports bar that let us come in at 7:20am to watch it on the TV when we missed the last shuttle bus up.

Gobbler's Knob. This is where the action is. We missed it, but we wanted to fake the memory!


The whole city is filled with "Phil" statues, trinkets, posters, sculptures, etc. We could not pass up a pic with one..or two...or three.

Jakie with "ice sculpture Phil". Isn't he COOL! J/K!

This is one of the famous chain saw carved "Phil" replicas. I'm "5 11" so I am guessing he was 6.5 ft tall.
Jakie and "formal Phil". We could not get enough!

Well, here he is!! Phil (both of them) is kept in a terrarium in the library window downtown in the main square. We caught him after his debut and got this beauty shot for memories.

Jakie with the master of ceremonies for the festival. He was the one that held Phil after the reading of Phil's prediction. He was nice and let us take a shot with Jakie.

This was by far Rick's favorite thing at the festival. This scruffy dude had a huge St. Bernard named "BEYONCE" wearing a Stealer's cheerleading outfit. He let everyone take pics with her and even had a news letter about her. Random! Of course Rick wanted a picture. Gas $50.00, hotel room $79.99, snacks $35.00.....St. Bernard dressed as a cheerleader...PRICELESS!

It was all random, but it was fun. We will find something else that is kitchy to do next year!

He's Mobile Folks! Scarry!!!!

So Ricky is no longer just a little chunk. He is a mobile little chunk! I cant believe that he is such a big boy! He just turned 8 months yesterday but he has been sitting up (unassisted) for about a month and he has had his first teeth (bottom front 2) since December. His two top teeth (2) just cut through about a week or two ago and we just saw another one coming in on his bottom row. He is a drooling maniac and gums everything! It was about 2 weeks ago that we noticed him balancing on his hands with his body in a push up position and then one day he just did it. He pulled his legs in under him landing on his knees and pulled forward. A few days later, he coordinated the action and that was it: He was crawling! He is still a bit slow with it but the safety measures are in full force since he is quick and will be full on crawling within the week...I am sure! I put in a few pics of the teeth, him just being cute and of course, video of his first attempts at crawling. He is much better now, but I love the first signs of movement from my kids. It is still so innocent and baby like. Enjoy!

Sitting up with the help of the boppy. Dec 24th, 2009

Sitting up all on my own! January 10, 2010.

Check out those teeth! The bottom two finally made it through in Early December. He now has his top two that popped through in Mid January. He has a third on the bottom right that is on it's way up.

*****SORRY, THE VIDEO OF THE CRAWLING WOULD NOT UPLOAD! I WILL KEEP WORKING ON THAT ONE*****

Look at that naughty smile!! Now that I am mobile, I like to torture my mom by pulling out all of the DVD's and scattering them everywhere.

Mommy caged me up in a laundry basket while she did laundry. Dont worry, I had fun with the curtains anyway!

My eyes are so big and blue!! My cheekies are just adoreable!

This is just how I look when I wake up in the morning. Semi- Snaked, and smiley. That is how it should be! (Incase you are wondering: Mom gets my pics early in the morning after my first diaper change (my best time)..that is why clothes are not always on me!)

Here I am in my ususal jovial mood. I love to laugh, play, investigate, squeel and love momma and Jakie all day long. I guess there is a whine and cry in there somewhere but only when I am starving or tired!

This one is here just because he is super cutie pie too! I cant belive how much he has grown.

***********Check out the pics below of Ricky, Jakie and Me (wish I had one of Rick) all at about the same age. They both look like eachother and Ricky looks like me. Fun huh!

Childrens Museum!

Thanks Grandma Hutchins! We love the Children's Museum you got us a membership to so much. It has become our new favorite hang out for Ricky and Jacob. Well, mostly Jacob, but Ricky will be getting into it as he grows. There are so many interesting, hands on exhibits and Jacob wants to do them all! Pittsburgh has so many family things that are pretty reasonable, so we try to get out a bit more. I think that this summer we will try a pass to the Zoo, Sandcastle water park too. I figure that we can rotate between them and the museum each week. Here are a few pics of Jakie that I got on our last visit. I just love when my kids find something they enjoy and play for hours on end.

New Years Resolution...Progress

So, by now I think it is safe to say that any New Years Resolutions made are either kept or forgotten. I am so happy to say that mine (and even Ricks) have been kept! YAY! Both of us had fitness goals in mind and I have to say that I am proud of our progress. This was the first year (of about 10) that I have made faintness goals and actually kept them. Rick and I have thus been to work out each week faithfully. Rick is doing a super tough work out MWF and I am doing my swim routines (1 mile in the pool =64 laps in a 25m pool) on MWF and Sat. I really love it! Nothing feels so good as to get in, work hard (intervals kill!), and then start your day. I don't know what has taken me so long. I was miserable for a bit there but now I feel great. I think it is just knowing that I am doing something about it. Well, so far I am consistent and even try slopping in Plaits or swim aerobics where I can. So far I am -15 for weight loss and Rick is somewhere in the 6-8 range. Not bad right? . We don't have tons to loose, we just want to get super healthy and see how we feel as we go. I will post pics when we get to a point that pics reflect the loss. Wish us luck!