St. George 1 of 4

This past weekend was the kickoff to an every other weekend trip to St. George for the next two months. What? Yep that means that race season is starting. The first race is in two weeks and of course the boys had to get base miles and make sure the new bikes are running right. By base miles I'm talking at least 14 hours on the bike in three days, and over 100 miles. I don't know how they do it or how they find it fun but they are both good at it! While Brian and his brother Hunter were off riding the girls and I hung out at grandma's, went shopping, went to the Dinosaur Museum, played outside some more and Sunday we spent the day hiking and looking at petroglyphs. My favorite part of traveling and being pregnant is packing what fits and two days into the trip nothing in the bag fits. Seriously? Part of the many joys of pregnancy right?

We left Thursday after work and with Hunter hanging out in the back (sleeping most of the way) the girls were in the zone with movies and snacks.

The attire in the photo's says much about how we were dressed all weekend. Sunglasses, down coats and sandals. We were hoping for a bit warmer weather but we won't complain, it was a fun weekend.

The girls were SO excited to play outside and ride their bikes. We finally got Eliza on the Strider and she and Fin rode circles around each other. And what little kid doesn't want their bike to look like their dads?

Saturday we went to the Dinosaur Museum. First of all I don't know that it should really be called that. The girls were looking forward to seeing dinosaur bones and pictures and all that cool stuff but it turned out to just be a 5 min walk looking at dinosaur tracks and dried river beds. Non the less they thought it was cool to see the tracks and of course get a little souvenir on the way out.

Sunday we were all ready to have dad around for the whole day! After a yummy breakfast we drove around and tried to find a cool little hike for the girls. It had rained really hard that night so we weren't sure if we'd find one. Luckily we found this little hike in Ivins and we found 'pictures' out in the desert. It was cold and windy but the girls were troupers and walked most of the way.

Remember how I said most of the way? Good thing we had two strong boys with us.

Oh yep, back to running.

Finley was super excited to see the petroglyphs. She had remembered that we found some in Moab and was on the prowl to find as many as she could. I'm pretty sure Eliza looked at them thinking, 'So what? These look like my drawings.' We came to the conclusion there must have been a lot of snakes because every rock had a drawing of them. Gross! We'd never seen so many and it was cool that they weren't behind fences and hard to see.

Don't worry, she's not really touching the rock. Her hand is hovering over so she could compare the size of her hand.

The end of the trip seemed to come fast but with knowing we'll be down again soon we weren't too sad. We loaded up the car and joined the million others heading back north.

Until two weeks... we will go to work, school, ski school, deal with the cold and prepare for another warm weekend!

Liza Lou you're 2!

My little Eliza Ann, you are two and oh how the time has gone. You are walking, talking, dancing, climbing, and loving life. Pretty soon you will not be my little baby and yet become a big sister. Your big blue eyes make my heart melt every time I look at them, and your outgoing personality is hilarious. You are always on the go and getting into things constantly. This is something I never went through with your sister. My favorite is in the mornings when you and Finley wander up the stairs together chatting and saying 'I love you'. Watching the two of you become closer and play together is something that I will always cherish. No, not every moment is perfect between you two, but I hope that you learn to have that sisterly bond that I never had. Right now you love babies and I'm wondering if it will continue when we have one in the house 24/7. You've discovered how much you love music and like to inform us when a song comes on if you like it or not. One of the first was 'Paradise' by Coldplay and so I found it most appropriate to play on your video. Your dad and I love you very much and are so grateful you are in our lives.

Outnumbered

(if you can't tell, her head is on the left, with her torso to the right and legs going up over her head)

Bring on the Pink! On Monday we found out that we will be having another girl. My oh my is my sweet Bri outnumbered. All along Finley and Eliza have said they were having a sister, I guess they knew something I didn't. But pink and girly is something I'm used to, I can do another girl. She was not shy about showing that she was without a doubt a girl. However, whenever we tried to look at her face she was hiding behind her hands and arms. She's a mover that's for sure. Oh how I love being able to say 'her' instead of 'the baby'! Finley and Eliza love to rub my belly and talk to their sister, and can't wait to be able to feel her move. I think I'm a little nervous that Eliza will just want to love this one to death and treat her like one of her dolls, and Fin will continue to be a great help and sweet big sister.

I know it surprises you that I like to plan and prepare. But no the nursery isn't set up yet, that I can give a couple more months. I may have stopped by H&M on the way home and bought her a few new things, hit 'buy' on a website I've had up for a week for new blankets, and started trying to figure out the first round of hand me downs from the older sisters. We do have lots of clothes and toys that will be used greatly, but having a summer baby instead of another winter one kind of throws a kink in hand me downs clothes. Darn, I may have to buy a few new things. With this in mind, I do have to share one of Brian's first comments when we found out it was a girl. 'I've got to start making more money. I have three weddings I'm going to have to pay for.' Oh I love ya honey! And who doesn't love the daddy / daughter relationship?

Having another girl does make it a bit more convenient to just buy 3 of everything and not think about having to get something different. Despite the fact that we have a lot of pink, dolls, dance parties, dresses, and 'pretty things', the girls love to ride their bikes, jump on the tramp, play outside and ski. We are excited and grateful she is healthy and everything looks on track. It will be fun to see what this little one will look like and what type of personality she will have.

Four Room Switch

Last Saturday I snagged Brian for some around the house help. Since the skiing isn't good, we didn't have a race and he was here I figured I should take advantage of it. With baby #3 arriving in five months there are a few changes that need to happen. So I started with one that is easier to do without a big belly. Our four room switch. After this project I was reminded that I don't really want to have to move for a long time. We rotated Finley and Eliza's room into one of the larger rooms in the basement, the guest room moved to my office, Finley's old room has become my office, and for the time being Eliza's old room has become the play room. With Brian and I working from home and having two very busy kids we can't have our offices on the same floor. Considering that the sharing of a room, and being in the basement is a big enough change for the girl's I wanted them to adjust and feel settled before 1) the potty training begins for Eliza and 2) the baby comes. Knock on wood this first week has gone pretty well. If Eliza is sad at night Finley has been singing her songs and in the mornings they both wander up the stairs together. With a few tweaks left to do in their room it has turned out cute. It is amazing how much de-junking you can do by moving rooms around. Part of the spring cleaning checked off. Next on the list, potty training. Well that is when I decide we want to tackle it. I guess considering she tells me when she has a dirty diaper and wants to go on the toilet like Fin I guess its a few signs to begin. Wish us luck!

Friday Nights

I think Brian now officially is involved with every type of cycling there is. The latest venture has been BMX racing on Friday nights. It is so completely different from the long endurance races he does. There's only one lap per heat and its an all out sprint. Last week their little crew had enough to make up their own class. It was very amusing! I have to snicker a little because as all 6 of them walked by a group of 10-12 year olds sitting on the bleachers the kids said, "Hey look, there goes the old man class." Haha. There are actually groups older then them but it was kind of funny. Who would have thought 25-31 was 'old?'

This is the series they've been doing, Rad Canyon BMX. It's usually out in South Jordan inside a horse arena.

And there they are ready to go. Brian, K-day, Blaney, Spencer and a few other friends.

Little miss Liza was so mad that she couldn't go ride the bikes. There are classes that I swear the kids can't be more then 3 or 4 years old. Watching them try to go up and over jumps four times there size on those little bikes is so cute.

Finley and her buddies watching intently.

Brian has been wanting to win one of those really cool four foot tall trophies from one of these races but I guess this will have to do for now. The girls think its pretty dang cool.

New Year's

Over New Year's weekend we ventured up to Bondurant where there is actually snow and it looks like winter. It was a nice weekend of just hanging out in the barn, eating food, letting the kids play outside, the big kids went skiing, and stomping the driveway with snowshoes so that we could get out. Yes you read that last part right, between the howling winds, snow and no plow we did it the old fashion way - snowshoes and shovels. I wish I had gotten pictures, it was quite a sight plus you have to understand that it is not just a 20 foot long drive way.

Brian went skiing at Teton Village Resort for the first time ever. Despite the chilling winds and delayed opening of lifts he loved it! Its amazing that they got a foot of snow while we were there and Utah hasn't gotten anything. They even saw a legendary skier in the tram line, if you ever seen the documentary of Swift Silent and Deep you'd understand. What's better after a long day of skiing then curling up next to a fire?

This is what it looked like most of the time there. I love having a roaring fire and just enjoying being with family.

I didn't get many pictures but this is how the girls spent half their time. Bundled up and walking through the snow.

I'm pretty sure that Finley would have played outside all day everyday if I would have let her.

This was a first, they slept in the same bed in their own room. The first and last night's were a little rough but I think it prepared them for the next phase around our house, sharing a room. That post to come later.

Over all it was a great weekend and as always one of our favorite places to go!

Ski Days

Oh man am I behind on blogging. Between holidays, and work it's been a busy few weeks. Finley has started official ski lessons this year and loves it! Honestly its not fair that she skis, has snacks, skis, has lunch, skis some more and then has ice cream at the end of the day while all the while I'm working. It's actually quite convenient that she has lessons at my work. The week before Christmas she and Brian had a daddy daughter ski day. After a few laps on Chickadee she was ready for a run down Chips and Who Dunnit. Despite the rain at the top of the run she was a tough cookie and made it all the way down with another run on Chickadee before they came and picked me up from work.

Yes, she had a personalized day pass. That's how we roll.

Geared up and ready to go.

We had some lunch before they hit the slopes.

Love the grins.

At the end of the day standing in front of the mountain she skied.

First day of actual lessons. Yes, we get their skis and take them to the drop off zone of Mountain Ski School. I go to a counter where they have a million of these signs hanging, sign a sheet and give her a kiss and off she goes. Learning independence!

I was able to catch a few pic's of her when I came to pick her up. They each have their own cubbies. I love watching the bobble heads walking around in their gear. She was tough and carried her own skis, backpack, helmet and walked in ski boots.

I wish I got to end my days eating ice cream.

I'm so proud of her and want her to love skiing and being outside. I can't believe how big she is getting. Time has gone so fast and to think she is almost 5 is crazy!