Nicholas skiing

Isaac skiing

Keeping kids informed

Yesterday Nicholas came running down the stairs in a panic. He kept saying "mom, mom", over and over. I thought maybe his fish was dead this time. Ok not really but i knew there was something important he needed to tell me. He told me he needed me upstairs right that second. He proceeded to tell me there was an earthquake in Haiti and they need our help/money. I have never seen such a concerned 5 year old. Just two days prior Bob and i had been wondering what we could do to help a bit. Of course nothing more was said or done (i know sad huh?) BUT thanks to Nicholas not dropping it we sent some money and a & copy of Isaac's hand print that he insisted they needed. It made me realize i need to keep my kids up on current events, they are a lot more interested than i realized. Kids come to earth more aware and smarter now days i swear it. Hopefully next time i will be the one to inform them of such disasters not the darn tv.

Drama at the Potter house

On Saturday Bob & I were on a date when we got a call from the babysitter. He said Nicholas needed to talk to us. Nicholas burst into tears and told us the devastating news, Rhino his best friend (gerbil) had died. We were just finishing dinner and told him we were on our way. When we got home Bob took Rhino from Nicholas and was going to put him in a box until we could burry him the next morning. All of the sudden Bob was still, look, look! he is breathing. Nicholas started screaming, he was beyond excited. Although he was taking shallow infrequent breaths he looked like he was on his way out. Bob was not going to let the little guy die without a fight. He told me to call the vet and hand him the phone. (At this point i was bursting into laughter, really Bob, you are serious? oh and he was.) The vet told him to come in and it would be an $80 charge. Ok, the gerbil was $10 like i was going to pay $80 just for the vet to tell us he had a possible few days to live. Bob was really going to do it but asked the vet if there were some home remodies we could try. He told us to mix orange juice with his water for vitamin c, wrap him up and put him under a light so he would be warm. I have never seen such a thing, Bob nursed him back to life. He started breathing normal, walking and drinking but was still in bad shape. The boys stayed up until 11 when i forced them to bed and Bob came in to bed at 3 and told me the news.......Rhino didn't make it. Nicholas woke up earlier than normal, darted into the kitchen where we had left Rhino, noticed he was gone, came into our room when Bob broke the news. He was one upset little boy. He went in the other room and wrote Rhino a letter and told us to come to his funeral, it would be held later that night. These were his final words:

Dear Rhino,
We miss you. You were the best pet. We tried to keep you alive, but didn't. Sorry. Now we only have a fish. I want you to be safe in heaven.

Love, Nicholas

I would look on my camera to find a bunch of random pictures of Rhino. Obviously taken by Nicholas.



If you look in Nicholas' hand you will see he is holding his little buddy. Anyone who came over met this guy (sorry about that people) & when friends were over he was right there with him. So funny to me!


What i learned from all of this:

1. Bob would do anything for his kids even if it means an $80 visit to the vet.
2. I must be the devil because i was cracking up at the whole situation, i never have and i guess still don't like little critters as pets.
3. Nicholas is the sweetest little boy in the world. I love this child, he is so sensitive and loving.
4. We may be in the market sooner than later for a dog, i have a husband who said that is a crucial part of a boys childhood.
5. I have said it before, Nicholas is my animal LOVER & i realized that more then ever this night.
6. Gerbils are dang fast and hard to catch, Rhino gave me some gray hairs. From escaping out of his cage and crawling all over our guests durning the night to rescuing him in our vent system & many more stories in between.

All about Sydney!

My baby girl will be 3 months on the 14th of this month. She gets cuter by the day! If Sydney even acts like she is about to cry everone runs. It is hilarious.



(Sydney & Hazel)
She smiles & talks often. If only i could freeze time!

Sydney's blessing that Bob gave her really was one of the best i have ever heard. We love every single movement from this girl. Right after he handed her to me she threw up EVERYWHERE. That being the case i only got one picture that really does not do this baby justice on her big day. I am going to have to do a re do here soon.




Bob & I had 30-40 people over afterward for lunch, thanks to all the family and friends that joined us!(especailly the travelers)

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

The Christmas Eve party!



Sydney all dressed up for the party & baby cousin Russell


The boys reciting their poem at the Christmas program


This is my favorite picture from Christmas morning, i looked over to find Sydney covered in her new little dolls. The boys kept laughing telling her she looked like ET. (for you ET watchers you know what part they are refering to)
We got the boys a WII, it has already gotten a lot of use. We also got each of them a transformer & a leapster which i would reccommend to any parent for their child. It keeps them entertained for quite a while.

No wonder my moms hands were tired, she had SO many gifts to wrap, this was not even a third of them.




A week at the ZERMATT RESORT

The 6 of us sisters were treated to a wonderful morning at the spa.

My dad treated the guys to a biatholon competition, it consisted of cross country skiing & shooting. A competion of any kind with this group of guys is a sure success.

Snorkling/Scubadiving through a cave. I was shocked at how well the boys did, i guess when you take them this young they have no fear.




While the girls pulled late nighters talking and laughing the boys headed to their nightly meeting spot for an intense hearts tournament. If any of you know my husband at all, he LOVES this game and takes it very serious, also Chris we love your good luck glass you carried faithfully with you each night!


Michele cracking us up, i don't think she knows i snapped this picture.

(i am sad we are missing Todd, Strebel & dad in this picture)

Sledding

Nicholas is my animal lover, althought he enjoyed sledding i think the highlight for him that afternoon was finding his new best freind chocolate chip. A MOUSE, yuck but he was certain that his new found friend would now be a part of our family. Sorry buddy a gerbil is enough for me!

We went swimming in the indoor/outdoor pool with waterfall hot tubs that were my personal favorite!


The picture of Isaac jumping in the pool was a big moment. He leared to swim in the deepend without floaties. (I am hoping now he can teach me!!ha)

Just about everyone except families with babies (myself & Barbs) hit the slopes

The kids stayed entertained with the game & movie room down the hall. They had x-box along with others and a lot of kid friendly movies playing on the big screen. We celebrated 4 birthdays, ate at some great restraunts, and ofcourse hit the Park city outlets on the way home! With 14 adults and 17 kids all under age 11 we had an amazing vacation. Thanks mom and dad for the perfect & most memorable Chirismas gift ever.

This pretty much sums up family pictures for us this year!

Oh Isaac, he is quite the character. This boy is full of personality, making all of us laugh constantly. He soaks up and retains information like nothing i have ever seen. Not much bothers this kid and he has such a care-free spirit about him. Anyway, i thought this picture was so cute!