Sunday, March 14, 2010

First Trip to the Snow!!

This past weekend, we took the girls to the snow for the first time! I can't believe it has taken this long! Part of the hang up was that Steve and I disagreed (respectfully, of course) on our accommodations!
I wanted to stay here.
This is our family cabin. I wanted the girls to have the same traditions as I did growing up staying here. Steve said that it would be too covered in snow and too difficult to stay there.

I don't say this often so read this carefully...
HE WAS RIGHT!!!
He was right, he was right, he was right!
(I'm sure he's getting a kick out of reading this right now!)
So instead... we stayed here!
Biggest darn hotel suite I have ever seen! This is what you call compromise!
I got my weekend in the snow. He got a bellman and room service!

Our first excursion... sledding!!!
The girls are not old enough to ride alone so each one had to ride with us. We all loved it. The girls got so daring on the back of these innertubes. We went both days to the same snow play area.

Mommy and Charlie on one of our first runs!



Charlie getting very adventurous!!!
Can you believe she rode down on Steve's back? Ryan did this several times before Charlie got the nerve! So proud of my brave girlies.


Snow bunnies!




Family shot!
We ran into a dad that is from Ryan's softball team. I guess we weren't the only ones playing hookie!

Mommy and Ryan ready to sit the slopes!


Not a bad way to travel up hill with 2 kids and 2 innertubes!
Worth every penny!



Later...
We drove back over to the Kudron Cabin to enjoy a little fun in the snow.



We posed by the "Kudron's on the Rocks" sign! Look, the snow is almost to the roof!

#1 on the girls' list of things to do in the snow:
The much anticipated. Much talked about. Much enjoyed... Snow Angels!!


The #2 on the list of things to do in the snow:
Make a snowman!

(For the record, 6 & 4 years olds are not much help in making snowmen until they get to put the face on! Mommy and Daddy had to do all the hard labor! Thank goodness for that handy shovel my husband "happens" to keep in the car!)



Ryan remembers the cabin from the summer... she was so excited to be back!

That's my Mountain Man! Uh huh, ya... those are Sorels he's wearing! Uh huh, ya... that's my hunky, shovels in the snow, wearing snow boots kinda man!

A weekend of Firsts: First time bowling!
Rock and Roll Style!


Daddy is feelin' just a little bit threatened by his competion!

No, Charlie is not his competion, silly!
Ya, uh huh... that one unit bowling class at SDSU really paid off!

Ryan loved it!

Charlie got bored!
(But easily found her groove dancing to the music!)


Dinner at Nottingham's. A restaurant we have never tried before!


Note to parents: Never leave home without your handy-dandy Leapster games!


A very happy family trip!

Anyone want to join us for a trip next winter?

Friday, March 12, 2010

Birthday Party #2

The day after our family party, Ryan and Kendall had a joint "My Littlest Pet Shop" party at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Ryan's birthday is March 6th and Kendall's birthday is March 8th so we had the party on March 7th! Since the girls are in the same kinder class and Daisy troop, it made our guest list a breeze!

While we waited for Daddy to park the car, Ryan showed off her 6 year old style! New shorts from Marzie and a new purse from Nonna and Grandpa!
She totally looks six!

Happiest girl on Earth!



We waited outside of the Aquarium for all the girls to show up. There were 21 at the party!
To pass the time, Ryan passed around all the "business cards" that Nonna had made her for her new wallet!



Buddy up!
We walked through the Aquarium to get to our classroom!




The classroom was decorated just for Ryan and Kendall!





Our Littlest Pet Shop cupcakes!






The gift bags!

They played games with the teacher leader!








The did crafts!


They met some Aquarium friends!



They learned about the classroom tide pools!


Sharky visited the girls!



Finally, we took the girls around the Aquarium to show them the sights!
Teacher skills really came into play to keep 21 girls together!
We fed the Lorikeets! (My favorite bird... go figure!)


Daddy was in charge of the 2 little ones for the Aquarium walk. They kept his hands full.


The party is over now! The girls played around outside until all their friends were picked up!

Happy Birthday Ry-Ry!!!

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Otanjyoubi Omedetou Ryanchun!

Ryan had her surprise birthday celebr-"asian" yesterday! It was a huge success! Thank you to everyone for coming! A day to remember for sure... unless, of course, the sake got in the way of your memory! LOL!

All of the guests waited quietly in the wings until the birthday girl came through the door!
She was so surprised that she turned around and went back outside before she could face her guests! Brought me to tears!

Mommy and birthday girl! Love you Sunshine!



A family picture! Aren't those little girls cute?

Charlie didn't find out about the surprise party until one hour before party time! She was so excited to help mommy set up and get into costume!
Casey brought a yummy Chinese Chicken Salad! The problem is that I forgot to get it out of the fridge! Duhhhhhh... I'm so mad at myself! Thanks though Casey... you are the best!


Brennan is not quite sure what to think of Charlie! he got into the swing of the theme in no time though... you should have seen him use his chopsticks!

Great picture ladies!

Our out of town guests... Jeff, Julie, Nonna


Mike came in costume too... Love it!
He was in tune with "The Karate Kid" playing on the TV in the background!

Julie and Joe "breaking it down!"

Kudrons cuddling!


Aunt Casey and Aunt Marzie breaking in the new couches!

TIME TO SING!


Ryan gets so shy to be the center of attention. She did great though!


PRESENT TIME!


Ryan received so, so many wonderful gifts! Thank you to everyone! You are all too generous!

And Charlie was all too envious!
Do you think that she realizes that whatever is Ryan's now, will be hers in a year or so? Maybe that is why she looks so darn happy in this picture!


Aunt Nancy is getting really good with her crafting! Look at her homemade card!


Ryan is modeling some of her gifts all at once!


Watching the birthday girl open presents!

Nancy and Cameron had front row seats!

Back row has it's perks too! Closer to the food and drinks! LOL!

Charlie's 2nd outfit for the day! She celebrated both the Japanese and Chinese cultures!

Thank you all for helping us celebrate! I get the feeling that this is a birthday that Ryan will never forget!