Go Steelers!

Sorry Nate, I know this post is way overdue, but better late than never. So far the last part of our vacation we went to Reno to visit Nate's brother John and his family and spend the Superbowl (and Julie's birthday) with them. We had a great time and to top it all of the Steelers won. It was a close game and I would not have wanted to ride home with Nate after they lost the Superbowl.This is the only picture we had of Bristol, she was too busy running around with the other kids and enjoying all the toys to play with. I made our families shirts to wear. It was fun to be spirited and rooting the team on. I don't think the kids really cared, but it makes for a cute picture.Kali was really tired by the end of the day, but she looks like she is going to come and tackle me.

Playing with Elmo.

We made Nate and John recreate their celebration of the Steelers winning so we could capture it in a photo.

The Match

Well it is official! Nate officially matched today with his residency program. We pretty much knew where he was going to match before because they called him twice telling him that they were going to rank him number one. Well today the results came out and we are going to Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio for Orthopedic Surgery. We have a crazy five years ahead of us, but at least it is the next step in this whole crazy process of becoming a doctor.

Later Part of Our Week: Donner Lake

So here are our pictures from the rest of our week. We went up on Thursday to Donner while stopping off multiple places on the way trying to find a snowsuit to buy for Bristol. We finally made it up and went outside to have the kids experience the snow.

We were totally unsuccessful trying to find a snowsuit. So thankfully the cabin has some stuff there. Thanks Jo and Mark.Making snow angels with Nate

Kali didn't really like the snow until she put her mitten in the snow and touched it to her forehead. She then laughed because she realized it was cold and just kept doing it.
Bristol just kept saying she wanted to go to the top of the mountain to sled.

Our snowman

Donner Lake in the background.
So it was a really warm day and we had just finished sledding, that is why our kids don't have any socks or shoes on (we are not just neglectful parents).

Playing at the cabin.

Kali watching her videos on Nate's computer.

Bristol and Sascha. Our friends came up and they all went snowboarding on Saturday with Nate.

Childrens Discovery Museum

Nate had this last week off so we packed it full of fun. We first went down to my parents house because Nate and I had dentist appointments (ok maybe that part wasn't so fun) and we spent time with the family. The next day we went to the Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose. The girls loved it and it was fun watching them discover. We ended the day with the water station which was a good idea because they got soaking wet, even though they were wearing the plastic smocks.Painting on a wall, what could be better?

Bristol was running from me because she didn't want to leave. I had to still take a picture of how wet she was.

These are a few of my favorite things...

...well, Kali's favorite things. They have actually become my nemesis. One of her favorite things is to try and climb up our fireplace stove and pull the thermometer off and carry it around the house. Second, in no particular order, is the toilet paper. As you notice it is sitting on the back of the toilet. We had to remove it from the the wall because we kept on getting piles of unrolled toilet paper onto the ground. Now she tries to reach it from the side and tear it off in little tiny pieces. Or I have caught her often on top of the toilet because she has used Bristol's stool to climb up.Third is this little dip bowl. It is in the cupboard next to the dishwasher, the plate that goes with it is in there too. She loves picking up this ceramic bowl, especially when I am doing the dishes. Every time I say, "Kali, no" and then out of fear of her just dropping it I go and take it from her hands and put it back in the cupboard and shut the door. If I see her before she has picked it up and I say, "Kali, no" she will usually respond by pointing at me and saying, "Nnnoo". This is a daily occurrence in our house.
Last, but definitely not least are the videos. She just loves pulling them all out and spreading them around the floor. They are in one of our cupboards in the entertainment center and she half the time could care less to watch them she just wants them all on the floor and also the rest of the contents of the cupboard.

However, no matter how much these "favorite things" drive me absolutely crazy, I can do nothing but love this little girl.Which by the way she pulled her dress over her own head. I turned around and this is what she looked like.

January Weather

Wow what can I say other than I know we have needed the rain, but you can't beat the weather we had for most of January. The girls and I tried to take full advantage of the sun shining and the warmth. So we took many trips to the park, played in the backyard and front yard, blew bubbles, went for walks, colored with sidewalk chalk, pulled weeds, rolled pumpkins (that I have desperately needed to put in yard wast since Halloween and Thanksgiving are over) down the driveway, and anything else that I could think of. Well the rain is here and we sadly have stayed inside for two whole days. Hmmmm.... I don't even think I know what to do with them inside. We may end up going crazy.Climbing the tree in the front yard.

The Park
Hey mom, why do you have to keep taking pictures of me?
Going down the slide.
Chasing squirrels


Well Bristol has perfected the art of playing with her tea set and drinking hot chocolate.

I guess we should work on not getting the hot chocolate all down her front.

Bristol is a genius...

well at least I think so.

Today she wanted to play on the computer, and in the past that has meant her sitting on my lap while I play the pbs games. Well today she played this game all by herself. I first was impressed that she totally got the hang of the mouse down quick. She knows how to use Nate's laptop, but that is not the same mouse. Then she was playing this game and spelling words by sound and it was just all so amazing to me. She is really growing up.