Does craziness run in the family?

Has anyone had any experience with imaginary friends? Thomas is obsessed with one. His friend's name is Russ (funny that he chose that name right, like we don't have enough of them in our family) and he has to do everything that Thomas does.  Naps, potty, brushing teeth, putting on shoes, getting in the car-seat; you name it and Thomas helps Russ to do it.  I thought it might end when Emerson got here but it almost seems like it's getting worse.  Am I not giving him enough attention?  Is this a normal phase?  It's getting embarrassing, his real friend was over here yesterday playing and Thomas kept inviting "Russ" to play with them, luckily the kid wasn't quite sure what Thomas was doing but still, he's looking a little crazy!  I haven't said anything to him, we just kind of laugh and even play along, it didn't seem like that big of a deal, but it's escalating.  I need the wisdom of my older siblings.

Skiing in Donner

This is our fourth year in a row going to Donner Ski Ranch. It is a long drive but it is affordable and perfect for kids.

We had a great time. We went with three other families and we brought along a babysitter.



We left at 5am on Thursday, Valentines day. Of course Mindy had a Valentines Bag of gifts for all the kids and me! (I did have a hand-made card for her so I didn't totally blow it)

Some good friends from Wharton happened to be at the resort next door so we got to get some Pizza with them one night.


After skiing or snowboarding all day the kids would pull out the sleds when the lifts closed. We couldn't believe their energy.

Kate was smooth on her skiis



Next Presidents day we hope to get some of you up there. Even though it is a long drive it is the most affordable way to ski with a family. Start planning!!

Charlie Bit Me... remix

This was the next video that came up. It made me laugh again.

Charlie Bit Me

My family can't stop laughing at this video.  You have to watch it a couple of times.  My kids think this is the funniest thing ever.  Click here.

When we moved this tree was put in the back of the pickup
& whipped around in the wind on the drive here. It looked half dead - a real mess. But I decided to wait until the weather warmed up to see what it was going to look like.
I decided I would trim it up a little to make it look better.
This picture makes it look much better than it really is.
But when I got my clippers out & started to make that first cut, this is what I saw:




I'll wait a little longer - aren't they cute?

Caught in the Act

Do you ever talk to yourself? I totally do, usually in the car when I'm listening to a radio DJ that I disagree with. Yesterday the boys and I were driving to the store and the radio show I was listening to was discussing stay-at-home moms and whether or not they should give up their careers to raise kids. There were some women who argued that moms should never give up their careers for kids because when they ended up divorced they'd have to start their careers over. I had some opinions on the subject and while I was giving the radio a piece of my mind I heard Thomas in the seat behind me ask, "Mom, who you talkin' to?" I guess now that he's old enough to know his Mom is crazy I'll have to stop talking to the radio.

Macs are awesome

This is us using iChat last night, it was fun to see everybody and to show off Emerson.  We should do it again and get more people involved.  Glenn and Cindy you should really get a Mac.  Happy Monday!