Snow Day

Goofy Mason

Jacob in the snow tunnel

Yummy snow!

Peek-a-boo Celia!

Just some more random shots of the kids playing in the snow with their cousins.

Arie's Snow Day

Until today, I've been reluctant to take Arie out in the snow. It's been windy and snowy and cold. But this morning the sun came out, and while it's still snowing, it really wasn't too bad. We don't really have any "snow" gear for Arie, but the boys were insistent that I take her out at least once so she could "experience" the snow (as Mason put it). Until the snow got down into the snowsuit, she was quite content. However, once the white stuff hit skin - Arie's snow day came to a screeching (no pun intended) halt! It was fun while it lasted!

Snow Day

The kids are loving being at the cabin! They can't wait to go out to play in the snow, and then we have to literally pull them back in when it gets dark! It's really not too cold, and the snow is so fluffy and soft: it's a lot of fun! They have built a snow cave, a snow tunnel, a toboggan run, plus numerous snow angels and snowballs!

Cabin Fever

If we let them, the kids would be outside all day, playing in the snow! But, first thing in the morning, it really (quite honestly) the last place I want to be. So we have to find a few other activities with which to occupy ourselves. The kids like to play on the computer or play the Wii and xbox that we brought up. We brought up a few jigsaw puzzles that the kids loved doing. As for the adults - we mostly like to read and take naps (Paula's preferred napping position is cuddled up to Arie!)

Let It Snow

Here in California, we've been experiencing some crazy weather, just like the rest of the U.S. It has been raining in the valley, and in the mountains: SNOW! So, we decided to take advantage of the time we had and headed for the cabin in Truckee! Since we arrived 3 days ago, it has snowed non-stop - dumping lots and lots of the white stuff. And it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The top pic is of the cabin and the secon pic is of our view in the kitchen!

QUEEN?

I know - you are asking yourself: Where's the Queen? Okay - so I'm new to this! I finished typing the title, hit enter, and that's all she wrote! (Literally) So here it goes again! Aaron's favorite thing to do with each of the kdis was to hold them by their feet, when their legs got strong enough. I'm pretty sure most Dad's love to torture the Mom's with that one. (It beats watching your brand new baby (Mason) get tossed back-and-forth across the room by your husband and brother!) Arie's had strong legs since birth, but I've begged Aaron to hold off on the foot thing until at least 6 months. Last night I round the corner and walk into the room to see my 5 month old suspended several feet off the floor and giggling. Aaron fessed up to "practicing" for several weeks now!

I'm Queen of the WORLD

Grammy really is GREAT!

Great Grammy celebrated her 97th birthday yesterday, January 13th! Misty, Mom, Arie and I along with some of Grammy's friends took her out to lunch the day before to celebrate! Grammy is still so full of spunk and life- it's fun to see! We went to her fav restaurant called Tao-Sin-Jin - a chinese restaurant! We got way too much food, and had some laughs. At the end of the meal, they brought Grammy a little cup of ice cream, and we sang "Happy Birthday" to her! She was also given a fortune cookie which said something to the effect of: "You will soon discover a hidden talent!" To which Grammy quickly replied, "Well, they better hurried it up, then!" Too funny! We love you Great-Grammy!

OH NO!

Since Arie was born, I have been secretly whispering in her ear to wait to walk and crawl until she is 1! I never got to have this time with my boys, and since she is my last, I really want to soak it all up and enjoy every moment. But I don't want her to grow up too fast. So, I've been trying to persuade her to slow down with subliminal messages. Apparently they aren't getting through (either that, or she's a normal child with selective hearing!). Last night, as I was watching the Georgia Tech game, I noticed Arie reaching for an out-of-the-way toy. She was really stretching, when suddenly she pulls her toes up under her buns, pushes up on her arms and now she's on all fours!! Then she starts rocking back and forth - it almost killed me! Clearly, those subliminal messages need to be taken to the next level! Luckily, I had my camera close by and snapped her in the beginning stages!

I'm a BIG GIRL now!

Everyday our little Arie does something new and exciting. She is now a whopping 5 months old! My how time does fly! We decided it was time to feed her some rice cereal. She is sleeping great through the night - still 8:30 pm to 9:00 (or so) am! I can't complain. But, she seems to be more hungry lately. After with consulting books and friends, I decided it was cereal time! So, we got a high chair from Paula and cleaned it up and fed her, her first bowl of rice cereal! YEP! She was ready! She yummed it all up! Of course, it gets all over her face, and she looks teeny-tiny her big high chair, but she loves it!

Happy 2010!

For the past few years, the Krey family tradition has been to fondue on New Years Eve, watch the ball drop, then run outside to scream and yell and ring in the new year! This began because more often than not, Aaron is having to work on New Years Eve! This year, we decided to expand our fondue-ing circle to include the Gonzalez family and the Johnsons! We had quite the fondue with the traditional cheese and bread, but we also did chicken, steak, shrimp and fried cheese. Then we dipped strawberries, kiwis, cake and cheesecake in chocolate fondue! YUM! Of the 9 kids we had, 8 were wide awake to watch the ball drop (alas, Arie didn't make it!). We toasted with sparkling cider then went outside to do our poppers and noisemakers. Aaron made it home just a few minutes before midnight, and he helped to ring in the new year with an M-80 that he's been saving for a special occassion (SINCE HIGH SCHOOL!). I guess he figured a new decade was good enough cause to celebrate! It was a fun night - I am so grateful for good friends with whom to share our lives! Happy New Year!

Monterey Bay

This year, for Christmas, Lindsay and her husband, Cameron, and their son, Colby came from Virginia! Arie is only a little over a month older than Colby. Cameron has only been to California a handful of times, so we decided to take him to Monterey to the Aquarium. It was a beautiful day (for December in Monterey) - we ate lunch at the Dennis the Menace park, then spent the rest of the day at the aquarium! I always love going to the aquarium - and so do the boys. My kids are starting to appreciate museums and the like since this trip was a bit different than times past. Usually, Zach flies through the aquarium, looking (quickly!) at everything, then he's ready to move on. This time, however, he wanted me to read every poster and explanation there was! We had a great time! And we loved having the Sanders to visit! Thanks for coming! We sure do love you!

Christmas Best

Since the boys were little, I've loved buying them somewhat matching clothes to wear on Christmas. Luckily, they are both still pretty good about letting me continue doing so! This year, of course, they were more on board since they also matched Arie! My mom found the cutest velvet jacket to go with her Christmas dress - Thanks Nana! Even Aaron and I got in on the fun this year, and we all matched each other!

It's Christmas...all-ooover!

I just love Christmastime! I love all the traditions and just being with family! I love getting a live tree, and then pulling out all the decorations full of memories from my childhood and the memories from the boys! When I was a little girl, my mom started the tradition of getting an ornament for each of the kids to represent that year. When I was pregnant with Mason, I decided to continue that tradition for my children. Our family ornament consists of places we visited and vacations that we took that year. This year Mason's ornament was a guitar (since he is beginning guitar lessons) and Zach's was a baseball with his picture in it (he was on the A's team this last year). Our tree is certainly eclectic, but it holds so many memories - I just love looking at it!