More McCall Fun!

We recently spent the weekend up in McCall with the Hef-Glav and Mcbride families! We had such a great time and I am still feeling guilty and full for all of the amazing food that I consumed (and didn't have to do any of the prep). Spending time with this crew can definitely spoil you! Unfortunately not too many pictures were snapped, we were too busy sledding, skiing and playing!

Watch out ladies o' Hearthstone, these two gents are about to hit the hot tubs...

Skiing was COLD and windy. But after a necessary neck gator purchase for a very miserable Morgan, the kids pushed through and had some great runs. It was so much fun to have Morgan join the big girl crew (well Marjorie and I). Aidan on the other hand opted for a little nappy nap in the car with dad while we got just a few more turns in!

These two were so darling together. They were in make believe boy land the entire weekend! We are looking forward to more fun with Wendall in the future!

Jed has now perfected his "kid whispering." I swear, kids just love that guy! Look at them circling him to tell him their latest and greatest!

My dad is 60!!!

Luckily for my family, my brother (and his better half) is king (and she's queen) of planning ahead and arranging some fantastic celebrations! They threw together a surprise party for our dad to ring in 60 years of life. I flew in, sans kids and Ryan to celebrate! A great time was had by all and Papa J. is officially 60. Phew, he makes it look easy, let's hope that's genetic.

Uncle Greg toasting the old guy!

Father and daughter! Happy birthday Dad!!!

Surprise!!! Not really, he squeezed it out of his better half... Stinker.

More toasting! Living with my dad was a fun adventure and full of lots of laughter. I wonder why I like to laugh so much!

The luckiest Auntie in the World!!!

On a recent trip to 24 hour stop in Seattle, to celebrate my dad's birthday, I got to spend some time with two of my favorite little ladies on Earth. Noelle and Cassie (and of course their brother Max too) make this Auntie one incredibly HAPPY lady. I love them more than words.

A little lunchy for the ladies. Look at those faces, are you kidding me? Do kids get any cuter?

The ladies at the salon thought we looked alike. We looked at each other and giggled and told them that's because our middle names are "Jane." Oh Cassie J., I love you!

What a little pumpkin. I can't even begin to tell explain how much fun this little lady is...

A smarter or more talented kid doesn't exist. This Auntie CAN'T wait for a certain recording! Oh how she makes me smile... Now if only I could have held Max still long enough to get a picture of that wrestling, football loving, love bug...

Superbowl Wrasslin'

The Bordners came over to watch the Superbowl... But instead, we watched the Bordner children completely dominate the Kearney duo in the wrestling department. Fun times! (Until old lady K. was called in at 2 a.m. and was atwork until 10 a.m. Good God, I am too old for that, thankfully, my last on call shift!) No captions are needed for these pics, they speak for themselves!

Proving once again...

That my grandma is one of the most random and (I think) the most hilarious woman I know... Why wouldn't you send twinkies to your grandkids? Now you probably get why I wear a ski helmet through Ketchum.

The Aftermath...

I think the kids needed a week to recover from such a fun weekend with Mema and Papa and wonderful birthday celebration! (And so did Ry and I).

Sleeping with some of his favorite things from the celebrating!

No such thing as too many things in your bed...

I tried to so hard to get a good mom/son pic. Neither of us were cooperating. Aidan J., we love you more than words could even begin to explain... I keep telling him that when he's a daddy he'll "get it." He keeps telling me that he doesn't want to be a daddy, but can't wait to be a grandpa. Well, okay then, but let's not make this old lady a great grandma too quickly!

Chuck E. Cheese Birthday PARTY!

A five year old party just couldn't be complete without a visit to Chuck E. Cheese! What you say? How in the world did we get our 7 1/2 year old, who is DEATHLY afraid of costumed characters to visit such an establishment? Brilliance on my husband's part. He arranged for Morgan to go a little early and see Chuck's costume, sans live body inside. Morgan didn't believe us that costumed characters weren't real until that moment. Apparently she thinks Ryan and I are big fat liars about these types of things. Anyway, problem solved. Hip hip hooray!

If you knew Morgan, you would know just how incredible this picture is!

Sweet little birthday boy. Thanks to Mema for the BEST Spiderman cake!!!

Say what you will about the Cheese, but they do make the birthday boy feel pretty dang special!

Organized chaos, just how we like things!

Three amigos!

The dance party was something else. My favorite part about this picture? I have seen Jeremy do that EXACT same move, circa 2005 in a cabin with the Headlees, but listening to Michael Jackson and dancing in front of his reflection in a sliding glass door. I'm sorry people, but even I couldn't make that up!

Thank you to our friends and family for helping our little guy have a fantastic birthday celebration!!!

Aidan is FIVE... WHAT?!?!?!?!

How did this happen? Our baby boy is FIVE, really? Aidan has added so much love and joy to our family... I have learned a lot from this little guy... Here's a summary of some of his lessons he's taught us:

*Why walk? RUN, everywhere and fast.

*If something is exciting or makes you happy, tell your sister immediately.

*If something is scary or makes you sad, find mom, quickly!
*If something is cool or has anything to do with being a boy, sorry ladies, but only dad will do.

*Superheros are real. Honestly, they are constantly being channeled through Aidan.

*Darth Vader is a good guy. Seriously, if you tell him differently, buckle up, it's not going to be pleasant.

*Jack and Max (Stacie's sons) are actually your brothers and are just awesome.

*Bad guys exist, but don't worry, Aidan's on patrol.

*You might understand and speak Spanish, but why would you ever show your family?

*Don't just laugh, belly laugh.

*When you are alone or think you are alone, automatically go to your pretend land, where you have conversations, fight crime, fly planes and every movement has a swooooossshhhing sound.

*Make your family's heart melt with the biggest and most endearing smiles..

Garabatos birthday dance party. Shake it baby! Good God, I love that school, a place after my own heart.

Aidan and his buddies.

Aidan and Mema led an art class in honor of the big man's birthday. It might be one of his most favorite things to do!

Our little (big) birthday boy! Oh that smile, puts tears in my eyes and makes my heart just burst!

Well looky there, a birthday present on display!

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Sun Valley, Sun Valley, Sun VALLEY!

Okay folks, blogging is back! One can always tell how many assessments I have due to the courts, because my blog is sadly neglected when there are a few due. Don't let me fool you into thinking that I have been working diligently on them, no, if fact, I have just been procrastinating and the sight of my computer makes me feel guilty... Hence the lack of blogging!

About a month ago, we spent a fantastic week in one of my all time favorite spots... Sun Valley! Plus we had the best company and accommodations. I am still giggling over all of the fun we had. Thank you Skenes for a great time and thanks to Cougar Karen for the laughs. And a big congratulations to the soon to be newlyweds, Robert and Anna. Ryan is curious where to pick up his tux? The best man toast is just about ready. And I do hope the darling house golden retrievers, Cecil and Hodgkey are doing well. But I digress...

Gondola time! Ryan quickly learned he isn't a Gondola guy, but to be honest, I'm not a chair lift gal. So what can you do?

The ladies ready for a fun night out! I love these ladies!!!

We had a theme for the weekend, "safety first" much to Ryan's chagrin. The more embarrassed Ryan got by my constant helmet wearing, the longer I wore it. Yes, I did it wear it through downtown Ketchum.

And then I spent some time skiing by myself. Not sure why no one wanted to join me? A wonderful weekend in the books!