Christmas 2012

0. That is the number of pictures taken on Christmas Day. Yep, 0. I am going to pretend that I was being rebellious and decided that instead of capturing moments on film, I was busy living them and therefore, there is no documentation. But to be honest, I was really, really lazy. I was so busy being lazy, not a photo was snapped. So there.

But we did capture a couple of photos of our annual Christmas Eve tradition of celebrating with the Bordners! Look at this big gaggle of kids. Why my kid is wearing an undershirt and Ryder is shirtless is unknown to me, but I can't say I am surprised. 

All eyes on the Bordner! Ryder has rockstar status around these parts....

This might have been my favorite moment of the night. We bought Ryder a Bronco shirt and football gloves, he kept requesting to have photos taken of him in this pose.... This boy makes me smile!

Sun Valley, revisited!

We decided to surprise the kids with a pre-holiday getaway to Sun Valley for skiing, ice skating and fun in the snow. So much fun, it was a success!

Before heading out of town, we picked up our Bogus passes. They gave Aidan artistic license with his pass and he took it.            

An excited Monkey and Zebra!

Still a Monkey and still a Zebra... And still excited! 

Ryan even got into the theme of crazy-hattedness... We hit the Sun Valley lodge bowling alley and it was a HIT. 

So was rolling around in the snow and coming in for a hit of hot chocolate. 

More lodge fun!

Turns out we have some proficient little ice skaters!

Ryan included. He was so, so, SO excited to do some ice skating. (Insert sarcasm, I gave him the option of sitting out, but being the super star dad that he is he rallied!)

Goofy monkey head!

Aidan is working on pursuing his dream of a hockey career. I have begun a denture fund.

Dreams of the Olympics dancing in her head.

For both Morgan and Ryan.

Uh oh. Almost 36 year old bones aren't as pliable as they once were...

And done! Ice skating outdoors is fun, beautiful, peaceful and COLD!!!!

But no worries, Sun Valley Lodge does the trick for a warm up!

And a day of zebra hat wearing makes for an evening of sweet hair.

Do you have any idea how many self portraits we have on our phones? It's startling.

More happenings...

It has happened, I'm at a loss for words. For the past 35 years, I have been anything but "at a loss for words." I am trying to put together my grandfather's obituary. How in the world can I complete this task without taking up an entire newspaper? There are so many things that should be remembered, that should be eulogized and that should not be forgotten. How can I pick the best parts when my lifetime with this man was full of the "best parts?" 

Since I can't take up an entire newspaper with my thoughts about this dear man, I'll have to leave it to the blog. But even with the entirety of the internet, I can't even capture all of the best memories, there are just too many... Summers in Hawaii, entire afternoons playing "blind man's tag" and grandpa being one of the most obvious cheaters on Earth. The tennis matches, the endless games of "horse," the constant cheering presence at all of our sporting events. Traipsing through Europe, grandpa ordering pomme frites at every turn. (Not that I really think he likes french fries that much, but he just liked the words). Also the constant thumb up, and "Ein Bier." Morning, noon and night, not that he really wanted a "beer" but just liked saying it. Quiet time up at the cabin, eating too much food, snowmobiling more hours than not. Grandpa picking out my wedding dress, telling me, "That is the one! Let's get it!" (What other Grandpa does that? Seriously!) And whiskey, oh the love of whiskey! The "happy birthday" singing. The "redneck comments," don't mess with Bobby Bob. The endless questions when I entered the social work profession. Not many of the questions were as to what I actually do, but whether or not there is enough security. Calling Ryan and telling him it's snowing, summer or spring, didn't matter. Always making sure to tell Ryan to "get to work." Then giggling, "Yeah right." Oh how I am going to miss the constant joking with all of us... The adoration of his family and his lack of fear about telling us about his love for us. Setting such an amazing example of a loving and fun marriage, Bob and Doll cornered the market in that category.

My brother and I were fortunate to be there at the end, helping grandpa transition to a place where he and my mom are celebrating the lives they've left behind. What a party that must be... Needless to say, the hole Grandpa left is huge, but the legacy he left is bigger. Rest in peace grandpa. You are going to need the rest because when the rest of us get up there, it won't likely be restful anymore! We miss you more than you can imagine!

Smarter than a 2nd grader?

I knew the day would come, I just didn't think it would be in the 2nd grade. Morgan is officially learning more than I did in high school... and she's in the 2nd grade.

Seriously, economic systems? Did I ever learn about economic systems? Apparently the International Baccalaureate program is no joke (and yes, I had to google how to spell "baccalaureate")!

A weekend of thanks!

 How could I not be thankful for this little spunk? A lot of hikes in the foothills behind our house were had this weekend...

Another Kearney Thanksgiving down in the books! We celebrated with dear friend, the Glavins and had an absolutely great time... Another year of having so many things to be thankful for...

 Ryan and the world's smallest dogs. Seriously, these two look like bears, but might be the sweetest dogs on Earth. 

I was also thankful to have some Husky fans come over to watch Apple Cup with me... However, they left the gathering at 3rd quarter and I will forever blame them for the loss... I kid, thank you for bringing some purple and gold into this "Coug House" that I am currently a prisoner in. Aidan frequently asks me, "Why did you do that mommy? Why did you become a Husky? You wanted to be a Coug, right?" Always spoken in a devastated tone, it's similar to a tone that one would ask someone why they broke the law and ended up in prison. I find myself getting defensive, "Seriously, someday Aidan you'll understand, UW IS a good school." Aye, aye, aye.

Not many pictures were taken, always a sign that we were busy having fun, enjoying all that we have been blessed with!

10 YEARS!

As I am getting ready to put 2012 into book form, I realized I missed out on documenting our 10 YEAR wedding anniversary... And if it's not on the blog, it didn't happen, right? We headed back to Sun Valley, Idaho, for a weekend of great meals, mountain biking, laughs and relaxation. It was a fitting locale to celebrate our milestone wedding anniversary, since 11 years prior, I had begun giving the Ryan the "hard sell" as to why he should marry me someday, outside of River Run Lodge at Kelsey and Barry's wedding. You might be reading this and saying, "Oh no she didn't." Oh yes, she did. People, I had a list of why this guy shouldn't let this crazy catch go! Poor guy had no choice. 

Most days I realize that I am the big winner in this marriage. If I had been out mountain biking by myself and had received a flat tire, sadly, it would be a long hike home and a trip to the bike store for a new one. 

Ryan got me a new helmut because I have a HUGE Foster melon-head and he said my previous one made me look like I was wearing a party hat. See, the guy takes care of me!

The handsome mister after a loooonnngg but wonderful ride. (I'm referring to the bike ride, but that might also capture our marriage, loooonnnnggg being the days that I drive him loco.)

The Skene's helped us celebrate, and celebrate we did! Oh the FUN we have with Ryan and Heather. Cheers to great friends!! (And a trip to SV is just not complete without the big chair photo op).

Blue hued party goers.

The blondies back in their happy place.... Whiskey Jacques. It's also just not a trip to SV without a little live music!

Happy Anniversary Mr. Kearney!!!

Goings on...

Bookie's back!!! Oh thank goodness! If you don't know Bookie, he's our Elf who comes every holiday season and reports to Santa who's been good and who's been, well...interesting. Rumor has it, kids have leaned toward "interesting" rather than good recently, so I'm thinking Bookie might have needed to see it for himself... 

Aidan wants to impress Bookie so much, he's made it his mission to give the little guy diabetes. Seriously, could he possibly put more "stuff" on those cookies? I'm glad Bookie will be taking some to the North Pole tonight, I don't think Aidan's teeth or energy level can handle one more gram of sugar.

What did the Kearney's do today? Played an ENDLESS game of Monopoly. Their perseverance was impressive!

And what did I do today? Take an ENDLESS test. Thankfully passed! In the testing center, I really wanted to suddenly barf all over that dang computer and have it short out, I was certain I was failing... I have found that with all the procrastinating I did while "studying," my celebrity gossip knowledge and has expanded in obscene ways. The amount of random and useless information I am currently storing in my pea brain could go down in some type of embarrassing record book.