Times are a Changing

It seems that we have fallen off the Earth. Not so! The last couple of months the Littles have embarked on an adventure...selling our house (it sold in the first week on the market) and buying another! September 24th will be our last day in our Marjorie way house. After 12 years here, we have decided to make the jump to a home in a better location. Unfortunately, escrow does not close on or new house until October 11th! We will be staying with friends and family in the interim.

Our new house is down the road in Camino. It is great because it is on four acres (NO NEIGHBORS : ) ). It is also walking distance to Bob's work. We are really excited for this change, but a piece of us will be so sad to leave this home where we have made so many memories.

More to follow as life settles down.

Our soon to be new home

Swimming into Summer

Despite the unusually cold weather,we carried on with our annual swim lessons at the Placerville City Pool. I have come to terms with the fact that our children do not take to swimming as fish take to water. None the less they are getting better and I believe they know enough to save themselves. Safe to say niether will be the next Micheal Phelps. : )

Macy and Jack before their lesson

Our little 4 year old

Macy and teacher Grace

Jack "swimming"

Jack jumping in the deep end. This is a big step for him!!

Spring Break in San Felipe

This year we spent spring break in Baja with the Morford family. Given recent warnings of violence in the border towns, many tourists chose to travel other places this year. This turned out to be our gain as the beaches were unusually quiet. I am happy to report we did not encounter any problems in Mexico and we had a safe journey. The one thing I enjoy most about family vacation time is watching my children experience new things. Jack and Macy are still talking about this recent adventure. We would go back in a heartbeat!

This is a picture of the solar house we rented outside of San Felipe. For some reason tires seem to be abundant on the beaches.

Flying kites in the "yard". I love the view of the Sea of Cortez.

Macy and Daddy wading in the Sea

Jack learned how to skim board. Although he did the get pretty good by the end of the week, I thought this picture of him wiping out was pretty funny.

Jack and Macy relaxing in the hammock

Jack, Maddy Jo and Bob at the art table. No shell, rock, or bone would be safe from our paintbrushes.

Some of Bob's projects for the week

Everyday the kids would get up and go out with the tide and explored until the tide came back in.

AS FOR THE "ADULTS".....

We sat around and drank (just a little).....

Relaxed on the beach.....

Rode a primitive unicycle....

Built sand castles....

WE enjoyed playing with fire. Here Greg shows us his moves with a flaming ball on a rope

We played Myth Busters. Can you hit a flaming golf ball into the ocean? We were never successful... despite MANY attempts

Then we got artsy fartsy with the glow stick and light-up Frisbee.

One night we had a birthday dinner for Greg. Some friends came over from their camp.

What a treasure at the end of this rainbow.

Shelley, Maddy Jo, and Greg

Best buds- Jack and MJ in front of a saguaro cactus

The Little and Morford families say good-bye to San Felipe.

Jack Takes on the Mountain

Yippee!!! Jack has officially moved past the bunny hill and Sugar and Spice. During his last lesson, Jack's instructor took him on an "intermediate" run. In my opinion, this particular run is really a mislabeled beginner hill...whatever, at least Jack could feel like he could conquer the "blue runs". Today he wanted to try this slope again to show off his advanced skills (HA!). Well, knowing that he doesn't really know his way around the mountain, I took him down a true intermediate run and told him it was the one he went down in his lesson. Yes, I lied to my child. About half-way down he said, "Wow, this hill is much steeper than it was last time". When he successfully reached the bottom, I broke the news to him that he went down a much harder run. Turns out, this is just the confidence builder he needed. He instantly wanted to try every blue run at Sierra. We spent the rest of the day exploring new terrain for Jack including Lower Main and West Bowl. Next stop...black diamonds ; )

Taking a breather on Escape

Jack and I having a Kodak moment at the top of West Bowl

My boys

Photographer Jack capturing the kid angle. Note: objects in this photo appear larger than actual size.

Jack and Bob riding up from the back side.

Life is good.

Miss Macy

Many people have told me that my kids will grow up quickly. Indeed, it seems they are changing right before my eyes. Just last week, as she sprinted to the bathroom, Macy yelled out "I have to go potty!" I asked her if she needed help. She stopped and plainly answered "Mommy, it comes out by itself, I don't need any help!" Duh.. Yes, it's true, our girl is growing up. Here are a handful of pictures we have taken lately of Little Miss Macy.



On a recent Sunday, Bob took one for the team and hung out at Sierra while Jack and I had fun on the hill. It was a Daddy-daughter bonding day.

Evidently the day started off a little slow.

Things looked up as Macy and Bob went up to the deck to share some left over cake.

Checking out the tee pee in Thunder Gulch

BACK HOME ON SNOWY DAYS...

One of Macy's favorite past times is playing dress up. This is one of her favorite ensembles.

Macy and Humo hanging out by the fire.

Snow Forts at the Cabin

Last week we spent the night up at the cabin to celebrate Grandma Mignon's birthday. While I enjoyed the dinner at Sunnyside and hitting the slopes the following day, the boys would argue making forts were the definite highlight of the weekend. Regardless, fun was had by all!!!

Papa, Bob and Jack enjoying their chilly accommodations

Papa George dropping a little present on Jack

I think he's a pretty cute kid ; )

Sierra Snow Sports

As part of our New Year's Resolution, Bob and I have decided to start dating again! On one recent day off, we headed up to Sierra at Tahoe for some skiing. Although the snow is a bit used and abused at this point, we had GREAT time. For Christmas, Bob bought me new skis so it was a treat to try them out! Ironically, many of our friends were up there too... likewise enjoying a day away from their kids. I am looking forward to another day on the snow very soon.

As you can tell there was not a huge crowd on the slopes. Did I mention, I LOVE my new skis!?!

Bob and the other hand, prefers his rock skis for special occasions like this.

Too bad I didn't get the final "ate shit" shot after he landed

Cheeeeeese!!!

We had a nice lunch at the West Bowl Cantina with our friends. I must say my skiing greatly improved after a beer or two.

Bob needed a lift by the end of the day.

After a day of skiing and a fancy dinner out with the Gimpels, the guilt set in and we decided to pay attention to the little Little's. On Sunday, I spent hours playing My Little Pony and coloring (I know you are all jealous) while Bob took Jack up to Sierra for his first snowboarding lesson. I can definitely say Jack got bit hard by the snowboarding bug and is looking forward to his next lesson. Given the fact that Bob and I are old school skiers, we will be counting on Uncle Ross to accompany Jack in future years.

Jack trying on his gear in the back of the truck. He was smiling like this ALL day.

Learning about those edges.

He did well for his first time out. I definitely recommend Wild Mountain ski school to any of you interested in getting your kids on the slopes.

That smile lasted long after he got home!!!