The Greatest Show on Earth

Well, I'm not sure it was the greatest show, but we definitely had a fun time at the Jordan Circus.

I surprised Ryan (ever the kid-at-heart) with a little early V-day gift, and despite

the enclosed fresh-animal-smelling atmosphere, crazy price gouging, 

a couple of very unhappy children at the news that we would pass on riding an elephant,

and the fact that 3 hours is entirely too long to keep kids 5 and under pleasant,

we had a wonderful time.

I was even brave enough to stay put when the clowns came bouncing in.

Shudder.

By a twist of fate, we ran into some old friends we hadn't seen in years

and got to catch up and see their adorable daughter, who planted kisses on Sam's chubby cheeks 

every chance she got.

I told him his 'cowboy shirt' would make him handsome and irresistible!

A Little Mystery?

Oi with the colds and ear infections that have sapped our energy for the last week 

and thrown everyone around here off our game!

Thanks to Saturday pediatric clinics, the blessed soul who invented antibiotics, and a few solid nights' rest we are back in the saddle and ready (finally!) to invite one and all to join our 2013 Bookclub.

Ry and I decided that, in order to keep the love here at home, we would take turns choosing the book of the month-  much, much easier than an endless and heated debate on which would go first.

And guess who won the coin toss?

Boom, baby.

I don't know if its the bone-chilling weather or recently getting hooked on BBC's Sherlock, but I am hungry for a mystery lately.  And then I came to a startling realization the other day- 

I have never read an Agatha Christie novel!  

How is this possible?  I mean, she's the queen of mystery!

Just take a look at the cover if you don't believe me.

Therefore, without further ado (yeah, I've also been watching a lot of Shakespeare Retold lately), I invite you to make yourself a nice cup of something steamy, grab your coziest blanket, and snuggle up with this classic-   once the wee natives are in bed tonight I'll be joining you- and see whodunit.

Let's just plan to wrap it all up and re-convene Feb. 10th;  

not a full month, I realize, but I'm sure we won't need a full one with a page-turner like this!

Happy Reading!

(cue: creaking door and hollow footsteps on a wooden floor coming ever-closer)

Nikki & Belle

One of the adventures we took the kids on over the Christmas break was a trip up to see the elk at Hardware Ranch.  An excursion that became even more fun when my sister, brother-in-law, and niece decided to come up for a visit.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day and absolutely FREEZING!  But we braved the Logan temps long enough to take a ride, lose Melese's phone over the side of the sleigh, and ooh and ahh over the animals.

Fortunately our driver, "Cheese-booger" (true story), was kind enough to double back so Ry could snatch it up before a wild animal snatched it up for lunch.

Phew!

As you'll see, the elk weren't the stars of the show,

what really got the kids' attention were the massive draft horses that pulled our sleigh out among them-

their names were Nikki & Belle.

Home again, home again, jiggedy-jig!

The Best

New Years' resolutions are in the air, and while I have an ominous mountain of Christmas photographs that anxiously await editing I can't help but take a break to jot down a few of my favorite moments of 2012, and share what I'm looking forward to most in 2013.

Favorites of 2012

Getting my camera and joining the I-want-to-be-a-stellar-photographer-someday club.  Celebrating six years with the best man ever, and the one I love most.  Running my first half marathon- including the forgetting of the shoes, the freaking out before the gun went off, and the sweet-mother-I-actually-did-it after.  Camping in Glacier, my very favoritest park.  Seeing my sweet girl start kindergarten. Celebrating all the firsts and new beginnings with my beautiful kiddos.  Watching them play together and get over-the-top excited about Christmas.  Ringing in the New Year dancing with the love of my life.

Looking forward to in 2013

After ever-so-many years of it, finally being done being students- cannot wait for Ry to graduate!  The book club we'll be starting.  Learning more about photography and ever-closer to super cool.  Unlimited possibilities.  Running more races... heaven knows where.  Compiling recipe binder #4- Healthy Eats.  Taking better care of myself so I have more to give in my relationships.  Playing with my kids.  Laughing with my husband, and finding more opportunities to have fun and take life less seriously.