Thanks Brookie!

Brookie had given Chris a gift certificate to a climbing gym and Chris had never been able to use it. So last night we were trying to figure out something fun and new we could do for family date night. Chris saw the certificate and said "let's go"! So we hesitantly set off for Solid Rock in Lake Forest, not sure how the kids would respond. But after Chris played 20 questions with them and they actually figured out what is was they were excited. Whew!

We got geared up, had a quick lesson and off they went! I was the designated belayer and the kids were climbing maniacs. Once they figured out they they couldn't fall, there was no stopping them. They absolutely loved it! It was so much fun.

Sam reaching new heights. With his long arms and legs and slimness, he was awesome.

Sophie was so fast it was hard to keep her rope tight, she's a natural-no fear!

Chris mastering one of the toughest climbs.

Maggie and Sam just hanging out...

Go Sophie!

The belayers at work. Sam was handling Chris and I had Sophie.

Maggie was able to climb a little, but when it got too high, she was done. She was such a good sport and just played in the gym and hung out with us.

What a babe.....

We literally had to drag the kids out of the gym. We were there a couple of hours and it was past their bedtime, but they did not want to leave. I think we found a new family favorite.
Thank you Brookie!

Hernando De Soto

Sam's class culminated their explorer studies with an Explorer Pageant. The kids rotated around the 5th grade classes and learned to tie ropes, tasted food, learned charted latitude and longitude and mapped routes. Then in each class they had to give a memorized speech on their explorer. Sam's was Hernando De Soto from Spain who explored Florida and the Southeastern states. He did a great job and it was a fun day.

Grandma & Grandpa Weekend!

Chris's parents came to visit us for the weekend and we had such a nice time. Saturday we went to lunch then hung out and talked at home. Maggie took advantage of Grandma's attention and showed her EVERYTHING she owned.:)

On Sunday Chris was ordained a High Priest and his Dad was able to give him the ordination. It was such a neat experience and we are so grateful that they took the time and expense to come and share this special day with us. Thank you!!

After church Mom & Dad made a yummy Sunday dinner pot roast for us, (I'm such a bad hostess) and we watched the Super Bowl! Grandma brought some of her to die for sugar cookie dough and made Valentine cookies with the kids.

The kids really enjoyed it, but Maggie especially loved spending time in the kitchen with Grandma. Besides cookies, Maggie helped peel potaoes, and clean up the sink. Not only is she taking after Grandma in the kitchen, we think they look a lot alike!

Later Sam challenged Grandpa in Wii Golf. Grandpa did really well, especially on a learning curve. But when it comes to video games, Sam always manages to keep you humble.

Goodbye to Our Dear Prophet

Just wanted to say goodbye to our wonderful prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley who passed away today at the age of 97. So sad to see him go, our prayers are with his family. But we're so glad he is able to be reunited with his beloved wife and his Father in Heaven. Thank you Pres. Hinckley for your dedicated service, you were very loved and will be greatly missed.

Cure for the Settler's Blues

I've been looking for a new game that Chris and I could play after we overkilled on Settler's of Catan. So for Christmas I found Ticket to Ride! Maybe some of you have already played it. It's similar to Catan, only more simplistic, but just as fun/frustrating. You basically built train routes across the U.S. (there are European versions as well.) and you get more points for building your routes, but your opponent may need to build on the routes. Anyway, check it out. They probably have cheap used ones on Ebay:).

Naturalist Hike

Martin Luther King day at the Roberts was a chance to get out with the kids for a short hike and help Sam do some requirements of his Naturalist Webelos Pin. We went down to the Aliso and Woods Canyon Wilderness Park and took some pictures of some of the wildlife and then hit the playground.

The first picture is a snowy egret crossing a bridge over a tributary of Aliso Creek. Good spot and shot, Sam!

The next picture is a Common Moorhen in Aliso Creek.

These last 2 pictures are of 2 Aliso Kidialis on a rocking frog.

Well, there hasn't been too much to write about but I have to get the picture of all those swimming studs moved down a notch! Sorry hun:). But speaking of studs-Chris has been "between projects" since before Christmas. And even though there are some not so good aspects (no paycheck-ouch!), it has been so wonderful to have him home! It makes the last few months without him worth it. When we thought he would starting a new project earlier this week we were both so bummed! Man I wish our husbands could get paid to be home with us. The kids have loved it too. But alas, all good things must come to an end and the end is not so good. After having mentioned multiple projects near - like across the street, in Irvine, at Disney -and not so near, like San Fran, Resources (Chris's company) is sending him far- Denver! So it looks like I will once again be a single mom and have to live without my prince charming. Not what did I do with that glass slipper!?

Oh, Chris has also been able to spend a lot of time training for his multiple events this year. He is keeping up his own blog on his progress:
www.geekindeep.blogspot.com
Go Chris!