Saturday, January 10, 2009

Pump It Up Birthday Parties

Alex was invited to back-to-back birthday parties at Pump It Up. 3 hours of bounce houses wore her out - she was grumpy by the end of the second party. Good thing they amped her up on sugar after each round.



Lily goes down the slide with dad.



I think she likes it.



Girl power.



Calli's birthday group.



Calli's party.



Round two.


Alex starts off strong.



By the end of the second set of bounce houses, Alex is tuckered.



But the sugar helps.


These girls stick together.


Alex steals a moment on the birthday throne.


Thursday, January 8, 2009

Paul and Carole stop by after Christmas

Paul & Carole stopped by on their way to Florida for the snowbird thing. We exchanged Christmas gifts - and Joe got the "best present" prize. Carole made him a kicking quilt - that was quickly claimed by Alex.

Joe gets help from Lily checking out the new quilt.

Alex quickly claimed (and still has) the quilt.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

New Year's Trip to Deep Creek Lake

Over the New Years holiday, we packed up the mini (and I do mean "packed") and headed off to the Deep Creek Lake area with a band of friends. We scored with a sweet set up of 3 cabins clustered together that housed 5 families (thanks Heather!). There was a small hill behind our place that was just perfect for the kids to sled down and a great stream just behind the cabins.

We had a wicked cool time between playing around in the snow, skiing (for the Yates boys), hiking, tubing, food, and of course a few libations.



Alex introduces Lily to snow.



Stay Puft Lily.



Sista' sledding.



Those crazy kids.



Amazingly, no one ended up in the stream.


That is one good looking family. This picture is the leading candidate for their 2009 Christmas card.


Those crazy kids.



Yahtzee!


Dave really likes Kerri.



Ethan loved this sled - as long as someone was pulling him...



Just heads up the hill for more.



Ellie & Maggie keep an eye on the Bean.



Mr. Dave helps Alex build a snow man.


Finishing touches on the snowman.


Mush Maggie, mush.
Joe & Jen pose by the snowman.

Alex with her masterpiece.

That fish is a nice touch.


Dave doing the dishes, just like Lisa told him to.



Dave is the man.



Steve and the kids settle in to watch Wall-E.



The boys take a nap, the girls hang on.



Time to ski - the look on Ryan's face tells you how early it is.


View of the stream behind the cabins.



Lisa on the hike with the kiddies.



Double E coming down on the sled.



Justin on the slopes.


On the move.



Ryan tearing it up.


Ellie casts for some fish.


Dave & Audrey.


Fishing, comfortably.


Nice.


Living the life.



Time for some tubing.



Audrey hangs out in one of the tubes.



Who needs a tube when you have the Purple Beast and a hill?



View from the top of the hill.



There is height minimum? Damn.



Group shot.



Audrey gets her kicks.



Maggie at the ready.



Ellie - check!



Heather chillaxing.

Justin waiting his turn.


Dave pretending to relax.


Cote on the chill.

Pumpkin Bean.


The girls waiting for their go.

Alex taking on the hill.



Cote on the downhill - you can almost hearing her screaming in this picture.



Family photo.

Ellie gets some play time in.

Smores!

Pass the marshmellows.

Nothing quite like hanging out around a fire.

I feel as if something is missing from this picture.


Trouble these two are.


The kids suddenly broke out signing and dancing to "Baby Got Back". It was the weirdest thing.

More fishing.


Steve shows the girls the finer skills.



Like moths to the light, they all gravitate towards one of the smallest chair in the room.



How did the little guy get such a good spot?


Kerri & Lisa.



Sweeties.

Now that should be a Facebook profile.

Schmoopies.