Slopes and Snowmobiling

What a week! I had wonderful intentions of blogging more, but I've been too tired at night to do anything but curl up by the fire and read my book. ; ) The week has flown by too quickly, but I am ready to see my little man! I've thought about him all week as I've watched little kids ski down the mountain. They are precious! I just can't wait to squeeze Zach in my arms. I hope he remembers us!

Mary with a sucker and a pink balloon. Can life get any better!?

Jason and Allie entertained everyone hoolahooping with the Wii. I've never seen Jason move like this before! Ha!

Jason and me

Mom and Dad

Mere and Fabe

Poor Meredith! Don't worry, she's ok. ; )

Allie livin' it up in the snow. She is such a great little skier!

Faber, Jason, and Dad

Today we did something we've never done before. We went snowmobiling! It was incredible, and I can't wait until Zach can go with us. He will love it.

Group pic!

Dad and Mom

Allie, Faber, and Meredith

Jason and me...look who's in the driver's seat! Jason and I took turns driving, thank goodness. He made me a little nervous. ; ) I probably made him nervous, too!

Tonight we ate dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in Aspen, La Cantina. We stuffed ourselves silly with Mexican food. What a way to end our week!

Meredith and Allie

One of my favorite times on our ski trips is our devotional times. Each day a couple takes a topic and shares something from GOD's word and their hearts. It is really the sweetest time with my family! I don't have any pics of our devos this week because it's usually at night when we're all in our comfies and looking worn out from a hard day of skiing.

I keep thinking of two years ago when my sister Mandy had just found out she was pregnant, and Jason and I had been trying for over eight months to get pregnant. I was SO excited for her yet very emotional myself. The LORD used our family devotional time to strengthen my heart and keep me going. It was such a sweet time. I will never forget how GOD showed up. One month later we got prenant with Zach. So much can change in two years!

This week our theme has been

Happy moments, Praise GOD

Difficult moments, Seek GOD

Quiet moments, Worship GOD

Painful moments, Trust GOD

Every moment, Thank GOD

We each took one phrase and went with it. Thank you, LORD, for an amazing week! I never want to take this time for granted.

Back to my book!

Hello from Colorado!

We are in Snowmass this week with my family (minus Mandy, Bo, and Abby...we MISS ya'll!) enjoying GOD's creation, skiing, and relaxing. Life is good. Jason's parents (Gran and G-Daddy) are staying with Zach this week, so he is going to be spoiled rotten! I talked with him on the phone this afternoon, and he was laughing and giggling, so I don't think he misses me yet. I miss him like CRAZY (especially when I go from being around him constantly to not at all!), but I'm just trying to enjoy this little break. ; )

Zach with Bunny and Pappy before we left

My men & me

Jason flew us into Aspen yesterday afternoon. Just kidding! Although I would trust him entirely. ; ) We had a layover, so he chatted it up with the pilot before he took off again.

Jason and the captain

Yesterday was a long day! We drove a few hours, flew, had a layover, flew again, then drove four more hours to Snowmass. We stopped at the Ore House in Vail for dinner. It was perfection and made the day totally worth it. ; )

Allie before she went out to sled in the snow

The view from our condo

My parents and I before we went to Aspen for the afternoon. Jason and Faber skiied today, and Meredith played with Allie and Mary.

When we were renting our skies, I saw the smallest ski boots I've ever seen! I had to take a picture because I keep thinking about when we'll bring Zach with us when he is three. He'll be SO cute in all his ski gear! Jason and I are already thinking if we want him to learn how to ski or snowboard first...ha!

GOD has blessed Jason and me with amazing families, and we always love going on vacations with them. We'd be crazy not to!

Good to be Back

Good morning! It's especially good at our house because our electricity just came back on. We haven't had it bad though...other than going a little stir crazy. Yesterday at 2 the electricity went out, so my adventurous husband and sweet neighbor ventured out to buy a generator. Before the generator was instaled and running, our house became quite dark and cold, Riley was pacing and whining, and Zach was fussy and crying.

So, what did I do!? I handed Zach a little flashlight, and things instantly got better. It was like he found a purpose and took charge.

Everything is going to be fine, Mom!

Fun times!

Just trying to see what this tastes like...

Cords are still everywhere around the house. With the generator we were able to have heat, a few lamps on, our fridge and freezer running...the main things.

This is our neighbor's house across the street this morning. I didn't want to venture out too far yet. Snow on top of ice!

Last night, Jason and I stood on our backporch and listened to all the trees cracking and limbs popping all over the neighborhood. I'm so thankful that no tree has fallen on the house...yet!

Better Late Than Never

These pics were taken a few months ago when Zach turned one year. Wendy Dunn has taken pictures of Zach since he was 10 days old. I love how they turned out. It was a beautiful warm fall day.

Jason's favorites are Zach sitting by the AR sign.

I didn't even know Wendy took this until we got our proofs back, but I love Zach's face!

Total chill

Fun with Dad

This is one of my faves...love it!

Cake time!

He didn't quite know what to think about the chocolate cupcake.

Yum!

Sunday Best

Cheese! This was the best pic I could get today. He wouldn't put down his ball!

Serious thoughts

On a mission

Hope you're having a great Sunday. Stay warm!

Grace and Growing

Thank you for all of your prayers for the Stamps! Please check in with Kelly for updates on Harper. It's amazing what the LORD continues to do in this sweet family. What amazing grace He has for His children!

Zach is changing and growing up in some many ways! I'm trying to remember all the details along the way...

He has been saying Momma, Dada, and Ba-Ba for awhile now, and has just started saying something like No-no. It's cute for now...until he starts to mimic me saying "No!"

He just started callling Dada from his crib in the morning. This is wonderful because he normally wakes up with a bang crying and screaming. I guess this means that Jason should always get him in the mornings!

He has also become such a big helper. He opens and closes EVERYTHING (drawers, cabinets, doors), so you better watch out if you are near him in an open doorway because you will get shut in with the door. He also loves to help me with the laundry. He picks up all the socks that I drop and hands them to me. It's so cute!

Another big thing that keeps him occupied these days is emptying all of our bathroom drawers and throwing everything in the bathtub. It's entertaining for me to watch, too.

I caught him with the toothpaste.

He loves to sit in his room and go through all his books. I try and try to read to him, but all he wants to do is turn the pages, through the book down, and get off my lap! I guess he'd rather "read" alone. ; )

Zach loves to play in the kids' gym while I exercise. We both get a good work out!

He didn't know quite how to get off this wedge, so he scooted back cautiously. Smart boy!

Whew! He made it. I love watching his mind think and grow.