Winter Fun

Now that Winter is finally showing itself in Northern Illinois, Parker is getting to play in the snow!  We've had his snowsuit since November and I was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to get used. Less than a week before these pictures were taken, we were playing outside at a park on a 50 degree day (in January)!

On MLK day, Parker and I played outside for quite a while in the morning.  The snow was about eight inches deep, so it was hard for him to lift his boots high enough off the ground to walk around.  We found a super small hill and went down it a handful of times.  

I always remember my mom building snowmen the same size as we were, so this was my first attempt.  They were fast friends =)

After we made some paths with the sled, it was a lot easier for him to walk around.

A few days later we had another round of snow.  This time, Ryan was home, and we took advantage!   First, we had to go get a sled that could fit more than just Parker - much easier said than done.  I think we got one of the last ones in the midwest!  We finally made it to the sledding hill (after roasting in the car with all of our snow clothes on)!  There were lots of people there, but the hill is so big it didn't even matter.  There are three different heights that you can sled down from.  We mostly stuck to the smallest one (which is not so small at all).  When we got to the bottom, we would spend a few minutes watching everyone wipe out on the biggest one ;)

Parker really liked it.  He would clap when we got to the bottom and say "down" when we got back up to the top.  Walking up that hill carrying a 25 pound kid is HARD!

Finding just the right spot.

We had a lot of fun taking Parker sledding for the first time.  I hope we get to do it at least once more this winter!  A big smile and a runny nose is a sure sign of a good time =)

Then we came home and made delicious hot chocolate.

I think I'm gonna like this!

(He chugged it!)

I totally love this stuff!

Ski Getaway

Ryan and I have really wanted to go skiing the past few years.  Ryan had a paid day off on January 4th and I was still off school, so we lined up the babysitters and headed up to Devil's Head Resort in Wisconsin.  We were kind of skeptical because there hadn't been any snow yet this year, but we went anyway.  We also happened to pick the coldest day of the Winter so far, but we didn't let it bother us.  There was hardly anyone else there!

Riding up the ski lift.

It took me a little bit to get the hang of it, since I haven't skied since high school, but Ryan taught me everything I needed to know.  The hardest part was getting to the ski lift before it was too late.  Ryan was always there with plenty of time to spare and I was always hurrying (and not really getting anywhere) and usually ended up getting there right before the chair did.  =)

Kinda blurry, but there was a beautiful sunset!

There was one particular hill that had a few jumps on it that Ryan really wanted to try.  He was a little hesitant since he is on probation, but he was really careful.  The first time down, I was going uncontrollably fast and dodging all of the jumps.  When I got to the bottom, I turned around to watch him go.  I couldn't find him, and then I heard someone yelling my name from over by the chair lift.  There he was...waiting for me!  I asked him how he got in front of me since I was going so fast, and he said "I don't think you ever were in front of me."  Haha.  The second time I wanted to go over one jump, but I was going so slow that I barely even made it up the ramp. =)  What a daredevil!

We ended up leaving with no injuries and headed to my friend's condo in Lodi.  On the way, we stopped at the original Culver's in Sauk Prairie.  Yummm.  We had a restful night, slept in,  watched a movie in the morning and decided to go home through Madison.  We called up our old buddy, Jesse Wanta, and met up with him and his family for supper.  It was really fun catching up with them.

I was starting to miss Parker, so I was happy so get home.  However, when I went to get him out of bed in the morning he looked at me and said, "Papa?" I think he did just fine without us ;)

2012 is off to a good start!

What's in store for 2012?

Alright, lets think of some goals for 2012.

1- Get in better shape.   Nuff said.

2- I have no clue where we will be next year.  Once again, we would like to buy a house.  Now we are thinking the Huntley/Hampshire/Pingree Grove/Sleepy Hollow area.  It's closer to our parents, a little more of a country feel, not too incredibly far from Arlington, and very affordable.  I would have to get a new job or I could be a stay-at-home mom.  We're not really sure when the right time is to move.  2012 is looking pretty appealing =)

3-  Ryan and I would both like to delight in reading the Bible.  We're not quite sure how to get there.  We've heard the phrase "Discipline, Desire, Delight," and we are definitely in the discipline stage.

4-  We'd like to grow our USANA business.

5-  Ryan would like to successfully complete probation.

Here we go!

2011 At A Glance

Wow - that went fast!  I am usually big on 'reflecting' on the past year but this year I am having a hard time convincing myself another year has already passed!  It's as if every since Parker was born, time is speeding up exponentially.

Here are a few highlights of 2011. (Not in chronological order).

1- Ryan getting his dream job as a fireman!  Yippee!  I was reading my last year's post and I said I'd like for Ryan to get into PA school.  Thank goodness God is in charge and not me.  When Ryan first applied to Arlington Heights, I was not very excited about it.  I saw no harm in applying, but I really didn't think anything would come of it since it was the only fire job he was applying to.  Over the months, throughout the long hours at PIC and the several steps of the interview process, God really softened my heart and now I am more than thrilled to be a fireman's wife.  Ryan loves going to work and is finally getting to use the gifts God has given him.  Major highlight.

2 - Parker turned one - and everything that comes along with it.

In the past year, Parker has learned to walk, sign, talk, and have lots of fun doing everything in between!  He makes us laugh everyday and our hearts just burst with love for the kid!  He has brought so much joy to our lives.  I like to think about what he will be like in the next year, but I am also going to do my best to enjoy every day because boy is time-a-flying!  See how much he's changed in just a year?!

4 months old

15 months old

We also dedicated Parker to the Lord.

James 4:7 "Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." 


3 - Growing in multiple friendships.  I have AWESOME friends!  Friends that call me just to talk, stop by when they're in the neighborhood, babysit Parker so Ryan and I can go on a date, encourage me as a wife and mother and in my relationship with God.    They make me laugh until I cry and they cry with me when I'm sad.  I have learned that true friends are a true blessings!  Love you girls!

These are some of my besties.  Apparently I never take pictures with the other ones...Guess I'll do that in 2012!

4 - Ryan and I went to Chicago for our 3 year anniversary.  I LOVE HIM!  We had a great time downtown and have found a lot more time for dating again this year.  We're actually headed to Wisconsin to go on a little ski trip in a few days and I'm SUPER pumped.

5 - Alaina headed to 1st grade cancer-free after beating Leukemia. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

 7 - We've had lots of good time with each of our families over the year.  We always look forward to visiting them and we are incredibly thankful to have grandparents, parents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and cousins that care for us and wants to have a close relationship with us.

Whelp I guess that's it.  Thank you God for a healthy, safe and fun 2011!  Let's see how it measured up compared to what I had hoped for in last year's first blog post.  (2010 Highlights and 2011 Aspirations)

1 - I didn't get fast again.  There is just no time for interval training.  I'm actually pretty out of shape unfortunately. 2012 resolution? (just like 99% of the world's).

2- I did keep my job =)

3 - I did start to get in a pretty good routine of reading and praying.  It's had it's ebbs and flows, and still needs lots of improvement.

4 - Ryan didn't get into PA school because he didn't apply!  He's a fireman!

5 - We did move, but it's nothing permanent.

6 - I am starting to get more vocal with my faith, and I really feel like I am willing to be God's servant.

7-  I kept up with the blog!  Hooray!  I love looking at former posts and blogging is one of my favorite things to do while Ryan is on shift.

I'm really exited that I'm done with this post because I'm going to print the blog yearly now.  I want to be able to look back at the years, and I also want my kids and grandkids to have something fun to read =)

Our Day with Ella

A few weeks ago, a bunch of girls had what we called a "Sprinkle" for Joei, who was expecting her second daughter.

She was induced on December 30th, and we had the privilege of having their oldest daughter, Ella, at our house for the day.  She is two weeks older than Parker and they are becoming super good buddies.

Fun in the tub

"He's letting me drive!?!"

Love the curls they both have!

Cutie pies.

Parker let her comb his hair while he read his book.

Waiting for Ella's daddy to come.

Adele Rae Martinez was born at 2:04 on December 30th.  She was 6lbs 10oz and 20 in. long.  Mommy and baby are healthy and doing great!

Meeting Adele and loving her already!

15 months

Parker is 15 months old!  We can hardly believe it.  Just in the past few weeks we have really noticed that he is starting to look like a little boy and not so much a baby anymore.  Here are a few pictures Ryan took of him the other day.  I had high hopes for another amazing photo shoot, but Parker wasn't really in to them.  We might be able to take a few more, but here's what we have as of right now.

These are just some more of him we've taken recently.

He sure loves blueberries!

He likes to scrunch his face when he smiles.

Hi =)