And we're back

Where to begin.  I've thought a hundred times over how to re-start this blog, to get back on the horse, to try again. We even got me a new computer to help me get back on the horse! And yet, it's been almost two years.  I've struggled with the guilt knowing I started this blog as something Kaylen could look back on and managed to let fall by the wayside for too long because I didn't make it a high enough priority.  As I missed more time, more pictures and more updates, it got harder and harder and harder to pick back up again.  I'm a little OCD that way in that it's hard for me to skip over and as going back and filling in the gaps became more and more daunting, it just never happened. Had some issues with contemplating changing the URL and/or making it private... ALL kinds of reasons to procrastinate in coming back.  Have I mentioned I'm a procrastinator? Thank God my husband is NOT. Long story short > major mom fail for me.

But as I embark on another new journey with my family and have committed to writing updates for my mom and her health (more on that to come.........), I knew I needed to find a way to get back to this, to posting and keeping record of my family as well. For all of us. We struggled through some hard times the last couple years and 2013 was generally not good to us (again... more on that to come... ish) and that may have helped me stay away, BUT this is a new year and with everything in me, I pray it will be a much much better year.

SO, this is my commitment (eek!) to come back.  To come back to posts and gushes about memories, updates, pictures of my beautiful family and now 4.5 yr old (WHAT!?) intelligent, funny, gorgeous daughter.  The times are flying by, they say that happens, and she is getting older right before our eyes.  Gregg continues to blow us away in all he is learning and the rate in which he's learning it.  He continues to impress greatly, score well, and strive bigger with every step.  And it's time to come back.  I didn't make a new year's resolution, but I think this is it.  Keeping up with this blog and the updates on my mom. We have been forced to accept the bad and embrace the good. Ready to continue to tell our story, to be honest with this site, regardless of who sees it but more for ourselves to help remember the journey.
 

Into a New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

This year, we had a low key evening out to dinner and to a classmate's house with friends. It was our style and a great night!

Us with Mario and Caitlin- our New Years playmates

Bend Ski Trip
A couple weekends after New Years, OHSU planned a ski trip to Mt. Bachelor in Bend.  We shared a cabin with a slew of Gregg's classmates/friends and had a GREAT time!  Originally, my Dad planned to come out to watch the babe, BUT he got his job back at the airline (yay Dad!) and wasn't able to make it, so my Mom came to watch our girl for the weekend. Again, so grateful and so much fun to have the weekend away!

Having drinks and dinner in Bend Friday night after our arrival
(Isaac's friend, Matt, me, Ahna, Gregg, Emily, Issac)

Gotta love all of Oregon's micro breweries!

Mt. BACHELOR!! On just my kind of gorgeous blue bird day!

Gregg and Isaac

GORGEOUS day! Our first ski/board trip in OR

Snowball fight across the highway on our way back to the resort- Div and Kasim

On the resort shuttle to go ice skating

At the party thrown by the school to end the night! Dancing!

Even GREGG got his dance on! I had to post the picture to prove it! (Gregg, Kasim, Mike, Div)                                                                                          

Mima painting Kaylen's nails                                      

Kaylen had LOTS of fun with Mima while we were away!

The part that is too bad is that we don't have pictures from the good time that Kaylen had with Mima while we were gone. But we heard that got outside, played on the swing set, did some crafts, watched movies, read books and Mima even made it downtown and back up for lunch without issue!!  So proud of her! Thanks, Mima, for all your help!  We had such a great weekend!!

Although we're thankful for the great things that came our way in 2011, it was a doozy for us, so here is to a WONDERFUL 2012!

MN Christmas- 2011 Part 2- Christmas Day and Beyond!

Holy picture insanity! Going to have to learn how to wean them down! Okay... I promise to work on that.... maybe... I'll try.... really...

Christmas Morning with a 2 year old!! SO MUCH FUN!

The traditional yearly calendar!

Daddy bought Kaylen an even better stethoscope. This one even works! 

This year Mima and Grandpa recorded their voices on two Christmas Stories to make them extra special. 

Grandpa Marv made Kaylen red pancakes for Christmas!

Kaylen caught Grandpa downstairs singing his new karaoke CD. 

Pish posh with my Mommy. A tradition. :-)

We fit in quite a few board games this visit! It was FUN!

The EXPECTING Shaw family! So excited for them!

My Mom came up with a GREAT idea and a local hotel let us come swimming in their pool for free!

My Dad treated us to a MN Wild v. CO Avalanche hockey game the night before we left!  SO grateful and they are Gregg's two favorite teams!

St. Paul skyline driving in for the game

We had a great time in Minnesota and got to do a lot of fun things and see so many of our friends. We're always grateful for all that my parents do for us and how much our families spoil us and Kaylen.  Thank you Koski side for a wonderful Christmas and for making it special as always!

Kaylen hanging with her pal Brendan

Singing/Playing at the Children's Museum

Kaylen and Mommy getting our dance on
What a great Christmas season.  It's always hard to spend it away from  our families during the Christmas season, but we've been lucky to spend all of them since moving away with one side or the other thus far. We're not sure how the next few years will turn out in our ability to travel, so it has made the last few years extra special for us. We couldn't be more thankful for all the amazing family and friends in our lives.