A Winter Hike

When I was younger I used to think winter was really ugly unless the ground was covered in freshly fallen snow. I am sure it wasn't helped by the constant inversions that plague Utah winters. The inversion hovers over the Wasatch front sucking any hope of blue sky's and fresh air with it. I vividly remember flying back to Utah in early January after spending three weeks in Hawaii and seeing the grey smoggy layer floating eerily below the airplane. It reminded me of horror movies when an unsuspecting victim walks in to the fog and then is ferociously attacked by some scary animal. Thankfully, we were only attacked by -10 degree weather that day (which was horrifying enough after the beautiful 75 degree weather in Hawaii). Here in Washington inversions are very uncommon and most people have no idea what an inversion even is. I can honestly say I have not missed them at all. It may be my favorite thing about the state thus far. I am however trying to get used to the humid cold. All I can say is BRRRRRR!!!! Humidity makes everything feel about 10 degrees colder in the winter and 10 degrees warmer in the summer.

On Monday we were able to venture out in the cold and go for a family hike because The Germs classes were cancelled for Martin Luther King day. It was fabulous! Between the humid heat of summer, medical school, and morning sickness not much hiking has happened around here. It was so nice to get out of the house and explore. Since there has only been one light snowfall here we sadly left the snowshoes at home. Here is to hoping we will get a big snowstorm soon.

Mandatory family picture to prove we did this -I refuse to use the "S" word to describe this picture

We decided to do a pretty simple hike since we haven't hiked in a while and Peanut needed to get used to being in a backpack again. The trail had a barren beauty about it. The grass was yellow, gigantic black boulders bulged out of the grass, snow was on the edge of the river, and the trail was lined by leafless bushes with crimson red branches. Something about it made me think of Lord of the Rings but I am nerdy like that.  

 I may have pretended that this was mount doom and we were hobbits

The view from the "top" (we turned back early)

Peanut was a great for most of the hike and loved looking around. She has become very talkative lately and jabbers all day long. She is only quiet when she is really focused on what she is doing (AKA Sneaking) or when looking at something new. When this happens she becomes very quiet and will only whisper. She was quiet for most of the hike and would whisper excitedly when she saw something she liked. For example, she was fascinated by the river we crossed and kept whispering excitedly while pointing at it! It wasn't until she got overly tired and her hands started to get cold  that she became grumpy. She insisted on holding her bottle which meant we had to pull her hands out of the "Gumby suit" she was wearing . This caused her hands to get cold and make her unhappy. Next time we will bring some socks to put over her hands for an extra layer so she can do things like hold her bottle with out sacrificing warmth.

Peanut getting locked and loaded for the hike

I cant put my arms down!

Giving kisses

Peanut not to impressed with the view

Getting ready to head back!

Even though the hike ended with The Germ running back to the car with Peanut, it was still a blast! Here is to hoping that I keep feeling good so I can enjoy a few more hikes before we become a family of FOUR!


 *** The "S" word is the Six letter one used to describe a poorly taken self portrait.

See you next year February

February is a wild month in the Germ household with a celebration happening almost every week! Between Valentines, my birthday, and the Germs birthday there are many reasons to eat treats (and to make your pants fit way to tight). So here are some pictures of some of our adeventures in February.

Valentines

My Valentine after her morning nap 

Came back from school to find rose petals, a sweet card, and this message!  

Candle light dinner for two (Peanut had an early bedtime)

Hanging out with my sisters for the weekend!

We were lucky enough to help my Mom out by spending some time with my sisters. Could helping my Mom get any easier than playing with my little sisters all day? I sure love those little munchkins!

Coloring time - Peanut already has great handwriting and has picked up spelling pretty easily;)

Took my sisters for a bike ride - Peanuts first bike ride in the "chariot of fire"

Peanut 

Peanut turned four months and developed a lovely rash from drooling so much.

Turned four months and ate some fingers to celebrate

She went on a treasure hunt with dad

My Birthday 

I turned twenty-three and spent the day with kindergartners, Peanut, and avoiding homework! 

Turning 23 might not have been good for my teeth or skin...

The Germ got me some awesome florescent flowers....Bright colors make me happy! 

 The Germ gave me "I am spoiled rotten" Birthday Boots!

The Germ turns 26!

Sadly the Germ had work and school all day on his birthday but he was able to get off at 6:30 instead 10:30 pm. So we celebrated by feasting our guts out! I made mushroom stroganoff, tossed salad, and flourless chocolate cake. MMMM...... Sorry, I was just reliving the deliciousness. We also continued with our James Bond fest (for better and for worse we are currently watching all the James Bond movies in order).  Thankfully, we weren't yet to Moonraker or his birthday might have ended with a dud. We didn't get many pictures for the Germs birthday but he did get this gem of a birthday card from my mom.

My mom reminded  us of the importance of tattoo placement. 

February was a great month for us here in the Germ household filled with love, family, laughs, birthdays, and pure happiness!

Spontaneous family photos in the kitchen

Now I am off to work off the FOUR cakes we consumed over the past month!  

-Dooney

LOVE

This past year has been a year of LOVE. My love of others has grown immensely this past year! In return I have felt more loved then ever before.

  Last year, the Sunday before Valentines, I found out I was pregnant. I never knew that I could love someone that I had never met, seen, or felt. I only knew she existed because I had peed on a little stick. Yet, the love I felt for that little Peanut was already immense! It grew even more when I felt those first little kicks in my belly. Then my ability to love surprised me when my heart over flowed with love when she was born My love for this sweet and feisty little girl continues to grow as I get to see her flourish and bloom!

My valentine at 4 months

4 months and still loving that fist!

Consequently, Peanut made me realize how much I loved The Germ and how much he loved me! While I was in the throes of morning (all day/most of pregnancy) sickness, he held my hair and rubbed my back while I "worshiped" that porcelain god. He made me plain toast, brought me orange juice, and did the dishes so I could avoid the vomit inducing kitchen. I realized just how endless his love was, when he quickly forgave me after I accidentally threw up on him. He indulged my cravings of hot fudge sundaes, milkshakes, peaches, pastrami burgers, and waffles. He slept on a tiny portion of our full sized mattress for several months, while I struggled to get comfortable. During those post pregnancy days when hormones, lack of sleep, and breastfeeding were causing regular emotional breakdowns he was there to support me. He would come home after work and take over all of sienna's night feedings, so I could get some much needed rest. I don't think I could have done it without him. I am so grateful I get to call this wonderful man my Hunk a Hunk a Burnin' love! 

Wedding day 2009

   Getting to know each other at the Hospital

Life is pretty good when you get to love these cute faces and have them as your Valentines!

  

A little break and good conversataion

 

 

 

We are loving Christmas break! Having a baby at midterms made it difficult to just relax and spend time together as family. It felt at times like we were just switching shifts with the baby so the other could go to work or school. The good news is that we all survived and we both got all A's! We were truly blessed this semester. Some of the blessings include having flexible schedules, understanding professors, and a baby that started sleeping at least 5 hours at night after she turned two weeks (dont hate me). This semester also taught us that we can do hard things! These last two months since having peanut have definatly been the most wonderful, difficult, exciting, happy, exhausting, and adventerous time of our lives!  Good thing we love adventures!

 

Anyways we are enjoying spending time together. Today, I was able to capture this sweet picture of The Germ reading to Peanut about the wild night lives of snowmen! I doubt we will ever think of snowmen the same way again! They also had a nice long conversation while he did the dishes and she supervised (she wants to go into government). They had a riviting discussion about Chewbacca (she does an excellent impersonation), butterflies, and how delicious her fist tastes. What a wonderful way to spend chistmas break!

-Dooney