Someone went ICE SKATING!!

I have always said that I wasn't going to take my children ice skating. I love skating with all my heart and I love what I do now, but to get where I am took a LOT from me and my family. I was almost destroyed emotionally and I physically have the body of a 50 yr old. I don't want my kids to end up like me. But, that is besides the point... We took Cooper skating this week to the same outdoor rink we did last year, only this year he donned the figure skates. It was so cute because he LOVED being on the ice, but he just couldn't stand up to save his life. As my friend (and manager of the rink) said, "Cooper has noodle legs!" Noodle legs, wobbly ankles, sea legs, whatever... he couldn't skate so I just pushed his around and between all the people. We weren't out there very long because my back was dying, but he didn't throw a fit or anything. I think his tummy may have gotten a little cold from the way I was holding him up, but he still didn't seem to mind. All in all, it was a great day of skating!!

Baby skates! They were a little big, but it was the smallest pair they had, and they only had one pair this size!

Andy putting on his skates while I put mine on

Trying to walk on the ground

See is cute belly?

I love this pic!

The only part he didn't like was standing and taking pictures with me :(

Guess he didn't like taking pics with Jed either. But, this was Parker's first time to an actual ice rink!

Uncle Jimmy

We would just like to congratulate Uncle Jimmy on his pretty amazing marathon debut!! Not only did he run a 26 mile race with the time of 2:12:29, but according to Addidas Legacy Run Racing (his running club), he has the 12th fastest marathon debut time. How's that for awesome?!?! Now, I am not one to get a mushy mushy about things, but I am a very proud sister not only for his great accomplishments at Olympic Trials, but because I know it totally sparked the fire within and I know that when he runs for the 2016 Olympic trials... we will be following on to the Olympics. I can totally foresee this (and we all know I foresee things... well, at least I can do baby genders!) Anyways, 10th best runner in the nation is darn impressive! I am looking for pics, so if anyone comes across them, please let me know. (The ones of him trying to drink while running would be awesome!) Congrats Uncle Jimmy!! Coop wants to know where his swag is?!

Parker's Blessing!

December 24th was a very busy day!! Andy was scheduled to work, but it got changed by the dept so he wouldn't have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day thank goodness. My Grandparents wanted to go to Knott's, and my Aunt Ellen drove down from Tahoe and surprised them for Christmas.... we all drove to Knott's for the day and then I zoomed home for Parker's blessing at 7:15. I got home in record time and got ready before our guests came over. Yay. For the second time, we were super lucky to have Andy, Sam and Hans together for the blessing. The only way to get all three of them together at the same time was to do the blessing at home rather then at church. So, that is what we did. Most of my family and Andy's whole family was present...(I think that is pretty miraculous too!) Andy blessed Parker and we had some snacks and then everyone disbursed. Short and sweet. We went and had Christmas with Andy's family after that. It was a super long day, but filled with lots of great memories!! Thank you to everyone for making the effort to come be a part of Parker's Blessing.... it was a very special day!!

Worried face

All the Strebels (Ellie 1 month, James 2 yrs, Luke 5 months, Cooper 2 yrs, Parker 2 months)

Ya, wonder what Andy and Hans were thinking

My Fam

Us

Patrick Scullin was so awesome for taking some time out of his Christmas Eve to walk over and be a part of the event.

My Handsome man all dressed up

Parker pics...

I just had a few pics that I had to share!!! He smiles!

Christmastime at Knott's

Ahhhhh!! That explains the last two weeks of my life. They were filled with many many ups and a few downs (ankle and wrists rubbed raw and oozing with loveliness, a pulled groin area, stressed out shoulder, bruised knees, stressed out body...and a finale of a sinus infection) awesomeness at it best! I don't think that I would trade it for anything though, here is my reason... PRINCIPLE PAIR GIRL AT KNOTT'S!!!! I have been waiting to hear my name announced there for 12 years, and it finally happened. I am sad that it happened under the conditions it did(the other pair girl broke her tibia and fibula in a non related stairway fall) I was actually supposed to go back and do the track that I did last year after I had Parker, but Karen decided it was best if another girl did it. (She didn't think I could recover fast enough) So, when the pair girl was out, they wanted me to go back to my old spot...but Mike (the pair skater) wanted to skate with me, so he stated that. Lucky for me we had skated together before and the spot was mine! It was a bit rough on my body, not going to lie. I had only been on the ice for the Christmas party I helped at... this was full on pair skating. I was sore, I am still sore. Oh well, like I said... worth it! Thank goodness I got most of my presents bought and wrapped BEFORE I got the frantic phone call to come skate. But, in the two weeks I was there, we had Parker's baby blessing on Christmas Eve at our house, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Years day. It was pretty crazy and flew by. Thankfully our families helped watch the boys when both Andy and I were working. I really appreciate it!! Here are some pics Andy took the last day of the show...

Final bow (possibly forever?)

Winter Pond after a dang good program!

Halfway through, pretty happy

Opening!

Finale

Second show messup lift... looks kind of cool actually

Grand entrance

Tress, birds, and snow oh my

Silent night

Butt lift

Attitude lift (hard for me)

Is this before I fell?