sNOw Vacation

Our ski trip to Park City, Utah was so much fun!  However, it was NO vacation.  Skiing is hard work for beginners.  This was my second time to really ski, and I am improving (did a few blue slopes this time) but would still be considered a beginner.  It takes a lot of focus and determination to get to the bottom of those long and steep hills, not to mention the use of every muscle in the human body.  At one point, my sister (out of sheer frustration) said, "They should pay us to do this!"  :)  The ski lifts were my best friends, as they provided a moment of rest.  I envy those who have been skiing all of their lives and can effortlessly zip down the slopes.  They make it look so easy!

Despite the above, we had a great time.  We stayed in the Canyons, just a few miles from Deer Valley, and absolutely loved our condo.  I wanted to stay there longer!  Last night, Scott and I were watching The Bachelor (we hate this show yet still watch every episode) and during the episode, the girls were staying at the Waldorf Astoria - right beside where we stayed.  We could see our condo every time there was a wide angle view of the resort!  It made us want to go back. 

Our days were spent skiing at Deer Valley with a break for lunch at the lodge cafeteria.  Each afternoon, we returned from skiing and relaxed in the hot tub on the balcony of our condo.  After a long day of skiing, nothing felt better.  Not to mention, the view was so pretty.  Our evenings were spent going to dinner, playing games, and getting some much needed rest.   Now, that is what I call vacation.  :) 

Here are some pictures from our trip!  The first few are of Anna Scott before and after boarding the plane.  This was her first time to fly, and I think she really liked it.  She loved looking out the window during take off and landing.  It is funny how things have changed.  I flew for the first time at 10 years old and had to talk to the pilot before take off because I was scared to death.  Now babies grow up flying everywhere.  It has become a way of life and will be second nature to them as they get older.

This is a sweet picture I took in the airport just after arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It was Wubbanub's first flight as well.  This little pet has become a part of our family.  :)

We loved skiing with Allison and Alan!  Allison is a beginner as well, but Alan is a pro (and quite the daredevil).  With the wedding only 3 months away, Allison was so afraid of broken bones.  Thankfully, we all made it home fully intact.

Deer Valley is such a beautiful place to ski.  There was a green slope named, "Homeward Bound" with breath-taking views.  That is where we took the photos below. 

Here is Scott resting during our long ride on the ski lift.  Did I mention, the ski lift was my best friend?

What would a vacation be without an ice cream and candy shop?  Whether we are sunbathing or skiing, we always need ice cream! 

The candied apples didn't look too bad themselves.  

Our second day of skiing was extra fun.  My parents brought Anna Scott to spend the morning with us.  Seeing all of the cute 3 and 4 year olds skiing with their parents and instructors made me smile about the day we dress Anna Scott in her ski gear for the first time.  Oh the fun we will have!  When she is our age, she may actually consider skiing to be true vacation!  :)  I especially love this family photo and the next one of our snow baby.

We celebrated my dad's birthday (January 11th) with dinner at The Farm.  This restaurant is located in the Canyons, not too far from where we stayed.  Thankfully, someone there took a picture of all of us together (the only one of the trip)!

Here is the happy couple to be married in April!  I can't believe my little sister is going to the chapel in 2 1/2 months.  And, I can't believe she is marrying the guy whose hand I shook on the first day of medical school, with no idea that he would one day be a part of our family.  So happy for these two and can't wait for their special day.

Anna Scott got some sweet kisses from the birthday boy!  

Happy Birthday Dad!  We love you!

And lastly, here is our snow bunny bundled up for another night out to dinner.

Thankful for a safe and wonderful trip!

8 Months Old

Anna Scott turned 8 months old on January 10th.  It's getting more difficult to take her picture each month.  She is really into textures and loves her canvases.  In the photo below, you can tell she is getting ready to turn around and reach for the canvas.  Thankfully, I snapped this shot just in time.

The only other pictures I got were of her playing with objects in her nursery.  When I took one of these away, she pitched a little fit, so we used them as props.  :)  She is developing a little attitude, and between you and me, I think I have my hands full.  She has a way of getting what she wants and a fit to pitch if she doesn't.  She even has a way of letting us know she is mad.  She scrunches her face and breathes hard and fast through her nose.  It is the funniest thing I have ever seen.  I will have to find a way not to laugh at this if it continues, but for now, I can't help myself.  All of that said, she really is a good baby and I love her oh so much. 

  Anna Scott is a ball of personality, just like her Dad.  She knows when she is being funny and loves to make us laugh.  One thing I have always loved about Scott is that when I am with him, there is never a dull moment.  He makes every day so much fun, and I think she will follow in his footsteps.  As far as favorites go, she still loves her Baby Einstein videos.  When the caterpillar crawls across the tv screen at the beginning of each show, she looks at us and smiles her biggest smile.  She loves all of her toys.  I really can't say that she prefers one over the other.  She does light up when her little lamb says a bedtime prayer for her every night.  Bath time is still a favorite (as you saw in my earlier post).  She still enjoys riding in the car and stroller.  She loves to be out and about and on the go.  It's a big world and there's lots to see and do!  We live on a pretty busy street, and Anna Scott loves to watch the cars go by.  She and I will sit on the front porch.  She will turn her head to follow the cars until they are out of sight, smiling the whole time.

  Meal time is a favorite at our house.  Just like her mama, she loves to eat!  Squash and sweet potatoes are her favorite veggies, and she likes all fruits.  She knows what "bite" means and opens her mouth for a bite each time I say the word.  She is so proud of herself when she drinks from her sippy cup.  She loves for her face and head to be rubbed as she is falling asleep.  However, she does NOT like falling asleep.  She will do any and everything to stay awake.  I mean, she fights it hard.  She loves when I brush her teeth and hair after bath time.  She loves for us to make her laugh.  She is ticklish all over, so it isn't too hard.  And, last but not least, she loves loves loves music and nursery rhymes.  Our newest tune is "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."  

Anna Scott has learned several new things this month.  She definitely knows her name (I was wondering there for awhile).  If we cough and say "Baby's got a bad cough," she will cough right back.  She knows how to give kisses.  She will lean toward you and open her mouth.  I have tried to get her to kiss her baby doll and stuffed animals.  The only thing she will kiss right now is her lamb.  :)  She has started reaching.  She will reach to anyone who will take her, but I still feel special when she reaches for me.  She is not really crawling yet, but she is scooting all over the place on her little tummy.  She can get anywhere she wants to go, and fast.  She is rocking on all fours, so she will be crawling soon, I am sure.  She pulls up in her crib now but only to her knees.  Anna Scott got her (top) two front teeth for Christmas, so she now has four pearly whites.  She makes all kinds of sounds like "dadadadadada" and "gugugugu" but has yet to utter the first "ma."  When something excites her or the mood catches her right,  she lets out a LOUD squeal (more like a shriek!).  Did I mention she is a MESS?!  :) 

Last week, we visited Park City, Utah for a ski vacation.  I will be posting pictures soon.  Anna Scott flew in an airplane for the first time and saw her first snow.  She has done a lot since 7 months old!  :)  

Anna Scott is so happy and pleasant (well, aside from those few fits I mentioned above).  I am not a morning person, and I am in the worst mood upon waking from a nap, but Anna Scott wakes smelling roses.  I walk into her nursery after a good night's sleep or a nap to find her grinning from ear to ear.   

Here are some pictures from the past month.

playing at home...

looking at the fan through our bedroom mirror 

 She loves all fans and lights!

 In keeping with Anna Scott's Christmas list, my parents got her this pretty wooden high chair.  Scott's mom is busy making a seat cushion with some fabric we found.  I can't wait to see the finished product.

playing at the park...

 

Happy 8 months Anna Scott Laney! 

 I love being your Mom.