Thanksgiving Peoa-Style

We did the 12 hr. drive (one way) to Utah for Thanksgiving weekend-well worth the drive even if we only stayed for four days. We did some skiing, sledding, BYU vs. U football game attending, movie watching, and some real competive game playing (we played some mean games of choo-choo dominoes and phase ten).

Good side and Good side.

For some reason Chandra thought it was hilarious that I professed to have a "better side" face for pictures; its the side where the yellowing tooth is less visible (another thing that can't be fixed until after residency). So she made me take a picture with her on my good side.

Ahhhh, Jane with Aunt Jessica. Jane loves Aunt Jessica; she gigled when she saw her.

It was -14 degrees our first night in Peoa. The next day (Thanksgiving day) it was a whopping 0 degrees. However, the kids still wanted to be outside, so, we bundled them up tight (picture below). Rick took them sledding and Chrissie got frostbite on her cheek right where an inch of skin was showing.

october festivities

This past October flew by with medical student dinners the past several months. One night a month we hosted the whole residency plus the medical students rotating at the BNI; Rick and his co-residents are in charge of choosing this years medical students-thats three dinners for 30+ people. Then there was our Halloween dinner, visit from grandparent Lochheads, San Francisco trip, Oktoberfest at Sonntag's, and Halloween parties.

So many things with Rick being busy as always that I forgot to take a picture of the kids in their Halloween costumes until today.

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding and the Wolf , who refused to look at the camera. I'd already bribed him with hot chocolate just to put on the costume. He doesn't do well being told what to do.

"Hey, Matthew there's a fire truck behind me." And that's what it took to get him to look at me.

Halloween Night

Halloween fell on Sunday this year. We debated about how to celebrate the holiday on Sunday. So, we decided to have a Hallowen dinner at our house with a few families.

Even though everyone was outside, Matthew and Ben stayed in the house and silently ate treats at the dessert bar. They were being very sneaky...

Still eating.

Ballet class

Chrissie started ballet last August. The ballet school she attends quite strict: no bracelets, no tutus, or anything of the like. The young girls wear ankle socks-an old russian tradition. But its the only school that uses a live piano for Chrissie's age.

Chrissie has a great time. As of late, her favorite pastime is being a ballerina as a favorite: she tells me "Mom, you hear clopping noises and you say, 'oh what are those beautiful clopping noises it must be a princess,' but then you see me and say, 'oh it's a beautiful ballerina.' " Got it.

San Francisco

Rick had a conference in San Francisco so we drove up to my parents and stayed a week with them. The kids and I met Rick for a day in San Francisco and I realized we didn't take any pictures. Highlights of that day in San Fran: Matthew getting angry everytime the trolley stopped, and it stopped a lot. He much preferred it going fast. And almost getting kicked out of restuarant because Matthew was bouncing between seats. My favoirte was walking along the coast with the kids. Oh how I love the ocean.

These pictures are from the time we spent with my parents.

The kids and I at Natural Bridges. This makes me miss northern California. The kids played in the sand, Matthew was terrified of the waves but loved jumping of the logs, and we got to visit the butterfly sanctuary.

Halloween Dinner

We kicked off October with a Welcome Halloween dinner (an idea I got from my friend)-and a splendid one indeed. The kids and I decorated, dressed up, and made spooky/festive food (the kids favorite were the ice eyeballs, which slightly creeped me out).

Matthew drank so much juice his stomach was expanding by the minute.

First, Rick showed up as a "doctor" (real original) so I sent him away to dress up as something a little more creative. He came back as a hawaiian cowboy....

Matthew growled throughout the night.


The silly straws were another favorite.

Chrissie and I made ghosts for the cake.

Trying to show the camera the ice eyeballs.

I look awesome....

The ballerina

The Lion