Visit from Uncle Matt!

We had a great weekend visit from Uncle Matt! He came out from California for a quick trip and we had a wonderful time with him.

AJ, Grandma, Papa and Matt got to spend the day together on Friday and that night I joined them and we all went out to dinner.

Then on Saturday, Matt and I went up to the mountains for a great day of skiing. The traffic was horrible, but the snow was so good, it made it all worth it. We haven't had much snow lately and this past weekend we finally got some. It's funny, I haven't skied too much in the past 10 years, but when I do ski, it's typically with Matt. He's a much better skier, but I can keep up :)

Matt & I on the slopes!

On Sunday, before Matt had to leave, AJ and I went to Grandmas for breakfast and we all got to spend some time together. AJ and Matt had a bunch of "foot fights" on the couch and just laughed and played. They just love each other! Matt is such a great uncle and AJ really had such a fun time :)

Here's a few pics:

Uncle Matt, AJ and Mama

AJ and Uncle Matt

Tickle time! This is how they spent much of the weekend :)

The Rodeo!

AJ and I went to the National Western Stock Show again this year and we had FUN! I think this is our 3 year- maybe our 2nd, I can't remember- and as with most things, the older he gets, the more fun we have.

I told him beforehand that I'd get him a cowboy hat- and I really thought I'd be wasting my money. He rarely keeps a hat on his head. Only when it's snowing. So, when we tried on hats today, I saw $20 bucks going down the drain. Much to my surprise, he wore the hate the ENTIRE day. Only time he took it off is when the gal sang the National Anthem before the rodeo. He looked so darn cute!

We had PERFECT seats at the rodeo- smack dab in the center, 1st row. It was incredible! Maybe a bit too close in fact, as we got smacked in the face with dirt (hopefully it was dirt) a few times when the horses ran by.

At first, before the rodeo, AJ wasn't too into it. They shut the lights out in the stadium and had fireworks and that scared him. He started to cry and kept saying he wanted to leave. But once the lights came on, and he was watching the bucking broncos he loved it! We sat there for almost 2 hours and watched all the events and ate popcorn. Super fun!

Then, after the rodeo, we went to the other building to pet some farm animals and he got to play on the little indoor playground. He was excellent and we had a wonderful day! Love this time I get to spend with AJ.

Ready for the rodeo to begin!

YEEEHAW!

Brushing the sheep

Wouldn't be the same without some time spent on a tractor..

Such a cowboy!

2nd Trip to the Dentist

AJ went to the dentist again today- he did SO well. He was happy, and wasn't scared. We need to keep working on brushing- and flossing. But all is well!

First Ski Trip!

On Christmas eve, I took AJ to Loveland for his first ski trip. I really had no idea what to expect. I wasn't sure if we'd get as far as getting his gear on, but once again, he totally surprised me. He did SO SO SO well! I was (and am) so incredibly proud of him! He was super brave and had a really fun time!

We walked into the rental shop and he was a very big boy- got fitted for his boots, got his skis, his helmet and we headed to the slopes! (Not really as easy as it sounds as there were many bags full of stuff just in case. For example- extra gloves and shirts, candy, cameras, hats, etc..)

I wasn't sure if we'd be able to get him on the chairlift or not- I really wanted to try, but I think it was a good idea not to push it the first time out. He was pretty good at getting his skis on and I was trying to teach him "pizza, french fries" - ski tips together and ski tips parallel. That didn't really work, but we'll continue with it. Once he learns how to find his balance on his skis while going down the mountain, things will get much easier. He had it a few times tho.

He had the best time when I had him ski between my legs. I had complete control of him and we got some good speed he loved it. I think, at 3 years old, that's the point :)

Thankfully, we couldn't have picked a better day to go up to the mountain. It wasn't too crowded and the weather was perfect! Spring skiing conditions in December.

Of course, there was a lot of hot chocolate to be had after this fun time.

Trying on his gear :)

Ready!

Headed to the mountain

 

We fell... he was kind enough to try to help me up :)

Here are a few videos from our adventure :)

AJ Being Super Silly!

Jason sent me these videos of AJ being super funny. In this one, he's singing Take Me Home, Country Road and he knows a lot of the words! I asked Jason where he learned this song and he said AJ told him one of his teachers sings it. It was news to us!



Here's another of AJ playing piano and dancing. He cracks me up!

3rd Annual Santa Party at Papa & Grandmas!

Yesterday was the 3rd Annual Santa Party at Grandma and Papa's house! It was another great time! As we hoped, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived with toys for the kids. The house was extremely full of tons of family and friends and love. Here's a few pictures. 

Yes, AJ is wearing a Tim Tebow jersey.... You're welcome Jason :-)

3rd year on the VERY old rocking chair that my grandfather made... Not sure how many more years he's gonna be able to sit on it before he breaks it!

Singing Chrstimas songs with his buddy Daxie

Thanks Santa!

Christmas Sing Along 2011

Last week AJ had his first Christmas Sing Along at school. It was the cutest thing! I really didn't know much at all about what they had planned other than a few songs and cookies after. AJ still doesn't give a lot of details so when I asked what they had planned he gave his usual "I don't know?" answer. I did know that he's been learning more Christmas songs, but that's about it.

When I arrived at the school on Thursday a few minutes before the show, they had all the kids in the classroom and had construction paper over the window on the door so I couldn't see in. They had the parents go into the show room and wait... I was beyond excited about what was to come. I was partly nervous because I just wasn't sure how AJ would be coming into a room with a bunch of people watching him and the other kids. I wondered if he'd freeze or if he would turn it on.

All the kids came out in a long line and they sang about 6 songs while we all watched, snapped photos and clapped. AJ did amazingly well! I could tell he was a little startled with all the people watching, but he wasn't scared. He did great! It was more like he was confused. I'm convinced if they did a few more songs he'd be even more into it. He loved that Daddy, Papa and I were all there. He blew kisses, caught kisses and yelled "I love ya!" while the class was singing.

After their show, we all went into their classroom and ate cookies and had juice and took pictures. Then, Papa and I took AJ to get ice cream (can you say sugar high???)

It was just so awesome. I was so happy that AJ enjoyed himself and he was really proud.

Here's a video and some pics:

So proud!

Proud Daddy!

AJ and Papa!

We love this boy!

AJ and his lady love... Gianna:)