Climb every mountain

Even with an impending forecast of rain, we decided to head out with the Reynolds and Nana & Papa to spend an afternoon climbing the Mormon Rocks on the way to Wrightwood (according to my dad they are named after an old Mormon campsite near where the rocks appeared.) After a several miles in the opposite direction so Kev could save $3 on gas, a round-about way to pick up some Weinerscnitzel, heavy traffic, 1 road construction closure, and 1 stop on the off ramp for a nursing session we final arrived... and Nate fell asleep 5 minutes earlier. After a brief nap, we joined everyone out in the FRIDGED temperature. Nate and the kids really liked climbing around on the big rocks and exploring.

Here's

Nate's

grumpy

hot

chocolate

face.

A merry Christmas to all...

Christmas was busy of course but that's the way I like it. Here's a bunch of photos from our family celebrations.
Nate was very excited about his tambourine and electric guitar/violin combo.







Here's a PJ-ed Nate showing off his Toy Story guys and cars.

A Smootchie for Dad and now-empty stockings at Nana's.

Nate loved his tricyle and gave this basketball a snuggle.

It's tradition at Grandma's house for the kids to take a picture in their giant stockings!

2004 (three weeks old) - 2005 (one year old) - 2006 (two years old)

O Christmas Tree

Awww... the perfect tree - well the best one they had out of what was left at Target. Little apartment = little tree and all the little ones seem "short and dumpy" so that's what we usually get. Here it is with all our disney, superhero, star wars and miscellaneous "Nate" ornaments. Lovely.

Birthday Bash

Our little guy turned 2 this month! It was a fun party - lots of food, no crying. We showed a special compelation of "Nate" video and broke the news on the baby brother! Nate got lots of great toys which he loved and lots of great clothes which I loved! It seemed like everyone knew just what he liked and got him stuff that he is totally obsessed with like animals, trains, cars, and music.

Say hello to Zachary Ryan Lane

Well here is our 18 week sonogram and YES! He's a BOY!
Our intention was to have a surprise again but I accidentally saw a little something last week when I really didn't want to. So we confirmed it on Thursday. Hopefully he wont be a major thumb-sucker, I've only seen him twice and both times that thumb found it's way in! (see top photo)

Feelin hot, hot hot!

This Sunday was the 5th Annual Chili Cook-off at Flipside. I can't believe it's been 5 years since the first one! I didn't decide until the morning before the competition that I was actually going to make a chili. I'd been feeling a little overwhelmed so I thought I'd skip it this year but I kept thinkin about it and thinkin about it and finally decided Saturday morning to use a recipe I had heard of on the Food Network that contained no fresh ingredients; all frozen, dried or canned. So here is the masterpiece:
Mmm looks good eh? It was OK, I really missed having that "weird" element I usually had (like last year's pumpkin chili) but it's fun just to be a part of the action at the cook-off. I even sang a little karaoke after most people had left and I could finally stop "workin." Only a select few got to hear my lovely rendition of "Little Red Riding Hood" by Sam the Sham (my dad used to sing that song alot and it always reminds me of him.) Here's me and the girls from Bible Study that made chili. Carrie, Allison and me were "hot mommas."