It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

What a delight to see Christmas through the eyes of a toddler. We had lots of "Whoa" and "Wow" and "Yea!" and could not have felt more love. Christmas festivities were not even close to a "silent night"; however, the noise, the activity, the family, and the frenzy reminded us how grateful we are to have so many people that we love.

May 2012 bring new life and refreshing to you and all your families.

Our Windproof, Winter Jackets put to the Test!

Whenever we agree to follow Darin G. on an adventure, we expect a memory! This year's post Turkey snowshoe hike certainly delivered. We climbed Mount Eva to burn all our fuel from pumpkin pie. We certainly burned the pumpkin pie, our hamstrings, our calves, our glutes, and our quads! A huge storm moved in right as we got above tree line. We felt like true mountaineering folk...what we didn't feel was our finger tips or our toes. The clouds parted on our descent to give us a clear picture of the Winter Park Valley. What a reward for our day's work. Thanks Goods for helping to create an adventure we'll never forget.

Thankful Hearts

Our Gratitude list (abbreviated): Family visits home from Julie and Kevin, two turkey dinners with people we love, a game of "Reitsema Football" with no twisted ankles, the words and phrases Lia has picked up that make us smile, adventures with friends who love us well, and understanding that what feels out of our control is held with loving purpose in the hands of our Father. Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday!

An Elephant Never Forgets

 

Our Lady Bug and Elephant cousins!

 

Lia questions this strange tradition

However, if it involves a wagon ride, I’m In!!

Walking to knock on the door for our first treats. Lia put all her treats back in people’s candy bowls. I think she’d rather sort the candy at this point than eat it.

It was our treat as parents to celebrate all the growth since she was just a baby chick last year. What a sweet gift it is to be able to hold this baby elephant’s hand!

Happy Halloween

Cause people like to say “Salsa”

Just like her Dad! Lia loves her chips and salsa snack break.

For those of you who haven’t seen her walking yet…here is some footage of her busy little steps:

4 Years

September 1, we celebrated our 4 year Anniversary. Josh arranged a weekend away at Lake Grandby, the perfect setting to soak up the sun and celebrate the family, friendships, and adventures we’ve experienced along the way. Lia is a huge fan the the boat. She added “boat” to her rapidly growing vocabulary list.

Words:  “Hot”  “Hat”  “Doggy”  “More”  “Up” “Ball”        “Duck” '”Water” “Boat” “Crack” (short for cracker) “Birdie” “Moose” “Elk” “Milk” “Mommy”            “Daddy” “Bop” (Her word for Flip Flops) and many more.        

Now that Lia can say and identify her “Hat” she is much mire excited to wear it!

The perfect way to start our mornings!

  

  

Lia protecting her lips from the dry CO air

 

Thank you, Josh, for loving both of your girls so well! We are two very fortunate girls. Can’t wait for many more years of marriage and family memories.

Jackson Hole

Nana celebrated her 90th birthday in true Reitsema fashion, surrounded by her entire family in Jackson Hole, WY. Lia was a road trip champion enduring the 10 hour drive with little to no breakdowns. What a fantastic memory J and I will cherish forever. We treasure the moments we can be together with family and experience the gift and legacy that Nana made possible. Happy Bday Nana!

 

Baby Tegan and Lia ready to explore Jenny Lake with the Ladies.

 

Our picnic spot. Lindsey, Lauren, Lia, Lexi, Holly, Nana, Pam, and Debbie.

Lia running around Grand Teton Park on our way into Yellowstone.

 

Stopped for a picture on trail toward Taggart Lake

 

A shot in front of the Grand Tetons

Lia loves uncle Larry

Bringing a little TX BBQ into the kitchen. Go team bandana.

Goodbye Jackson Hole. We can’t wait to visit you in the winter to make some memories skiing your chutes!