In the Midst of January

January always seems like a long month to me. It definitely is longer, and I think the stretch between pay days feels like an eternity after the holiday season splurge!

This month we have had a lot of visitors, which has been a lot of fun. First we had our friend Dr. Chad come visit from Arizona, where he is doing his residency. He is good friend from the pre-Zambia years. Then Jon, Lisa, and Ella passed through for a night on their way to Shelf Road. They are back in the state for a short time while on their year long road trip. After that we had a visit from Matt and Holly for a few nights as they checked out homes in Boulder. Mark Krasnow came for a night since he had a conference in Denver. And that brings us today, January 19th. Who knows who else will come stay with us this month! Our guest room and bath have seen a lot of use.

In addition to all the visitors, we got away to Shelf Road for the warmest days since I don't know when and it really wasn't THAT warm. It was over MLK weekend and we met a bunch of friends there to climb. I remember a year ago it was super nice over MLK weekend. Wee were in the exact same place in 2009! It was fun to get outside again and soak up some vitamin D and touching real rock as oppose to climbing in the gym. Jacob and Mia had a blast hanging out with Ella. The funniest part of the whole weekend was when we were hiking back to the car on Saturday from the crag (Cactus Cliff, for those of you who know Shelf Road). It is roughly a mile to the car and has a few short ups and downs, but at the end of the hike it has a major uphill. The three kids decided to run all the way back. I am not sure if they were racing or what, but we couldn't keep up with them! They were passing other groups on the trail. Jacob was at the back for awhile, with Mia at the front, and Ella in between. Jacob kept yelling, MIA WAIT. We finally got her to stop at the last big uphill at which point Jacob runs up to her, hugs her, and then pushes to the front. Hilarious. Needless to say, as we drove into town (about 20 minutes) for dinner and to spend the night in a hotel, Jacob and Mia passed out. Jimmy and I thought that was it for the evening, but they awoke for dinner, recharged, and sure enough, were demanding to go swimming once we checked in.


Also this month, Jacob and Mia attended Josephine's 4th birthday party at a jumpy place (for lack of better words). It was "Princess Party" so Mia of course had to bring her "dancing" dress and her pink crown. Mia wears this blue dress, given by Aunt Diana at her 3rd birthday, probably 50% of the time. She is always putting it on! It was given to Diana by a dance company. Therefore it must have been a recital dress. Mia is definitely showing interest in taking dance classes and really wants to take gymnastic classes.

I had to include this pic. Not sure what the frown is about.

Josephine is in the middle. She turned 4 in the beginning of January.

Hanging with good friends: Jon and Jimmy, showing the love...as a result of a funny game called Quelf.

Jacob, Ella, and Mia


This set of pics is from Cowboy Day at preschool. Jacob and Mia had received University of Wyoming Cowboy shirts from Matt and Holly at Christmas. They came in handy for Cowboy day. Jacob and Mia loved their cowboy hats they made at school, although they do remind me more of pilgrims hats.