If you haven't noticed yet, we love to Hike. It has been to cold to really be able to do any hiking, but about two weeks ago there was a period were things warmed up. So we took the boys and went to Pinnacle mountain. This was Tyler's first hike, and I think he liked it.
Christmas Eve we got on a plane and headed to AZ. We spent Christmas day with the Backus'. We had a great time and I love to see some of the traditions Matt had while growing up. His whole family was there
Tyler enjoying his first Christmas morning
Playing with Grandma
Tyler hanging out with his Grandpa
Grand kids picture
Then the next day we got back on a plane and headed towards Idaho. My sisters Nicole and Nellie and my brother Ben live there. Nicole was about to have a baby any day so we decided since she couldn't come to AZ for the Holidays we would go there and have a family reunion
We stayed in a cabin in Driggs and had lots of fun. It was very, very cold and I am more grateful that I live in a State that only at most snows once a year .
Blake loved his Uncle Ben and followed him wherever he went.
Nicole day dreaming about not being pregnant
My cute and fun SINGLE sister Nellie. (Let me know if you want to set her up with a great guy.)
My handsome, fun , SINGLE brother Bradley (also let me know if you have any girls you want to set him up with)
While their dad was gone Blake and Tyler become models for the bows that their aunts were making.
Blake loved the snow.
I learned how to snowboard. The one thing I thought I would never do because of my distaste for cold and snow. As well as a horrible memory of watching a lady in my ward growing up break her back on a youth snow trip. It still gives me the shivers when I think about it. However, my sisters talked me into it and I am so glad I went.
Here I am trying to stand up. It took me forever! At this point I was not happy I came. But thanks to a patient and loving husband and a suggestion from Nellie I got up.
Look at me I am practically a pro! (Just kidding I think I fell about every two minutes if not sooner).
Enjoying the hot tub after being super sore from snow boarding. My Body loved it but my face was frozen!
We are going to AZ for Christmas, but Matt and I wanted to have our own Christmas here in Arkansas. It wasn't very big but it was a lot of fun. For breakfast we made omelette's and monkey bread. Then the boys (really Blake) opened their gifts. We had a lot of fun and I can't wait for next year when they both will have a better understanding about what is going on. Later that day we went to the Museum of Discovery. Thanks Mom (Nancy) for the membership. I can already tell we will be spending a lot of time there. Merry Christmas everyone!
Somehow Blake got into my oil pastels and had decided to do a little art work on the carpet, the kitchen floor, some Tupperware bowls, and HIMSELF! I don't know how he got them, they are on a high shelve above my washer. But, know I am wondering why I even have them, I have never used them before. Anyways, I was very surprised to come into the family room and see Blake looking like a chimney sweep. I tried not to laugh, but how can you be mad when you know he had no idea that what he was doing was not okay. 
Friday, December 19th, 2008 was a very special day for the Backus family. It was the day Matt took his last final for the semester which means that we are officially half way done with Law School!! YAY! To celebrate we had homemade pizza 1/2 pepperoni and 1/2 veggie.
I attempted to make 1/2 a cake (it tasted much better than it looked. Cake decorating and I don't get along).
