YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE

We are home from vacation and I am so ready to get back to blogging. I have lots of trip pictures to share and a few funny stories but TODAY is a post about the sweetest and funniest little man I know. Jack turns 2

TODAY! Two years ago on this day, I had no idea if this little baby could find a nook in my heart. His big brother was 7 and had lived with us the first five years of his life.
I could not imagine that there was any space left for another little boy. Parker was my heart and I loved him so much that I could not imagine that I could have that same feeling again. I was SO WRONG!!

From the moment I laid eyes on Jack in the delivery room, even having the honor of cutting the cord, I was instantly smitten again.

When he had been home a day, he became VERY sick with what turned out to be spinal meningitis. We spent 2 of the scariest weeks of our lives standing over that little guy in the NICU, praying that he would live. Only when he was finally well, did we realize how close we came to losing him.

I cannot imagine our life without him. He is the funniest kid ever and he is so JACK! He is spending the night with us tonight and I just checked on him. He looks like a little angel as he sleeps.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK.....you have rocked my world, just like your BROTHER.

HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE PICTURES OF MY LITTLE MAN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!!!

A DEEP THINKER!!!

THIS SNOW SUIT IS NOT FUN

I am looking forward to catching up on all my favorite blogs in the next few days. I am also working on some pictures from our trip....THIS is SUPER BOWL WEEK, so if you picked the COLTS or the SAINTS you are still in the contest. I am hoping that Peyton gets the win. I really need therapy when football season is over. And for me it ended last week.

I MAY NEED INTERVENTION ...ONLY KIDDING

I have not fallen off the earth, though I feel like it, as I have been a few days, as in 4 days with no internet. My family is totally convinced that I have an addiction and have suggested intervention. We have only had one vehicle so I have had no way to get to an internet connection while they have been on the slopes.

I am typing this from a little coffee shop in Frisco's Safeway (really I AM PEOPLE WATCHING) This is the oldest and SLOWEST COMPUTER I have. Long story why I brought it but it is wearing me out.

My son-in-law just dropped me off and said, "Stay until you get your fix"!

What a great guy.

We started the trip with a BANG. My husband and Micah (my son-in-law) both had altitude sickness almost from the time we landed in Vail. Amanda and I both had headaches and felt pretty crummy the first 24 hours, but they ended up spending 6 hours in the ER and coming home with oxygen. Their oxygen levels were REALLY low. I have heard more stories of people that have come here for years that on recent trips have experienced the same thing. Weird. It has never affected us before. The doctor said there is no rhythm or reason, no respecter of age, or any real defining reason for when and why it happens. BUT IT HAPPENED TO US ON THIS TRIP...and it was not FUN.

Moving on to Sunday, lots of snow and lots of sadness. The Vikings-Saints game was enough to put me in the hospital. It didn't, but seeing Brett take such a beating was heart breaking to me. I understand in the grand scheme of life, its just a game, but I so wanted him to go to the Super Bowl. But he did SET ONE MORE record in my book...TOUGHEST COMPETITOR on the earth. I am hoping for one more year, but if that does not happen, I will always remember this AS ONE OF HIS BEST!

I love the Manning boys so I hope Peyton gets a win.

Many stories and lots of pictures when I get home Friday. For some reason this computer will not even read my camera card. The kids snowboarded today and are beat. Parker loved snowboarding and had a day of private lessons. I think he will sleep good tonight. Jack and I stayed at the house with baby Jack, who will be 2 in less than a week. Wow has that been fast. He has been a little angel on this trip. It has snowed some everyday and the scenery is beyond beautiful. We are staying in a fabulous house that belongs to good friends.

Since I cannot get my computer to read my pictures..will leave you with a picture of Grayson that Greg emailed me this week. This was Grayson's first time to sit in a BIG BOY chair last SUNDAY when they were eating out.

I am looking forward to catching up with all my blog friends, as in a FULL day of doing NOTHING but that. I am hoping that will be Saturday..Better get back to the condo to play some more cards and eat another good meal. Amanda and Micah have been our personal chefs this week and they are awesome. Last night we did go to Vail Village to eat. That is a post in its self. AS IN THE GPS MALFUNCTIONED. Enough said!

HEADING FOR SNOW and HOPING FOR ANOTHER WIN

This may be my only post for a few days. I am getting ready to board Bella with the Zoo Keeper, making notes for the house sitter, packing, repacking, weighing the luggage, weighing it again, (knowing that I have over packed but cannot help myself), last minute errands, nails, hair, and on and on.

No matter how early I start getting my do to list done for a trip, IT ALWAYS GROWS. I am SO looking forward to a week of family, fun, snow and some football. I am feeling sad that Dana,Greg and their boys will not be making this trip with us. Hopefully we can all go on a fall trip when Grayson is a little older. They used all their vacation when he was in the NICU this past summer.


This is a HUGE football weekend. I don't have to tell you that last Sunday was "OH HAPPY DAY" at our house. A couple of people in my family are a little conflicted since the Vikings are playing the Saints. That would NOT BE ME! No conflict here. I want the 40 year 103 day old QB to WIN and head to Miami. I loved it that the ticker kept running his age down to the days, on Sunday. BRETT FAVRE, 40 years and 100 days. I still find that funny. So Sunday will find us watching the games, eating great food and loving our time in Colorado. Snow is predicted for Sunday, so that will just add to the excitement for the day.

Brett has given us so many FOOTBALL THRILLS over the past 18 years! I don't know another player that plays with as much excitement and love for the game. He is JUST GOOD FOR THE GAME. If you are not a football fan, just indulge me.
We are a FOOTBALL FAMILY!
I did get a new camera so hope I have better pictures. If NOT, the camera will go back. I need to get it all set up tomorrow on the plane and read the instructions. Nothing like last minute.
Just in case you are feeling deprived of pictures of Jack. Both boys spent the night last night, but Parker was asleep when I thought to make some pictures. Below is Jack pondering his up coming vacation and whether he plans to be nice on the plane. We have a portable DVD player, new DVD's and prayer. This is his last week to FLY FREE. I assigned him to his Dad's seat, but have a feeling we will all get a turn.
HE CAN BE SO SERIOUS
HE STEALS MY HEART EVERY TIME!