End of an Era and New Beginnings

Words cannot express how proud I am of Todd! After 13 years with Gastronomy he has decided to move on and accept a position at Snowbird. This wasn't something he was looking for and in fact he declined it when the headhunter first approached him, but they came back with more incentives and we decided it was the right opportunity. He will be the General Manager of the Aerie (their fine dining/flagship restaurant), the sushi bar and lounge, all room service from these and all large events. It will be a big job with more hours and a lot of hard work, but I have no doubt that he has what it takes and will do a great job. It will also open many more doors for the future. Change is scary, but this is very exciting and we are ready to take on a new challenge and adventure as a family. It has made me realize even more what great partners Todd and I can be and that we can do anything if we go at it together.
His associates at Gastronomy are very sad to see him go, but they all agreed that they knew this day was coming some time and he was always on the track for more. They are throwing him a going away party right before he leaves and they plan to have a nice spread and lots of champagne. When we started thinking about it we realized what a huge part of our life they have been (and for so long). We had our first date at The Broiler, our rehearsal dinner at Cottonwood, Todd got promoted each time we had a baby and they helped make buying our home a reality. The kids ADORE going to "Dads store" and pretty much think they own it (OJ, fries, and hot chocolate are a must EVERY time). We've celebrated all but 2 of our anniversaries at The New Yorker, my 30th birthday at the Oyster Bar and countless Father's/Mother's Days and Easters there. It will be SO weird to not be a part of them, but we will definitely keep in close touch and are very grateful for all the things they provided us and taught Todd.
We've heard wonderful things about Snowbird from people who have worked for them. They speak about being a "family" and wanting people to be in it for the long haul. The kids are already excited for the pool and slopes access and McKayla has asked Todd where she gets to sit in the restaurant (he told her he'd put her right in front of the big windows so she could see the whole mountain). It might change holidays and our schedules, but we're excited to make it work and create new memories and traditions.

CHEERS TODD...NOBODY DESERVES IT MORE!!!!

Snow Play & Icesickle Pops

A whole lot of Fabulous

McKayla grabbed my purse and threw out some awesome poses while saying, "Look Mom, I'm fabulous". I of course had to document her fabulousness :-). The other pics are of Bodie relaxing while McKayla cleaned the family room for me....made me go "hmmm" :-)

Fabulous

Very comfortable in Paka and GiGi's bed

My little cleaner and little relaxer

Anniversary, Snow, Loves

Todd and I celebrated 6 years this weekend (making it 13 years all together...kindu crazy). I woke up to a huge crash and glass breaking that morning...it was our cat knocking over the flowers Todd had bought and put out the night before for me. We decided to head up to Park City for brunch with the kids and a little sunshine (this weather is driving me CRAZY now...I need SUN so BAD!!!). On our way up we figured out we were heading up in a huge storm...lovely. We got up there, parked, realized I was in suede boots, broke a windshield wiper and watched as the storm got worse. SO, we decided to head back down to SLC. We checked out 3 restaurants in SLC before we decided to go to the Oyster Bar for brunch. Once we got there everything was perfect and we were all very happy. Yummy coffee, food, drinks...and they sent out a delicious strawberry shortcake at the end to say congrats. After that we headed home and watched as the storm came through SLC and DUMPED snow. Todd went out to grab us some Pei Wei (there was no way we were going to try and go out to dinner in that weather) and ended up helping 2 people (who had 4 wheel drive) get unstuck on the road. We had a fun little "picnic" in the family room while we watched some shows and it ended up being perfect. It was fun actually spending our anniversary with the kids this year and it made me reflect upon all we have built and accomplished over the years. Cheers to many more!!

Watching our mechanic plow our driveway

Snow, snow and more snow

So freakin yummy!!!

BRIGHT flowers

Treating themselves to some chocolate

Love this princess

Dentist Fun

I have to say it makes me super happy that the kids love going to the dentist (hello, easy for mom). They actually go to the same place I went when I first moved here from California (although, my actual dentist retired about a year ago). They make the whole experience so fun for the kids...movies to watch, toys to choose, choose a new toothbrush, no cavity club (which means a bracelet/toy and all of them shouting "No Cavities" when the dentist checks), super hero capes, shooting the water thing across the room like a water gun, parties, ect. They are so sweet and gentle with the kids and it seriously is such a fun experience. The kids were extra cute this time and they held each other's hand while one was getting their teeth cleaned. I think this also makes them continue liking brushing their teeth at home :-).

COLD, Baby Shower, Nice dinners and more

First of all, it's stinkin COLD here!!! I'm talking bone chilling, hurt your face, can't breathe, 1 degree cold. Seriously, the cold and inversion can go away right now! OK, I did my little rant...now to the rest of our weekend. I threw a baby shower for one of my best friends on Saturday to celebrate her soon to arrive little man (who I cannot wait to cuddle!). It was relaxed and she got some really cute stuff. Can I tell you how cute Bodie and his 2 year old girlfriend were with a little 4 month old baby that was there too...he's gonna be a great Dad one day and they seriously looked like little parents cooing over the baby :-). BTW--- Bodie if you ever read this...you'll be a great Dad and I love the idea of having grandkids one day, but PLEASE do not make me a grandmother any time in the near or say 25 year future. I also enjoyed sitting with the momma to be, my sis and my other good friend after the shower catching up and relaxing (other then when my son decided to poor baby oil all over his head and face which ended up with him needing a bath ASAP). On Sunday we had a great morning at church and then we went to check out my parent's new house (they are moving in this week!!). It is beautiful and the kids had a fabulous time running all over and looking at "their" new rooms (yep, they totally made themselves at home). Sunday night my parents watched the kids for us and we went up to The Aerie (Snowbird's high end restaurant) for dinner. We got up there earlier so we still had some daylight and the view from our table was breathtaking. The drive was a bit scary, but not as bad as I thought it might be (Todd might tell you otherwise since he had a seat gripping wife in the passenger seat telling him to slow down when he was only going 20...love ya babe!).

Over the weekend...

Ain't no Thang but a Chicken Wang

This boy apparently loves his wings :-)

Had to add this one in...she still loves to pose ;-)

Sledding

We have this great school near our house for sledding and it has a great view of the valley too. It was pretty darn cold the day we went, but we all still had a wonderful time and we LOVE the new sled from my parents :-)

Pit stop to make snow angels

Random Dec. Pics/Video

Christmas Day

McKayla woke up and ran into our room saying "It's morning Mom, it's morning!". Todd asked her what day it was and she said, "I don't know I haven't seen the family room yet." Bodie had crawled into our bed in the early morning and he didn't even want to wake up, but McKayla got him excited as I went out to position myself to take pics/video. The both ran into the family room with Todd and their eyes LIT up. They ran to their new car first and then McKayla spotted the stockings. She was super sweet too...she got Bodie's for him first and then past out mine and Todd's before going to her own. Bodie refused to leave the car so he opened his stocking in there why periodically pushing the pedal and spinning out :-). My parents, Non & Nick and Sylvia & Scott came over for brunch and opening up the rest of the gifts (and of course watching Christmas vacation). It was really fun (and chaotic) to have it at our house this year since my parent's house isn't finished yet. After everyone was spoiled nice and well the family left and we all took a nice long nap (except Bodie who apparently roamed/played around downstairs while we slept). We went to dinner that night at my sister's house and she put on a great spread for everyone. The night ended with some very tired kiddos (and mom!) and movie's in my sister and Nick's bed (yep, there were 6 of them piled in). It was so nice to spend time with family and watching the kids was overwelmingly heartwarming. I also got to talk to my brother which made me more happy than words can express. I won't go into all the kids got (spoiled much!?), but their favorites are the car, doll house, tranformer costume, trucks, princess dolls and Jungle Book Movie.

Bodie's "I don't know" look

Stinker snuck off, closed our door and got in our bed to EAT his new chapstick

New sleeping bags

We got Mom and Dad a Z Galleie Card to decorate their new house

Playing with the new doll house

Watching movies on Aunt Nonnie's bed

Uncle Nick decided to join