Christmas!!

Christmas this year was spent with David's parents.We attempted some family pictures on Christmas Eve- what a chore that was! You think having little kids are bad, try having 4 dogs to try to position them the way you want and then make them stay. It was quite the adventure and we all went a little blind from all the flashes from a million pictures being taken to just get one that looked- decent! Ha Ha even his evil eye can't be taken away with red eye removal!!

On Christmas eve we went to the ski hill in Winter Park for the Ski Down. They have Christmas music playing and they have skiers going down the hill with torches dancing to the songs. We caught the tail end of the show- just in time to see Santa coming down the hill with snow cats coming down after him with all there crazy lights. After that we went over to a family friends home and enjoyed a delicious dinner with everyone.
On Christmas morning we all meandered out of bed around 9 or 10 and just hung out. I think it was almost noon by the time we decided it was time to open presents. Santa did a very good job this year- I was very impressed! He brought me my very own snowboard helmet- so I don't look like I belong on the short bus! ;) He also brought me some cute jackets, new straight iron, a clock for the wall and a gift card to Kohls. Santa was VERY good to me this year! For David he brought a new snowboard jacket- so he doesn't look like the green machine coming down the hill! He also received a new dress shirt with some ties, a new travel toiletries bag and an ESPN movie pack (shh.... don't tell-Santa didn't get that delivered in time and now it is waiting for him at his mom's for New Years!) We also got season passes to the mountain, snowboard shirts and socks from David's mom & dad also. We are EXTREMELY grateful for everything we received this year, it was definitely a good year!
We eventually got out for the day and went snow boarding just me and David. It was fun to be able to be with him for the day and actually be with him the whole time! I usually end up going on my own, but this time I got to hang out with him on the hill the WHOLE time! That night mom cooked up a delicious meal and Jackie came over to join us for dinner since her whole family was gone to Mississippi to go duck hunting. We had a good time together as usual and I enjoyed every ones company.
The next morning we got up and David and his mom went to the mountain again- I wasn't feeling good and Kurt was doing his own thing. So they enjoyed some good mother and son time on the mountain!
This year did bring about some sadness as well, as it was the first Christmas without papa Chet around. We sure do miss him and and also missed having Roz around as well! She was well taken care of and surrounded by her family and I am sure she knows we love her and missed having her join in the festivities!
Oh yes- I almost forgot- Dallan proposed to Stacie on Christmas (FINALLY!!) so a wedding should be coming some time this next year!Did you see the ring?- I didn't at first when I got their text message!

Thanksgiving #2

For the actual Thanksgiving day we got to venture down to Utah to spend some time with my family. We left on Wednesday night and made the long drive down through blowing snow and 30 mph speed limits. We went to uncle Mike and Lorna's house for turkey dinner with grandma & grandpa Baer and my family. The food was good of course and the coveted blackberry jelly was consumed with no fights this year and I gorged myself on the homemade rolls as well. I enjoyed being able to spend time with the family that day. We didn't go out with the crazies for Black Friday, but we did venture out later in the day to see what sort of deals we could come out with. We did find a few good things, but nothing too exciting. On Saturday we went to Grandma Baer's for a grand daughter Christmas tea party. I always love doing tea parties at Grandma's she always makes sure we have a good time. She always makes mini sandwiches with home made rolls, jello jigglers and small foods. For desert she also makes little ice cream balls- that you have to eat very slowly with little bites. I made sure to keep my pinkie up as well as making sure everyone else complied with the proper etiquette. It was fun to pretend to be little and as always I enjoy being in the company of grandma and all my family. On Sunday we made the trek back home again through snow covered roads and slow speeds. I love being able to come home even though most times its just a short weekend. I love my family and hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday and I can't wait for more time to spend with everyone.
I am very thankful for my family on both sides, they are all amazing people and have a great influence on me. I can only hope to be a great parent to my kids as you all are to me! I am also very thankful to the friends that we have made in the past year, as well as those that have been around for a long time- without them I would not be where I am today and for that I am very thankful for their friendship.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Thanksgiving #1

We went up to David's folks over the past weekend for an early Thanksgiving dinner. We all got together on Saturday evening for dinner and socializing. Of course there was good food as usual and great company. It was the first holiday without papa and there was a lot of emotions flowing through everyone. I wish I would have thought of pictures, but I forgot and of course journaling the event is just as important. I am so THANKFULL to have such great in-laws who love and support us. We love them all even though they are leaving us to go to Mexico- as we make our way to Utah to the FREEZING weather- we still love them!! We are watching Drake while they are gone and he gets to join us on our trip to Utah for Thanksgiving # 2!! Hopefully we will make it there in one piece and safely (please hold out on the snow- please!)

Cost of a dog...

Vet visit........$35 Medication .......$190 Other medical supplies....$30

Having him give you the saddest puppy eyes ever as you cant help but laugh at how silly and pathetic he looks.......priceless!!!

What would we do without our tankers! I'm sorry your friend Dulley attacked you, we won't let that happen again!

Love is unconditonal...

10-24-10 A day that will be etched in our minds forever.

Papa Chet has returned to his maker.

Papa has gone through more than his fair share of challenges in the past few years, you would hope nothing more would have been thrown his way. We all hoped and prayed that he would be cured and live forever, unfortunately there was another plan in store for him.

It all started about 7 years ago when he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, he started on all sorts of things to try and cure it besides doing any chemo or radiation. He fought this battle for 5 years with a wonderful woman Roz by his side helping him along the way in every way she could, but this was all kept secret from the family. We just found out a few years ago about what he was going through and it had just gotten worse. He was diagnosed with bone cancer as well and the cancer had spread through his already frail body. He was always more concerned about his family and how they were that he did not want to burden anyone with his trials. He is an amazing man and has more strength than I could even comprehend.

It had been a rough last few weeks for him and I am glad to know that he is no longer suffering and probably rafting down the rivers of heaven today, strong and full of life. We got the call on Thursday the 14th that he was not doing well and the doctors didn't think that he would make it through the night. Well, he of course was stubborn and proved everyone wrong. He had days of ups and downs, everyone got to come say there goodbyes or see him one last time before he passed which was good. He is loved by all that he meets and most certainly will never be forgotten.

We were very privileged a couple of weeks ago to go on his last rafting trip with him and I am sure it will be a trip that is never forgotten. We rafted the Colorado and fished as we went, the good news is he caught the one and only fish of that trip and we wouldn't have it any other way. My only regret of this trip is that I didn't take any pictures, but we will have the memories.

He is a great man that has a great family that he has left behind, we all have the peace of mind that we will see him again one day and that he is in a much better place. I know he is looking down on us and making sure we are all taken care of. I know for sure I will be taken care of because he made David promise to take care of me and there is one thing I know for sure- David will never break a promise made to his papa! :)

Now that he has passed we will have lots of rafting trips to go on to spread his ashes in all the rivers he has rafted! We sure will be busy!!

WE LOVE YOU PAPA!!

Lake Powell!

As part of our trip to Utah we also got to go to Lake PowellWe were invited by some of our friends in our ward to go and of course we couldn't pass it up! Tyler and Katie carpooled to Utah with us and Brandon and Molly met us down there on Saturday. We left on Saturday from my folks and made the drive to meet up with our friends in Provo. We arrived Saturday night and loaded on to the houseboat from the Bullfrog marina. The next day we made the trek down the canyon to the Rincon to find our spot for the next few days! We spent the next few days floating and catching some raysKatie- top left, Molly-bottom left, Lesley- top right and me!
As well as working on our wake boarding skills! David was way more entertaining than me to watch- he at least could jump! Me on the other hand- I got out and in the wake!
On one of the days we took the boat and went up to the Escalante canyon to do some exploring! It is an amazing place we stopped at one point to climb up into an arch- that let me tell you- was waaaayy out of my height comfort zone! My legs were shaking! Tyler and Brandon stayed on the boat to get our picture in the arch! Can you see the fear in my eyes! And of course boys being boys- they had to push a huge rock down the side of the hill on the way down!

Then along the way we found a big rock just inches under the water and of course had to take the photo op!

The group- us, Tyler and Katie, Molly and BrandonThe weather was perfect, not too hot or too cold at night for sleeping out on the deck- although we did have one day of off and on rain. David did find a good way to kill some time as well- Comfy? he sure slept fine! All in all we had a great trip full of good memories and we can't wait to go back!

Gma & Gpa Baer 50 Years!

September 2nd, 2010 was Gma & Gpa Baers 50th wedding anniversary! It's amazing to see love and a relationship last so long. We were lucky enough to make it to Utah to join in the celebration of such love! They have always been good examples of what marriage should be like and how to treat each other. I have many great memories together with them and hope there are many more to come.

This is the whole Baer family except for the Tooele Baers.

My familyAll the grand kids Got to have a little camera entertainment!
Gma and her favorite granddaughter! ;)

David and me

Dad and me having fun in the midst of all the old people!

One big hug!

While we in UT we had a few extra days to hang out with the family as well! It's always good to get to see everyone and of course we had some fun playing a bit of mini golf and getting just a "little bit" competitive.

David DadMom

DallanStacie- She is pretty much part of the family- Dallan just needs to put a ring on her finger! (hint)Morgi
Me

Of course Madi was missing from the fun that night- she was too busy with a boy! I love getting to see everyone and I am glad it worked out to fit a few days in with the family!

4 Years together with you!!

Thursday August 19th, marked 4 years of being married to a great man!We almost had to spend the day apart, but due to my reminding David was able to switch one the guys to go out of town so he didnt have to! I was going to do a day of surprises, but since he forgot and was scheduled to go out of town I had to let him know what I had planned. We both had to work that day, but after work we went to dinner to Texas Roadhouse. We then followed that up by driving around looking at trucks for him and then going shopping for some new swim attire. Then for the surprise of the evening we went and got massages....I am so relaxed just thinking of how great it was. David of course got a sports massage so his wasn't so relaxing, but he left feeling great! To top of the night we got some oh so delicious ice cream from our little ice cream shop Penguins. It was a great evening and I was glad to be able to spend it with the one I love! We have definately had our fair share of rollercoasters through the years, but we have been able to work through them and always come out loving each other that much more! We have lived in 3 houses, 2 states, have 1 dog and have many more adventures yet to be had. I love you babe!

(This is up at Winter Park- downhilling with Kurt last weekend)

Remember- Olive you forever and always!

Feel the burn!

Yesterday was the beginning of our new work out program P90X.
We will be beach ready just in time for winter! Ha Ha!
I will do an update after 90 days and will show a before and after- hopefully there will be some great results!

Little bit of not much!

So, we haven't been up to much lately besides our usual routine of work, work and more work. Although we have had some things thrown in the mix lately. We went to spend the weekend with David's parents and while there we did go to a downhill bike competition with Kurt. It was all but exciting for me, but of course those 2 were all about just looking at all the bikes and wondering around. David wants to get a new downhill bike, so he used it as a good time to do some research! I used it as a good time to soak up some sun!
Also, while we were up for the weekend papa Chet came over to do some fishing with the boys. Sadly I forgot to get a pic of them all fishing, but thought about it too late! It was some good bonding time for him and David seeing as papa isn't feeling to well. Papa has been dealing with prostate cancer and bone cancer as well for the past seven years and it has definitely taken a toll on him in the last little while. We always love when we get a chance to see him and enjoy his company. Hopefully this last round of chemo goes well because we would love to have him around for a long while. We love him!

Other than that we have started to make some new friends from our ward and I love that we all get along and can hang out together with everyone at the same time!

Life is going good and hopefully we will have some changes within the next year to add a little bit more excitement to our lives!

Ooh i can't forget-he is smokin! OLIVE HIM!

Exciting changes!

Lots of exciting things have been happening around the Valance house!
#1 For the past few years we have always come home, drove into the driveway and parked the car, then got out of the car, lifted the garage door, then got back into the car, then drove the car in and parked, then got out of the car and went and shut the garage door again. Then all of that in reverse when we left the house. Sound fun? NO- but have no fear all that has changed! We now have a garage door opener! I am super excited, you never know how much your missing out on until you have to manually open the garage rain, snow or shine! YIPEEE!! #2 The picture says it all....

David is in heaven! Can you see it now? Duke or Notre Dame playing on that big screen! LOL I came home the other day to find that monster sitting on top of that little TV- cant blame him it was a good find for a couple hundred bucks! Good news is- I don't have to squint to read the TV guide now! YIPEEE!!

#3 Ever get bored with the same old look? I did!

BEFORE:

AFTER:I LOVE IT AND SO DOES DAVID!!

Oh life is great and full of changes! YIPEE!!!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to me! This was one of the best birthdays I have had in a while! I got to celebrate for the whole weekend! David had everything planned and would not tell me anything- which usually isn't the case. Friday night he took me to Rodizio grill which was really good. They have guys that come around to the table with different meats on skewers and they just cut you off how ever much you want. They had pork, chicken and even grilled pineapple (my favorite). The best one of the night was chicken heart! NOT! We both got brave and at least tried just one, David ate the whole thing and I ate a quarter of it after seeing his reaction! Over all it was delicious and we both were super full when we left! After we were done David wanted to drive all over town, which after dinner all I wanted to do was go home and sit on the couch! We instead got home and David started acting funny and keeping an eye on his phone then said we needed to go for a walk. I of course was suspicious, but went along for the walk. When we got home he went to make a phone call and told the person on the other line that we were home and they could stop by at any time! Now at this point I was super confused as to who would be coming over around 11pm. David wouldn't crack or give me any clues of course. Then the door bell rang and I opened it to find.... my family!!! I was super surprised and excited to see them! David had planned with mom to come for the weekend and spend my birthday with me! It was a great surprise for sure- I would have never guessed that they would drive up all night to see me!On Saturday we spent the day shopping till we dropped! I actually found some clothes for myself which is a rarity and also a duvet cover and sheets for the bed. Now we look a bit more grown up at least! Next on my list is an actual bed set! We had lots of fun just hanging out and shopping the day away and they enjoyed actually having some sun and not wearing their winter coats back in UT.

We drove mom's car around the whole time and us 3 plus David were all smashed in the backseat! Good thing we had a camera to kill some time!

For Sunday, my actual birthday we went to the Denver Zoo. It was lots of fun and enjoyed being able to have my fam there with me to have some fun. The only thing was that the animals seemed to all be sleeping or hiding in the shade out of the sun. Madi was the official photographer and once she gets her pics uploaded I will have them to show. We did lots and lots of walking around and I ended up with a boo boo. Good thing mom was there to get me all better with a Garfield band-aid! It was a nice blister from my flip flops! Over all it was a good day at the zoo which was on my list of things I wanted to do this summer any ways. After the zoo we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse, which was good as always! They of course sang Happy Birthday, but at least this year I did not have to get on a saddle!

We wore out poor David with all the fun! :)

On Monday morning we ate breakfast then the fam had to get on the road! :( I enjoyed having them stay for the weekend and was sad to see them go. It was a great weekend and was super excited that they wanted to spend their long weekend with me! I love you all and thank you for staying!

David did a great job on Birthday plans this year, now I don't know how he is going to top this one! LOL Thanks for a great weekend everyone!!