How's your Aspen?

I had such am awesome vacation in Aspen. Oh the glory. Gods creations are truly breathtaking. The purity of freshly fallen snow, the quite it creates, is unparralled. It has been several years since I've been in the middle of it. I love it so very much. It snowed every day I was there, the town was super busy & I was by myself! (at least a bit!) I went during the X-Games which was super cool to see. I went to Buttermilk Mountain to check it out. It was very impressive. The only problem was that everyone else around was, oh, about 14. Since I am more then doouble that my self-esteem was a bit dampened, but oh well.

My bro met me for 2 days. We snowboarded together for the first time in many years (maybe 10 years). He is so very easy to be with. I miss him so much - every day. I am blessed to have him in my life. LOVE YOU REG!!!

All in all - it was a much needed break. I came back with a whole new rope (since I was at the end of my old one). I can't wait to go back & really pray this could be a yearly escape for me???

Lillians 4th Birthday

My little Lillian turned 4 Jan 25th. Its hard to say that my youngest is now 4! We had a week long celebration starting with a family trip to Disneyland, then family dinner at Pat & Oscars, then another family dinner at Mama Dru's. Hope shes not disappointed next year when its just one day!!! The picture with Julia - no she does not have prescription glasses. Those are her favorite thing to wear. She has worn them days in a row - all day... poor kid, she'll need them soon enough with blind parents like us (oh wait, thats right, I got the laser eye surgery and I CAN SEE NOW!!!!!!)

This is Mama with little Lil. The kids are always so very happy to spend time with Mama. They love her so much - so do I!!

ADORABLE GIRLS!!!!!!!!!

I am so blessed to have these two sweet girls. They make my heart happy and my soul sing. Nothing in the world can make me happier then hearing them giggle together. Gods most precious gifts.

ABOVE: Carey in Washington DC with Kevin Downes and David White (two of the stars in his film). To the left he is also with the writers from "Hidden Secrets." They live close to DC and came to support the guys while they were filming the conclusion of Careys movie "To The Wall." Poor Carey who is afraid to fly- flew across the country Tuesday and back Wed.

My Life of Tickets

Oh how happy I am to know my life of tickets is coming to a close for the year. I've begun to process things in quantities of tickets... you want a drink - that's 2 tickets... want to play outside - that's 1 ticket... Maybe's its one to many pumpkin patch.

We went to Bates Nut Farm with our wonderful neighbors & friends, the Dohenwrends, and had a fabulous time. Julia calls Gunner, who used to be "our next-door brother," her "boyfriend" now. Hmm. I think Donica and I are on the same page in that that's great - when you're 20! She so needs to
S L O W D O W N .

But, Bates is a great tradition we've started!

We had an awesome time at the pumpkin patch! The girls and I went Saturday (brave to weekend it). Lillians been having some major melt-downs this week, but considering, things went well.

Lil started dance class! She is the oldest in the class cause mommy couldn't make the commitment for 10 months that is required to be in the older class. 10 MONTHS!! That is about 1/3 of her life so far. I think thats a little much don't you?!! So anyway- shes in the fall session (I can commit to a season evidently). She loved her first class with her friend Jetta. It was so fun to see them in their little ballet outfits. Too bad cause we were nicely told not to stay for the class b/c we're a distraction. HA!