So much to be thankful for

Christmas this year was amazing. We have officially spent our very first Xmas in our own house. It was wonderful to see Ryland wake up in his own home and see what Santa brought him and to experience Brynlee's very first Christmas. There will be so many more firsts to experience in the coming year. Shawn and I spoiled each other (I got a six session sampler at the local spa and a couple gift certificates to shop when I get my pre-baby body back... yeah!!) and I completely surprised Shawn with a new Snowboard. I was so proud of myself because I found a brand new one with custom bindings on craigslist and negotiated a screaming deal on it! I love a good bargain which makes me a bit of a Criagslist junkie. We headed up to McCall, ID (about 2 hours from our house) to spend new years at my parents cabin. We had a blast. Shawn got a couple good days of snowboarding in with my dad and brother. I only got about a half a day of skiing in while I was there, but I was grateful to even get that. Thanks to my mom, I was able to leave the littlest one home with her and head up to the mountain. We put Ryland in a full day ski school and he was not only skiing on his own, but he learned to stop himself while staying completely in control. That's a big feat for him... we are so proud! We will be spending a lot more time up at the cabin this season, so we'll have to keep all of you updated on how things go, and how good Ryland gets. I really hope he gains a life long love of it. While we were at the cabin Ryland learned to wipe himself!!! YEAH!! He will be starting preschool (2 days a week, all day) and has to be bale to do everything bathroom oriented without help, so we had good motivation to make him do it. It was much easier than I expected and I am beyond happy that I no longer have to hear him yell... "Help! I'm done!!" after which I have to brave myself before heading to the bathroom :) What a wonderful way to start the new year! Happy new year to all of you. May it be filled with many cherished memories and more blessings than you can count. We are looking forward to a new year full of things to be grateful for.