Did you know?

Did you know that we spent New Year's at Disneyland with Ryan's sister, brother-in-law, and nieces?

Did you know that this year the Vail Veterans Program expanded to include families and we brought our kids to Vail to ski and play in the snow?

Did you know that sometimes you just gotta saddle up for Cowboy Breakfast at the child development center?

Did you know that some giraffes like to eat cookies?

Did you know that a girls only weekend with your best friend might have to become an annual tradition?

Did you know that you should always ask the vendor how much it costs to purchase two swirly light up wands at Disney on Ice? (Really. You should ask before you tell the kids yes.)

Did you know that it's hard to get three kids looking the same direction with smiles on Easter Sunday?

Did you know that Jaida received the sacrament of confirmation this year?

Did you know that Ryan got his prosthetic ears and they look so real that I forget they're fake?

Did you know that Ryan and I were invited to the Wounded Warrior Project's Courage Awards and benefit dinner in NYC? Both Trace Adkins and Bill O'Reilly received awards and we got to attend a taping of the O'Reilly Factor.

Did you know that Jaida attended her first formal dance this year and I think I had as much fun as she did picking out her outfit?

Did you know that Maya completed her Strong Beginnings Pre-K program and the graduation was almost too cute for words?

Did you know this is my attempt at catching you up on the main events of the last six months? We've been busy. It was this or nothing.

10

Will someone please tell me where the year 2009 went?

A new year is upon us and as I look back over my blog, I see I have neglected to blog about several things that we did in 2009. So here are the top ten things, in no particular order, I forgot to tell you last year.

#10

In February, I told you about an amazing trip we took to Vail, Colorado, with the Vail Veterans Program. Ryan was able to snowboard for the first time since his injury. What I didn't tell you is that we were invited back to attend their summer program in July. The summer program gave us the opportunity to go fly fishing, white water rafting, and horseback riding, in addition to just enjoying the beautiful mountains and connecting with other wounded service members and their families. Photographer John Moore captured some of the best images of the trip in this slideshow.

Yet again, Cheryl Jensen, founder of the Vail Veterans Program, managed to think of everything to make this trip challenging, inspiring, and empowering.

No amount of rain could ruin our day

when we're fly fishing on the Colorado River.

I managed to get a fish on the line,

but I couldn't bring him in. Maybe next time.

A trail ride with my sweetie before dinner is a nice way

to end a great day.

After just a few nights at the Yarmony Creek Ranch

we felt like we could stay forever.

Back in Vail, the view from the top of the mountain

is just as beautiful without all the snow.

Lots of happy faces after an unforgettable stay in Colorado.

We're even more excited to be going back to Vail for their winter program again at the end of January 2010. And this time it is a family program! Be watching for pictures of our little family tackling the slopes in Vail. And tune in tomorrow for #9 on the list of things not blogged about yet this year!

Wordless Wednesday

Camping at Canyon Lake

Road Trip part 3

We had so much fun in North Carolina that it was a lot more difficult convincing everyone to get back in the car for the four day drive home. The only bargaining chip I had was our visits with friends in Beaufort, SC, and Pensacola, FL. And still, I had no camera to document these visits.

Both families we visited were friends from college that continued on to the Marine Corps. It was funny to see how much our families had grown in the time since we'd last seen each other. We did our best to catch up with all the significant events of the last few years and spent some time laughing over old memories from days long past. It was wonderful and Ryan and I left feeling blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives.

There's nothing like old friends.

Can you tell that my girls want a dog?

When we left Pensacola, I remembered we'd eaten at a place in Mobile, AL, on one of our cross country trips 5 years ago. They had these batter dipped fried crab claws that were to die for. I didn't know the name of the place, but I knew it was right off the highway and near a bridge (Ha! How's that for details!). Surprisingly, when we got to the exit, I knew we were there and we drove right to it. The name of the place is Felix's Fish Camp and it's worth stopping for, even if you don't know where you're going.

Road Trip part 2

Now don't be mad at me.

But when we got to North Carolina, I forgot that there are thunderstorms almost everyday in June that will dump rain for 15 minutes and then make the rest of the day muggy and miserable. So, while we were enjoying the morning on one of our first days there, I was taking pictures of the kids outside playing. I put the camera down so I could push someone on the swing and then forgot that I even brought my camera outside. It wasn't until hours later when I stood at the kitchen sink and looked out the window that I realized the shiny silver thing on the roof of the playhouse getting soaked in the rain was my camera. I ran outside, getting drenched in the process, and retrieved my camera in vain. It was too late. Destroyed.

So, all that to say, I do not have nearly enough pictures from our road trip. The ones I do have, I took with my iPhone. I should have gone out that day and bought a new camera, but I didn't, and I'm kicking myself for it now.

I did manage to capture this sweet moment with my girls sharing a bed.

And this would be Noah's future bride if I could arrange the marriage.

It was hard to find time to see everyone we wanted to see, but we couldn't leave town without visiting Noah's godfather.

Much sooner than we were ready for, it seemed it was time to get back in the car and hit the road.

We had such a good time visiting our friends, who are really more like family. And our gracious hosts, Mike and Jennie, always manage to make us feel right at home. Thanks!

In addition to all the fun we had, Ryan made arrangements to get into a Cobra simulator and see how things were working. He was happy to discover that his hands were not a problem at all. And while getting in and out was more of a challenge than it used to be, it was doable.

Road Trip part 1

As soon as school ended, we decided it was time for a ROAD TRIP!

Now, most people would say that we are crazy for even considering such a thing. Three kids in the car for four days each way is not a good idea. But we figured it was less stressful than trying to get through airport security with two car seats, a stroller, and a prosthetic leg. (I know, because we've done it!) And it would give us an opportunity to visit people along the way that we wouldn't see otherwise. AND it was quality time together in the car.

Right?

This looks like quality time.

And discovering a gummi bear between Noah's toes after taking his shoes off....that was quality entertainment.

Visiting our dear friends in Huntsville and loving on their babies was definitely worth the drive.

On our last night on the road, though, Noah was ready to get to wherever we were going! I think we all were.

New York, New York

Just two weeks after Ryan's last surgery, we decided we needed to take a break and get out of town.  Ryan's sister, Rebecca, had offered to come watch the kiddos, so we took advantage of her generous offer.  We ended up going to New York for 4 nights and it was a great getaway.  Thanks Rebecca for helping out so we could get some much needed time away!

Enjoying the view from the top of the Empire State Building.

We saw "The Lion King" and absolutely loved it!

We took a double decker bus tour through the city.  

It was more informative than I expected it to be.

We celebrated mass at Saint Patrick's Cathedral.  Beautiful!

Vail Veterans Program

I cannot express in words how happy I am that we had the opportunity to participate in this program. In December, my friend Tracy called to invite us, and truthfully I almost said no right away. But I thought I should ask Ryan before I close the door on an opportunity. I was actually surprised when Ryan said yes so quickly and so adamantly. And I didn't even have to wait 24 hours before my sister volunteered to take time off of work to watch the kids. Now I know why it all came together so quickly and so easily. Ryan was meant to snowboard again!

The Vail Veterans Program is an adaptive skiing and snowboarding trip conceived of by Cheryl Jensen. When Cheryl first planned it she only intended to do it one time, but now six years later it has grown to four programs a year, two in the winter and two in the summer. And the overwhelming response from the veterans who attend is that it is a true taste of freedom after so many months of limitation. It was no different for Ryan. I don't know if it was adrenaline, or just the fresh mountain air, but Ryan did more physical activity in those three days of snowboarding than I've seen him do in the 20 months since his injury. It was amazing!

Everything was perfect, from our flight to Colorado, to our accommodations, to the professional instruction, to every delicious meal. Love and thoughtfulness were evident in every decision that was made. And since Ryan was the only snowboarder, and I think because Cheryl liked him so much, Cheryl gave him a brand new snowboard and bindings from one of the sponsors, K2. Her generosity brought me to tears. The whole time we were there we kept talking about how much fun we were having and how much we wanted to bring the kids back someday. And when Cheryl gave Ryan that snowboard, it was as if she had given him a ticket back to a part of our lives that we thought was forever gone.

We are so thankful for Cheryl, Lindsay, Matt (0ur instructor), all the sponsors and participants of the Vail Veterans Program, and even the Mayor and city of Vail, that welcomed us with open arms. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

There's nothing that Ryan can't do.

Vail Veterans Program participants February 2009

Dinner with friends

Look at that view! Does it get better than this?

P.S. Ryan's next surgery is planned for February 24th. Details and updates to come.