The Dangers of Sledding

After Christmas, we headed to Reno to spend a few days with my family. We had a great time enjoying the winter weather and took the kids sledding a few times while we were there, just heading to a small sledding hill behind my parents' house. Actually, let me rephrase that....I took Tim and the kids sledding. I think Tim has some sort of twisted belief that sledding must include at least one crash into a tree, people, rock, or all of the above. On the first day we went, Tim was in perfect form as he managed to crash into all of these things. And since Tim is such a sledding pro, he did not do this in one trip down the hill; he managed to hit something or someone in 7 out of every 10 opportunities. That, I tell ya, takes talent. Check out this video my sister was able to capture as Tim hits a bump and speeds down the hill towards all of us.....knocking every single one of us down like bowling pins. I should have known.....next time we will be wearing helmets.

Christmas with the Youngbergs

We were so happy to have Tim's family out from Ohio for Christmas this year. The kids were in heaven as they had an entire week of fun with Grammy, Goppie, and Uncle John. Needless to say, the kids were exhausted by the end of each day and loved every second of it!

A quick picture before we attended church on Christmas Eve. Notice Noah's shoes....oh yes, Mommy forgot to complete his Christmas outfit with a dressy pair of shoes....instead, he was stylin' with his Nikes for the evening (thanks Auntie Kelli!).

Daddy was in the background doing his best to get Sophie and Noah smile. Of course, the kids end up laughing hysterically.....I just love their faces in this picture! After a whirlwind week, I am finally able to reflect on the wonderful memories we created throughout the holiday. We have a lot to be thankful for.

Cookies!

The tradition continues this year as we make Christmas cookies together! I am going on an all-cookie diet for this holiday season....I'm sure it will work out great!

Rice Krispie Houses

We did something a little different than gingerbread houses this year. The kids decorated Rice Krispie houses with Michelle and Julie. They had a fantastic time decorating their houses and an even better time making a mess!

Taking a quick break to look up and pose for the camera.

I guess they were over the decorating part and decided to dive in and make a huge mess! But, it still tasted great according to Sophie!

Here's Noah as he starts to dismantle his own house.

Got Sleep?

This past weekend we had Michelle and her friends over for a visit. We watched a basketball game at Stanford (boo), enjoyed some spirits, and just hung out. We had a fabulous time....unfortunately, I don't think they will be spending the night with us anytime soon! Let's just say of all the nights of this entire year.....the night they stayed was the most chaotic.

First, Noah was not feeling well (again!). I knew there was a chance he would wake up in the middle of the night. So, I made sure to jump out of bed the second I heard him whimper. I did not predict I would be running down the hallway every single hour of the night. By the fifth or sixth time, Tim finally rolls over and says, "Just bring him in here with us." Thanks Tim....now roll over and go back to your beauty sleep. Anyway, I bring him back with us, lay him down, and go to the bathroom. By the time I get back (we're talking one minute), Noah is sprawled out on my side snoring. I manage to scoot him over and try to get back to sleep myself. Finally, I think we can get some rest....but annoyingly, it's almost time to get up! Tim rolls over again and is genuinely startled when he sees Noah, not knowing why he was in the bed with us. Really? He was half sleeping when he rolled over and gave me directions? Good thing I'm at least halfway coherent during the night because someone else is going to have to pick up the slack during the day when I am a walking zombie.

I'm hoping we have escaped the chaos for the night of Noah screaming every hour, me running back and forth trying to console him, etc. In the early morning, we find out from one of our guests who slept downstairs that Sierra was throwing up all night. She had gotten into a bag of cookies and poor Tina had to deal with the aftermath. She wasn't sure if she should wake us up, but she was tending to our dog and letting her in and out of the house constantly throughout the night. Apparently, during my jogs throughout the evening I never once heard the chaos going on downstairs! So, not only did our guests not sleep upstairs because of Noah....our guest downstairs was forced to take care of our sick dog!

Moral of story....if you're ever in town to visit, feel free to stay with us, but consider yourself warned!!! Just in case, there's a really nice Marriott right down the street!

It's Like That

Please see Natalie's post because, really, why re-invent the wheel? Besides, I know you're just looking forward to seeing the Scotts' card anyway....it's okay, I am too.

The Monroes

Adventures in the City

We do this every single year and it is typically a relaxing and seamless outing. This year, however, our trip to the city to see the Christmas lights was a good 'ol classic Youngberg adventure. I'll tell the story through our pictures......if only the pictures could tell the REAL story....It all started when we couldn't decide whether or not to grab a quick dinner at McDonald's in town before heading out. We decide, together, to drive to the next town and eat a quick meal there......during this drive we are debating whether or not to take the BART to the city.

Deciding to ride the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) into the city was not easy. Tim was not keen on the idea of hitting traffic over the bridge while I was not keen on the idea of riding public transportation without proper planning. While we're eating dinner at the busiest McDonald's in America (I did enough people watching to last a lifetime), Tim realizes he forgot the stroller (an absolute must when maneuvering through crowds). Fabulous....I can just see Sophie and Noah complaining about the hills and sitting atop our shoulders. Tim debates whether or not we go home, get the stroller, and catch the BART from there. Looking at my watch, I tell him we either go now without the stroller or just go home.......so, off we go. Above is a picture documenting Noah and Sophie's first experience on BART (and last, if I can help it).

Here's Noah excited as ever to be riding on the choo choo train, as he calls it. Meanwhile, I am thankful it is near empty and using my hand sanitizer every five minutes.

Finally, we get here. Prior to leaving, I think I asked Tim if it was going to rain in SF at least ten times. Now, keep in mind, Tim checks the weather hourly because he's obsessed and it's part of his job. But apparently, he couldn't care less what happens with the weather unless it relates to what's happening over his golf course. He's annoyed with me and tells me, "NO. I think we're okay." Above, you can see my attempt at taking a picture of the beautiful Christmas tree at Union Square.......in the pouring rain......thankfully, I bring two umbrellas. One for Noah and Daddy (because Noah is already on Daddy's shoulders) and one for Sophie. Yes, I am without an umbrella while wearing a fleece jacket.....it's getting really fun now.

I always have these visions of the perfect picture. And then I get there and end up with the complete opposite of what I envisioned. Noah and Sophie are doing anything but standing still. I like the picture I got above, but I couldn't get the setting right to make sure the tree illuminated in the background. I tried every single setting, cursed at my camera, and threatened to throw it in the gutter. All of this while getting soaking wet. Still having fun and maintaining a positive attitude (however quickly diminishing), but now I'm also regretting my choice in footwear (Pumas) while the bottoms of my jeans are soaking wet.

So, I tell Tim to get over there and rally the troops. Above is a picture of his frustration because he has absolutely no control over this photo opportunity. The kids are literally running circles around him and he looks at me while throwing his hands up and annoyed because now he's getting wet too.

This would be a picture of Tim's fake smile. We are still having fun......I think.

After hitting Niketown and getting a break from the rain, we decide to venture back out through Union Square on our way back to BART in an attempt to get one more picture. This is what I end up with.....please don't enlarge because then you will notice how freaking blurry it really is....let's pretend and just enjoy the small version, okay? As we finish up and are walking towards BART, Tim notices that I'm bleeding......bleeding green dye, that is. I'm soaking wet, wearing an absorbent fleece jacket without a hat, wet jeans, and now my hands are a bright green color and I have no idea why. We keep moving while I am dumbfounded as to why it looks like a can of spray paint blew up on my hands. As we're waiting for the BART station, I am so anxious to get my jacket off of me because it feels like it weighs 10 lbs. Tim says I keep getting this green stuff all over me, like that is my priority....although I will be sad if it doesn't come out of my Patagonia jacket......I keep handing him stuff so I can locate the culprit. Unfortunately, by now it is on everything I own......and now, it is on Tim too.

This picture does not do it justice. It was all over my shirt, jacket, hands, and much brighter than the picture details (I already used 10 wipes to try and get most of it off by the time Tim took this picture). Tim finds out it's from the strap of my camera (WTH?) and he is now covered in it. Sophie thinks I'm turning into a witch, while Tim is obsessing about not getting any of it on his precious outfit. So, how is my camera strap green, you ask? We have no idea. The strap is black....it got wet, so we are thinking a marker might have leaked on it at some point or someone (when I say someone, I really mean Sophie or Noah) actually did color the strap with a marker, or dipped it in paint....who the heck knows. All I know is we're about to get on BART and I am ready to throw my camera into the tracks below.

The ride home was just as spectacular because it was jam packed this time and it smelled like poop in our BART train car. Really bad poop, not like someone stepped in it and there was a faint smell, but worse (I can't even get too descriptive because it's making me dry heave just thinking about it). My hand sanitizer was my best friend, yet again, as I was also using it to hold under my nose for a fresh scent of cucumber melon and alcohol.

As we're driving home, Sophie proclaims, "This was the best night ever!" How come she's always quick to put me in my place and give me perspective? I will say Tim and I laughed a lot that night because it was just one thing after another....and it was nice to see the kids' experience was still a fun and joyous one.

WANTED: Decent Santa

I really don't ask for much when it comes to the proverbial Santa picture. Slap the kids on his lap and take a picture.....I don't get them all dressed up, I don't insist on buying the most expensive package...heck, the past two years I didn't even care that Noah cried his eyes out. But this last experience tops the rest.

First of all, Santa was grumpy. I should have known when he was slouched to the side of his chair with his head barely held up by his arm. Hmmm, good sign? And no, I did not take them to the back alley Santa.....we went to our local mall. We walk up because there is virtually no line (me being the pro that I am, made sure to go on a Tuesday afternoon) for Santa. Surprisingly, however, there are ten people waiting to pay for their photos. Not even thinking twice, we greet Santa. He did give the kids a high five, but didn't say a word. Didn't ask their names when he got on their lap. Three lightning fast pictures later, Santa is basically throwing the kids off and pointing to a basket of chocolate as a token treat. I, because I am in disbelief that it's over, walk over and stop Sophie and Noah in their tracks. I ask them if they had a chance to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and they both shake their head "no." After giving Santa a death stare, I calmly yet firmly told Sophie and Noah to turn around and go ahead and tell Santa your name (didn't even ask their names for Pete's sake!) and what you would like for Christmas. Now I can tell Sophie's nervous because Mommy just put the smackdown on Santa and she's probably afraid he's going to just skip over our house on Christmas Eve. Finally, they express their wishlist, Santa actually responds, and we are on our way.

Now, I realize the line has barely moved and there is one person helping people pick out pictures. 45 minutes later after watching parents analyze every little detail of each proof before deciding and then not knowing how many pictures to get and which sizes to choose.....it is FINALLY my turn. I have regained my composure and asked if the system was running slow or had some sort of glitch (basically alluding to the idea that there better be a reason I am STILL here). Meanwhile, Tim took the kids to get smoothies and circled the mall at least 7 times and I watch Santa continue his jolly behavior by throwing kids off his lap. The lady tells me there's no problems with the system, but two workers just walked out on her. She did look pretty stressed out so I was cordial with her and thankfully only took about three minutes of her time.

After the whole fiasco, Tim discloses that he thought this Santa was a drunk from his observations last year and now! Really? This bit of information was so helpful after-the-fact! Needless to say, I will be scouting Santas early next year!

Two on One

While Sophie was busy with other activities this past weekend, Tim and I had the pleasure of spending some individual time with our little Noah. We went to the outlet malls and did some shopping. Noah was such a champ and good sport! I have to say having just one less child made Tim and I feel like the best parents in the world.....we were patient, casually meandering through the mall, taking a break when we needed to, enjoying the scenery.....maybe it was the holiday season, but we were pleasantly reminded how important it is to not be in such a rush all the time. There are certainly days when I feel like I'm constantly scolding my kids.....but then I have days like this when I have moments to cherish how lucky I truly am. Tis the season!

Cheer Camp

Sophie is on the far right.

Yes, you read the title to this post correctly. I, reluctantly, allowed my daughter (who begged and begged) to go to cheer camp at our local high school. I thought I could handle everything that goes with cheerleading camp, but I had to resist from gagging myself when I dropped her off. Sophie was as excited as ever, practically running to the gym to get started. I walked into the gym and was quickly greeted by big smiles and loud hellos....which is fine, I sound like such a grump. As I looked around, I spotted the token injured cheerleader, sitting on the sidelines but still participating in the arm movements while her fellow cheermates (I refuse to say teammates) practiced. Another corner of girls were rehearsing right in front of us, counting their dance steps nice and loud for people like me to hear and get annoyed. Although I have a brief history of going through a cheer phase, let me just say I quickly got over it.

I feel like a bad mom when I say I was secretly hoping Sophie would finish cheer camp and tell me it was fun, but wasn't really her thing. I didn't want her to have a horrible experience, just one that would clearly lead her in the direction of NOT WANTING TO DO IT AGAIN. When I came to pick her up and watch her performance, I could see the excitement in her eyes from a mile away, the extra jump in her step when it was her group's turn to perform, and the enthusiasm she had when telling me about her day. She LOVED every moment of it and has asked me several times already if she can continue in cheer. I took a deep breath, smiled as wide as I could and told her "Absolutely, Sophie."