2009 International ATC Hockey Tournament in Minneapolis

It is that time of year again! The first week of March is when the International Air Traffic Conroller Hockey Tournament takes place in different city each year. This year it will be in Minneapolis, which we are excited to return there (we lived there for a few months in 2000). Last years tourney was in Vancouver, B.C. and was a blast! There were 28 teams from all over the United States and Canada, Finnland and Russia. It was very cool to meet people from different countries with some common interests: hockey and ATC. The tourney consists of 4 games in 4 days and a large banquet and award presentation on the last night. There are awards for winning divisions, goals scored, best players, etc.. There are also awards for best uniforms and the ever coveted "Horses A**" award, which with all of the beer that is consummed, there are many who are qualified to win, but there can only be one winner! Here are a few pictures of last years tourney and the schedules have been posted for this year at http://www.atchockey2009.com/. Look for the Albuquerque Roadrunners.

The pink team had a clever name, they are from Victoria ATC tower. Their team name was the Victoria Secrets and all the players wore garters as well.

Albuquerque is the blue team being scored upon.

We will post some pics when we get back from MSP.

Sledding in the Sandias!!

We went sledding with Grandma Lee (she didn't do any sledding but she had fun watching). This years sledding was alot more fun for everybody. Everybody had a really good time. I almost hit a tree my first run down with Savannah but got my elbow on a tree stump instead. John said everyone was yelling "bail, bail" but I couldn't hear anything, I was trying to turn around so I could see where I was going. I am very grateful we didn't have to go to the hospital on our first trip down the hill.

Christmas 2008

We finally got to see Santa after waiting in line for about an hour. Ashlie and Savannah had a lot of fun at the ward Christmas party. Ashlie asked for Barbie Mariposa, and Savannah wanted a candy cane.

Ashlie and Savannah got new pajamas on Christmas Eve. They were excited about being able to open a present Christmas Eve. Thank you to the Moss's for their gift, we have really enjoyed it!! Grandma Lee was with us for Christmas this year and we had a lot of fun with her.

We decided to get a bag for Santa to put all his presents in so he can make it to other houses faster. Ashlie helped Dad hand out the presents from Santa. When Ashlie saw the Barbie Mariposa in one of the presents she was so excited. Savannah got a kitchen from Santa and she has been making us meals and hot cocoa ever since.

Let It Snow!!

We finally got some snow! It snowed about 3-4 inches so we decided to get out and enjoy it before it melts. Of course, school was cancelled so we had plenty of time to play. Everybody had fun with a snowball fight, especially Kayde. She tried to catch every snowball and had fun chasing them and trying to find them in the snow.

Look at that arm and incredible form!! Snowballers beware.
We went to Terrazas park to build a snowman (and wear out the kids).
This is the finished product, the snowman that is. The girls didn't get as worn out as Mom and Dad, oh well, that happens. Everybody had fun.

'Tis The Season!!

We had a fun family home evening putting up the Christmas tree and stockings. This year is soooo exciting because the girls are soooooo excited. Ashlie still likes to add her own ornaments to the tree (like her slipper, or one of her ponies).
Here's my cute little angel hiding in the tree. Savannah always has to help with whatever we do. She really is a very good little helper.

And of course here is our vicious gaurd dog Kayde, gaurding us while we decorate. Yes, that is a sweater in the fireplace because "that is obviously where sweaters belong, Mom".

Fun Day at Explora!

We spent a fun day at Explora Childrens Museum, the girls love hanging out there. They have so many hands on things for the kids (and Dad) to do, it makes for a fun afternoon. We even got some pictures of Savannah smiling!! She has a great smile, as you can see.

The highlight of the trip is making big bubbles. We save that for last so we can dry off by the time we get home! HELP!! Get Me Outta Here!!

Recent Trip To The Zoo

We spent a nice fall day at the zoo, the animals (and girls) were quite active, so that was fun. Savannah wasn't very impressed with the primates. We were standing by the glass with the gorillas and one of them ran up to the glass and pounded on it hard. Savannah screamed soooo loud, people within earshot came running to make sure everyone was ok. When we went to see the chimps, they were....well, recycling food. After seeing that, Savannah keeps saying "scusting monkeys eating poop!". We tend to agree with her assesment.

This was the best smile we could get at this point. It really was a fun day!

Ashlie blends into the zoo very well. In case you didn't know, she is trying to be a statue of a lion like on jungle book.

We arrived in time for feeding of the cheetah. It was pretty cool, that is a huge chunk of meat on a bone for the cheetah to eat, which it was just tearing apart.