This was Addie’s first time to waterski! She was a great sport and tried it two times, although falling was a little traumatic for her. After that she just swam, but maybe next time she’ll try again. She did a great job and we were all so proud of her!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o-4O2t8ibM

We also got to see our newest cousin Kaiden. Jessi and Erik drove out from Florida to be with us this weekend, and it was cute to see Kaiden and Nolan together. They are so close in age, they could be twins! Except there is a huge difference in how a 3 month old interacts (laughing and smiling all the time – Kaiden) and a 7 week old (maybe a hint of a smile now and then – Nolan).

Addie LOVED spending time with her cousins, as always, and learned how to roast her own marshmallows and make a smore. Grandma is a master marshmallow maker, so we got to have them a few nights in a row:)

We didn’t take the kids to a real fireworks show, but we did get some firecrackers and set them off in the fire pit outside the house. I love the reaction the kids had. They were all worried about how loud it was going to be, so they all covered their ears. Check out the expression on the 2 year olds faces as the firecrackers go off. So funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH59QI4BXLE

Celebrating with Nolan

2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks!

Honestly the rest of the weekend was great!  We went to my parents cabin for Friday night and Saturday.  We had a nice time just relaxing and spending time together, which is my language of love… (FYI).  Here are some photos of my weekend.

Out Little Model

All Smiles

Addie found the "Power of the Holy Ghost"

Addie loved playing in, on and around Grandpa’s new (’53 Ford) truck. At one point she opened a little tray on the floorboard of the truck cab and found the battery. She looked at me and said “this is the power Daddy, the power of the Holy Ghost.” I looked at my Dad and we both started laughing. I don’t know if I was more amazed at how she guessed the battery gives the car power, or the Holy Ghost reference. Apparently Addie listens in nursery. She helped Grandpa pull the fenders off and after all the work Grandpa had time to take Nolan for his first four wheeler ride. We even went for a little canoe ride in the river. This was a great weekend, a great birthday, caped by an amazing victory by my Dallas Mavericks!

Addie Helping Grandpa Fix the Truck

Nolan and Grandpa Four Wheeling

We have been going on really long walks to help encourage Andrea into labor. So far it hasn’t worked, but we are still walking. One walk was so long I rigged this system to pull Addie’s bike behind me so she could work on her bike riding skills.

Going for long walks

On Monday we went to the Texas Rangers game to see Juli sing the National Anthem. She did a GREAT job, and yes, I made Andrea walk down the 50 ramps to get down from our seats. It was Addie’s first baseball game and she did great (Thank you peanuts).

At the Rangers Game

Today I took some photos of Andrea so we could remember her belly. She is getting really big, but it is all right out front. If you look at her from behind you would have no idea she is pregnant. As always Andrea looks beautiful, but it is obvious she is miserable and ready to have this baby.

Andrea at 9 Months

Keep checking the blog, hopefully we have good news soon. She isn’t due until May 18, but she is dilated and going the right direction so fingers crossed it happens soon.

Since graduating BYU Andrea and I still dream of Tomatillo dressing from Cafe Rio. Every so often we attempt to make our own Cafe Rio salads. In case the photos don’t make you hungry, I’ll just tell you they were amazing!

Cafe Rio Salad - How We Miss Thee

Yummie...

Andrea and I have been saving for months to buy a new camera lens. I have been lusting over this lens for a few years but never could justify the price. Well we saved our pennies and dimes and due to my snowed in craziness I finally bought the lens. It arrived on Thursday and I was so excited.

Opening my New Toy

My New Toy - A Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8 L Lens

We tried to potty train Addie this week and we’ll spare you any photos from that event, but in summation it was an epic fail. On Friday when we got some real snow we took Addie out to play in it. We got her all bundled up and ready to play. As soon as we got outside I showed her how to make a snowball and how to throw it and she got it. She started making snowballs and throwing them at mom. It was awesome. Also as one would expect from Addie, she spent the whole time running around.

Getting Dressed for Snow

Throwing Snowballs at Mom

A Big Snowball

Throwing the Big Snowball at Dad

Addie also took some time to jump in the melting snow. We got a few photos of her jumping and they turned out cute. She is so active, but after a week in the house, who wouldn’t be?

Making More Ammo

She Loves to Jump

Smiling at Mom

Addie's Current Smile

Hitting Mom Again

We also baked some Cinnamon Rolls. We took photos of the process but since they were so good we ate them all before we remembered to take photos of the final product. Sorry you’ll have to use your imagination…

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnamon Rolls Ready to Bake

Addie looked so cute on her way to church we couldn’t help but take a photo. She is getting so big.

Ready for Church

As you can see we had a good week, eventhough we were snowed in. Thankfully, we are all thawed out now and we are getting ready to go to Hawaii. We leave this week. Yippie!

Zyklon B - Poison Gas used in the Gas Chambers

When the liberators arrived at the camp they found numerous evidences of the terror inflicted at these camps one of which was massive reserves of Giftgas, which translated from German means poison gas. This gas was Zyklon B, the poison gas used to take the lives of countless individuals.

Luggage packed but never used

This suitcase just one of the hundreds on display, belonged to Gertrude Neubauer, an orphan child. These bags were packed but never opened by those who packed them.

Barracks lining the road

Auschwitz I was the original camp, serving as the administrative center for the whole complex. The site for the camp—16 one-story buildings—had earlier served as Polish army artillery barracks.

Block 10 - Medical Experimentation

Each building was identified by a block number. Block 10 was the site of horrific medical experimentation.

The Fences

Surrounding the camp were miles of barbed wire fences which at the time the camp was active were electrified. I couldn’t help but think of what each barb on that fence had been through.

Administrative Offices

This building processed each new arrival to the camp.

We also visited Auschwitz II-Birkenau, which was built in October 1941. This facility dwarfed the original Auschwitz. It was massive and although very little is left, the sheer magnitude of the facility is powerful.

The Gate of Death

This gate was the entrance to the camp. Through this gate passed countless trains jammed full of prisoners, where upon arrival were inspected, sorted, and if determined not fit for work, placed in a line leading to the gas chambers.

The Bathroom

The facilities were primitive and too few for the prisoners in the camp.

A Barrack at Birkenau

Unlike Auschwitz I, Auschwitz II – Birkenau did not have brick barracks for the prisoners. They were crammed into these wooden barracks not suited for the rigors of the Polish countryside.

These tracks led people in but never out

My trip to Auschwitz was emotional and gave me a greater appreciation for the events of the past. Seeing Auschwitz is an event never to be forgotten.

Walking into the Game Holding Hands

Once we got seated the compliments didn’t stop, but the kids got ready by putting their guns up for the kickoff and cheering like everyone else.

Guns up for Kickoff

Once the Cowboys scored, which they did a lot, the kids kept their school spirit alive by clapping during the fight song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_gOw1WjJMI

It was a fun night and we were glad we could spend it with friends. Final score Coppell Cowboys 52, Dallas Jesuit 7.