President's Weekend Getaway

We had a great time on our annual Stedman family President's Weekend trip to McCall. We've been doing this for many years...maybe since I was in Junior High... This year was a small crowd, we missed everyone that couldn't make it! Ellie had the best time. She went skiing and ice skating for the first time and also got to go tubing. Colton enjoyed everything that took place INSIDE. He's not crazy about being cold. = ) We stayed in a beautiful cabin and enjoyed relaxing infront of a HOT fire and beautiful view.

Bowling, tattoos and strange cats

We went bowling with some friends today...it was pretty fun! Wasn't sure how the little ones would do but most of them enjoyed it. I think 10 turns was a little too much though, they all got a little antsy and didn't want to finish the game. We will have to do it again sometime!

Check out that form.

who would want to bowl when you can EAT

who can leave a bowling alley without wanting a tattoo!

(this thing was HUGE...wouldn't fit on her hand, or arm, or cheek...)

who are you and why are you sleeping so peacefully in my house

cheering and curling

I brought my old junior high cheerleader uniform back to Boise with us the last time we were in Lewiston thinking Ellie might have fun playing with it. Sure enough, she did! = )

We also tried out curlers for the first time, just for fun. I should have left them in longer. Her hair wasn't dry when I took them out so it wasn't very curly.

It's been awhile...

We haven't had much interesting to post about lately...well, except for the battery swallowing ordeal...so here's a few recent pictures of the kids along with the condensed battery story.

Colton was playing with Ellie in her room and I went to check on them. When I opened the door Colton was "drinking" from a cup and I could hear something rattling in the cup. So I went to check it out and there was a little battery in the cup. After figuring out where the battery came from, and how many there should be, I frantically searched for the missing two batteries. Well, I couldn't find them anywhere and was certain he "drank" two batteries. I called and left a message for his nurse and decided I shouldn't wait for her return call so I loaded up the kids and went to the ER. It was a little frightening how quickly they processed us through to see a doctor and every time I showed a nurse or doctor the remaining battery they looked so concerned...needless to say I was pretty freaked out. They stood Colton on a little step stool and x-rayed his tummy and sure enough, there was a battery. Only one showed up and I was sure he had two in there but the doctor wasn't concerned about the missing one. He was only wanting to be sure there wasn't a battery stuck in his esophagus or in his lungs. Since it was just in his bowels they said he should pass it in the next 2-3 days and there should be nothing to worry about. We were very relieved at this point and were looking forward to the job of recovering the batteries. (not really : P )
So the next morning Colton did his business and I got to search through it for not one, but two, batteries! I was very happy to know they were out of his system and also happy that I only had to search through one diaper.
For a few days Colton would randomly lift up his shirt and pat his tummy. I think he must have been trying to talk about the adventures of x-rays and emergency rooms.

(wish I could say this was hair gel but he actually just finished wiping his food in his hair)

looking back, I wish I had taken my camera to get some pics at the ER. I especially wish I had a pic of the x-ray...it was actually kinda cool...but all I have is this pic of the recovered batteries.

the sweet, beautiful Ellie

Colton fell asleep on the way home from dance class so I laid him in front of the fire while I fixed lunch. Ellie decided to read...not to him...but on him.

Happy Anniversary to us!!

We weren't able to do much for our 10yr anniversary last year (newborn baby) we thought we would try to do something a little special this year. Cousin Lanae stayed with the kids while we enjoyed a night out on the town...complete with dinner, movie and hip hotel. www.themodernhotel.com Dan mentioned it was our anniversary and the hotel staff let us upgrade to a suite for a VERY small fee!
Since we were a little dressed up, and don't have many recent pics of the two of us, we decided to take a couple pictures...

It's SNOW much Fun!

There have been a few inches of snow the past few days so Dan built Ellie an Igloo...

Tee-Hee

Poor little Colton wanted to go outside too

Hot chocolate with Marshmellows to help warm up!

Nutcracker

Ellie's dance studio performed the Nutcracker for the first time this year so I decided to take Ellie on a little date to watch the performance. Ellie's class didn't participate since they decided to make it for 4 yrs old and up.
It was so much fun watching her watch the dancers. She LOVED it! She was mostly excited to see her dance teacher and her good friend Sophia. When they appeared on stage she squealed their names and tried to get their attention. We were a little too far away for them to hear us though. ; ) Other than seeing her friends, her favorite part was watching the little mice and soldiers fight.
Afterwards Ellie went up on stage to say Hi to Sophia and to check out the set. When we were heading off the stage she told me she wanted to dance. After acting a little shy she finally burst out in a pretty long dance filled with stomping and twirling. I don't think anyone but me was watching but she sure was proud of herself and serious about her performance!