December trip to Montana

To celebrate Perrie's 2nd birthday (and her last chance to fly for free), the two of us headed back to Montana. Below is a photo montage of our trip!

2nd birthday party!

This is a book from the Crisafulli's where they each read a page. Perrie LOVES it! When she is in her room (supposedly napping), we often hear the Crisafulli family reading (and singing) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.


Success at blowing out her candles ... what did she wish for?

and finally ... time for cake!

Grandma Jo with her girls


Slumber party with cousin Gigi. (Giarratana brought two sparkly belts - one for each of them - because 'people on farms wear belts'.)


Playing with her cousins. It's amazing what a difference 4 months makes. Last time we saw these guys, there wasn't much playing. This time, she disappeared and all I heard was a bunch of giggling and running around. We need some cousins in Seattle!!


Riding "Lucky" the horse. Lucky sings and apparently can only be ridden while he is singing ... hours of entertainment!


Playing dress-up in Mom's closet


Tea with Grandpa Terry


Visiting with Grandma Ausk in Terry

Gma Ausk can still play catch!



Perrie & her friend, Ryker - these two look like trouble.


My dad decided to rig up a "sled" for us. Really, the sled is supposed to be for pulling calves out of the snow, but he fitted it with a soft cushion for human transportation too. He was pretty gentle with the 2-yr-olds, but not so much with the cousins!

Never too old for sledding!

Highlights of 2010: Year of the Tiger

According to my Google research, the year of the tiger's keywords are: drama, intensity, change, and travel .... ooh, sounds like it was an exciting year. Here are some of the Ausk photo highlights (though it's hard to narrow them down to one posting)!

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. (Travel AND drama!)


Visiting family in Hamilton -- more travel!


Walking w/Gma Jo & Gpa Jim ... learning first steps=intensity AND change AND travel! :)


Barbados (Travel and intensely awesome .... oooh, I want to go back!)


Enjoying lots of family visits -- this one on Easter!


My favorite season in Seattle ... spring!


Weekend in Vancouver for my birthday


Girls weekend to Hood Canal


Seeing everyone in Glacier for Ben & Chelsea's wedding!


Horse races with Gma Elaine & Gpa Terry


Trip to Terry


Family Reunion on Washington coast


Lake Tahoe for Brady & Tonya's wedding


First visit to Ben & Chelsea's house in Pullman for Bobcat football


Pumpkin time!


Visit from Uncle Kelly


Weekend in Yakima (somehow my only pictures were of this great jacuzzi tub)


Snow day!


Thanksgiving with Gpa Terry & Gma Elaine


First ballet ... the Nutcracker!


Trip to Terry, Glendive, & Wibaux




Gpa Jim & Gma Jo visit Seattle for pre-Christmas


Birthday and Christmas presents ... including learning how to ride a tricycle!


Seems like their prediction for the year of the tiger was pretty accurate .... stay tuned for what 2011 (the year of the rabbit) will bring!

Two years old!

"A two-year-old is kind of like having a blender, except you don't have a top for it."

Perrie Grace turned 2 yesterday. Hard to believe that it's been two years since she graced us with her presence (at 4 in the morning, of course). Everyone agrees that she looks like Brandon, but she certainly has a personality all her own! We are looking forward to enjoying another year of her silly antics ... and probably a little of the "terrible twos"!

Happy birthday Perrie!