The Laughing Way Party...

was a hit! We had a houseful of people - at last count 36 adults and a handful of kids - all of whom came out to celebrate Orion's first laugh. It was an afternoon full of great food and converstion and amazing amounts of love and support. I downloaded video to facebook as I can never get the video on blogger to work so check it out if you want.

Welcome to our home...a crafty girl wreath and tree with Orion's pictures on them

Terri and Orion!

A table full of treats!

Steve and Orion!

Janet and Orion!

Neva and Orion!

Caramels

While trying to make home-made caramels, I came across this great website and just had to share it. This guy is funny and living in Paris and has some amazing recipes especially for sweets. So check it out.

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/

This picture is how I would like my caramels to turn out...so far no luck...will keep you posted

Happy Belated Valentines Day

Redemption Post

I can't believe that its been so long since I have posted. I strive to post something at least a couple of time a week but this last week has been nutty. I worked full days and that in itself takes a toll on me. But the real reason for this post centers around me and skiing. I am a fair weather skier. I like to ski about once a year on easy green runs with no ice and fresh powder in a place that is beautiful with nice people and no lines. Does that sound like it might be a hard thing to find? Most times it's not, most years I hook up with friends and have a great time.
Icicles at the Taos house!

This year we went to Taos with 16 of our closest friends from the Rez for a long weekend of winter sports. The first full day there we bundled up and car-pooled up the mountain, I rented skis got my lift ticket and I was ready. Little did I know that Taos, NM is known for its intense skiing - the stuff double black diamonds are made of. I skied the bunny run a few times and it felt good, the sun was shining and it felt good to be active. After the bunny run I skied what looked to me like the next easiest green run. That, too, was exhilarating and I felt ready to tackle bigger and better things. I then met up with 3 of my friends and we headed up the mountain. Now these ladies are much better skiers then me but I felt assured when they said it was a green run.

More icicles at the Taos house!

Well, let me tell you this was one helluva a green run. Narrow with trees on one side and the mountains edge on the other, icy as hell frozen over and nerve-wracking. I slowly made my way down the first few miles thinking "I must be crazy". When the run leveled out I looked down and noticed that there was a slalom race course the ran the same length of the mountain I was supposed to ski down - what kind of green run has a race course on it? At that moment I was struck with the realization that I needed to get the hell off the mountain. I went to the race course shack and asked the timer to call ski patrol. He looked at me and asked if I was injured - I said no I am just tired and done skiing. So ski patrol came and loaded me up and I got a nice scenic ride down the mountain.

A bacon weave that our friend Chris made...crazy looking isn't it!

So to make up for this unfulfilling day of skiing we headed back up to Northern New Mexico for a weekend at a friends condo in Angel Fire, NM. Just the name gave me hope - it had a nice ring to it and I had high expectations of a nice day of skiing. The weather was awful - cold, windy and snowy and it would have been much easier to stay warm in the condo but I took my courage in my hands and went skiing by myself. It was a FANTASTIC day! The weather remained ugly but the place was so friendly and the green runs were amazing. No chance of a Sonny Bono here. All in all it was a day full of redemption, courage, love of nature and great easy skiing.

Laughing!

According to Navajo tradition, a baby is considered to be of two worlds at birth: that of the holy people and that of the earth people. Families listen for the child's first laugh — a sign of joy that signals his desire to join his earth family and community. It is believed that a child assumes the qualities of the person who coaxes his first giggle.

To commemorate this event, the laugh witness hosts an A'wee Chi'deedloh ("The Baby Laughed") ceremony. Guests, often bearing gifts, file past the infant with plates full of food. With help from the host, the baby holds out salt crystals for each of them. Placed on the food or tongue, the salt is meant to rejuvenate the good character in each recipient and serve as the first in a lifetime of generous acts by the child.

At the meal's end, either the host or a community or family elder blesses the baby, wishing him a life of generosity and gratitude.

Please join us as we celebrate Orion’s First Laugh
Sunday, February 22nd at 1:00pm
2132-2 Shandiin Circle
Stacy, Eric and Bella Ali

Vital Stats @ 4 Months Old

4 months old
24.5 inches long
11 pounds 6 ounces

2 months old
22.5 inches long
9 pounds

2 weeks old
19.5 inches long
6 pounds 7 ounces

Birth
19 inches long
5 pounds 13 ounces

Happy 4 Month Birthday, Baby!

Can you believe it...my little toots turned 4 months today. Tomorrow is his 4 month well child check so I will post all his vital stats then.

My crazy husband just told me that I made him more "flora and fauna conscious" is that a strange compliment or what?