Sledding with Papa

I traded my baby for my nephew, Michael, for the day - I know Michael enjoyed sledding MUCH more than Skyler!  We had a wonderful day.  I had 5 boys with me (Cole's best friend tagged along too) and we picked up Papa and had ourselves some good times in the snow!

Hunter - he's actually a speeding bullet, but the pic doesn't show motion.

The little boys pulling their tube to the top

 This is also a pic in action - screaming/giggling/laughing their way down the slope.

Wheeeeeeeee!

The worker asked how I talked my dad into coming - I said it was easy.  I just asked him!  Love having Papa play with us!

Just to prove that Cole was with us - and his best friend Connor.  I didn't know till the next day that Connor doesn't like sledding.  That's peer pressure for ya, he never complained once and he kept up with Cole the whole time!

This was the "Big Daddy" of all sleds.  We had this hill to ourselves.  I managed to take the boys on a day that the local school district was in class (but my boys didn't start for another day) - so we had the privilege to try this special sled!  It was MONSTER sized! 

Ready to POP!

My sweet sis-in-law Devri was ready to pop!  I threw her a baby shower and as far as creativity and effort, I did my finest work for this one.  I kept thinking, if my sister was here, this is exactly how I'd do it for her.  Then I remembered that I DID throw a shower for my sister here.  Then came the feelings of, "why didn't I do this, or that?" and then it occurred to me, "OH YEAH, You had a baby less than a week before that shower!"  So, Lara, you still had my best efforts for that time and season.  The fact that I had a theme and food to match, honestly, this just isn't my style.  But it was SOOOO fun.  I also had a table of "bow-making" attire and all the shower-attendees spent their time making bows for baby Rachel.  

The theme...

Yes, I made these cake-pops.  And I didn't even eat one, I'm not a fan of velvet cake - but others loved them!

The popcorn had white chocolate (tinted pink and purple) and it was SOOOO tasty.  That's my kind of a treat.

The goodies.

Oh, I'm glad that I'll have a niece close by to enjoy the ADORABLE clothing she got!

The goods.

Sledding Fun

Actually, this was a sledding adventure before the food fight - but I didn't bring my camera that day.  Devri kindly shared her pics with me and documented the fun!

These boys are truly best buds.  I love that!

Yes, he has a mustache.  

Daddy and Skye - heading down a gentle slope - and Skyler kinda liked it.

My handsome Hunter - had a blast and wanted to keep going all afternoon.

We saw Cole laying at the bottom of the big hill - not sledding - and Hunter said "I don't know why."  Well, the fact that some kid had PLOWED into him, we didn't blame him for wanting to go home.  This pic honestly doesn't do justice to the damage done.  Thankfully, no concussion.  Just a serious bruiser and even a black eye a few days later.

It took Danny some time to warm-up to this "sledding" thing - but got the hang of it eventually!

Food Fight!

This was to celebrate Shayne's birthday - the night before his big day.  It was actually an organized food fight and we didn't have to clean up.  They had all neon colored mashed potatoes and yes, it was in a ballet studio (weird).  The floors were SOOOOO slick, the "no running" rule was useless - since we couldn't move without slipping onto our bums!  Cody came and so did Chanin/Steve's family with a HUGE troop of friends.  Next time, we're doing a food fight OUTSIDE in the summer.  (PS the photographer obviously liked Cole and his expressions!)

  

 

 

 

Christmas Break

Before we left town for our Christmas with Shayne's fam, we had a mini-Christmas with my parents.  My mom has a tradition of making the boys fun pillowcases - which they love and are very possessive about.  Gotta love these pics...

Soon, we were heading to warmer places - St George (special thanks to Chanin and Steve for hosting everyone!).  We had a week of family time and loved it!  Shayne, Shaughn and I did get out on our bikes - we managed to bike a few miles and got 3 flats amongst the men.  I didn't realize my tires had extra protection (I talked to the previous owner of my bike) but I watched the guys do on the road repairs and the ride was over pretty fast.  BUMMER.  But, Shayne and Shaughn did get in a mtn bike ride a couple days later.  

So, to sum up our vacation in 21 pictures:

This is what my boys did a lot of (Minecraft and Halo)

Grandma/Grandpa organized a marble shot-put game.  Not sure what to call it - but all the grandkids had a great time and went through a second round.

We had a hoola-hoop contest...

Hunter's hidden talent - he's really good at doing this on his NECK!

Some didn't hoola-hoop.

Some just danced...

There was pool

There was also a pool outside (here's Skyler begging to go out with the kids).  And yes it was warm and yes, we had a daily swim! or a dip in the Hot Tub!  ahhhhhhhh

 Christmas Morning

Danny was so much fun this year - every gift was like a jackpot - he had us all giggling. 

Skyler just wanted the candy canes.

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying the view of family togetherness!

Skyler's first piano

Hunter got a potato - yup.  And "she" talked.  (For you Portal fans out there, this was a HUGE hit)

Cole was given his "ol' blankie" that had gone missing YEARS ago.  We found it a couple weeks after the tragic loss, but decided to keep it.  He wasn't mad (luckily) and it's amazing that blanket is holding itself together still.  It is VERY LOVED.

Playing in the new tunnel/tent that Skyler got.

Brooke and Diane - beautiful!

And last, but not least, the beloved tree.  Did you know there is not a tree-farm ANYWHERE in that town? We searched for a couple hours and we came home with two 3 foot trees (dead trees, really) and we stacked them, braced them together, and surprisingly, it looks like a tree.  Oh - it was funny!

Lots of great food - lots and lots - and lots of great memories.  Merry Christmas Everyone!