Hunter's room

Officially HIS room

Shayne spent many hours doing this cool squared custom paint job to make Hunter's room his own - no longer the official guest room.  Yes, I helped too - but Shayne really made it happen.  Funny thing is, all three boys (Hunter, Cole, and Danny) typically sleep together on this bed.  I think they should have been born 100 years ago because they'd rather sleep together than have their own separate beds...  except I'm sure the amount of physical labor scared them into our current day.  

A weekend with my Mom & Dad

In an effort to stock up professional points (for when I want to renew my teaching license), I attended the Music Educator's Conference with my parents.  They were planning on going and I asked if I could bum a ride down with them.  Not only did they let me get a ride, but they wanted to have me around!  We did everything together as a trio all weekend and I was super lucky to have all this time to my parents - by MYSELF.  They said I'm a lot quieter without my kids... lol.  My dad and I attended the conference together while my mom did quilt shop hopping and other projects that needed her attention.  My dad is a popular guy and has plenty of colleagues who want to be with him - and he'd come sit with me in classes!  I felt lucky every time.  He introduced me to everyone and was so amazingly kind to let this "wanna-pretend-I'm-still-a-band-director" daughter of his be by his side.  These two people have always been my best friends and I try hard to emulate their example of parenting in my home.  If I can grow up to be like either one of them - then I'm doing something right.  Ok, enough testimonials about how awesome my parents are - it was just the treat of the decade and I'm glad we got to do it.  En route home, they showed me a little state-park and we did a small hike - absolutely stunning.  I LOVE YOU Mom and Dad!!    

Random January highlights

We had a weekend with cousins Rachel and Michael sleeping over - don't these two look like siblings?  Skye's hair is getting redder all the time!  (not the best pic - but it's what I took)

Proof that I'm a little crazy about my favorite OJ.  It was on sale - this was a little overboard.

Cole earned his Bear - in cub scouts!  He has so many great friends in our neighborhood - I get kinda giddy thinking about these boys growing up together.

Playing at the Children's Museum - can sometimes get one WET

Had a little date night with my two little guys - we splurged on ice cream.

I took Danny to Sundance Ski resort and we did just the bunny hill - rope tow area, where it's free.  I just wanted him to try it.  At first, he was not happy with how he was doing (and honestly, his teacher, that's me, was feeling a little under-prepared for teaching a 6 year old).  I told him we could go - he just had to ski down to leave and suddenly the lightbulb turned on.  He figured out the rope-tow and went probably 15 more times.  It was really fun to do that together.  I'm so glad he tried it!!  Skiing is not cheap - but you can't beat being out in the mountains and working hard in the cold.  It's invigorating.

Let's celebrate Shayne!

This is our New Year's baby - and I was super excited about my super-amazing-totally-got-it-a-good-one present for my man.  As soon as we started cheering for Happy New Year's - I ran and got him this present.  I had wrapped it by putting it in a suitcase - so I actually managed to keep it a secret this year too.  Honestly - this was an epic year in so many ways.  It took him many nights to assemble this beloved "toy" and he savored every minute of it.  And he took it to work so that the kids can't destroy it (smart move hon).  Here's the finished product:

Shayne actually went shooting on his birthday and it was a relatively low-key year (considering year's past).  The next day - we just continued the fun and had put together a group of 12 people to do a "Mystery Escape the Room" together.  It proved to be quite the task - we managed to solve many of the clues together, but did not manage to "escape" in time.  It was a very cool thing to do together.

(Chanin is snapping the pic)

And I forgot to whip out the Bear Claw cake while we had people around - so I threw this together, made him blow out candles and our little family ate bear claws.  I love this cake... I hope he's ok with it being a tradition.  Can't get any easier to make a cake!  

I love you Shayne.  You keep us laughing and enjoying life and I'm so grateful you chose me.  I know our boys cherish every minute with their dad - he's the "coolest" and "much funner than Mommy" - yeah, it's no secret.  You are the best dad, husband, and best friend this family can have - thanks for being you!

Good times with good friends

Our beloved Laura and Maynrad family came to visit us the week after Christmas - it was officially the COLDEST week of the year!!  And of course, they are from California - so it was quite the week of memories.

Carlo's biggest wish was to play in snow - thank goodness, it snowed just a couple days before they got here.  We didn't have snow again for the next 2+ months!  Here the kids are venturing out to the yard to have fun in the snow.

Anyone want to tell her that those shoes won't work around here?

Sledding adventure!

Danny found his best friend where we took everyone for some sledding - of course, they were the ones who told us where to find this perfect sledding hill.

 Carlo wasn't a huge fan of sledding - but he did it!

Go Maynrad, GO!

Back at the house - we had lots of chill time.  Which included play-dough, and magic sand. 

And I-pads too.  (and this was adorable because it was the first night and Laura's kids just climbed up into Shayne's lap to do their game time...  We love these kids!)

Taking the gang to a Jazz Game!

Uncle Shad came too!

Yeah, it was cold.

Fun at the Dino Museum (while the big guys went shooting)

This is evidence of our super, intense, and totally chill New Year's Eve playing Settler's of Catan.  Game ON.

We love these guys!!!  We hope they'll come back - we really tried to keep them warm despite the weather outside!  I see a trip to visit them in the near future - dreaming of sunny southern Cali weather.  {wink, wink}

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Our beautiful new tree - with special thanks to Cherae for moving to a home with lower ceilings to make this possible!

Christmas morning stockings 

I love getting a picture every year with the stockings - someday I'll do a collage of just these pictures. 

Look what Santa put in Daddy's stocking!  He must know it's a favorite and we never have it in our house.  (spray butter) 

Cole got Garbage Pail Kid Cards to add to his collection - he loves his daddy's collection of these same cards.  (two peas in a pod)

Danny asked for super-hero shirts - best gift ever.  And probably a first that he was happy to open up clothes.  LOL 

Skye holding his new Dumbo

Daddy had this personalized Hunter sign made while he was in Vegas - he was so surprised and happy about this! 

I took very few pictures this holiday season.  I was actually really sick and miserable.  In fact, I went to insta-care the day after Christmas and it was pneumonia.  That explained the misery and hurting lungs and endless coughing!  We went over to Cherae's house on Christmas evening for a scrumptious dinner and a little nativity too.  Aren't my nieces absolutely stunning - each one of them?  

The highlight for me was giving every family a calendar for 2015 with our family photos.  They loved it - the whole present opening chaos was at a stand-still for a bit as everyone looked over the calendars.  I'm glad they are enjoyed!

Love our family and the holiday season!  Come back everyone - especially now that I'm not sick and in a haze!!