Hot and Cold

Last week I had the luxury of going to Miami with my husband. He had work to do for just a day there, so I tagged along and made it a vacation :) My parents were awesome about watching the kids so we could go - which I'm still very indebted for. We stayed in Pompano, which is about 40 minutes north of Miami. I loved it. I was spoiled. I soaked up every minute. Even the plane ride I enjoyed reading and just worrying about myself alone.

To show how spoiled I was, here is the view from our room. No zoom needed.

The first day we got there we discovered jellyfish lining the beach. It was pretty cool. Yes, when we went running on the beach we had some close calls to stepping on some, but it was still quite a sight to see so many stranded along the beach line. The next day they were gone. We swam in the ocean, the pool, the hot tub, watched the kite surfers (I wanna try!), went to the pool, the hot tub, and back to the beach. We got massages, ate out, shopped a little - and did I mention the hot tub? It's even better while eating a blizzard!

The weather was awesome - high 70's and low 80's. We rented a paddle board - which is pretty much a surf board with a paddle. You stand up and balance on the board while trying to paddle. It' quite tricky and fun with waves. Luckily our waves were just the right size. to small for real surfing, but great for paddle surfing.

The last morning there the ocean looked more like a lake. I took a nice leisure paddle around. It was too easy - I like the challenge of the waves! Here's me, a speck on the ocean.

We came back to snow. What extremes! Within a couple weeks we went from skiing, to ocean, and back to snow. It was great snowman making snow. I smiled pretty big when I saw what Aaron and the kids had made.

Thanks again Mom and Dad for making a getaway possible. It's amazing how I appreciate any moment of freedom I get now. Every getaway is priceless freedom! But I was reminded of one thing. I could play all I want, and I would enjoy it, but nothing brings as much satisfaction and true joy as my family/kids. A part of me is not whole when we're apart. Love ya midgets!

100!

I didn't realize people counted things like this, but Whitney's teacher is exceptional. Today they celebrated their 100 day mark. Wow, really, 100 days. When she got home she made me close my eyes, no peeking, and when I got the go ahead to look, this is what I saw.

If you're wondering about her ugly shirt. They were supposed to wear a shirt with a hundred of something on it. She chose hearts. We worked on it all week - can't you tell :) I love that she loves school.

Travis is 4!

It's finally here. Travis has been counting down and planning his birthday since Christmas.
I'm still a little in denial - I can't believe my little toddler is 4. He has grown up so much this past year. Not just in his demeanor, but he hit a growth spurt too! He still can melt my heart, he loves to snuggles, fight bad guys, play monster trucks, eat popcorn and play sports.

His birthday actually started a day early with a playgroup birthday party. He was so funny. Would not leave this spot until everyone arrived. He'd see them come, go and greet them, then return to his look-out until everyone was accounted for. Not budging.

This was the start of the games. This was "pin the teeth on Mater." Gannon is making sure Travis doesn't peek.

The end result = a lot of peekers!

It was quite the crew and party. I think the kids had a blast. I'm pretty sure I'd go crazy trying to control that kind of chaos on a regular basis. Put me directly into a pshyc ward if I want to run a daycare!

Eating the birthday cars and spiderman cupcakes.

Hailey dug in too.

Opening presents, not that REALLY was a concept for four year olds to grasp. Travis was thirlled with his load of car presents! They all knew him well.

Gracie, his BFF neighbor handing him her present.

On Saturday, his real birthday, we woke up and decided how to celebrate. Swimming! I love that Lindsay and Jared and Trae are always up for an adventure - they turned our play into a party. Thanks guys. Here's the daddy's and midgets. I love that Trae and Hailey are checking eachother out. Can you tell there is a 6 month difference between these two? I think not.

Trae was an amazing trooper. That kid is gold. I also love that the water effect makes Hailey's legs look even shorter, a task I didn't know was possible.

Hailey loved it! It was like a huge bathtub with so much to discover. We're in for a great summer if this continues.

Birthday boy soaking it up.

Part of the crew

This is about attempt #7 - We tried to get a pic of Trae and Hailey in their patriotic swimwear - don't think they were interested, poor Trae had to deal with Hailey wanting to explore his hair or face or trying to escape.

We stopped by Aaron's office on the way back for cake and presents.

Big shocker.......what do you think he wanted his cake to be? Has it ever been different? Da Cars.

Blowing out the candles was a task. I think the cake was part spit afterwards. Note to self: Don't put the candles in the four corners of a cake for a four year old. Close together in one spot!

Excited to open presents!

Had to post this. Lindsay was a little scared of being in "Jack Bauer's Workplace" as mom calls it. You can see it in her eyes. A little edgy.

Travis got Mater Tales - he's wanted this for at least a month and a half. I hear about it daily.
Opening his monster trucks - from Mater Tales.

Sit n' spin - makes me naseous just thinking about all that spinning.

Happy Birthday buddy. I'm glad we were able to celebrate it big time. As I always tell you - your my favorite son!

And, as if this blog isn't long enough here's a great video of the Batman pinata at the party.

We can pretend it's summertime even if there is snow outside right? I've never seen my kids so excited about something - I don't think Travis took a breath the entire time.

Mama Snowshoed!!

Here's proof to those that doubted. Mom actually used her Christmas present and went snowshoeing! It's possible she's lying, but she said she liked it... and no... she never got cold. Miracles happen! We hiked to stewart falls. It was a gorgeous night. So nice to get out and actually enjoy winter again. Can't wait until I can take my kids and do this more often.

Aaron and Jared had fun with the ice cave/ waterfall.

Idaho

We took advantage of a couple days off school last weekend and headed to Idaho. We didn't get a chance to make it up there over Christmas break, so it was really nice to see family and get some mountain snow playtime.
The kids had a blast sledding and being with Grandma and Grandpa and Cousins.

Friday we wasted no time in building an "igloo." Travis was pretty excited about it. He was given a hammer and hammered the snow for about an hour straight. Aaron called him Ukon Cornileous (Hammer man from Rudolph movie).

Here's Aaron going down the slide to the igloo.

The is also known as the tiger house.

Whitney and Travis chillin' on the bench

View of the entrance.

Mini sled hill

Skating like barbie

Result =

We had SUCH a good time. Sometimes there is something so nice about getting away from the usual world and focusing on family fun. Loved it! My father-in-law also gave me a chance to skate ski. It was awesome. I'm determined to get good at it and do it a lot one day when I have the freedom to. Aaron took me on quite the night snowmobile ride - I even experienced the digging ourselves out of powder up to our waist. Not that fun. Thanks mom and dad and family for the fun. It was great to see and play with everyone and just enjoy a vacation!

Office upgrade

If you were thinking this post was about the television series - Office, sorry to disappoint (Lacy). As mentioned before, Whitney claimed the living room her office. I've been dreaming of an upgrade in furniture for this place for quite some time. And it finally arrived. Can you tell I'm excited. Ignore the chairs - we were having fun. I took the pic before any books/decoration was added. I look forward to that part too. I'm thrilled. I'm also hoping that this new office will attract all the objects that current land on my kitchen island everyday!

Whitney's elf party got cancelled the day before break. Her teacher was determined to let the kids have the experience. It was really a cute idea. Here she is as an elf.

Usually this is the time of year you hear me whining about winter. This year I'm honestly loving it. I wish I could say I love it from playing in the snow, but that's not the case yet. I'm loving the relaxed tempo. The snuggle time. Coloring, puzzles, movies. I definitely haven't been bored, but not overwhelmed either. I'm good with this pace for a while. I think the kids are too. They're still playing constantly with Christmas toys.

My sis-in-law Passelly always spoils my kids with new dresses for Christmas. Travis is stoked about his church pants with footballs on them to. He shows it off to the other Sunbeams. Whitney loves matching Hailey. And Hailey has behaved much better in these dresses in church than she did her previous :) Thanks Selly!

Travis with his Mater Tales puzzle. Mater Tales is for some reason his new obsession.

Happy January Everyone! And a big shout out thanks to all my fam who has helped me edit my children's book. You're the best!