What the kiddos are up to

 T. man started Cub Scouting. He loves it of course! He was stoked to receive his bobcat award and pin to stick on mom.

 He is in love with the image of professional men in the 1930's? 40's? (maybe 50's?). He wants a briefcase to go along with his vest and hat. Its so cute to me to hear him ask to wear his polished church shoes. To play. On this day he opted for a stuffed dog instead of briefcase.

 The sun has been trying to force its rays through the air pollution. Its nice to have the kids want to play outside for hours at a time. Without gloves. Z. can't help but create things when she is out there. This was a decoration for her sister. Or a target. Or something.

 T. will take any chance he can get to use his pocket knife. Skinning sticks must be pretty fun. I think there isn't a stick left in the yard that isn't bald now. I love his bright Nepal hat to match his bright smile.

 S. finds it hilarious that the tramp is mat less, so she can "get on" without climbing. You won't see the kids outside without the dog there sniffing around trying to figure out a way to be included. We have such beautiful mountains so close! I can't get over it! What a blessing to live in a place with so much beauty! It almost feels like being up there on Mt. Timp when we're out back.

Sadly this winter has had a lack of snowfall. Not only will the landscape in the summer suffer from the water rationing but check out the only snowman we could make. Sad. 

 There has certainly not been enough snow (that didn't immediately freeze!) to make a snow fort. The kids figured out the next best thing. A fort using the swing set and indoor fort making stuffs. Good enough.

 Z. tried out snowboarding this season. She loves it! Sundance has been awesome. Its close and the weather on saturdays up there so far is great.

 N. is an excellent brother and has been showing her the ropes. He is patient and actually enjoys having a sister to ride with. I shouldn't be surprised, he is such a great kid. So loving and happy to be with family. He commented that she made him nervous because she prefers the steep slopes and likes to ride close to the boundary. Good. Im glad that makes him nervous. Thats what brothers are for, to protect their little sisters when dad isn't there.

Looking smart...

...is the same as being smart. Right?! 

S. thinks so. She bought herself a fake pair of glasses. To look smart. I think she just looks cute. With or without frames. 

Daddy turned 38!!

That's almost 40! That's so old! And I'm next. Oh no. 

New Year

My goals this year include Caulking every bathroom and the kitchen. That is going to take some time and skill, skill that I don't have yet but I'm sure by the time I'm done I will.

Another was to talk D. into shaving more than his upper lip. 

 

 New Years Eve: Goal already accomplished. Without even saying it out loud! Lucky me. One less goal. And now I'm thinking I should probably keep "my goals" about "my self". Nah. Probably won't happen.

No ones mustache is as great as Scottys'!

At least in this family.......try as they might!

S'more Holiday Break picts.

It wouldn't be a real vacation in the winter if a bunch of family members didn't come down with illness. Right?!

And to Z. it wouldn't be a vacation at all without as many friends at the house as possible, at all times.

 N. up at Sundance on his Snowboard with his Kahuna Big Stick. Its a land paddle for his longboard that has a special snow attachment. He thinks its more fun on the hills with it. Im not sure he thinks all the attention he gets because of it is fun. He has had a lot of curious patrons ask him what it is!

Christmas Day

Teens are a little hard to please, unless there is a giant budget involved and even then they don't seem pleased. N. is different. I worry he will be sad to see that his choice to Snowboard this season left his present pile a lot smaller than the other kids'. The great thing is how happy video games, legos, and small electronics make him. He LOVES his new ability to hear over the piano and other noise while playing online games with friends. 

 T. man is also Loving his simple but perfectly suited new things! Uncle Scott returned recently from the Himalayas where he made some first ascents on some big scary mountains. He brought back some awesome souvenirs like the cool hat he gave to T. Even better were the real carabiners that had been on those ascents. Wow. He won't stop trying to hook himself to things!

 S. is so happy to have an"'Merican girl doll". She's young enough to feel content with the beautiful Target version, and since she doesn't even know how to correctly say American girl I think she will stay happy with her for years to come. She says her doll is named Holly because she is from Hollywood. Not maybe because she is a Holiday doll or anything sweet and innocent that mom suggested.

I love seeing D. help the kids put their new things together. Sometimes in frustration(remember that marble run? Oh boy!), but now days mostly as a companion. The kids are all skilled enough to do the lego sets on their own. Somehow I didn't think that day would actually come.

 Im loosing track of exactly how many Christmas days' we have celebrated together(17?18?) but grateful for them none the less!

Christmas morning.

6:30am. Not so bad. I thought they'd wake us before that. We really must have worn them out.

Harley was banished to the kitchen to keep her from causing any issues with new gifts. The kids thought she needed a little something, even if she wasn't invited to the occasion. Giant rawhide. Great for her enjoyment. Gross to find in the yard come springtime.

 After some initial gift opening and ready for More! Mom isn't fully awake though, how about a nap first?!

 T. man. Excited!

 N. and his ginormous hands, ready to rip open wrapping.

 Z. posing beautifully with her stash.

 S. can't believe she is the smallest but she got the biggest packages!

Christmas Eve finally came

The kids and Gma. A. with their new P.J.'s. Its a fun, cozy tradition.

 Then off to Merrills' to wear out the kids. Their favorite guy to kiss and play with and also to fight for sole attention for, cousin P. He's a good sport about it! And so cute!

 Playing the traditional left-right passing the white elephant game. I think everyone laughed most of the time!

 T. especially loved it and the exciting white elephants inside!

 Later the kids got to open their gift from Grandparents. S. loves her pretty wallhanging, with her special song lyrics attached.

 T. is just plain old excited, no matter what the gift!

 Z. finally got the real sewing machine she has been wanting for years and years. And its cute!

 N. modeling his new Minecraft elements hoodie. One of a kind. The kid and the hoodie.

 T. got a Rubics cube as his white elephant and didn't set it down all night. It was a Christmas hi-light for him. I think since this dollar store version is now broken(don't try taking them apart to see how they work) we might try the real version next.

It was a special night filled with loving family and enough gifts to quench the anxiety of Christmas morning. Just long enough to sleep several hours before enjoying Christmas itself. We are so grateful to live near so many family members that share their lives with us. It is a blessing I never get over!

Winter Break stuffs

The kids think that sledding is great fun. This December was a weird one though. It snowed but instantly got cold. Too cold. For me at least. I couldn't even make a snowman until January when the air temps were warm enough and new snow came along. There are a few fun hills in the neighborhood. This one is the younger kids school. 

 They call it sledding but what they mostly do is snowboard. 

 3 hats and I am still Freezing!! 

 What did Daddy do over the break? Ceramics mostly. The studio was too cold so I guess the bedroom and kitchen are the next best thing. For him, not for me. I prefer to eat and sleep without clay.

 S. complained that she hates my "Disco Bomb" tree.What!? I guess she is talking about the disco ball shaped silver garland. Too Bad. I like it. It stays!

 S. is so cute to take sledding, at first. Then because she is hot she takes off her gloves. Every time. Then she gets too cold and starts WAILING that her hands hurt. I wonder when she will finally learn? Hope its soon. It makes me so sad for her. And hurts my ears. 

This is the kids more favorite spot to sled. A nearby Jr. high.  I found T. man and the older kids on a steep hill that should be safe enough. Last year I admit I sent S. nearly to her death on the same hill. To be safe I kept her away this year. When I went to see the bigger kids I also saw that the landing at the bottom of this fun steep slope and jump wasn't covered with snow anymore. It was a little snow, a lot of ice and concrete. Out of safety I ordered them off. T. was so mad he wouldn't let me take his picture. Mean MOM.

 Z. and her friend were kind enough to stop for a picture. It was Soooo cold!

 N. is having a blast again this year at Sundance ski resort. Snowboarding. But when we sled this hill he sticks with a sled. Its a lot easier to hike back up that way!