Friday, January 22, 2016
Rockin' Rad Reader!!
Courtney has been working on reading all the 2015-2016 Beehive Nominee books. There were about 8 picture books and 8 young adult novels. She finished her last one this morning and took a quiz on it. The school librarian gives them a tshirt, a dog tag and a bag of M&Ms. Courtney was pretty happy and I am so happy for all the work she has done!!
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Date Night and Cookies
Bryan and I wanted to go to the Snow Canyon basketball game but the kids didn't want to go. They decided to stay home and Ethan would babysit. Before we left, they decided they wanted to make cookies...so they did!
Courtney took some cookies and they "doorbell ditched" our neighbors. We didn't know they were going to do that at all. Luckily they saw her running away so they knew the cookies were safe to eat. They actually told me the cookies were very delicious!
Courtney's Wall
Courtney loves owls and so for Christmas we gave her 2 Beanie Baby owls, a vinyl tree and some floating shelves. It has taken us a few weeks to finally get around to putting it all up but I think it turned out really great!
The idea is the that owls are supposed to look like they are sitting on the branches of the tree. She loves it and that's all the counts!
The idea is the that owls are supposed to look like they are sitting on the branches of the tree. She loves it and that's all the counts!
Another one gone
On the way to dance Courtney told me another tooth was bugging her. I told her to just pull it out, so she did! This is her second tooth in as many days. We were in the van on the way to dance and it was good that she took my phone to take selfie pictures because the tooth fell and she "lost my lost tooth!" But the tooth fairy still came and gave her money.
Now her two spaces match!!
My birthday
Since my birthday was on a Tuesday (and Courtney has dance forever on Tuesday night) we celebrated a few times. My parents made me dinner on Sunday and we had dinner and cake with everyone at their house.
On Monday Bryan made my birthday dinner and then on Tuesday we had my cake and ice cream. It was fun to celebrate all week long!
Bryan bought me roses.
It was a good birthday.
On Monday Bryan made my birthday dinner and then on Tuesday we had my cake and ice cream. It was fun to celebrate all week long!
Bryan bought me roses.
It was a good birthday.
High Honor Roll
Ethan made it on the High Honor Roll again! He has a 4.0 and we are so happy for him. Bryan is frustrated because Ethan rarely has homework but I am loving that he is taking such great responsibility for his grades and doing so well. Great job!!
Sardines
For some weird reason Ethan has been wanting to try sardines. I think it must be something to do with him studying WWI in school right now. Anyway, he asked me to buy him a can of sardines, so I did.
I have memories of my dad eating sardines and just thinking it was the grosses thing in the world! But if my son wanted to try them I wasn't going to say anything.
He opened them and this is what he saw:
He bravely picked one up by the tail (head, skin, bones and all):
Put it up to his mouth...
...and he just couldn't do it. Just the thought would have been enough to stop me but he just couldn't bring himself to eat a sardine.
It was just too gross!!
I have memories of my dad eating sardines and just thinking it was the grosses thing in the world! But if my son wanted to try them I wasn't going to say anything.
He opened them and this is what he saw:
He bravely picked one up by the tail (head, skin, bones and all):
Put it up to his mouth...
...and he just couldn't do it. Just the thought would have been enough to stop me but he just couldn't bring himself to eat a sardine.
It was just too gross!!
Wiped Out!
The Christmas break just wiped out Courtney. She played too hard, apparently. She kept falling asleep in chairs or on the couch. It happened more than once and it is a rare thing for our kids to fall asleep somewhere other than their beds. I thought she was faking at first but she was asleep. Poor little thing is exhausted.
She lost a tooth
Courtney had been complaining about a tooth that was loose and bugging her. She was playing with it while we were playing our family game on Sunday. After a while of playing with the tooth she looked at me and said "I think it's ready to come out." Her tooth was hanging out of her mouth just held on by a prayer. I said "I think so" and so she pulled it out. She was so excited!
Her cousin, Luke, lost a tooth when we were all at Copper Mountain so she is just following his example.
Her cousin, Luke, lost a tooth when we were all at Copper Mountain so she is just following his example.
Red Lobster
Santa always brings the kids a gift card to their favorite restaurant and leaves it in their stocking. Ethan always gets a Red Lobster coupon and then he blows it all on the Captain's Platter. It has 2 kinds of shrimp, crab legs, lobster, rice, potatoes and biscuits. He is in heaven when he gets it and he eats the entire thing! The waiter looked at him funny when he ordered it because it is a lot of food for a skinny kid, but Ethan loves seafood.
Copper Mountain
As the Christmas present from Bryan's parents, they took us all to Copper Mountain to a condo for 2 days of skiing. It was an amazing location, really close to the bunny hill where I would be spending all my skiing time. I am not a very good skier. I am too afraid of speed and getting hurt to really be good. The kids, on the other hand, had no problems.
On Thursday (New Year's Eve), we all loaded up and drove to Copper Mountain, but we made a little detour to a sled hill in Silverthorn. It was the best hill ever because it was more like a sunken bowl. So all around were great places to sled down. The kids loved it but it was WAY too cold for me! I went down a few times but the wind was blowing so I was freezing.
When we were tired and cold, we made our way to the condo. It was meant to sleep 18 people and we had 27 so there were some adjustments that needed to be made. We had 2 rollaway beds but we weren't sure where to put them. I think one mattress was taken off and used for someone but there was an extra one the first night.
Ethan staked his claim on a spot under the stairs to the 3rd floor. It wasn't roomy but it was his spot. We had taken the kid's camping stuff so they had pads and sleeping bags. Courtney had a bed upstairs.
The group went to the ski rental shop so we could get our skis for the next day. It was crazy outfitting that many people but some were sharing. It was decided that Jessica, Jenny, Shelley and I would share 2 passes on Friday and share the ski rental. That meant only 2 of us had to go get the skis.
New Year's Eve wasn't too thrilling for us. Bryan, Courtney and I went out exploring. She loved the big chairs with a "C" on them!
She was in charge of navigation:
We were all tired so we went to bed. Everyone else stayed up and played games and rang in the new year.
Ethan only lasted one night under the stairs because the noise from the first floor filtered up to where he was and he didn't get much sleep. He was pretty miserable. So we changed the direction of our bed and put the extra roll away bed in our room. It worked out great.
On New Year's Day we all woke up and went skiing. Ethan had decided he wanted to go snowboarding so we got him stuff to do that, but by the end of the morning he was ready to trade in the snowboard for skis and he did much better. I used the passes in the afternoon which was great for me because it was -8 degrees in the morning! No way was I going out in that and flying down a hill on two waxed boards!! I was just fine waiting until the afternoon.
As I said, I stayed on the bunny hill but Courtney was a natural and went down some other runs with Julie and with Bryan. She had a blast and was really doing well. Ethan is more like I am and was having a great time staying on the bunny hill.
Here they are getting their ski passes from Grandpa.
Ethan was ready to go and sweating while waiting for everyone else to get ready.
This is our ski bunny!
On Saturday, I had my own ski pass so I had to go on Friday night to get another set of skis that I could use. Then on Saturday I went out in the morning for the first runs. I felt more comfortable in the morning than the afternoon because it wasn't all cut up from someone else skiing. Then I spent the afternoon with Bryan and Ethan on the slopes until Courtney got bored. Julie took her to some other harder runs and Courtney had a blast. Ethan got cold so he went back. I was getting skied out so Bryan decided to go on some harder runs alone while I went back to the condo.
When I got there, Ethan was helping to babysit Tyler while Lisa went out with Alli. He wasn't quite sure what do and Tyler was sad. So we got my kindle out and helped Tyler play the dot game. It was cute to see Ethan helping to cheer Tyler up.
Lisa came back, I showered and then Ethan and I went on a walk to explore. We found some funny t-shirts in some shops. I should have taken a picture of my favorite. It said "World's Okayest Skier." That's me!
We had to take all the skis and boots back to the rental place by 6 p.m. so someone (the genius in the family) thought of using the luggage carts to take all the skis back. It made it so much easier! Sure, boots kept falling off the cart but at least we didn't each have to carry a ton of boots in our hands. When we passed people they would say "That's a lot of skis!" Yes it is!
Sunday morning bright and early we loaded the van and were ready to head out. Grandpa had tried to take a family picture the night before but it was all blurry so we got together for one more before family prayer and we left.
Here we are pulling faces:
This is the serious picture:
Right before we left, Ethan gave the young boy cousins their present...light sabers...and then we left so we didn't have to deal with the consequences. You're welcome!
The roads were good and we were home in good time. It was a fun, loud and crazy week but it was great to see everyone!
On Thursday (New Year's Eve), we all loaded up and drove to Copper Mountain, but we made a little detour to a sled hill in Silverthorn. It was the best hill ever because it was more like a sunken bowl. So all around were great places to sled down. The kids loved it but it was WAY too cold for me! I went down a few times but the wind was blowing so I was freezing.
When we were tired and cold, we made our way to the condo. It was meant to sleep 18 people and we had 27 so there were some adjustments that needed to be made. We had 2 rollaway beds but we weren't sure where to put them. I think one mattress was taken off and used for someone but there was an extra one the first night.
Ethan staked his claim on a spot under the stairs to the 3rd floor. It wasn't roomy but it was his spot. We had taken the kid's camping stuff so they had pads and sleeping bags. Courtney had a bed upstairs.
New Year's Eve wasn't too thrilling for us. Bryan, Courtney and I went out exploring. She loved the big chairs with a "C" on them!
She was in charge of navigation:
We were all tired so we went to bed. Everyone else stayed up and played games and rang in the new year.
On New Year's Day we all woke up and went skiing. Ethan had decided he wanted to go snowboarding so we got him stuff to do that, but by the end of the morning he was ready to trade in the snowboard for skis and he did much better. I used the passes in the afternoon which was great for me because it was -8 degrees in the morning! No way was I going out in that and flying down a hill on two waxed boards!! I was just fine waiting until the afternoon.
As I said, I stayed on the bunny hill but Courtney was a natural and went down some other runs with Julie and with Bryan. She had a blast and was really doing well. Ethan is more like I am and was having a great time staying on the bunny hill.
Here they are getting their ski passes from Grandpa.
Ethan was ready to go and sweating while waiting for everyone else to get ready.
This is our ski bunny!
On Saturday, I had my own ski pass so I had to go on Friday night to get another set of skis that I could use. Then on Saturday I went out in the morning for the first runs. I felt more comfortable in the morning than the afternoon because it wasn't all cut up from someone else skiing. Then I spent the afternoon with Bryan and Ethan on the slopes until Courtney got bored. Julie took her to some other harder runs and Courtney had a blast. Ethan got cold so he went back. I was getting skied out so Bryan decided to go on some harder runs alone while I went back to the condo.
When I got there, Ethan was helping to babysit Tyler while Lisa went out with Alli. He wasn't quite sure what do and Tyler was sad. So we got my kindle out and helped Tyler play the dot game. It was cute to see Ethan helping to cheer Tyler up.
Lisa came back, I showered and then Ethan and I went on a walk to explore. We found some funny t-shirts in some shops. I should have taken a picture of my favorite. It said "World's Okayest Skier." That's me!
We had to take all the skis and boots back to the rental place by 6 p.m. so someone (the genius in the family) thought of using the luggage carts to take all the skis back. It made it so much easier! Sure, boots kept falling off the cart but at least we didn't each have to carry a ton of boots in our hands. When we passed people they would say "That's a lot of skis!" Yes it is!
Sunday morning bright and early we loaded the van and were ready to head out. Grandpa had tried to take a family picture the night before but it was all blurry so we got together for one more before family prayer and we left.
Here we are pulling faces:
This is the serious picture:
Right before we left, Ethan gave the young boy cousins their present...light sabers...and then we left so we didn't have to deal with the consequences. You're welcome!
The roads were good and we were home in good time. It was a fun, loud and crazy week but it was great to see everyone!
Denver
On the Monday after Christmas we loaded in the van and started the drive to Denver. We were spending time with family for the New Year's holiday. We started pretty early and the kids were so excited that I don't think they slept much the night before. The kids rarely sleep in the van but this is what we saw when we looked to check on Courtney:
Some activities we did while in Denver were: family run (Grandpa, Bryan, Lisa, Julie and Courtney), shopping (Ethan wanted Bronco's stuff), swimming at the APEX, family pictures...
...tons of little boy cousins following Ethan around to ask his "expertise" on Mine Craft....
...Courtney getting her Clara baby fix.....
...Ethan getting his Clara baby fix and learning how to hold a baby without panicking....
..and tons of time with family. There were more babies but a lot of the family had been sick before we showed up so some were sick and some just didn't like being held by strangers. It was good to meet new little ones and see other we had seen before.
Courtney and Brook slept under the stairs and had fun being the oldest girl cousins together. It was a fun time.
Some activities we did while in Denver were: family run (Grandpa, Bryan, Lisa, Julie and Courtney), shopping (Ethan wanted Bronco's stuff), swimming at the APEX, family pictures...
...tons of little boy cousins following Ethan around to ask his "expertise" on Mine Craft....
...Courtney getting her Clara baby fix.....
...Ethan getting his Clara baby fix and learning how to hold a baby without panicking....
Courtney and Brook slept under the stairs and had fun being the oldest girl cousins together. It was a fun time.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Christmas Morning
The kids woke up early and were excited to see what Santa had brought. Bryan put the overnight cinnamon rolls in the oven to bake while the kids looked at their loot.
Aren't those amazing looking cinnamon rolls?!
Courtney's and Ethan's stockings:
Our stockings (we always get a new towel):
Santa brought us all Fit Bits for Christmas. I was really excited.
Courtney handed out all our presents so we could have our piles. This makes it easier to unwrap presents quickly...more effccient. Ethan was happy with his pile.
This is Bryan's pile:
Courtney had so much fun unwrapping presents.
Can you tell she liked what she got?!
Ethan got an airbrush so he can paint his models.
Courtney got a new soccer ball.
We all got a huge box full of BYU gear.
Aren't those amazing looking cinnamon rolls?!
Courtney's and Ethan's stockings:
Our stockings (we always get a new towel):
Santa brought us all Fit Bits for Christmas. I was really excited.
Courtney handed out all our presents so we could have our piles. This makes it easier to unwrap presents quickly...more effccient. Ethan was happy with his pile.
This is Bryan's pile:
Courtney had so much fun unwrapping presents.
Can you tell she liked what she got?!
Ethan got an airbrush so he can paint his models.
Courtney got a new soccer ball.
We all got a huge box full of BYU gear.
My family came over a little later in the morning and we got to open a bunch more presents. We had a great Christmas!
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