Mom and Kids Ski Day

I've been hesitant to take my kids skiing on Saturdays for a few reasons. First, Shay works on Saturdays. My kids are beyond the level of skiing the run that uses a conveyer belt to get people to the top, and I wasn't sure how to get all of my kids on and off a lift by myself. I've read and seen horror stories of kids falling off lifts, and I'm a paranoid mom.

Second, Saturdays are crazy busy and I didn't want to end up parking super far away from the resort. I always have to carry a lot of gear and Solee's little legs don't move very quickly in ski boots and poofy clothes. Plus the inevitable whining that comes with kids walking in ski boots can really damper my mood. Getting to the lifts and back to the car afterward are always the most difficult parts of a ski day.

Anyway, I sucked it up yesterday and went to face my fears. It turned out to be a perfect day!

For the lift situation I put Cayben on the far right. He can get on and off by himself. Next to him I placed Solee. I carry her on and off the lift. I put Embrie on my left side and just asked the lifty to help her on the lift each time.

To avoid the full parking lot, we headed up in the late afternoon in hopes that people would be leaving. We found a parking spot in the main lot!

Now we can do this every weekend, or at least until the snow melts. My kids are becoming very independent skiers and they love it.

I love it too! These are the moments I always dreamed of when thinking of having a family.

10 Years

Happy 10 Year Anniversary to Shay and Me! More celebrating to come...

President's Day Hike

The kids had the day off from school. Shay didn't have to work, and the sun was shining! We hit the trails!

The big kids ran most of the trail.

Solee mostly rode right here.

I love this man of mine and the life we've created together!

Valentines

I love Valentine's Day! It is all about love after all, and who doesn't love love?

We started our heart-filled celebrations with a preschool/Valentines exchange on Tuesday. I'm part of a preschool co-op that meets a couple times per month. This time I hosted a Valentine's Day themed preschool. Solee is always so excited to play with her friends.

Decorating Sugar Cookies

"I Love You to Pieces" Craft 

For Solee's Valentines we made cute little donuts...

And printed cute little tags to tie on top!

Solee's Valentines "box" seemed adequate until... 

Avery showed up with this! This is legit! Even War Machine loves it.

My big kids had school parties on Friday. Embrie brought Pencils and Candy to her classmates.

Arrow Printable

And Cayben brought a Pokemon card and candy tied up with THIS cute little tag that said, "Charmanders are red, Squirtles are blue, If you were a Pokemon, I'd choose you."

Cayben's teacher also requested parents bring in a snack to share, so Cayben brought cheese and grapes.

Saturday night was date night! Shay and I went to dinner at BJs, rekindled stoked the fire of our love for each other through awesome conversation, and then went shopping at Sierra Trading Post. 

Shopping Selfie

On Sunday, Valentine's Day, the kids woke to find boxes of chocolate and toys and I gave Shay chocolates, a framed picture I made, and a lap desk. 

Shay totally spoiled me like usual. He shared all of his chocolates with me. He made me this delicious breakfast!

And got me a longboard, a super thick yoga mat, and a Diet Dew!

My Valentine spoils me and I love it!

Valentine's Day was a beautifully sunny day filled with church, playing outside, and LOVE of course. 

I love my four Valentines!

Cayben is Nine!

Last year of being in the single digits! WHAT?! My boy is getting old!

My first born turned 9 yesterday! What a joyous time these last nine years have been. He has taught me so much in such a short time. Aww, parenthood...it's the best!

Anyway, we totally spoiled the crap out of our little man this year. Shay decided Cayben needed a mountain bike this year. (He had outgrown his other bike.) I had already purchased all of his other gifts before Shay got him a bike, so don't you be giving me a hard time for over doing it. Ha!

Last week Shay and I went bike shopping while Cayben was at school. Shay is the worst at waiting for surprises and I'm a close contender, so we gave it to Cayben as soon as he got home from school.

Notice anything strange about this? Yes, I totally misspelled my son's name and didn't realize until I took a photo. Haha! 

Simple enough fix. 

On Birthday-Eve Cayben asked to open a present early. Once again we were not good at waiting and complied. 

Pokemon binder and sleeves

Finally his birthday came! I gave him more kisses than he could count then sent him off to school. Then I got busy decorating so he could be surprised when he came home to this...

I could here him screaming from outside, so I knew he liked it!

We had a non-party. (We call it a non-party because Cayben didn't want a big party this year. He just wanted to celebrate with family and a couple friends. It did end up feeling a bit like a party though. Whoops! I think that's my bad.)

Mmm! Cake Pops, the best kind of cake!

Primal Groudon EX Box (Pokemon cards), Pokemon Snap Nintendo game, Build-a-Bear Pikachu, and a camping mat

He was so excited about this old school Pokemon game for Nintendo 64

He made sure to build this Lego set from Johnny as soon as he got it. I mean I had to remind the boy that his friends were over to play and the Legos could wait. Ha!

My favorite kind of Pokeball!

Thomas, Johnny, Cayben, Solee, Sofia, Shay, & Embrie

Oh, and he did get the ONE gift he asked for. For the past several months, Cayben has been asking if he could get $100 for his birthday. He said he didn't need any other gifts or a party, he just really wanted 100 bucks. So a money pad of one hundred dollar bills he got!

Tonight Shay and I are taking Cayben out on a kid date while the girls have a "Girls Night" with their babysitter. Then next week we're going on a mom and son date. Let the spoiling continue! You only get a birthday once a year.

This Girl Loves Snow

We got SO MUCH snow yesterday! (They even canceled church due to bad driving conditions.) My Solee had to try out her new snowshoes and make monster tracks all over the deck.

Today Shay and I took our little snow-lover to Mt. Rose to enjoy the fresh pow pow, although Sole and I stuck to the groomers.

This is the perfect way to start the month of love!