Greatest SNoW on EArTh??

Utah prides itself on having the best snow for skiing, so after more than 7 years we've decided our family needs to get on board.

Dad decided that he and Ethan would take advantage of the nearby ski resort sooner rather than later.  After weeks of gathering all of the equipment for the two of them, He and Ethan headed up to Beaver Mountain.  

This was Ethan's first time skiing, so he had the opportunity to receive a lesson before hitting the slopes on his own.

They said it was a cold morning up on the mountain so they were happy to be able to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa at the lodge.

After the lesson, Ethan and Dad headed up the ski lift for a few runs.  

Ethan had a blast skiing and is excited to go again.  Dad had a blast getting back on the slopes after many years and treasured this time with his little guy (who's growing up way too fast).  As mom (and family historian) I was sad to miss out on this "first" for Ethan, but dad came through with pictures and a video so I could see a little of this moment of Ethan's.  

So proud of this kid!!

Christmas 2014

This Christmas was one of my all time favorites.  It was just our little family of four, low key and wonderful!  

Christmas Eve was spent the day doing a few small preparations which included our traditional baking and decorating cookies for Santa.  In the afternoon we began tracking Santa, which caused Ellie a little anxiety as she was so worried about being in bed in time for Santa to come.  The kids opened their last 12th day of Christmas - PAJAMAS!  We gathered around the table to eat some yummy Fondue!  Watched the beautiful video: "He is the Gift" and tried to keep the spirit of the meaning of this holiday. 

Christmas morning was full of excitement for the kids.  Luckily they did not come in to get us until 7:00 (sleeping in for Dad and me) and they were so patient as we took our time to go out to the living room. Watching the kids open their presents and seeing their expressions is such a joyful experience.  I've never loved Christmas morning more than I do as a parent.

One of the best gifts Christmas morning was waking up to a white blanket of snow.  With the unusual warm start to the season, the cold and snow was welcomed by all of us.  It snowed ALL day and was the most beautiful backdrop to a perfect day.  

After presents and breakfast we were able to facetime Grandpa Ruben, Amelia, & Nick and then facetime with Grandma Ramona, Aunt Jenny & Tricia.  Later in the afternoon, we decided to head over to Old Main for some fun in the snow.  A few days before the kids and I had gone sledding there and so with dad home, we couldn't wait to take him over.  

After sledding we headed home for some traditional Christmas dinner, played games and watched Christmas movies.

It was a fun, yet relaxing day for all.  I love days like this where we have no agenda only to spend time with one another and enjoy.  

My family is truly my greatest gift!

December, comes & goes

The time from Thanksgiving to Christmas always seems to go by so fast.  Here are a few little random moments that came and went before we knew it.

When we are traveling we often just give Ellie my phone and she will sit for hours listening to her favorite songs.  

An afternoon of Christmas shopping at the new outdoor mall in Farmington always fun - as long as we stop at the candy store.

Decorating the Christmas tree is always a fun event at our house to kick off the Christmas holiday.  We also love welcoming our elf Dexter, and the kids (especially Elisabeth) love waking up each morning to see where he is camped out.  Fortunately for us, we do not have a "naughty" elf who likes to cause havoc.

Ellie participated in the Mountain Crest cheerleaders mini-cheer camp.  She did this a year ago, which is what encouraged us to sign her up for Dance.  She got to spend a few hours learning a new routine, playing games, and eating pizza.  Then at half time at the basketball game the girls performed their routine.  We since Dance did not work out so well, we thought for sure she would not go out and perform when it came time.  Well, to our disbelief she was super brave and performed the entire routine.  Unfortunately, she was behind one of the Mustang cheerleaders, so we did not get a good view of her performance.  BUT SHE DID IT!!!  We were so proud of our shy little girl and she was so proud of herself!

Ellie - hidden in the back

Our adorable little mini-cheerleader.  So incredibly proud of her!!

Speaking of stage fright, it affects her in many areas.  At church she has even refused to go stand with the primary kids when they sing for the congregation.  Well, the cheer camp must have been her turn around point, because during the Christmas Program at church when the primary kids were invited to go up and sing, she did not hesitate and went right up to the front with the rest of the kids.  Again, we made such a big deal about how brave she was to go up and she was quite proud of this feat - as she should be.

A few days before Christmas we actually got some measurable snow down in the valley.  

Just enough to build a snowman and clear the yard of snow.

 Ethan was recently outfitted for and received ski gear.  Knowing Ellie's tendencies we have decided not to invest too much in gear for her.  Well she feels like she needs her own gear.  We did get her some pink goggles (they are good for sledding too).

Thanksgiving

We had a great long Thanksgiving weekend in Boise.  Although we didn't get to see aunts, uncles or cousins, we got to spend time with Grandma Ramona, Grandma & Grandpa Krohn and Great -Grandma & Grandpa Larson.

Grandma and Grandpa took us to a holiday favorite, the Botanical Gardens:  Garden-a Glow.  I think this was one of the few times it wasn't absolutely freezing when going.  We all enjoyed some hot chocolate, cookies and the beautiful display of lights.

The kids wanted to see the Penguins of Madagascar movie, so one afternoon we headed over to Edwards 21 Cinemas.  They were quite impressed with the massive Theater (compared to where we go in Logan).

The last Bronco game we went to was last year when Boise State came to Logan to play Utah State, so I guess it was fitting the we attend this year's match up only this time on the Blue Turf.   

Ethan was excited go to the game with us and especially to return home and let his friends know that Boise State could not be taken down by the Aggies.  It was a little cold at the late game, but Ethan was a trooper and did not complain until the end of the game - since we never get to go we stayed until the last minute.

I always love our trips back to Boise, but at the same time I get sad and just miss living there.  Cache Valley has grown on me with all of it's beauty and outdoor activities, but whenever we are in Boise I miss it SO MUCH!  We always visit and then start talking about how great it would be to move back and even go so far as talk about where we'd live if we moved back.  I often wonder if I'd love it so much if I still lived there.  Funny and Sad - Boise is "home" to Kelly and me, but Cache Valley is "home" to our kids.

Visit from Grandma

About a week before Thanksgiving we had the privilege of having my mom come stay with us.  She had finished up her several weeks of brain radiation therapy as well as radiation to her lower back and was feeling well enough to travel.  The kids and I had a blast just hanging out with her, playing games, watching movies, taking pictures and just taking it easy.

Grandma got her first Smart Phone and so the kids had a lot of fun helping her adjust to the upgrade and showed her some features of her phone's camera.

While grandma was here, Ethan had his last Jr. Grizz basketball game.  It was fun for him to show off his skills for his grandma.

Grandma stayed long enough to head up to Boise and spend Thanksgiving with us before flying back to Portland.  The kids had a blast entertaining grandma during the 4 hour drive.

I am so grateful to have had my mom spend Thanksgiving with us.  Over the last couple of years we've learned just how precious each day, holiday, moment is.  As mom has gone from treatment to scan to another treatment, we just never know what what the future holds.  Cancer has a way of taking over ones life with a roller coaster of ups and downs.  It truly takes a whole lot of faith and hope when facing this disease.