Winter weekend getaway

We just returned from a fun filled winter trip to Leavenworth.  We stayed in a cute little cabin surrounded by snow.  The weather was cold but mostly sunny, and we spent lots of time playing in the snow.  The kids (especially Carson) absolutely loved it.  We could not get Carson out of the sled. He would flop himself in the sled like a little fish and say "ready!" 

The guys took a 3 hour snowmobile tour on Saturday while the girls went to town for some shopping.  They said the views of Lake Wenatchee were awesome!

 Downtown was still filled with lots of lights and was so beautiful to see, especially when it started to snow that night!  Just magical.

 We celebrated Carson's birthday with a few presents and a brownie.  He loved spending his birthday with Grandma, Papa, Auntie Mandy and Uncle Jon.

We spent Sunday sledding at Lake Wenatchee state park.  The views were breathtaking and the snow was pretty awesome too!  What a fun little weekend getaway.  I think we've just started another tradition!

Happy 2nd birthday Carson!

 I can't believe my baby is 2 already!!!  (Well, he will be on the 10th).  I still think of him and treat him like he's my itty bitty baby!  Good thing he's very snugly and lovable and doesn't mind the attention too much!!  Carson is obsessed with trucks and construction vehicles so it was only fitting to have a construction party for him.  We had constructions signs, cones, trucks, caution tape... the whole deal.  Unfortunately a few of the kiddos were sick and couldn't make it to the party, but we still had a great time.  I only wish I had taken more pictures!

 Rylee and her BFF Maddie.  (These two are inseparable when they are together).

 Trying to get a group shot of the Wyss', Selden's and us.  Pretty much impossible.

 My sweet kiddos.  Are they the cutest?

 Thanks Etsy and Pinterest for all the awesome ideas!

 Happy birthday baby boy!  I love you SO much.

Happy new year 2013

 Since we just got back from a road trip last night, we decided to stay in this New Year's Eve and have some quality family time.  We toasted with some champagne and sparkling cider (about 6 times... the kids love to toast and say cheers!), danced, and played trains.  We've have  a wonderful and blessed 2013 and can only hope 2014 brings the same.  Cheers!

A visit with Grandma J

A couple days after Christmas we drove down to see Lance's mom, Judy (or Grandma J as the kids call her).  We spent the weekend hanging out, playing with her kitty "Freya," eating delicious meals, and just spending time with Grandma.  The kids love her so much.  They both gave her tons of snuggles and Rylee got lots of wheelchair rides.  I wish she lived closer so the kids could see her more often.  At least we have Skype!

The kids loved staying in a hotel.  Rylee liked having a big bed right next to ours, and Carson just loves anything new and different.  The pool wasn't bad either.  Their favorite part about the hotel by far though was the elevator.  They would get so excited every time we got in it!

Christmas Day 2013

Everyone must have been extra good this year because Santa came and brought lots of gifts.  The kids had fun opening their stockings to see what toys and goodies came for them.

After stockings we grabbed Starbucks lattes for all and headed over to my parents house.  My mom made an amazing breakfast and we helped Dad open his birthday gifts.  Later that morning we opened our Christmas gifts... LOTS of gifts.  Every year we say we aren't going to go overboard on gifts, but somehow that always goes out the window.  The kids had piles of gifts to open and had a blast opening every single one.  At first, Carson was a little slow getting into it.  He opened his first gift and immediately wanted to set it up and play with it.  It was quite a while until he realized that there were toys in the other packages too.  After gifts we hung out and watched movies.  For dinner, mom made another amazing meal, our traditional crab and prime rib.  It was to die for.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect day.