Tearin' it up!

We made it up to the mountain again!  It was a beautiful, wonderful day!  We are so proud of our kids, they were all over the mountain, some runs took a little longer than others, but they attacked each run.  It is amazing how resilient little bodies are.  If Kent or I took some of those diggers that they did, there would be some torn ligaments and irreversible damage.  They wanted to go back up today, they definitely LOVE it!  It was kind of funny to hear how their little legs were sore when they woke up though.  They definitely used those thigh muscles for the pizzas they made with their skis all day! 

Blown Away

We got to attend Carrie Underwood's Blown Away concert last night.  It was amazing, that girl has some pipes!  She sang so effortlessly, without a single flaw.  In addition to having a breathtaking voice, her appearance is just as striking.  As if that's not enough, Ms. Underwood seemed like a normal, down to Earth girl.  I am an even bigger fan now!  She put on a fantastic show, and Hunter Hayes opened for her.  I had a hard time getting past the fact that he seems so young.  He is 21 but looks like he is about 12.  He has some crazy talent, he writes his own songs, and plays his own instruments.  I am sure he will be moving up quickly!  It was a night to be remembered!

Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a fantastic heart day!  This is our vase full of hearts that the kids spent a whole afternoon cutting out.  I tried to write a little something on the hearts every night for each kid.

This year, in kindergarten, the girls had to make their Valentine boxes at home.  I was so bummed for them:  A) Because I am not crafty or creative, B) This used to be my favorite day of school, I loved making the box and looking at everyone elses.  C)  I DID NOT want to tackle two projects on my own. 

This activity took a good part of a Sunday afternoon.  In addition to making Valentine boxes, we had to find 100 objects for each girl because it was the 100th day of school that week, along with their normal homework packet.  It made for a LONG Sunday.

Even though Brayden got to make his box at school, he, of course, wanted to make another one with us.  :)  I only burnt my fingers on the hot glue gun a few times. 

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!

Dani's finished box, yes, for reasons unbeknownst to me, she wrote  "Fred Meyer" on her hearts.  What the hell?  Maybe she loves that store because it is our second home, we are there everyday.  I don't even know how she knew how to spell it.....

Candies and balloons on V-day!  Ellie's finished box, lots of hearts, bows and pink!  Apparently she doesn't feel the same love for Fred.  :)

Here, there & everywhere!

 I had to take a picture of my girls and my attempt at cuteness.  My hairstyling skills are quite limited.  Our baby-sitter, Maya, does fabulous braids in my girls' hair.  Unfortunately, she isn't here in the morning before school starts.  This was one of my first attempts at the cute french braid across the front of their head.  I was quite pleased with myself, it looked a little different by the time they got home from school though.

 This was an impromptu rock day.  For some reason, Brayden started banging on various buckets, I can't remember what he found to use as sticks, he then made cardboard symbols, complete with construction paper handles for Ellie. Dani lucked out with real maracas. 

 A play day at home.  Ellie attempting to dance on her toes.  A little break for strollers and babies.  I think they were headed to the gym or dance practice here....

 The never ending project, that was pretty much my fault.  A few months ago at a cub scout meeting, I was talking to the cub master (he is the guy in charge, I never knew this before).  Kent was out of town on business, and the cub master asked me if Kent had any tools and if he was at all handy.  Of course I had to brag about my amazing husband and his skills.  Well, this got him volunteered to make 50 neckerchief slides that are shaped into pinewood derby cars. 

 I thought it sounded a bit overwhelming, but Kent was willing to do  it.  If Kent is going to do a project it is going to be very well done, nothing halfway.  This project consumed  so much of his time, because he is a perfectionist and because he thoroughly enjoyed it.  Brayden was right there with him, sanding, painting and sanding some more.  They turned out super cute and it will be fun to see all of the boys' faces when they receive them on Pinewood derby day. 

On Friday night we attended a Winter fundamentals basketball clinic downtown.  The coaches included John Stockton's coach from when he was a kid, a Gonzaga women's basketball player and four all league high school girls, one who happened to be John Stockton's daughter.  It was a very fun night, Brayden learned a lot.  John took about a half hour and talked to everyone about the Dream Team, his Olympic experiences and his NBA team mates.  It was fun to hear personal stuff about those famous guys that we all grew up with.  He said Carl Malone is one of his favorite people, just an all around classy, hard working guy.  In this day and age it's nice to hear positive things about NBA players.  :)

Btw, John was a very friendly down to earth guy, who emphasized being a team player and doing what is best for your team. 

A Little Bit of the Funnies

After a long weekend of the flu bug, the girls and I hit the mall on a free afternoon, for a little bit of retail therapy.  As you may or may  not know, Vickie's has all sale panties for $2.99.  All styles.  Ellie and Dani were digging through the bins, because who wouldn't want two, five year olds help while shopping for undergarments?  Ellie pulled out a pair, and was utterly appalled.  Yes, you know what she found.  With a disgusted, confused look, she said (very loudly),

"Mom, look how small these are in the back.  These would NOT cover your bum, how do these work?"

Avoiding the question completely, I said, "Good thing I have such a small bum, those would work just fine for me."

Again, looking at me in total confusion, "No Mom, you have a medium sized bum and Dad has a big bum, and these would not work for you."

Let it be known, I have a medium sized bum,  pretty much made my day!  Maybe I will skip the gym tomorrow.  :) 

My little skiers!

                                                In the lodge, waiting to hit the slopes!

                                                     Dani doing her thing!

                                                Ellie headed straight down the  mountain!

                                           Holy smokes, headed up on their own.

                                    (Forgot to post the annual Santa picture earlier, here it is).

                                                  Brayden waiting for us to get going!

Kent and I could not be prouder of our little skiers.  Everyone did their best and stuck with it.  The second time at the mountain, the girls were all over it!  We hit almost every chair and multiple runs over and over.  Of course, Ellie was fearless and hit it hard, and fell hard.  I will never forget her little voice each time she crashed, "Don't worry, I'm ok Mom!"  Dani was very careful and skillful.  She made each of her turns with grace and perfection.  Sometimes they were LONG runs, but it was a very proud day for us.  Brayden is also doing awesome, it's his second year and he is all over the mountain too!

Now we are just waiting for some fresh powder so we can hit the slopes again!

It's finally here!

 At Brayden's class party, a Mom painted the kids' faces.  She was a professional, it was quite impressive.  This picture was after sleeping on it.  It's the Grinch's hand picking up an ornament.

 We went tubing again this year with friend's and family.  Unfortunately, my camera battery was dead, this is the only picture I got.  It was a very fun day on the hill!

 Snowman face painting.

 On Christmas Eve, we went to visit my Grandma in Coeur d' Alene.  Auntie Jan stopped by  while we were there too.  It was a fun afternoon!

 My Eagle Scout husband is using his skills to create new things.  He thought this para chord toilet paper holder may come in handy.  Right?  Everyone carries TP around in their house.  Weirdo!  BTW, Brayden thought it was AWESOME!

 Christmas Eve, making reindeer food.  Putting the special glitter into the food.

                                                       All ready to spread it in the yard.

                                                                   Christmas morning!

                                             Ready to rip into Santa's gifts!

                                        Brayden checking out the photo book I made for him.

Danielle's baby/photo book, from age 1 to 2.  It was so bittersweet making these books for the girls.  I had so much fun looking at those pictures, happy that those hard days are behind us, but sad that I no longer have babies. 

 Brayden rocking out to the Madagascar 3 "Afro Circus."

 More rocking.

 The girls got Barbie razor scooters from Santa!

 Playing a little bit of Fibber from Auntie Kalin.  (It was a quite disturbing how well Brayden could play this game of lying charades).

 Dani feeding her Baby Alive that she got with a gift card from Uncle Ryan.  Yes, you feed it and then it poops.  It's fantastic.  (I didn't buy it for her for a reason),

                                                               Hello Kitty BFF necklaces.

 Jammies that Grandma Wagener made and strollers from Grandma Phillips.

                                                               Ellie's baby book

Grandma and Grandpa Wagener came for a quick visit and brought Brayden a remote control helicopter!  We had a lovely Christmas at home, we are very thankful for everything we have and for all of you who are a part of our lives.  I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as ours!