Mini-Vacation in the Mountains

The kiddos first trip to the mountains and first time in a hotel room will be marked by many memories.

- Fast moving front dumped 12 inches of snow in the mountains

- The van refused to finish its climb up the mountain - we tried twice and even tried backwards and finally followed after the plow truck.

-A wonderful husband who kept us all calm and who made three trips to get all our stuff into the hotel (We couldn't get up the hill to the hotel parking lot.)

-It wasn't the vacation we expected but it turned out to be great - ate at good restaurants, read books and played games, played in the pool and played in the snow

-Our love and devotion to each other can be proven because three out of the four of us have strep throat. Thanks goodness for antibiotics!!

Bryce's "First" Story...

....without frustration or tears.

He was assigned to write a story after using a Story Grid to determine his characters, plots, etc. He was told he could write about anything and not worrying about spelling.

One day superheeros were in the jungel

then Megatron flew over them.

Then Optimus prime came.

They folt. Then Bumblebee

came. And Optimus prime and

Bumbelbee win the badel.

Sunday Morning Craziness

(Or is it craftiness??)

It's always hard for us to get out of the house no matter what morning, but Sundays are the hardest. This Sunday was no exception. Daddy fixed us great pancakes and we watched Thomas have at least one wreck. I had Aubree's and Daddy's clothes ironed. After breakfast I told Bryce which clothes of his to get - he looked at me like I was crazy. We got our situation under control. We were all dressed. The kids had their bags ready and time to brush teeth. Aubree likes to rinse her mouth - starting Saturday. She spilt water on her nicely ironed dress. I kept my calm, knowing I didn't have anything else ironed for her to wear and it was PAST time to leave home. So, I took her back to our bathroom and dried it with the hair dryer. Aubree does not like the hair dryer and usually complains that it's too hot. She did not complain!! Praise the Lord. We got out of the house and to church at a reasonable time.

The blessings of the crazy morning: During church Bryce found the Scripture reading himself while Aubree wanted me to find it in her Bible. Watching and listening to the kids sing. It even brought tears to my eyes to hear Aubree belting out the words to Amazing Grace as she stood beside Daddy.

Diaper Chatter

A friend is hosting "Diaper Chatter." Check out her great blog Momfessions.

So, I thought I'd share a "diaper story."

Can't say we ever considered using cloth diapers when we were expecting our first baby - so inconsiderate of our environment, I know. I do remember my mother did use them some. So, her stories and my thoughts on what cloth diapering must mean, never led us down that path.

Even though a cloth diaper never touched Bryce's bottom, he was very faithful to them. When he was few months old, we were at a baby shower talking about what babies get attached to. We heard horror stories of washing, swapping them out, etc. One friend gave the cloth diaper suggestion. So, every time Bryce cried or went to sleep, we gave him a cloth diaper. We had them all around since we used them as 'burp cloths", too. Thankfully, Bryce took to the cloth diaper and once he started talking they were called "night-night."

We got a little concerned when we were expecting baby number 2. Would Bryce be willing to share his "night-night?" Not long after we came home from the hospital, Aubree was sleeping in a bassinet in the living room, he threw his "night-night" in to share with her!!

Valentine's Day (Well, mostly)

Aubree has been asking to read. So, I finally got her books and actually started. I'm officially homeschooling two children. It scares me to death!! Every time I think we've got some sort of routine going, something changes. That's what keeps life interesting.

On Valentine's Day, we hiked in the woods behind our house. Daddy and the kids are looking at 'animal tracks' in the sand. Daddy even had us sit quietly for 5 minutes to listen.

We took pictures on the huge rocks behind a field.

Our heart cake for the day!!

I'm so thankful for my hubby and kiddos!!

I can't believe how God has blessed us so wonderfully.

Do I smell a skunk?

Have you ever had a dream and wondered if it was real?
Saturday night I woke up twice and thought I smelled 'skunk.' When I got up in the morning, I didn't! So, I started questioning myself and wondering if it was all a dream or what. By the way, hubby never smelled the skunk - night or morning.

Is it still winter?

Aubree had a playdate with a friend and these are her play-dough creations.

We have had some beautiful "winter" days. Bryce and Aubree have loved going hiking. I think this day we walked almost 3 miles.