Bear Lake

Bear Lake in the winter is the best.  The mornings are beautiful and quiet and full of wild life.  We love that we can count on being the only ones up there.  It is such a great way to get in touch with nature. 

 We always visit the Motor Lodge and get a yummy breakfast.  The kids love the hot chocolate.  They will put as much whip cream on it as they want.  Let's just put it this way.  The hot chocolate there is to be eatten with a spoon!

 Most of our weekend was spent sledding.  There was plenty of snow and the hill right outside is perfect for it.  It was Chloe's first time going and she was fearless.  She would zip down that thing so fast and all you'd see was the snow flying up from her sled and you'd hear her giggles echo off the houses. 
We thought she wouldn't like it because the first time down she went with me and I turned into a hill of powder.  I didn't think much of it because I only got a little spray on me, but when I looked down I couldn't see Chloe.  She was completely covered in snow and her poor face was freezing.  I felt bad that I kept laughing but it was so cute how I had to dig her cold pink face out of that deep pile of snow!

 The drive up there was so scary.  We got caught in a HUGE snow storm and there were times when I thought we weren't going to make it.  A car would pass going the other direction and the spray from it would leave us vision less for a few seconds.  Needless to say we made it and were very grateful we did so safely.
The drive back was so beautiful.  The sun was out and shinning and the snow sparkled and glittered the whole way.  It looked like the world was covered in diamonds.  The roads were steaming and it was like we were driving through a mysterious fog.  It was one of the most beautiful drives we've taken.

An Award for Sam

Sam received the Dragon Award at his school this week.  We were so proud of him.  He received the award for being helpful and good for his substitute teachers.  This is huge for him because at the beginning of the year it was very hard for him to have a substitute and the change that came with them.  We are so proud of him and how much he has grown.  He is a great student is always on the Academic and Citizenship Honor Rolls.  He works hard and is learning to be a great student.

Chloe Doing Big Girl Things

Chloe has become a big girl and decided to wear panties.  This is a big step for us.  We will be diaper free and loving life.  Here's to hoping it goes well and lasts!

Primary

As most everyone knows I have been in primary for years now.  I've lost count, but as long as I've been able to, I've been there....and I love it.  I have had a chance to serve in many different ways and I have learned so much in each calling.  I just had to snap a shot of my lesson for today.  It was about the creation.  I of course couldn't just show pictures and talk about it.  We had to do it.  It was fun coming up with the idea and making all the pieces.  It went over well and I know that the kids will remember that Jesus created the earth and they will remember all the wonderful things he did to prepare it for us.

Niners in the Bowl

We had a fun Sunday.  Seth was so excited that his San Fransisco 49ers were in the Super Bowl that we had to have a little get together with some friends to celebrate.  We had a nacho bar and the kids loved it.  It was delicious and easy and fun.  I surprised Seth by having some 49ers plates and things and it made his day.  We had lots of fun...too bad they lost!

"Bag Lady"

That was my nickname growing up and it looks like Chloe has decided to carry the legacy upward and onward.  I absolutely love her get-ups.  She cracks me up.  I'm just so proud of her amazing sense of style at such a young age! :)

Tressa's Back!

Tressa is back from her mission and we finally get to see her this week.  I wanted to do something special for her to welcome her back and let her know how proud of her we are and when I saw this cross stitch pattern on pintrest I knew it was just right.  I haven't cross stitched since my mom taught me to when I was really young.  It was fun to get it out and do it again. 

I am so happy with how it turned out, and I am really happy that I actually started and finished a project in just a few days! :)  I hope she'll love it and think of her time in Russia when she looks at it.

 

At this House we Snuggle

On dark cold mornings we love to meet up in our comfy guest room bed with a yummy snack, watch a good show and snuggle the morning away in our jammies!

Princess Chloe

We've always known that Chloe was a princess, but now she looks like one!  We are headed on a family vacation to Disney World and then going on a Disney Cruise later this month and had to get her ready to meet all the princesses.  She decided that she wanted a Rapunzel dress.  So thanks to great eBay deals and a little craftiness we outfitted her to the tee. 

I had so much fun making her wig and getting her "outfit" together.  She absolutely loved wearing it.  We dug out a crown I had got a lot time ago and found a chameleon in our beanie baby stash.  The last thing she had to do was go pick out princess shoes.  I will never forget her face or the squeal she made when she saw the sparkly pink shoes at the store.  It was priceless.

Fun in the Snow

We were finally able to take Snuggles outside.  We have had so much snow this year that it has been impossible to take her out.  Between her being so small and her weak back legs she hasn't been able to make it.  Well, today was a fairly warm day and we decided to go out as a family and have some fun in the snow.  I don't know who was more excited to be out play, the kids or Snuggles.

 

 James is definitely our sneaky snowball fighter.  You have to watch our for him or he will throw a "boulder" at you.

 Chloe skips the snowball fights and just loves to play in the snow.  She loves sliding down the slide and swinging and chasing the puppy and jumping on the tramp.

Addicted

Over the holidays I got addicted to Diet Pomegranate 7up.  It is a seasonal drink and I just love when it comes to the stores around the holidays, so this year I decided I need to stock up on some.  I sent Seth to the store and told him to buy them out, thinking he would get like 8 for 10 of them.  He came home with 32!!  Let's just say I am thrilled and glad that I will have a guilt free treat to enjoy for the next few months to come! :)

Hello New Year

As per usual we went out for an early morning New Year's Day breakfast.  The kids love going to McDonald's to play and New Year's morning is the best for it because NO ONE is there.  We can stay as long as we want and yell and run and play and there is no one to bother us.

 Later in the day we went over to my brother Mark's house to watch some football and hang out.  My brother Andy and his two oldest were with him so we were excited to hang out with them too.  Saige and Chloe became great friends.  After Madi did Chloe's hair, Saige was so sweet and game Chloe a pedicure.  Chloe was naturally in her element and loved all the attention.

If the 2013 is going to be as great as this first day was it's going to be a great year!