2015

Happy New Year’s Continued…
DAY 3

Gaming, Sledding, Snowshoeing--let the fun continue!

One evening I spent hours building Legos with Jacob. After we were finished for the night, Jacob said, "Thanks, Mom! That was so much fun!" The next morning Bryan picked up where I left off. I thought it was so cute watching these two build. It was such a bonding experience for all three of us!

SLEDDING

Never Eat Yellow Snow (Good thing it wasn't yellow.)

SNOWSHOEING

After finishing our snowshoeing adventure, we packed our belongings and started for home. I am always sad to leave the cabin. I literally feel grumpy. I wish we could play all of the time, but I guess its the moments we get to play that make us grateful for when those moments come again. And its the work in between that helps us appreciate the play.

2015

Happy New Year’s Continued…
DAY 2

For Day 2, we somewhat repeated Day 1. We started our day by playing our new favorite game, followed by sledding!

Jacob posing as a trick-sty player.

Bryan and Jake acting tough, and Amber being her cute self.

Sledding:
I wish I could articulate the fun that occurs when we go sledding. We spend hours competing for the longest run, and giggling at each spill or bump. We create new games, and competitions. We simply enjoy being together.

Excitement to begin with...

Fear Setting in...

Absolute Joy!

Amber taking a break from sledding.

Hailey thinking she had made the new "WORLD RECORD". (We really get into to things like that.)

I was a bit worried about going down the big hill. I never use to be afraid, but now my body hurts differently than it once did, and I was a bit nervous.

A run with my sweetie.

Happy New Year's

Happy New Year’s

We woke up Wednesday with absolute anticipation--we were going to the cabin to celebrate New Year's! All five of us were thrilled. For me--I was excited for the break; for the kids--they were excited for the snow, and for Bryan--he was excited about football. However, better than all of these reasons for loving the cabin, and a reason we all love the cabin--is the reason that we have uninterrupted family time. Each and every time we go to the cabin we grow together as a family. This place is a gift, and we are so grateful. 

DAY 1
We spent hours and hours playing, "Cover Your Assets". It's a strategy game we got for Christmas, and we love it! I looked up at the clock after playing for quite some time, and was shocked to see that we had been playing for hours! I couldn't believe so much time had passed. After sitting inside for so much time, the kids and Bryan went on a snowshoeing adventure! 

Grandma's (& Grandpa's) are the Best!

GRANDMA LOVES US!

Last night my little brother came into town bearing gifts from Grandma. My kids were ecstatic! They were so grateful--we decided we needed to say "THANK YOU" to GRANDMA for her thoughtful giving. 

Jacob loves the Lego Movie and Legos, so what could be a better gift than those two things combined?

 Amber was so thrilled about her gift that I took way too many pictures...

An American Girl Bed has been on Amber's "want" list for quite some time. We told her that she would have to buy it herself; however, it looks like grandma pulled through for Ambs.

Money is always a great gift for a teenager!

I love Hailey smiling in the background. I love Brandon's excitement to the side. I love how Jake is totally in the middle of things. I love that Amber is still focused on her bed. This picture demonstrates so many personalities all in one shot. Hailey a supportive happy child, Jake totally a part of life as it is happening in the moment, and Amber doing her own thing and totally happy about it.

 More American Girl bed...

Amber had to sleep on the floor, so she could be right next to her new bed. Her excitement was too cute!