The family that paints together...

While celebrating Grandpa's birthday in Tahoe we stopped in for a little pottery painting. We all love activities so this little place was calling our name.

The kids picked out their own items and their own colors and painted them so great. Both James and Haylie picked cups like Grandma and Grandpa. Raider picked a cross to hang on his wall. He did a great job with very detailed work.

Grandpa's Tahoe Birthday

We had a fun time staying in Grandma and Grandpa's nice condo to celebrate Grandpa's birthday. We loved our room looking out over the snow-capped trees and Northstar Village.

While the boys were skiing the kids and I ventured around the resort. We spent most of the day playing games in the arcade and winning prizes in the machines.

I spent all my quarters in the jukebox so I had some good music while we roamed around from game to game. We had the place to ourselves so we were just playing, singing and dancing.

The boys came back later and checked the place out:

Our attempt at a photo with the kids:

Later the kids and I ventured around to find an area to sled. We were pretty unsuccessful in finding a good spot and settled for some snowball fights. I just love weekends away with the family.

Ready or not, here I come.

If I can't see you, you can't see me...

Ducks

So thankful to help in Haylie's class today despite the weather! We got to play with the baby ducks and Haylie was cracking up when one jumped up in her lap.

Open House

Haylie's open house was a source of excitement for weeks before. She was working hard at school to prepare her best work that she could be proud of to show us. She was most excited to show James all around her classroom and introduce him to the class baby ducks that had just hatched. Her work was displayed all around the room with lots of I Love Mom messages from my girl - so sweet! Haylie asked Grandma and Grandpa to come too, so she could show them her "best work."

SORRY!

Triumph

Haylie has been working hard all year on conquering the Monkey Bars. At the beginning of the year she was fearful to try them because she didn't want to fall, but they definitely intrigued her. Then her friend Allie began teaching her how to fall without hurting herself. Haylie would come home from school everyday and tell me how Allie was teaching her about dropping from the monkey bars. Then one day she came home soooo excited that she had made it to the halfway point. Finally, a couple weeks ago Haylie made it all the way across. She was so proud of herself. She set her mind to it and practiced every day, the sweet feeling of triumph was bubbling over when she came home to tell me about it! So proud of your every accomplishment my sweet girl!

For Auntie Bekah and Uncle James

One recent day at naptime, the kids somehow found their Coast Guard shirts and they both came down wearing them. I snapped a few pics to show their support!! We miss you!

Happy Birthday Momo

We made our annual visit to Momo's office this year for her birthday. She likes introducing the grandkids to all her staff and the kids love being able to see Momo's office and their pictures on her desk. Happy Birthday Mom!

Cousins:

Snow Hotel - part 8 - snowed in

Our last day in Tahoe the snow was coming down so hard we didn't have many options for things to do outside.

We decided to visit the local bowling alley which we usually do once a year anyways. Haylie loves bowling and is so proud of herself when she gets the pins down:

Snow Hotel - part 7 - snow mini

I tried to stick with my point and shoot camera most of the week but Haylie gave me about 20 minutes one day to capture a few pictures of her. The weather was getting pretty bad out so I didn't even have much room to push the time limits either. It worked out well though and Haylie was so much fun to take pictures of as we were tromping through the knee-deep snow.

A few more pics at the cafe with some hot chocolate:

Snow Hotel - part 6 - On our own

One of the days of our trip, Daddy had to go back home for some meetings and Raider hit the slopes so Haylie, James and I set out on our own adventures. We spent quite a few hours in the activity center at our hotel, painting crafts and putting together a huge puzzle:

This puzzle took forever!!!

Then we headed out walking around the area and went for treats at our favorite little cafe: