Party Time

We are leaving to go out of town tomorrow, and since we are forcing Trevor to be in the car most of the day on his 13th Birthday, we all decided to have a party the night before would be a great idea. Normally Trevor has the same group of about 10 boys over to play capture the flag and roast s'mores. But since Tyler broke his leg, Trevor didn't want him to feel left out. So he had a smaller party with Zach, Preston, and Austin and Tyler (he invited another boy from school, Ryan, but he didn't make it). They had pizza, watched YouTube videos, played video games, and watched "Psych." Trevor has some really good friends. They had a fun time just hanging out for a few hours.
And for good measure (because I don't post pictures of other people on our blog), a picture of our ballerina who just couldn't go any longer:

(Notice the rock that she is sleeping with? Ha!)

Girl Time

I talked the girls into going with me to take Ben to his biking practice. We decided to go for a walk by the river. All of the dams are open for flooding, so the river was moving very swiftly. We walked by one of them, so it was fun to see what the water was like on one side versus the other.
Then we went back and played tag while we waited for them to finish up. It was a fun girls-night.

Twirly Dress

Today while all the other kids were at school, Lucy and I were hanging out cleaning the house together. I finally turned on some music for us to listen to. Lucy was so excited (a reminder that I need to do this more often). She immediately started dancing and twirling. Then all of the sudden she stopped, and then ran to her room. A few minuted later she came out with a fancy dress. She meant business with this dancing stuff! I helped her put on her dress, and then she went back to dancing and spinning, and twirling, and singing. It was adorable. She is a girl who knows what she wants!

Ski Date

Grant and I got to go on another ski date. As soon as we got Piper home from school, we took off. I am still a bit nervous to go up, but after today I felt much more confident. We broke off from the green run and went for some blues. We went on one run that we went on last time---the one that I would literally stand up and then fall down--and it was so much easier!! I didn't fall on that run one time and I felt like I conquered it. Not to mention that it had one little part that had a bunch of little jumps that we got to go on--and that made me feel like a little kid in a candy store. I loved it and wanted to go on it one last time for the season. The ski patrol was closing down the hill and asked us if we wanted to go one more time. We jumped at the chance, but then once we got over there they wouldn't let us go down the hill that I knew. We had to go down another run...with the ski patrol guys on our heals. It was so crazy steep! And I felt so much pressure to go faster since they were letting us go. It was crazy! But I did it!

It is fun to just go do something different with Grant. It's a long time to leave the kids, but they did just fine. They were so sweet and supportive.

The Best Part

The best part of the bus stop is this puddle. We have rain boots just for this puddle. It is the best! It keeps Piper from running out into the road. It is fun whether it is cold and icy or warm and just water.

In the Meantime

While the girls were having fun with Dad up on the mountain, Ben was having fun in the rain and mud biking! This kid was on cloud 9. He seemed like he was just floating being back on his bike.

Ski Date with Dad

It was Miss Piper's turn to give skiing a try. The boys and I had things to do at home, so Grant took the 3 girls up skiing. Piper was so excited! Because of the rain, they only lasted a couple of hours, but in the end Piper was getting the hang of it and everybody came back happy and willing to go again next year!

Homeschool With Dad

Grant is such a great dad. I was gone this morning, so he filled in for homeschool and made it much more fun than I do! He did PE and music with the kids. They loved it! Grant loves playing duets on the piano, and I'm pretty sure Karmin loves playing with Dad. I'm lucky to be married to him!

Lively Church Times

Today seemed like it was full of fun things at church. Nursery was fun for Grant, as Lucy is palling up with her friend Donovan and they are becoming quiet the duo----AKA partners in crime.

The girls' piano teacher, Selena, is the primary pianist. She asked both of the girls to play the opening songs with her in Primary. It was so sweet. Lydia's song was pretty impressive--she was standing, playing, and singing! I was kind of busy when Karmin played, so I didn't get a picture of her. Selena is a blessing to our family!

😇😇

Today

I stayed home with the girls while Grant took a group of boys up skiing. I had a church meeting to go to, so it was a perfect opportunity for the boys to go up skiing.
When I wasn't at the meeting, I got to hang out with the girls. Lucy and I ventured outside for some fresh air. I love her happiness, and I envy her energy.

Grant took Ben, Trevor, their cousins Austin and Tyler, and Ben's best friend Ethan up skiing. It went well until just after lunch and Tyler fell and broke his leg. SOOO...they had to rush him back home to the hospital. Not fun!

Ski Lessons

Grant and I went up, just the two of us, to go skiing. This was so nice. One, I loved being with him and having so much time to talk, and two, it was nice to have someone teach me how to ski. Although, Karmin did a great job in her efforts last week!
I felt more confident by the end of the two hours we had. We stayed on the green hill mostly, but did go over to one blue run. It was my first time. I literally at times, would stand up, and then fall immediately back down. It was quite humorous. Grant, I'm fairly certain, got a nap in waiting for me at the bottom of the hill. He was a great sport. I'm starting to catch the vision of skiing and why people enjoy it!

A Skiing Family

Grant grew up skiing. I did not. I went skiing for 1/2 a day with Grant back when Ben was 1. I borrowed skis that were not meant for me, and I never got off the bunny hill. So the other day when Grant suggested that we get season passes to go skiing, I wasn't too excited. But he persisted, and ultimately his idea one out! He got us season passes for the rest of this season and all of next season at a super great price.
So today, we got a babysitter for Piper and Lucy and the rest of us went up skiing. We all had skis that fit, and so we were set up for success.
Today was Lydia's first day ever skiing, so Grant stuck with her and taught her everything. Karmin was my teacher (Karmin who had only been skiing one other time). She did a great job, but it was a hard day. My legs were so shaky!
We lasted about 3 times on the bunny hill and then she decided it was time for me to move on. As we were going up the chair lift, I just kept thinking that I was going to somehow have to get down this mountain. It was not easy, but Karmin was so so patient with me.
We went a few more times, and it got better each time down. It was a fun day. Every time I was going down the hill I would wonder why I was doing it again. But then I would get down and feel so excited about what I did and wonder if it would be even better the next time. So up we would go again!

Time is Ticking

Todd and Heather are moving. And the question I would like to pose to you all is..how in the world will I get by without my best friend 15 minutes away? Who will Lucy and I have play dates with now? Who will I share all of my funny stories about my kids and get the wisdom that I need on how to deal with life? We are trying to fit in as many play dates, and girl nights and double dates as we can from here until the end of June. At the end of June, you will have to forgive me if I walk around crying and pouting. Because I'm pretty sure at that point my life will not be the same without my kindred spirit.