The kids went off track for three weeks in February so the kids and I spent a week in Colorado with my family. I really need to invest in a new camera because I don't take as many pictures with my phone. We had some good cousin/grandparents time.
My mom envisioned us hitting the slopes three or four times, but we were only able to get two days out of the kids. Adam used a harness and loved it. Steven used the edgy wedgie and became much more confident. Sarah and Angelina stuck together most of the time. Sarah is still really timid, but she enjoys it and that's what's important.
We also went with my Mom and sister Ashley to the Loveland kids museum. My sister took some pictures, so I'll add them when I find them. :)
It's the day after Adam's 8th birthday and this happened over four years ago. I'd put this in a file called, "To be blogged", but apparently I forgot about that file, because I don't remember this. I've already sent my parents 2014 blog book to be printed, so they'll have to miss this wonderful gem. Since it's in his stomach, he must have passed it. Mike said this is the one where he ate it in the car on the way home from Colorado so without even going home first we headed straight to instacare. Never a dull moment with this wonderful kid of ours.
Here are some pictures of our house getting framed. They started framing and like interested (crazy) home owners I went by almost every day to take a picture. Hopefully they can finish framing soon. I know we're still three months out, but I like to imagine them finishing early. :)
Every year my kids preschool, Little Learners Academy, has a carnival in the spring to raise money for special projects. They fit a lot of people into a small space, but it's for a good cause so we always go. They were short on Dad's to volunteer as Super Hero's for the event so Mike lovingly volunteered. (or begrudgingly agreed after being volunteered. Either way) ;)
I had to hug this handsome super hero
They had a "Jedi Academy" themed activity so the kids came dressed up to battle Darth Vader. They liked it so much that we had to do it twice.
Adam was hilarious when he fought Darth. He was so focused on his Jedi moves that he rarely went in for a hit. I missed the first minute because I didn't know how adorable it was going to be. He definitely won the style award.
The girls got to meet the princesses from "Frozen".
And they all held cute little chicks in the petting zoo.
I know it isn't spring yet, but we had a couple weeks of warm weather so we headed outside for some fun.
Our first stop was Wheeler Farm with Lillian and Malcolm. We started out by feeding the ducks and geese. They weren't too aggressive, but Adam took precautionary measures and stayed elevated.
The kids kept striking poses and telling me to take their picture.
Last week we went to Hogle Zoo on their free Wednesday. We went with the Johnson's, Barnett's and Bauman's. It was a madhouse, but we got the token tiger picture to add to our collection. After losing all three kids at separate times it was time to go.
The warm days gave me a case of springitis, but thankfully there isn't too long to wait. :)
In February we found a new place for Sarah to take riding lessons at Fire Fly Equestrian Center. We don't know if we'll do it long term, but she enjoyed it so much in Mississippi we wanted to let her do it again. They have shorter lessons for younger kids so Steven has had a couple lessons as well.
Here are some pictures from their first lesson. Steven wanted to "go fast", so one of the girls got behind him towards the end and let him trot for a while.
Sarah rode a sweet horse named Ginger. She's a sweet old lady that is reliable and steady. Her instructor had her do a lot posting and standing which left her very sore the next day. (A good sign) During her second lesson Ginger didn't feel like trotting so she literally walked her for 45 minutes.
Yesterday they put Sarah on a new horse named Fame. Fame is younger, more responsive and faster. Towards the end of the lesson he started going a little fast and when she tried to get him to stop he put his head down quickly and she went over. After catching her breath she got back on and walked him for a few minutes. She hurt her wrist, but she is determined to get back on.
Yesterday we took the kids ice skating at the Olympic Oval in Kearns. Sarah's riding group was having their a potluck get together there so we got to enjoy some good food and company. Although we took Sarah ice skating when she was three or four this was our first time with all three. It was a lot of fun!
Adam was hilarious! They had little "walkers" kids could push around the ice and once he got the hang of it he became Mr. Independent. He wouldn't let me hold onto it and even though he fell a lot he got up again time after time like it was nothing. I think being so close to the ice made his falls a little easier to take.
Steven was a real trooper! He fell A LOT, but he never quit. He complained of hurting various parts of his body, but he wanted to keep going so he could get better. I think watching the Olympic ice skaters helped inspire the kids, because everyone had to start somewhere. I taught him how to twirl around and he did it over and over again even though it usually ended in him falling. His clothes were wet at the end but he enjoyed it.
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Sarah was more cautious than the boys and started out with literal baby steps. She and I held hands for a few laps and by the end she was doing great. Shortly after this video I tried to show off by twirling around and ended up on my back. Thankfully Mike's camera was already put away. :)
