Seven Springs

 This morning we woke up at 6:00 (super hard after ringing in the new year last night) and headed home.  Brody was going on a 3 day 2 night hike with the Scouts and we needed to be home by noon.  Normally it wouldn't be a big deal however a HUGE storm blew in last night and this is what we had to drive home in.  It took longer then normal but thankfully there was noooooo traffic on the first day of the new year at 7:00 in the morning!  

Because this was a HIKE, Brody had to carry with him, everything he needed for 3 days and two nights.  The other concern was that it just so happened that the storm that blew in at the cabin, also blew into the valley and the temperatures at Seven Springs were in the teens at night and hight 20's during the day. I was beyond worried about how Brody was going to stay warm at night with only the things he had on his back.  Jeremy was able to go on the hike which was good but I was seriously so stressed each night when I went to bed.  I kept waking up in the middle of the night, freezing cold myself, wondering how these boys were staying warm.  It was scary.

Jeremy ordered this 2 man little tent from Amazon while we were at the cabin.  This thing saved them! Although they woke up with ice and snow inside their tent, they were able to sleep a little and stay somewhat warm.  And remember those freezing temperatures, the boys were able to earn an extra badge for camping two nights in a row under those conditions.  I seriously love Brody's scout leader.  He loves his calling as scout leader and he is sooooo good with the boys.  His patience were tested on this hike and he was able to remain calm and collect in order to get help a boy who was struggling.  What an amazing experience for both these boys.  

Happy New Year!

 New Year's Eve was spent at the cabin. The countdown started at 1:00 with fun and games for everyone.  

 Berkley was the youngest of the group this year so she got to pop the first balloon.  

 Can you say KARAOKE?!?!

 This turned out to be the best thing ever.  The kids had a ball singing and rocking out to their favorite songs. The boys sang boy songs...

 and the girls sang girl songs.  What is it with kids and a microphone.  Suddenly they turn into rock stars!

 Speaking of rock stars…Kim, Erika and I rocked "Let It Go" with our girls!

 Charades was played somewhere in the day/night and that was a huge hit too.

For the past few years, we have been having the kids fill out a form that recaps their year.  We pulled them out this year and laughed so hard we wanted to cry.  We then had the kids fill out new ones and then we filed them away for next year.  it is so fun to see how the kids grow and change each year.

 Frosting sugar cookies was a huge hit today also.  As you can see, we had to choose countdown activities that were indoors this year.  It was beyond freezing cold and we couldn't even go outside!

 The highlight of the night had to be the balloon popping oh and the glow in the dark balloon scavenger hunt.  These kids loooove balloons.  They provide hours and hours of entertainment!

Who knew?!?!

 The poppers are always fun along with the late night (around 10:00) fireworks in the backyard!

 Around 10:00 we count down with New York and then it's off to bed we go.  

 We had a great New Years and our time at the cabin was much needed.  I have had so much on my mind while here and I am grateful for this place away from home.  I hope 2015 brings happiness and joy to my little family.  I hope that we can all be a little kinder and more respectful to one another.  I hope that my kid who is struggling right now will find a way to be happy and see the good in life.  I hope that the thoughts in my head will settle down and I will find a way to make things happen. That I will make a positive impact. I hope the grouchy member of my family will find a way to be happy and not be so negative all the time.  I hope most of all that we will all be healthy and happy this year.  That we will find joy in the journey.

Sunrise

This morning we woke up bright and early and headed up to Sunrise for a day of skiing.

I could seriously cry looking at this little girl and her skis.  They are sooooo little and cute!

The day started off with lessons from Alan of the Sunrise Ski School.  The kids were not happy that they had to have a private lesson for half a day, but they needed it and did good.  

 Brody and Ledger practicing going on the ski lift as part of their ski school.

 Katlyn and Case riding the bunny slope chair lift together.

Jeremy and I hung out and watched the kids at their lesson because we figured that 5 kids and one instructor is not an easy thing.  I think Alan was happy that he had our help! Miss B. is so little, she can't even reach the chair lift.  Luckily Jeremy was able to help her.

Brody had all his GoPro stuff holed up and got some great footage today.  It was freeeeeezing today so I can't believe he didn't have his jacket on yet.

 Ledger rocked the slopes today.  He is so good at skiing.

 Case wouldn't dare wear a jacket that would cover up that ASU sweatshirt!  He would apparently rather freeze to death.

 Miss B. asked for new ski clothes for Christmas and Santa delivered.  She was the cutest ski bunny on the slopes today!

After the lesson, we headed up the mountain for a day of skiing.  The snow was terrible and it was super icy.  It was windy and cold which made for poor skiing conditions.  

 Miss B. used the "leash" again this year not because she needed the help but mostly because we were worried about her flying down the mountain.  Look at that snow plow!

 Kathly and Kim skied with us today.  This was Katlyns first time skiing and she did really good.

 Riding the lift up was cold but fun.  

 Katlyn and Case skiing down the mountain.

 We had so much fun skiing today.  Sunrise could use some snow and hopefully they will get it this weekend.  I am so proud of these kids.  They each did really well today.  I hope they have some fun memories of us skiing with them cause we love it!

Baby It's Cold Outside

 Today we went sledding at the hill by the cabin.  There is not much snow but boy is it cold here!

 Case likes to board down the hill standing up.  It scares me to death since it's so icy!

 Ledger is just a hoot these days.  He is happy and funny and dang cute with those missing front teeth.  

 Brody got great footage of us sledding today.  He loves all his GoPro stuff that he got for Christmas.  I can't wait to see what he does with all the video footage

 Miss B. had a ball today sledding all over the place.

 Brody catching some air!

 Are you cracking up at Ledger and Miss B.?  Hilarious!

 This kid has to be freezing!  He is pretty cute!

This girl can pose while soaring through the air! She is the best!

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

So it's no secret that Christmas is not my most favorite time of the year.  The truth is, Christmas is my least favorite holiday.  That being said, we had a nice Christmas this year.

On Christmas morning, we make our kids wait in our bedroom until we get the lights on the tree turned on and the video camera ready.  It's pure torture…especially when you have been up since 6:00 am  (Ledger) and Jeremy and I are not getting up until at least 7:00!

The kids tore into the presents faster then you can imagine!  

Ledger asked for a seat pet this year and was so happy he got one.  He also asked for an ASU shirt, NCAA 2014 for the XBox, and ASU hat, NBA basketball and ASU football.

Case did not ask for one thing that wasn't ASU related this year.  He wanted ASU shirts, ASU shorts, ASU socks, an ASU blanket, ASU pillow, ASU umbrella, and ASU football, Pat Tillman shirts, and an ASU basketball.  Luckily Santa brought him a couple non ASU things like hurdles and a work out ladder.

This little lady asked for anything and everything she saw at Target the months leading up to Christmas.  Some of her highlights were anything Frozen,the Doc Mobile, Beenie Boo's, babies, an American Girl doll, and Flutterbye.

Brody is at a hard age.  He is not a little boy anymore and not quite a teenager yet.  He wanted a laptop for Christmas since he does a lot of GoPro and Power Point videos.  Santa didn't deliver that but he did get some new Nike shoes, ASU clothes, GoPro accessories and an alarm clock.

It's amazing that Christmas takes a full month to prepare and it's over in just 10 minutes!

After we opened presents inside, we headed out front to see if Santa brought us anything for the outside.  The boys all got mountain bikes and Miss B. got a super cute pink beach cruiser!

Miss B. can ride her new bike like a pro but starting and stopping are a little tricky since the bike is a tiny bit big for her.

Brody has been borrowing Drew Stradling's mountain bike for the past few months to go on scout mountain biking activities.  Now he finally has one of his own.  

Ledger looooves his new mountain bike but he too has a hard time getting on and off.  By summer it will fit him perfectly!

The kids rode their new bikes all over the street for about an hour while they waited for SUGAR Clause to show up.  

Oh did I mention that Ledger asked for "gold" posts for Christmas?  Luckily Jeremy made him a super awesome goal post to practice his kicking.  I apologize now to all the neighbors and passerby's who get their windows broken by a Felstead kicker!

When Sugar finally arrived, the kids opened their gifts from her.  Brody got the new GoPro Hero 4 and was thrilled.  Case, Ledger and Berkley got Kindle Fire's.  Thanks Sugar Clause!

The rest of the day was spent playing with the toys Santa brought and napping or trying to nap while the kids played.

Case set up his Kindle Fire and Brody organized his new GoPro accessories in his new back pack.  Ledger tried out his new XBox game and Jeremy and I tried out the new ASU pillows!  

There is nothing worse then Christmas being over and wondering what you are going to do with all the new stuff Santa brought.  Bahhhhh Humbug! I hope your Christmas was wonderful and magical!  Merry Christmas!