More Skiing!

A couple of weeks ago, we decided to have the girls skip a day of school. Richard wasn't too busy, and my sister, Megan, had the day off of work. So we decided to go up to West Castle on a Tuesday for some skiing. I told the girls about it, and Brianna decided to stay with DJ with Grandma Spencer. She told me that skiing made her so tired and it made her body hurt!! Ha ha! She had some sore muscles for a couple days last time she went!!

So Richard and I with Abbi and Cadence met Megan at the ski hill. We got there around 10am and got our equipment and paid for the girls to go into a lesson. All the lessons were full for the morning, so they were going to go into the 1pm lesson. So we went and did some skiing with them in the morning. We just stayed on the green chair. I stayed with Cadence and Richard skied with Abbi. It was a lot of fun. Cadence was very nervous to start out with. So I just put her between my skis and she hung onto my poles and we went down. We did this twice and then she started to go down on her own. She would follow me down the hill. She did so good!

Abbi was having a blast with her dad. She likes to go pretty fast, so they always beat us down the hill. He even took her on a few harder runs and she did good. Usually when Cadence and I were going up the chair lift we would see the other two going down the hill. We would yell hi and wave.

We met Megan back at the Lodge for lunch. By this time the wind had really picked up. So much that half way down the hill, on the final stretch, the wind would bring Cadence to a dead stop. It would even start to push her backwards. The poor girl is just so light! So I would have to grab her hand and we would go down the last part together, just to get her down.

Cadence showing me her "crazy" side!!! We tell her that her crazy hair makes her look like Merida from Brave. She loves that and tries to mess up her hair even more!

Abbi having a little snack in the Lodge!

We decided to go cancel the lessons, since that's where they do it, right there at the windiest part. We had no problem getting refunds back. By this time, Richard wasn't feeling the hottest either. He was all achy and just not feeling good. So I took Cadence out for a few more runs. Just me and her. We had fun together.

Cadence riding up the chair lift with me!

Me and Cadence on the chair lift!

Cadence and I ready to go for a couple more runs. It was starting to snow at this point and blow really hard.

Cadence skiing down the hill! She did so awesome!

Then we came back and I took Abbi back out. She really wanted to wear her dad's goggles, so I put them on her. She was so cute in them!! We would just fly down the hill with her. So we went about 4 times before we called it good.

Abbi with her dad's goggles on, going up the chair lift! You can see me in her goggles' reflection!

Go Abbi go!!! She was my little speedster! She had so much fun!

Abbi with her cute toothless grin! I pulled out her 2nd top tooth a couple of weeks ago! I love her smile!

It was a fun day at the hill. Megan went a snowboarded by herself, since we only got the ticket for the green chair. But it was fun to hang out with her too. We followed each other back to Pincher Creek and shopped at Walmart. Then we got something to eat at McDonald's. We all had a lot of fun!

We got back to Cardston around 5pm. Just in time to help make some supper and eat. Brianna and DJ had a lot of fun with their Grandma. Shelly took them out to Grandma Bowlby's and did some cleaning. She said that both Brianna and DJ were huge helps and cleaned so well! They were both happy campers when we got there. At Walmart we found the coolest hats for the kids. They were on sale for super cheap, so we got them all a toque!

Our 4 crazy kids with their crazy hats. Cadence and Abbi have monster hats, DJ is a Rooster and Brianna is the monster eyes! They are cool hats! DJ wore his everywhere!

So that was our fun Tuesday that the girls skipped school. Richard got some cold/flu medicine and accidentally took 2 doses. So he was out for the night. It was a little crazy. He slept for about 14hrs straight. The kids thought it was funny that dad was sleeping through all there craziness, when I was trying to put them to bed. It was a fun day!!

Family Day Vacation 2013!

I think we kind of started a tradition last year, by going away for the long weekend in Kalispell. We had fun and decided to do it again this year. This time, my parents came, again, and Megan, David, Brent, Tiff and Keira and Cody and Emily and their cute little family. I packed up Friday morning and went and go the girls from school at around 10:30am. Then we were off.

We drove down with Cody and Emily. Once we crossed the border we did a little switch a roo! Mary came with us and Abbi went with them. Then later, Cadence went in with them too. Mary and DJ had a little snooze together and then had fun coloring and talking to each other! So cute!

We did a little shopping and then met up with Brent, Tiff, Megan and Keira. We then headed to Meadow Lake Resort. The kids were beyond excited about going swimming. So we had a quick supper of hot dogs and then we went swimming. The pool was cooler then I would of liked, but it didn`t slow the kids down. The hot tub was outside. We swam for about an hour. Oh funny thing. When we got to the club house we walked in together with Cody and Em. The guy stood there and was like, `Holy cow, did you guys come in a bus or something, that`s a lot of kids!` We laughed. It was a kind of funny. There were four adults and 7 kids 7 and under!

We had rented out 3 units. We had one that we shared with mom and dad (they got in later that night, with David). Then Cody and Em had one with David and Megan. Then Brent and Tiff had a little studio unit that was attached to Cody and Em`s. So it worked out perfect.

The plan was to wake up early Saturday morning and be on the road by 8:15am. It worked out perfect. We were all on our way to Black Tail Mountain. It was about an 1hr and 15min drive. We got up there and hurried to get the kids into some skiing lessons. So we got them outfitted first and walked them out to their instructor. Our girls and Ali were in the same class. DJ was having a moment and didn`t want to try. Cadence was crying and didn't want me to leave her. Richard stayed for a bit and I left. Then she was fine.

Ali, Abbi, Cadence and Brianna meeting their ski instructors.

My 3 cute girls ready to learn to ski!!

We took off and skied for the morning. Cody, Brent, Richard and I were all on skis, and Megan and David were snowboarding. So we had fun skiing together. I can`t remember the last time we all did that together. There were a lot of laughs! It was a good time. Emily joined up with us in the afternoon. She spent the morning in a lesson for a refresher course!

Cody and I went and checked on our girls. Then we skied a few more runs. They were all doing so good. I was shocked at how well they caught on. They were having a blast. It was funny to see them skiing together. At one point Abbi and Ali and another random kid ended up in a dog pile at the top of the tow rope. It was pretty funny. An instructor had to run up and untangle them!

Abbi going up the tow rope.

Cadence grabbing onto the tow rope.

Ali, Brianna (in pink), and Cadence (in purple) all on the tow rope. Abbi is at the very top ready to come down.

Abbi going up the tow rope and the other 3 waiting in line with their instructor.

Abbi and Cadence standing in line for the tow rope. I love their happy smiles! Especially Cadence's toothless grin!

The girls were all excited to show off their stuff! Brianna would fly down the hill and then do her snow plowing to stop. Cadence was very cautious, but was in control and did very good. Abbi would just take off then wipe out and get up and do it again. She was a bit crazy. The instructor came up and told me that they were all doing awesome. She said that Abbi and Brianna would probably be ok to try the bigger bunny hill. But she would leave Cadence on the tow rope. It was fun to watch and cheer them on! They loved it too!

Abbi coming down.

Cadence on her way down, with Ali following behind her.

Here comes Abbi and Ali!

Brianna coming down the hill. They taught the girls to always have their hands out in front while they are skiing. Brianna always had her hands out.

Love Abbi's happy smile here! She was so happy and wanted to show everyone how she was skiing!

Brianna was so excited to be skiing, can ya tell?! So dang cute!

Cadence was a little more calm and cautious but she still had a lot of fun!

Abbi and Brianna coming down the hill.

We all went in for lunch and Richard`s parents surprised us! So they ate with us and then Eric came skiing with us. We took the girls back out to the tow rope hill, where my dad was there to help them and Shelly went out too. They weren`t in a class for the afternoon. But they pretty well had it mastered. I went to go skiing and DJ attached himself to me and started crying. I tried to leave and he started screaming his head off. So I went back into the lodge with him. I got him settled down with a cup of hot chocolate and playing a game. Then I was able to sneak out.

Cadence was getting so tired. I gave her hug and had her go finish her lesson. She had 10 minutes left!!! Thanks Megan for taking a couple pictures with me in them!! ha ha!

This was when DJ wouldn't let me leave. So we walked out to watch the girls for a minute. Mary and Grandma came with us!

Brianna and Cadence heading down the hill!

I went and asked Abbi if she wanted to go down the big hill with me. So I put on the harness I borrowed and away we went. We fell a few times but she did awesome. I was so excited. I learned quickly not to yell out, `you`re going to fast Abbi, snow plow. Because then she would just sit down and I almost ran her over the first time. Good thing I can stop fast! So I was showing her how to go back and forth. By the 2nd time she was doing better and was little bit more in control of herself. It was a lot of fun. She was pretty wiped by the time we went down twice.

We got back up to the top and went to go find Brianna. They had just come into the lodge from skiing. I asked if she wanted to come. I was a bit excited to try with her. But she was done. She finally folded her arms and stuck her little lips out at me and told me NOT TO ASK AGAIN! Ok, I got the message! Ha ha! They were all very tired. So I did a few more runs with Eric and I called it good too. We all had a good time!

The girls were all busy coloring.

A bunch of us hanging out in the lodge.

More of our big group.

A family picture just as we were leaving the hill.

A crazy picture of us.

We started driving back down the mountain and DJ fell asleep right away. It was only 3:30pm. So I didn`t think it was a big deal. I`d wake him up when we got back to the condos. We got there around 4:30 and I couldn't wake him up. I kind of did but then he just started freaking out and screaming for me. He wasn't awake. So I sat on the bed with him and he fell back to sleep. So I let him sleep. But by the time 6:30pm came around I was a little bit concerned. This is not like my DJ to sleep so much, he doesn`t even have naps anymore. I woke him up and had to deal with his screaming for about 10 mins. Then he was fully awake and as happy as ever! We ate some pizza for supper and then took all the kids swimming.

This boy was so tired!!

Abbi and Brianna watched a movie in the back, and Cadence played on the Ipad.

Brianna and Cadence snuggling with Grandma Spencer, while we waited for our pizza.

My girls were wiped. We got back from swimming and gave them some showers and did their hair. Then it was bed time for them. They were gone within 5 minutes. It was pretty cute. DJ was NOT tired.....at all! He wasn't tired for a very long time! I went to bed before he did. Crazy boy. I took him over to Cody and Em's and we played some games with everyone. He just hung out with us. He then went back and watched some slam dunking contests on TV. He thought that that was the best thing ever! He kept showing us, days after, how to slam dunk a ball! He finally went to sleep just before midnight.

On Sunday, we had a relaxing morning, and a yummy breakfast. Then we all got ready and went to Sacrament Meeting in Columbia Falls. All my girls were complaining that their arms and back hurt. Every time Abbi went to put her arms up she would grab them and say, "Oui"! It was cute. They all had sore muscles from the day before.

We hung out as a family afterwards, and finished eating all the pizza for lunch. We talked and laughed. Then we took the kids swimming one more time. I was the only adult that went in the water. The kids all had so much fun swimming around. The girls are getting so good and swimming. DJ had a blast too. That is, till it was time to go. Then he freaked out, over his shoes. He started screaming his head off. That's how we left with him. We got back at the condo and he was still screaming. So Richard stayed in the truck with him, while I took the girls in and got them dressed and myself dressed. Then I went out to help. The crazy kid screamed for at least 20 minutes. He kept telling me that he was too tired. I got him dressed and then we went out to dinner. We all met at Famous Daves for dinner. It was yummy and the service was great.

DJ loved the big cold pool. He refused to go in the hot tub!!

Our 3 girls swimming around.

Abbi showing us her cannon ball!

Brianna jumping in. This is a first, she always refused to get her head wet. So I'm not sure what changed, but she was jumping in and going under the water! Yeah Brianna!

DJ ready to go back to the condo!

It was a really fun trip. Monday morning we packed up right away and were out of there before 9am. We stopped at Shopko, and then Costco. The kids had a blast running around the stores. They were super excited about the movie projector that we got for a super deal in Shopko!

Abbi and DJ being silly in ShopKo!!

Brianna and Cadence wanted to join in on the fun!

We got a few things and then headed for home. The roads weren't the best, but not too bad. It had snowed during the weekend. It made the drive home really pretty though. We stopped in East Glacier for gas and potty break. Cadence was crying for a bathroom about 10 minutes before, but there was no where to stop. She made it though!

When we got home Richard had to pack up for camp and took off for Ventures camp till Wednesday. So it was me and the kids at home. We unpacked and cleaned up. Then I made supper and told the kids that if they helped clean up we could have a movie party afterwards. We bought a movie projector. They loved it. I put it on the wall and they all watched their movie. They all went to bed so good in their own beds.

Our cute little clan all comfy with their popcorn watching the movie.

We found out that Smurfs is a bit scary when its really big! They did fine till the end, then it was too much. I had to turn it off. It was one of the new movies we bought to watch!

It was a really fun weekend. I'm glad that everyone was able to make it. It was a blast. The girls still talk about skiing. I really want to take them skiing one more time before the season is over. It was a lot of fun!

Ten On Tuesday!

Here's my Ten on Tuesday!

1. I got a new for me dress from my sister, Megan. I think it's super cute and I got a couple of compliments when I wore it to church. Anyways, after church we were getting lunch for the kids. I was putting stuff on the table and Abbi said, "Mom I really like that dress." I said, "Oh thanks Abbi!" Feeling really good. Then Abbi said, "Yeah it looks just like a grey tree trunk." Ummmm, excuse me!! She was very serious when she said it too. Sometimes that girl says the craziest things!

2. Abbi and Cadence went to Basketball again on Saturday. They loved it. I took a few pictures. They have so much fun running around and trying to dribble at the same time. I love it. It's so funny to watch!


Cadence getting in line with her team for the relay contest.

Abbi getting ready to go next in the relay.

Cadence dribbling around the pylons.

Abbi dribbling around the pylons.

3. A friend of ours has some sheep and they have some baby lambs too. We went out Saturday morning to help feed a lamb. Everyone was super excited. We got there, just before the lady came with the bottle. So all the lambs came running to the fence where we were standing. All of a sudden one lamb "POPPED" (that's what DJ tells everyone) right out of the fence. The girls were all excited and squealing. But it totally freaked DJ out. He was screaming bloody murder, while I was chasing the crazy lamb around. I caught it and was trying to show DJ that it won't hurt him, but the lamb was crazy and was jumping up and down in my arms. So that didn't help! Oh well, the girls loved feeding the lamb!

All excited to see the little lambs. This was just before the little one "POPPED" out!!

Abbi feeding the lamb.

Brianna all excited to feed the lamb.

I was surprised that Cadence enjoyed feeding the lamb so much. Usually she doesn't want to be near animals but she couldn't get enough of this cute lamb!!

DJ not impressed at all! Can ya tell?!

4. Richard told the kids that if they helped me clean the house and garage that we'd take them to a movie. So we cleaned like crazy after we got back from Basketball. I love having a clean house. I love it even more when I have so many helpers! So we took them to "Rise of the Guardians". This is the movie that Brianna missed seeing on her birthday. So we took them all again. It's a good one and all my kids loved it! Cadence was in a crazy mood and laughing super hard over everything. It gave me the giggles too, because she found everything SO FUNNY!

Brianna and Abbi ready to watch the movie.

Evidence of Cadence's crazy mood!!

DJ loved having his own little popcorn tray and pop.

5. DJ loves to dance to music and has some pretty cool moves. His new one lately is so funny. He closes his eyes and bops his head to the beat and then he takes one hand and it looks like he is scratching his other elbow. Hard to explain but he thinks it is totally cool and does it all the time. It looks hilarious!

6. Got my teeth cleaned last week at the dentist. I have to say that I HATE the scaling. Absolutely hate it. I like the end result, but not when it's being done. I get goose bumps all over my body and the hair stands up on the back of my neck. No joke. It's like somebody is scratching the finger nails down the chalk board for over an hour. I just can't stand it. I have to distract myself and sing songs in my head. Sounds crazy but it's true!

7. Richard and I went to the temple Thursday night. We were all ready and when I went to get my babysitter she wasn't there. So we ended up being late. It was kind of crazy, but all worked out. So glad that we went. Such a peaceful feeling in the Temple.

8. DJ always wants to do something fun when the girls are in school. Some days he comes with me when I run errands, shovel our sites (usually takes a couple hours), and is so patient with me. So I try to comply and think of some fun things for him to do. Last week he really wanted to paint but not on the table. So he set up his own painting area. It was very cute how he told me where the paints and brushes go! Silly boy! I drive around with him so much, I sometimes feel bad. But when he asks for the head phones and music I know he's tired. Every time I give it to him he zonks! It's super cute!

DJ sound asleep with the head phones half on his head!

DJ making me lunch at his kitchen. He was so happy!

DJ's painting station that he set up himself!!

9. All my girls have the habit of saying, "I care!" But they all say it in the wrong context. It's very cute. For example if someday asks Cadence if they can play with her ponies, she'll say, "I care." Then the other person happily goes off to play with them. They say it, meaning, "I don't care." It really cracks me up!

10.Cadence has her own mind and when she decides something nobody can talk her out of it. Sometimes that drives me a little crazy and other times it just makes me laugh. I was picking the girls up from school the other day and it was cold and snowy out. We were waiting for Cadence to come. When I saw her I had to do a double look, because it looked like she was wearing shorts. Then I realized that she had rolled her pants all the way up past her knees. Abbi said she did it half way through school. Cadence told me it was because her pants were bugging her! Sheesh! Then last night she was refusing to stay in her bed. I tucked her in again and again and finally decided to ignore her. When I went to check on her she was sound asleep in the hallway on the hard floor. What a crazy girl!!!

Cadence with her pants rolled up! Oh I love that girl!

Cadence sound asleep in the hallway!