Time of their lives

Unfortunately this post doesn't have accompanying picture. Yesterday, the kids were able to participate in an epic fort building and snow ball fight. The way our driveway is situated makes the shoveled snow look like the Red Sea after parting so there were already walls on each side waiting to be tunneled and barricaded and supported by snow bricks. They went on for four hours! "We're having the time of our lives!" they said. I couldn't help but let them play and play and play....and then at bedtime they slept and slept and slept.")

Handy helpers

The boys were ready to go to school way on time today and were super ready and willing to help me shovel the driveway before we left for school. What studs!!

No Big Deal

It's just after 12:00 (noon) and I've shoveled our driveway 3.5 times. #snowyucky #jealous?

Dad's and doughnuts

Today at school was an event called Dad's and doughnuts. It's an annual thing where all the Dad's (or special someone's) come read to their kiddos and eat a doughnut or two.
Because of the craziness at Tim's work last week what with all the layoffs, he felt like he should be at today's staff meetings, so he asked the boys who they would like to have come instead. They chose me- which was super cool. Sis and I walked to school and read with each of them for a bit. It was fun!
Tonight, we had a second version at home where Daddy read "Two Towers" and we each got to choose our own doughnut. Great night!

Flute performance

Tim and I performed the special musical number in Sacrament meeting today. I played my flute and he sang"More Holiness Give Me." It actually started out that I was asked to be the special musical number and I volunteered Tim to sing with me. But, the way it was printed in the program and announced made it seem more like Tim was the "star" and I was just accompanying him. Which was awesome for me and made me only a millisecond less nervous. It was ward conference so many of the Stake leaders were there. When I was asked, they told me that several others had said no when they found out it was Ward Conference.i told them I wasn't afraid of Stake people since I used to be one and knew most of them- but that was big talk because I was really nervous. Thanks to the Harrison's for grabbing Sis when she got sad that both Tim and I were going up front.
I don't have a picture of us during the actual performance, but Kirsi has been dying to play my flute ever since I got it out to practice. Maybe someday we'll have a triple threat if talents with her: dancing, singing and "fluting."

Kirsi's sweet dance skills (in two parts)

P.S.  This is the very first time that she had ever done a somersault by herself.  It was big news.

P.P.S  The bottom video is the first segment.  Watch that first.

Sweet Moves

Tonight we watched "Napoleon Dynamite" as a family. Some reactions-
"That is the coolest motor home ever!"- Broder about Uncle Rico's van.
"This doesn't make any sense."-Jackson about the movie in general.
"He has plastic (Chapstick) too!"-Kirsi on Napoleon's scene about Chapstick.
And then we got to witness Kirsi's sweet dance skills.

Bear Scout!!

Tonight at Pack Meeting, Jackson was presented his Bear award. He worked really hard to get this done so early before his birthday. We also appreciate his awesome leaders who helped him out too. Good job buddy!! Keep working hard and earn lots of arrows!
Pictured is the magical moment when my buddy pinned me. I love that part.

Ancient Buffitt

Tonight we went out to dinner because we haven't gone grocery shopping since we've been home. (Big plans for tomorrow.")) We had a coupon for this place called Asian Buffet (food was OK, but not out of this world amazing.) Anyway as we pulled in, Broder read the sign as "Ancient Buffitt." It made me giggle a little. I love new readers!
These were our fortunes in order from Tim down to Sis...some of them kind of work actually.

The sign of a good nights sleep

You can always tell when Sis has had a great night of sleep. First- she comes out of her room and not Mom and Dad's. Second- see pictorial evidence below...

Book worm

Jackson is not so much a book worm as he is a book scuba diver. Once he has started a book and gets into it, there's no turning back until it's done. For example, he finished a 427-page book in under 24 hours. It might have been under 10 and he did sleep a little at some point. I love it.  I love the reading gene that my kiddos have inherited from both sides of our family.  It makes me happy.

Two words

Downton. Abbey.

The End. Thank you.")")

Things to remember about Park City 2013

Here are just a few things to remember about Park City...

1) Those who ski need less jeans/Levi's and more lounge or sport pants. Two pair of jeans was more than enough. They were only worn on the car ride up and the trip to Main Street for dinner.
2) Those who ski also need more than one pair of ski socks.
3) Buy ski passes well in advance and rent the ski equipment in September.
4) Avoid skiing on the horse-driven-sleigh tracks. No good will come of that adventure.
5) Lockers at the condo are free- get a key for one of those when we check in.
6) Sunscreen and Chapstick!!
7) Night skiing got four enthusiastic thumbs up. Do this again. Maybe Jenna will still be there.
8) Throw a laundry soap packet in your bags- just in case.
9) Remember to bring swimming goggles.

10) Most importantly- remember the fun, giggles, hot chocolate, ski tricks and secret places, dancing, bus rides, "First Time," and the hugs. Don't forget about "beating the grumpies," caramel apples, egg rolls, special sleepovers, movie time and popcorn.

See you next year!

Night skiing

The boys went night skiing last night and tonight. The favorite run is First Time and they have found all of the tricky and fun spots along the run. They are getting to be super ski boys. Bubs doesn't want to leave even after a couple of wipeouts. They have both gotten so good!

Tubing!!

Today after the morning ski run, we went to Soldier Hollow to go tubing. It was really fun...until the end, but I'll get to that later.
Everyone got to be in their own tube and we got really good at the rope tow. We went down every run as a family group- the kids insisted.
Anyway it was going great up until the last two runs when Jackson's tube got away from us and he ended up going down a hill alone. Was not happy. Then on the what-turned-out-to-be the last run, Sis insisted on taking her gloves off. She was shrieking in "freezy!!!" agony by the end.
Oh well-we had a good time overall.

A tough morning and waving goodbye

I guess today's morning run was a little traumatic. Because the boys had been doing so great, Tim took them on "Homerun" which is still a beginner run, but on the more difficult side. All seemed to be going well until Jackson hit a rock. There was a somersault, lost gloves and a face slide. Not the most fun. But, he got up and finished the run AND he's on his way back out with Dad and Broder as I type. Good job bud!!
The walkway leading out is right outside our window, and Sis has a tradition of waving goodbye at the window each time they go out.

Day 2

Lots of cold, but lots of fun! Broder went down "First Time" for the first time. Jackson is perfecting his hockey stop. Tim is skiing until his legs hurt. Kirsi loves riding down the magic carpet lift in Dad's arms. And I'm so excited to have caught it all on film...or microchip or...yeah.")

Guess what we did today?

Our kind of fun

Watching the temperature drop on the drive was the most fun the kids had ever had. We rejoiced over every degree.

Today

This morning, Tim and I were able to go to the Temple to do a session. It has sadly been awhile since we've been together and it was so nice. The kids got to eat breakfast at the Pratt's and play until we got home. I hear there was only a semi-huge fight between Sis and Dogg about an Angry Bird. Progress.
This afternoon we are preparing to go skiing. Seems like we have enough stuff.

Date Night

Some people go to dinner and a movie on their nights out. Us? We went to the shooting range and then ran (well I walked a lot) laps. It was awesome!! Thanks Summer and Jared for the fun night!

Hello. Hi.

Kirsi likes to talk on her play phones. She also must overhear a lot of Mom's conversations, because she can carry on really good on her pretend phone.
"Hello. Hi. Um, I just doing some things. What are you doing? OK, see you later. Bye."
The inflection of her voice is what makes the whole thing super funny/awesome.

FroYo

Today the kids and I headed to one if our favorite places for one of our favorite snacks- frozen yogurt!! It is always good. Today was a crazy day so this was perfect.

Bear Scout- Complete!

Jackson finished the requirements for his Bear Scout! He will receive his award this month at Pack Meeting. Good job buddy!

Helping Mom in the kitchen

Today Sis helped me make some banana bread. She especially liked "spilling" the ingredients into the bowl and having "a little taste" of the batter. Yummy!

Homework time!

Every Monday Broder gets a sheet of words to sort and learn different sounds and sound patterns. Today he was very excited to tell me that he got a purple sheet!! Purple sheets are apparently the higher level words and he has had his eye on this prize for awhile. So- good job Bubs!! You sort those purple words.")

Sunday Morning

This year we start church at 1 pm so there is a little more time in the morning. This morning I came out of my room to the sounds of my kiddos and their Daddy playing a game together. There was laughter and kind voices and I love them!

Photo booth photo op

Where, oh where, did Sis go?

This is how we roll on sick days

Contagious, more than sick really. Back to school and work tomorrow!")

4 out of 5 ain't bad

Today Kirsi went in for her 3 year old check-up. The boys also came along because they aren't back in school until tomorrow. This morning I was changing her diaper and noticed she had an irregular looking rash. She's had these before and each time it's been caused by strep. So I figured we'd check it out at the doctor.
Fast forward to a couple hours later when she did indeed have a positive strep test and so did both boys! None of the kids had a fever or sore throat. Jackson is a little stuffy and Broder has a slight cough. Each of which I thought was a cold. The only one who did have a sore throat was Tim. So he headed to the InstaCare and came home with his very own prescription. I figured I'd join in the fun and get checked out too. Thankfully I was negative, but got my own amoxicillin as a merciful souvenir.
It's fun. Dad and boys home for one more day and all germs should be zapped before the weekend. Our single house is keeping the pharmaceutical industry afloat.

2013!!

One of my 2013 goals is to post every day whether it be an entire post with actual words or just a picture of something that happened that day. At the end of the year I want to have it printed out and bound in book form as a journal/family history. This is the goal. Check on me often- I have big plans!

So the first big news of 2013 is that Jackson lost a tooth at 12:20 am right after celebrating the ball drop and lighting fireworks. Summer got her magical tooth tool and popped it out. Bree also lost a tooth at about 12:30 am. They are the first visits the Tooth Fairy will make in 2013. Big day already.")

(The explanation behind the Spider-Man face paint is that we went to a New Years celebration where face painting was provided.)