Fun in the Snow

Last week we went sledding. It was our first time sledding with the Tabblets so we were all anticipating a great time. We took our time picking out a good, sturdy, large (for mulitple Tabblet runs) plastic sled and headed out to "the sledding hill". 

You see I had been told by a very dear friend of THE place to sled, so when I looked up the address online I ignored the name of the place put the address into our GP. Off we went. 

As we approach said "sledding hill",  I start to get a little nervous as I cannot see the sledding area. Josh comments on how he didn't know there was a skiing area just outside of town... That's when we both realize that it's indeed a ski-lift, with no bunny hill.  There was no way we were going to take our first timers down the size of that thing. So I sent my friend a silly text because I love her and think she's crazy that she takes her sweet little girl down that thing and we resort to going on base to find a much smaller (in distance and in grade) hill to start on. 

This is what we found. It ended up being perfect! 

(Don't forget this is their FIRST time ever) 

 Quick lesson on where to hold and how NOT to let go 

 ... ready... set...

GO!!

 A little scared... 

 Trying to hold on..

 MAJOR DISTANCE. 

He loved it. Stood up Hootin and hollerin! 

 Teagan's Turn! 

Ready... Set...

 GO!

 She must have not heard the bit about holding on... 

... gonna lose it? 

 ... about to tumble! 

 PULLS THROUGH! And sits back up...

 Only to almost fall out the other way

Obviously can't tell in the still shot, but she's definitely bobbin her head dancing. 

 Aidan hootin' for her from the top! 

 Killian's turn! (and Daddy's)

 Ready... Set...

 GO!! 

Small sled for Daddy so he had to help stablize :-) 

 Killian didn't really care about it one way or the other. He wanted to nap instead.

 So he was crabby patty. 

Two x the Tabblets! 

Off they GO!

 Screaming fun as they pass...

 I love how Teagan kicked her feet up at the end as they coasted to a stop. 

MaMum's turn! 

 Check out that air! 

(and speed!) 

SAY CHEESE! 

  (Yeah yeah, my 4m old went down the hill with me. We only went once, it was fine.)

After watching the kids do a few more runs I retreated to the car with Grumpy Gus and a hungry Imogen. 

 Hungry Imogen

Grumpy Gus 

(who was sleeping within 5m after this picture)

We watched the rest of the festivities from the warm car...

 which included snow ball throwing

 What good is a brother who doesn't pull you behind him the sled! 

 Later I found out that she was serenading him... haha. 

 What good is a sister who doesn't at least try to return the favor... 

They finally wore out and wanted some food. 

 We had fun watching them, didn't we little sister <3 

Maybe next year we'll go back to the ski slope but for this winter we will return to our little hill! 

Can't wait for the next dump of snow! 

Their Favorite: NaNaw

As kids grow up and start looking forward to certain times of the year most children lock their sights on their birthday, Christmas or another popular holiday. In our house the time of year most looked forward to by the children is when NaNaw visits. They found out about her visit shortly after Teagan's birthday and the time couldn't go by faster. They talked more about NaNaw coming in the airplane then they did Santa who brings presents.
Every time they saw her on Skype, they asked how much longer. With each week they grew more and more excited.
Finally the day came for her arrival. It was an extra early morning due to her early arrival but that didn't flatten the mood!

Everyone ran out to see her as she came thru the terminal. It was a very excited reunion.
Here are some pictures of her 7 day stay...

 Come on! Let's go get NaNaw!!

 NaNaw and Popeye's = Aidan's dream come true

Never-ending Playtime

Imogen making sure she got in her time. Nothing like NaNaw's kisses.  

Too tired to roll around on the floor NaNaw? OK let me show you how to play the iPad!

Building castles

Our Tabblet's never left her side, some even tried going into the bathroom with her. She was the first thing they said when they woke up and the last thing they thought about before falling asleep. 

We enjoyed having my mom here so much we planned out her next trip before she left AND the kids are still talking about the things we did with her while she was here. 

Just before she left we took pictures of her with the babes so that they had something to look at and talk about between visits. Here's some of them... good ones and outtakes :-) 

There is an extra special bond that Aidan has with his NaNaw. I believe it has something to do with her living with us when Josh left for basic and AIT. During those 8 months, she helped fill the hole in his day. She will always be his Special Person. 

This one makes me laugh... Aidan climbing on her back, Teagan super cheesing, Killian unsettled with his position and Imogen gazing elsewhere.

NaNaw made sure to snuggle all her lovies! 

We look forward to our multiple talks with her during the week and our upcoming events to fill the time before she comes back. Fall can't be her soon enough!

We sure do miss you! XXOO

2013

Happy New Year!

It's time for the annual reflections and new aspirations blog :-)
I'll be brief, I promise.

2012 gave us a new home, a new duty station and more appreciation for each other. We now have a 4 year old, a 3 year old, a 1 year old and a new baby.  It gave us the opportunity to discover more hopes and dreams for each other and for our kids.  2012 blessed us in many ways.

Enter 2013:
As the sun rose the first time this year I have the thrill and excitement as every new year brings.
With Josh's rapidly approaching deployment we will be taking our time to enjoy the down times, the quiet times and the silly times. Mostly just trying to focus on our little family. No longer being distracted by apps on our smartphones. They will be left on the table where phones are supposed to be, left idle until it rings.
In 2013 we anticipate several wonderful things. Aidan turns five and will be starting school in the fall. (where did our little Bebo go?)
The 4 Tabblets and I will take on the world by making a trip stateside to visit family during Josh's absence.
It will be the first year in 5 years that I won't be pregnant!! (That still has yet to sink in for me)
This is the year my energy will be renewed and my self conscious will become confident again.
2013 will be the year we learn to sacrifice in places that we haven't yet and bloom in areas that we've dreamed of.

Here's to hope, prosperity, love and perseverance. Here's to 2013!
May it be bountiful in it's riches, full of God's love and spontaneous in it's laughter.