SNOW! SKI! and Winter Fun..

It is no secret that I LOVE winter and especially snow.  But this year, we have had a lot of fun, but I didn't get enough snow!  I am thankful for the moisture our mountains got and Loved every inch of it.  I am really not ready for it be gone so fast, especially since my yard is straight dirt or MUD!

Bode got to spent time on his new four-wheeler.  The throttle stuck one day, luckily the snow stopped him and no one was hurt.  I forget he is just four and driving a powerful machine.  He loves it and is learning lots. 

snowmobiling/ sledding with cousins 

Bode skied a couple times last year and did pretty good.  This year he really caught on and is loving it.  He is a bit competitive with his sister, so I had to keebash that pretty quickly.  

 Rylie took off this year too.  She is so fun to ski with, because she is always smiling and LOVING it.  I dream of the day we take the kids all over skiing.  On a busy Saturday at the Beav, I was trying to talk Rylie into skipping school and going skiing.  No way she said!  She loves it  and is always wanting to go, but cannot miss school.

Bode was trying to make this snowman by himself.  Its about as big as he is. 

We have done a lot of sledding, but this hill was crazy.  The hill takes off and at the bottom is farm equipment you have to stop before.  But the kids love the thrill of the speed and always want to go there.  Here Mike is with his boots and arms dragging to try and slow down a bit.   

 Just Rylie and I went up one Saturday, while the boys went four-wheeling.  It was so fun spending time with her and just chatting.  She really is growing up.  

 Skiing with mom is the best, we get peeps!!  

 Super bowl!  The Beckstead's have a huge party every year with the Austins.  We look forward to it every year and to hanging out with family and friends.  

This is our stadium seating for the big event.  I couldn't get all the chairs in the pictures, but as you can see we do the Superbowl in style.  

 Just a glimpse of the food that is there! 

 More sledding with friends! 

 Rylie and Hannah, best of buds.  

 Mike's face says it all, it was a pretty whimpy hill.  Not sure what all the excitement is about!  

But you can tell he is loving it. 

Happy Birthday Rylie!

 Happy 7th birthday Rylie!  She has been counting down days until this day.  She is a great daughter and we were happy to spoil her on her day.  She choose a "frozen" birthday party with cousins and family. 

 I saw this idea on Pinterest and of course we had to play pin the nose on Olaf. 

No one dared to eat a turquoise cupcakes on my carpet, so they crowded around the table.  Rylie loves her cousins and was so glad they came and celebrated with her.

 and spoiled by everyone..

 Elsa wig, treats, money, play dough, lipstick, and more!  

  Her aunt made her American girl doll a new dress, its adorable!  

...singing happy birthday to the lucky girl 

Then she got to take a couple of school friends to see the movie "frozen", the girls where in heaven and it might have been the easiest birthday party I have done.  

  

 Happy Birthday sweet girl.  We love you so much!  We are so proud of how well you are doing, what a beautiful girl you are inside and out, and how sweet you are.

Christmas morning...

Thank you Erin for getting me back on track!  

Christmas Morning 2013

Rylie was up at 8:00 AM and had kinda peeked at the presents.. then she came and laid in bed with us.  It was killing her to not be out there tearing things apart.  So we decided to wake Bode up, he was a tired little guy from all the festivities.  Bode came out to the family room and the first thing they choose to open was the gifts from each other.  OHHH, make a mom's heart melt.  

 Santa for sure found our new home, we were spoiled.  

Then the best surprise from Santa ever...  

 A big present on the counter for Rylie.  Saige the American Girl Doll she always wanted!  She was so excited and hasn't quit playing with it sense. 

and for Bode a REAL four-wheeler.  It was kinda hid behind the couch in the kitchen.  Bode opened all his other presents and was playing when he saw it in the corner of his eye.  Dropped everything and ran over to it and climbed on.  Then he made Mike start it to see if was real or not.  Yes a four wheeler running in my new house.  Good thing it was Christmas.  

Bode was just shocked and so happy he got a REAL four wheeler.  

Checking out their overstuffed stockings

Mike says he was just trying out Bode's four wheeler, but I think he liked it as much as Bode. 

 After a beautiful Christmas morning, lots of presents, lots of fun, lots of love, and a wonderful Christmas Morning breakfast we headed up to the Beckstead's.  Kids had a wonderful day with cousins, got more spoiled and had a nice Christmas dinner.  

Porter, Taylor & Bode

Bode was pretty proud to take his cousins for a ride

What a wonderful Christmas Day!  Makes me sad that it comes and goes so fast. 

 Time should just slow down. 

leading up to Christmas...

It was so fun being in our new home for the Holidays.  I was not even ready for the holidays, the new house had consumed me.  Went on a mad shopping spree with my mom and did pretty well. 

 

Got the tree  and house decorated.

 

So Christopher came to our new house Thanksgiving night and left the kids new jammies in their soon to be new closets.  He also left a note saying "he wasn't going to come to our new house until we got moved in and unpacked ((him)), but would leave treats their to let the kids know he had came by.  He also didn't want the construction workers to touch him and he lose his magic"  This was pretty intense for the kids, they were amazed that after we got settled in, there he was hanging from my new light...   WHAT!!!

 I have a couple nativities that the kids play with, I walked by one day and this is what I saw.  I hope they understand the meaning of Christmas and the true spirit of giving.

Rylie got to have a Christmas party with friends

 Got to meet Santa at AL's, kids were pretty excited to ask for what they wanted until it comes right to it.  Bode wants a four-wheeler.   I warned him Santa is not sure if he is old enough for one or not, but he said a real one or a pretend one will work.

 Santa told this girl that she had grown from last year and you should have seen her face.  Pretty amazed by him... she wants a surprise.

 

 

Rylie's 1st grade program was adorable.  She is doing so well and loveschool.  I love watching her grow.  She is the 4th one in on the top row, in a Santa hat

 

 

 Sledding at the new house, love it!  I don't even have to go out with them

Decorating a gingerbread house

and sugar cookies for Santa... 

Bode has absolutely loved Christmas this year, he is really getting into it.

 Rylie loves any holiday, but Christmas is one of her favorites.  One of her favorite parts is reading Christmas books, Christmas movies, and delivering neighbor gifts. We have met and been welcomed by so many neighbors, it has been so nice. 

Merry Christmas 2-0-1-3

 Christmas Eve party at Aunt Sallie and Uncle Billy's, Bode is parked in front of the spinach dip and bread.  It's healthy right, it has spinach in it.  We are lucky to have such awesome Family's to be with.

The Beckstead's!

The decorating of the gingerbread houses, I should of got a picture of the candy choices, it was amazing.  Next time I want to decorate one too. 

 Rylie with her Grandma Beckstead in red, and great Grandma Kaye  helping her with her house.

 Santa showed up at the party!  last minute stop before he takes off to deliver presents

 OH Santa, I am so sorry.  Some of the  Beckstead's boys wanted to sit on his lap too. 

We made one more stop on the way home to my parents house, almost all the grand kids were there.  They all got new coats from grandpa and grandma.