HELLO Winter...

I am sitting here on our 5th snow day with my kids.  I actually love snow days ---  brings back a lot of great memories from my good ol' teaching days!!!  I also love the beautiful white, winter wonderland outside my window.  Looks like a day full of snow FUN.

I ventured over to the Detroit area last weekend ALL by myself.  My sister was in town from Denver and I was so excited to be able to go visit with her, my parents and the Warner clan.

First...my nephew Drake is AWESOME!!!!  I always knew that he was good at snowboarding, but this kid is AMAZING.  He was actually having his first competition at Alpine Valley.  I was fortunate enough to run over to the hill and see him.  He showed us an incredible back flip off the BIGGEST jump.  He made it look so easy.  He ended up with 6 medals over the weekend.  He only competed in 6 events!!!  Drake Charles Warner will be famous someday...

 TWO First Place Medals!!!!!

I also got to go out with Chad and Shannon.  Those two always are so much fun.  It was a wonderful escape and great to be able to visit with my family KID FREE!!!

Crystal Mountain

I love Crystal Mountain...  It is the most beautiful, family friendly resort!  Besides the freezing (below zero) temps, we had the most wonderful weather ---  lots of fresh powder :)  We had four families total this year.  Our kids were known as the "dirty dozen".  All 12 kids (aged 4-10) had a blast.  I can't wait to go back again next year.

The drive up and back was a little scary though at times.

 This was our view for most of the 3 hour journey...

 Blake and I

 Brett and Madison

 The village was beautiful at night.  There are so many twinkling white lights.

 My kids loved the pool and hot tub

 These three are quite the skiers.  They can ride black diamonds with no problem...

 They had so much fun with all their friends.  We even let them just take off with out us...

 We had so much fresh powder.  This day was my favorite.  

 Caitlin and her friends called themselves "The Black Diamond Ladies"...  They were so cute together.

 Table for 20 please!!!!

Just What I NEEDED!!!

My knee injury is really taking a toll on my mental well being!!!!  Just when things were looking up, I've had another set back.  I am having quite a bit of pain again :(

So, I've been a little down this week.  I've been super sore and not able to do as much pain free.  I so needed a little pick me up.  My sweet little girl made this amazing get well card at school for me.  This little note brightened my whole week...


I'm also going up north on Monday for a ski trip with several other wonderful families.  This is our second annual trip.  Last year was amazing.  I'm taking my snowboard, motrin 800, a knee brace, heat wraps and a VERY POSITIVE attitude.  I know that I should not be snowboarding yet, but I've got to give it a try...

Christmas with the Warners

We went over to the Warner house for a night over the break to celebrate...  The kids always have a wonderful time together!!!!

 We played some cards with Oma and Opa

 The girls always give us wonderful DANCE productions...

SOMETIMES

AND...  sometimes 3 can play together nicely!!!!  I truly cherish these moments.  I want to remember these times for years and years.  Not quite sure that IZZY is so happy, but she is a trooper.  They were building a car for her.

Christmas EVENING

Grandma and Papa came over for dinner Christmas evening.  The kids had more presents to open.  It was a very low key evening and my FIRST time ever making a turkey dinner.  I actually had a wonderful time in the kitchen and I think that it turned out great.  My super picky eaters loved it:)

 A KINDLE

 American Girl GRAND piano for my little pianist...  Two furbies were enjoying it most of the evening.

 The girls and I danced the night away...

 Caitlin being very serious and Madison was super silly!!!

10 and a HALF

This morning was Blake's half Birthday!!!!  He was very excited about it.  Kids just make me smile.  Moments like this make me want to ENJOY the drama of raising kids a little more.  It is amazing how little things make kids feel so loved, excited and happy!

 Also notice how crazy the girls' hair is.  I have a lot of work every morning:)