Sled Riding

We have a tiny hill on the side of our yard that the kids were riding on this weekend. It was Owen's first time on the sled and he loved it!

Ready to go!

Arilyn was helping him stay on the hill so I could take a picture.

And down he goes!

He's ready to go again!!

Owen and Arilyn ready to go!

All three!

Addison was surf sledding and was actually really good at it!

Trying to snowboard with the spongebob floaty- didn't work so well!

Owen pretending he was going to surf sled.

When it wasn't their turn with the sled they improvised and slid down an icy patch on the hill.

Arilyn catching some air.

Ready to go again.

Addison taking her turn.

Having fun!

Ready for hot chocolate!

Happy Birthday Shawn!

We celebrated Shawn's 36th birthday! The kids were so excited and couldn't wait for him to open his presents! Happy Birthday Shawn!

The birthday cake that the kids helped me decorate.

Everyone helping Daddy blow out the candles.

Owen and Daddy dancing after blowing out the candles.

Watching Daddy opening presents.

Addison cheesing.

Owen watching, too.

Snow...Finally!

We finally got some snow about a week and a half ago. We've had a very mild winter so far and I don't know who has been more disappointed- the kids or Shawn! We've been outside playing in the snow just about every day since it came!

Addison ready to play!

Owen trying to walk.

Arilyn being silly.

Fascinated by the snow plow.

All three kids would not stop eating the snow!

Arilyn doing some winter gardening.

And Ellie- she wasn't so thrilled after about 10 minutes of the snow. She was ready to go in!

Hiking in January!

It was a beautiful, unseasonably warm day today, so we took advantage of it and went hiking! It was so nice to get out of the house and the kids loved it!

The boys in the parking lot.

The girls ready to hit the trail!

There was a little creek that had mini waterfalls that the girls were so excited about!

We thought this ice was pretty neat.

Arilyn and Addison thought this was a really neat tree in the shape of a 'U' so they had to stop and take a little rest.

Addison wanted me to take a picture of this because it was 'such a beautiful view!'

At the top- it was really pretty.

Shawn and Owen enjoying the view.

Arilyn and Addison being silly.

The girls enjoying the view.

The family. What a great day!

Visit from my Sister

My sister and her kids came to visit us right after Christmas and were here to celebrate the new year. It was a lot of fun! Happy New Year!!

My niece Camille- she was such a happy baby!

We went shopping at the outlets- the kids were very patient!

Owen got to share his stroller with Camille.

Another smiling picture!

The crew waiting for our table at Chili's.

We went ice skating while my sister was here. Here's Arilyn, Jaden, and Addison waiting to get on the ice!

Isaiah in his skates.

Alyssa and Macenzie ready to skate.

Owen just got to watch.

Macenzie helping Jaden.

Shawn with Arilyn and Addison.

Arilyn on her own.

Camille just got to watch, too.

Arilyn taking a break to pose for a picture.

Shawn and Addison.

Addison taking a break.

Isaiah only went around the ice once. He liked it at first, but then wanted off!

After dinner on New Year's Eve, we took some pictures before all the little ones went to bed.

My sister's kids in their hats.

Camille liked hers.

The whole gang!

This was the first year that I let Arilyn and Addison try to stay up until midnight...they didn't make it! They both fell asleep around 10:45! Arilyn was upset in the morning that she didn't make it!

Addison was out, too.

I recorded the ball dropping and we had a re-enactment for all the little ones in the morning!

Owen blowing his noise maker.

Addison making noise.

Alyssa did make it until midnight, but she took part in the re-enactment, too! Happy New Year!