Time to Play in the Snow

A few weekends ago we packed up the kids and the car and headed up to Soda Springs for some fun playing in the snow. They have great packages for the kids that include skiing, snowboarding and sledding as well as all of the equipment. Cole tried out the skiiing and just loved it. He did such a great job and we were so proud of him. He tried for it about an hour and then we took a break and did some sledding. Then we had lunch and headed back out for another go at it. We are hoping to take him at least once again this winter and next year Olivia can join in the fun. If anyone is looking for a great family outing, go check this place out. And check out how beauitful the day was!!

Getting the kids all dressed and ready to go. And yes, Olivia could barely walk with all of that gear on.

Our little ski bunny!

Cole and Daddy getting ready to take off. Did I mention that it was soooo bright that day. Poor kids and daddy didn't have glasses or googles, they could barely see. We now know to buy glasses next time.


Olivia got a little bored waiting for her brother at the bottom of the slope. She was saying, "Check ya later mom, I'm outta here!"


Time for some sledding fun! They had a hill you could take the kids down or just tie them up to this machine thing that pulled them in a circle. Cole loved it, he couldn't take the smile of his face. Olivia wasn't so sure of it.



One last time on the skiis.


And within 5 minutes on our way home, this is what I turned around and saw.

Olivia can FINALLY say Mommy!

You heard it here first folks, it may have taken her 16 months, but she can finally say "Mommy," clear as day. She has been able to say "Daddy" for several months but I was referred to as "Mmmmmmm" or "Mama" up until a few days ago. I was okay with her saying daddy, but started getting a little jealous when she was able to say, "Elvis" (this was the name of our Elf on the Shelf, for those of you familiar with that game) in December and still no Mommy. A few of her other favorite words:

Shoes (this was her first word ever spoken)
Socks
Daddy
Cole (but sounds more like Tole)
Cheese
Apple
Bye bye
Up

And lately she has become quite the little screamer. She screams about everything! If she can't get her shoes on/off, if she wants more of something, if she can't reach something etc... I'm not sure if this is a "second child" thing or a "girl" thing, but it's pretty annoying. I'm hoping it is just a phase she is going through because this girl has some lungs on her and is not afraid to use them!

As some of you know, we used to refer to Cole as "Cautious Cole" and our nickname for Olivia is "Olivia the Opportunist". That girl takes advantage of every little opportunity she can get her hands on. I swear she can hear me opening the pantry door from upstairs and comes running when she hears it, in hopes of her climbing in there and going through all of our food. She also loves the refrigertor. If I leave the door slightly cracked, she is all over it and her favorite game is to take all of the items (which are mostly condiments) out of the door and into the living room. She is also a climber and loves climbing on top of everything...the kitchen table, the counters, and lately she moves her chair so she can climb to the top of the couch and then she loves jumping off. She is a crazy little girl, I'm telling you!

Our trip down to San Diego

Last weekend we all headed down to San Diego to celebrate my sister's sons 2nd birthday (Alec). I was able to find some super duper cheap tickets on Southwest back in November and couldn't pass them up. So we flew down on Thursday afternoon and stayed at my dad's house for a night and then went to stay at my sisters house for 2 nights. On Thursday my dad picked us all up at the airport and we headed down to the beach for some fun in the sun and the sand, while Olivia took her nap. It was a beautiful day and Cole had a fun time playing with his trucks in the sand. On Friday we took the kids (including Alec) to the train museum in Balboa park with Grandpa. The boys had a great time running all over the place and Olivia did everything she could to keep up with them. Here are some pictures of our trip to Balboa Park.


Grandpa with all 3 of his grandchildren (ages 1,2 and 3!!)


Cousins!!!


Grandpa with his Granddaughter


Enjoying our time checking out all of the cool trains




My sister picked us up on Friday night after work and took us to her house. On Saturday we spent most of the day letting the kids play, going to the park and hanging out. We don't get to see them very often so its really fun to get the kids all together. During nap time I helped Kristen cook and get ready for the big party while my mom worked on another one of her masterpieces (aka the birthday cake!). Sunday was the "big" day for Alec and here are some pictures from his party.

Trying to get all of the kids together for a picture before the party begins....


Alec's birthday cake...handmade with love by Grandma


Cole playing pin the tail on the donkey (and he won!)


The birthday boy with his mommy and daddy!


Opening up his "loot" after everyone had left.


Thanks for a fun weekend!!!

I snapped a few pictures of the kiddos on our flight home. There wasn't an empty seat on the plane, so that meant Olivia had to truly be a "lap baby" but instead, she of course, insisted on sharing a seat with Cole, who was not very happy about it. I'm telling you, these two are a handful together! Will they ever learn to get along or am I'm doomed for the next 17 years? Please kids, give your mom and dad a break!

Doesn't he look soooo happy to be sitting next to her...... :-)


Cole, "Ummmm excuse me mommy but can you PLEASE move Olivia!"


I did manage to snap one of them looking somewhat happy together!