Birthday Skiing!

 To celebrate our birthdays, BS and I couldn't think of anything better than having a family ski day!

We took the kids to Wolf Mountain in Huntsville - it was pretty close to where we were staying, and we love how they have a 1:00-9:00 pass option for cheap.  They also have great hills/tree runs for the kids - even a great beginner hill.

Quincy did awesome!  And bonus: she LOVED it!

Millie and the boys have really improved - they love to go through the trees and find jumps - just like what my friends and I used to do!  Millie is loving her new {used} boots and skis.

Kirk & Heidi brought their kids for the afternoon and they were so fun to watch.  Quincy loved skiing with her cousins!  Here is Kirk and Cole on the magic carpet:

 

Alix, Quincy, Millie:

 

Millie and Sambo just before dark.  I love what good buds they are, they really stick together.

 

When we were all exhausted and cold after a big day skiing, we met everyone at a local joint in Eden for hot chocolate and Mexican food.  It was delicious...almost as delicious as the fazookies we ate for our birthday dessert at the cabin.  What a perfect way to end a perfect day!  

I look forward to many more family ski days!

Having SNOW much fun!

This is a picture of the old cabin, nestled in the pines, the day after Christmas.  It is just across the field from the new cabin, Grandpa and Grandma's place.  This place is true happiness.  It is where an abundance of my best childhood memories were made.  I am so happy to be able to experience the same memories with my children and share in the same activities that brought so much joy.  Sledding and snowmobiling are some of these.  Check it out:

Christmas Morning

As mentioned previously, we spent Christmas at the cabin.  And Santa found us there!  

It was so awesome. Amazing. Perfect. Fun!

For Christmas, Quincy wanted pretty much all stuffed animals.  Animals of every kind. 

Will persisted in asking for money, again.  Except he also wanted normal "boy" things this year, as opposed to what he wanted last year {money machine, time machine, a maid, a massage chair}.

Sambo asked for the least amount of things, mostly boy stuff and a motocross bike.

Millie was different this year - asked for mostly clothes, shoes, and "girly" teenage stuff like jewelry and pedicures.

Santa did not disappoint!  These kids were on the nice list for sure!

Take a look:

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Christmas Eve

BS and I made a last minute decision to spend Christmas Eve at the the cabin {Mom and Dad's}.  We didn't have any big or crazy Christmas gifts this year so we thought, why not?  We absolutely love it up there.  So cozy and quaint.  And lots to do.  Or nothing at all.

After the Clark Party we loaded up the car with all of the Christmas gifts {at midnight} and I drove it up to the cabin.  I spent the next morning wrapping and getting everything prepared.  Thanks Grandma Cindy for helping!  BS and I set out Christmas gifts and stuff in record time on the big night!

We spent Christmas Eve at Snowbasin Resort which is not too far from the cabin.  Anyone who has been to Snowbasin knows that the lodge is amazing!  Every Christmas Eve they have a celebration where they serve a delicious dinner, a torch parade down the ski hill, an entrance by Santa Claus on a lit-up sleigh, and a fantastic fireworks show!  The fireworks were seriously as good as the "Stadium of Fire."  Unbelievable.  The only problem was that it was soo stinking cold and windy.  Good thing we were only outside for 10 minutes.

Skiing torch parade

Santa's entrance on his sleigh

 

 

Merry Christmas from the Clarks!

Sometimes you just can't do everything you want to do.  Like all the time.  This year, I just couldn't find time to make Christmas cards.  Anyone that knows me knows this is a big deal for me.  I couldn't stand it, but there was nothing I could do about it.  More important stuff was taking over my life.  

But sometimes, it's the last minute and unplanned things that become some of the best things ever.  Like this picture.  

We got home from church the Sunday before Christmas and it was snowing, so I had the kids stand on the porch for a quick picture.  When I looked at it that night, I was surprised how good it looked.  They look so lovely and handsome.  And the snow!  And they posed themselves!  And Quincy holding up that skirt! 

Anyway, I threw this card together and emailed it to everyone.  Voila, quick and easy!

December Doings Part 7: Clark Party

On the 21st we met up with all of the Clarks at Fat Cats for our Christmas Party.

We had lots of fun bowling and eating Pizza Factory and Costa Vida.  Everyone was happy because everyone liked to bowl and everyone liked the food and nobody had to cook or clean house!!!

We were way excited to see Candice and Doug and their little boy Landon.  He's such a cutie!  We miss these guys so much!

10 of 15 Clark cousins.  Notice Millie's closed mouth smile to hide her braces

After Fat Cats we went back to Grandpa Judy's for games, chimes, singing, Santa, White elephant gifts, opening gifts from G & G, and cousin gifts.  We enjoyed good company and had a great time!

Christmas Bingo

This year Grandma went shopping with the Moms to get her grandkid's gifts.  The kids couldn't believe that G & G knew exactly what they wanted ;)  Millie got a hoodie and a cute iPhone case, Sambo and Will got an XBox and Wii game and basketball shorts, and Quincy got a "Bambi" stuffed animal (of course a stuffed animal) and a long hair braid like Rapunzel's.  So awesome!

December Doings Part 6: Brace Face!

The kids had their annual orthodontist appointment a week before Christmas.  He told me that Millie's mouth was ready for braces whenever we were ready.  She has been blessed with great teeth but there were some biting and shifting issues so I was okay with braces.  We checked our insurance and found out that they pay an amount every calendar year so we knew we had to get her braces on before 2012 ended!

Before we knew it, just a few days before Christmas, Millie was a metal mouth, a brace face,

and not very happy.  I promised her she would thank us later!  At least she will only need them for about a year.

Pic from Instagram

The boys are looking pretty good too.  Sambo has good teeth and good space in his mouth, just needs to lose more teeth.  He and Millie were late teethers.

Will, on the other hand, has lost as much teeth as his big brother.  He will definitely need braces with his overbite but he actually has quite a nice smile.  He has come a long way!