no business like snow busy-ness

we found lots of snow when we were up in WA for the holidays. CA has got tons of snow lately and i wish we could go play in it--school and daddy working afar is gonna keep us home and living off these memories. we hooked up in the middle of Spokane and Sammamish (i dont remember the actual town) with some dear dear friends and their awesome kids. went to lunch, caught up, and headed for a little park with some hills. we layered and geared up. snow angels happened immediately and we didnt even have time to instruct the kids on the how-tos of sledding--they were off. the most HILARIOUS moment occured when (oh dear goodness i'm crackin up just picturing it again) matt and i were watching all the kiddos fly down the hill and we turn around to see who's coming next and caden is heading straight for a decent sized bush, we couldn't do anything about it we just watched him get totally avalanched, buried in the snow. it was too funny. he handled it well and got up saying "mommy look i am covered in snow!!!!" matt and i were literally doubled over, tears coming out, not breathing since we were laughing so hard. raylee enjoyed making the snowman, i thought my construction was just fine till matt and jared came in. it turned into a snowball fight and good ol family fun. my kids couldn't get enough of the snow so the next day we went to a snow park in Snoqualmie. they had this huge hill and we attacked it and had a blast. i love brady's multitasking of trying to peg other kids with a snowball AS he's flying down the hill. he's such a boy! our other boy had a hard time following the direction of the snowpatrolman--sled down the middle and walk up the side. he much preferred to switch it up and become a human target for everyone else. i sprinted up the hill to yank him outta the way and daddy had to sit him out on the sidelines several times. it was tough on poor caden. but we managed to log in plenty of snow hours and experience (but gratefully leave behind) the freezing white slick stuff.

valentines shmalentines--just kiddin

so we kinda celebrated early this year, the kids dont have school on monday, valentine's day, so we already did the parties and goodies this past friday. so im fresh out of feelin the love on this love-filled holiday. but this shot of me and my honey bunny in the snow makes me happy.anyway, the kids were troopers addressing their 100 valentines. i baked all the goodies and packed healthy party snacks and they all returned with tons of sugar and loot. i was able to go to brady's class this year, he was so thrilled, which was adorable. parents of kindergarteners are....funny. they totally hover over their children. maybe because he's my third im more kick back but it was entertaining to see all these moms get a bit carried away with their festiveness. my holiday spirit picked up today at church. my little nursery angels decorated the windows with heartsy clings and then we made big heart crowns that said their name and "you are loved". the kids wore their huge glitterey crowns thru sacrament meeting which made me giggle frequently, but then jared gave an amazing talk so it was quite a mixed bag of emotions, all good of course. they were adorable and ya can't help but just love em to death. tomorrow we will have a nice chill day at home. i have the kids' singing/dancing animal valentines ready to keep em happy and feelin the love. happy hearts day to you all.

my fourth is four!!!!

oh my little ray ray, four years ago in the hospital i was watching the superbowl after you finally decided it was really time for you to enter the world. i was so excited to have another girl so kendra could have a little sister and i could play pretty dress up again. kendra was smitten with her real life doll and the boys were fascinated with this little thing that was pretty noisy, still is in fact. everytime the camera came out i got this super cheese face from her. funny how she has grown out of it now and currently gives a sly grin. she got in her fair share of messy trouble but for the most part she has always entertained with herself, her "babies" phase with shampoo bottles lasted a while and still cracks us up to this day. funny enough kendra did that too at that age but only in the tub. i love how she puts herself in time-out, makes household objects into the best toys and how she still asks for hugs and lots of lovin. rayray's hilarious and has been as lovely as a toddler should be. she's my big girl now, and we all love her to bits! happy 4th birthday booger wooger!!