Caught Up

Time to get caught up. So even though the weather is breaking and grass is green - here are some fun photos from winter. We'll start with Finn's first time sledding at Grandpa Larry's. I grew up on this hill...and oddly enough so did Shane (since we were neighbors and he played with my brothers). Hudson has enjoyed it for years (he was with his mom this weekend) so it was great to finally introduce Finn.

Heading down with Papa.

At the bottom with mom. Zooming with Daddy!Sorry for the poor quality - borrowed my dad's camera for the day. I'm spoiled with my good ones!

Another storm hit and it was like living in a snow globe. Shane took the kids out in the driveway and pulled them around in the sled. They loved it - squealing and laughing the whole way. I managed to brave the storm to snap a few photos. Too cute!

Daredevil

My wild child - with daddy's keen sense of adventure. I walked over to the neighbors to say hello and as I'm walking back to our house I see this ladder (behind Shane's Tundra truck mind you...so I only see the top) with my 2 yr old son climbing to the top!! I start shouting for Shane - he's on it. Seriously - this kid has no fear. I think I got all of it for him.

He climbed all the way to the top (10' ladder) and was waving with one hand saying "Oh Hi Mommy!" while I cringed below. So once Shane laid the ladder on the ground I opted to go in and cook dinner. Wasn't more than 10 min later I see Shane holding the handle bars/seat of this mini motorbike (electric) that we have for Hudson...with my 2 yr old son on it!!

So I'm practicing breathing tonight. Big deep breaths. It WILL be ok.

God please give me the courage to accept the things I cannot change - like curious, fearless, little boys and their adreniline junky fathers.

Never-ending Winterland

My AZ friends and family...laugh as much as you want! Here is our deck 'heater' looking more like a marshmellow on a stick! The snow has been coming for a week now. Some periods light enough that Shane was able to sleep through the night (one night) and other times he was able to take a day rest. But for the most part, my husband has been gone plowing non-stop. There is no end in sight either...whew.

Although I don't mind the blizzard conditions in the evenings when Shane is home and we're able to snuggle in as a family with a nice fire, the rest of the time my cabin fever sets in and I become very restless. So I started looking at airfare today...to go somewhere, anywhere. Even feeling nauseous and fatigued...I'm willing to brave the travel to escape the grey gloom and slush. Shane loves our 'Stooges'. Usually they only make Halloween debuts, but this year we dressed them up with holiday hats and they stayed out through the year's end. I bet they're sorry!! They are waist high in the white stuff.

Hopefully we will have a few days where the freezing chill lightens and its warm enough that we can get out to sled. We braved it at my dad's on Sunday and only made it down the hill 4 times before heading in. Hardly worth getting Finn all bundled up. Poor kid just cried "outside!" when I brought him in. He LOVES to be outside...just like his mommy. I'm a fair weather girl. I loved CO because we'd have storms like this...difference...the SUN would come out and it would be beautiful again in 5 days max. The snow would remain...on the mountain tops - beaming with heavenly beauty and bright BLUE skies. Did you even notice the color of the skies in these photos??? We're looking at over 2 wks of no sun. NO SUN. : (

So I'm taking down Christmas decor, planning play dates and finding ways to get through without pulling our hairs out! Happy winter everyone.

New Year...New Room

Hudson has no idea what awaits him when he comes home. He's visiting his mom in OK for New Years. I've been putting ideas together for the last month and decided last Tuesday it's time!

You'll 'see' it as if you walked in and looked from left to right.The camel color was there...so I added the grey blue behind the bed and the red 'block' on the wall with the windows. I got some street sign posters and a new desk with supplies for our little artist.We had the monster truck bedding from before...and I didn't want to switch since we paid a small fortune for it. So this was my way of transitioning into a bigger 'boy' room on the same theme, minimal cost. : )

Finn's so excited...hope Hudson likes it as much as he does! :)

Christmas morning

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The children were nuzzled all snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

(don't mind the dried toothpaste on Hudson's lips : )

In the morning we found Santa arrived with his sleigh and thus we began our Christmas day.
Finn received a work bench from Santa.All Hudson found was this note under the tree...

Wow!!! He was a VERY good boy!!

Finn found m&m's in his stocking. Think he would've enjoyed the day just the same if that was all he got!He was so happy to be eating chocolate at 8am. ; )

Both kids got Bibles from us. Hudson was so excited! : ) It even has pictures.

Finn didn't care about opening his gifts...he'd rather use them as a step-stool.
Finn also received some new 'food' for his kitchen. He decided to site down and start snacking right away. : )

Hudson received an ATM bank. He & daddy were testing it and loading it with some change.
Finn was busy sawing, drilling and screwdriving everything!
We are so very thankful for our healthy family, beautiful home and the gift of Jesus this glorius day! We rejoice in his coming and stand in awe in His amazing love.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sleigh or Firetruck?

What was the clatter? The flahes, the sirens?

Santa!?!? Yay!!!!

Hudson was quickly on his way!

Finn needed a little reassurance. :)

Then he was off in a flash! (get it...hahah)

Finn stayed to watch him go down the street...big stuff!!

Time to open!

Both boys were smitten with their gifts. I have to say, of all the parties and celebrations we had this year, this particular evening was my favorite! Hudson said..."He really does know where I live! And he even knows my name!"

Finn, too, was SO excited. It made me get that feeling I had when I was kid at Christmas...so wonderful.
What a great way to start off the season of giving.