Off Road

Over Spring Break we had the chance to visit one of Cruz's preschool friends.  What we didn't know was that they had kid vehicles and that this day alone was going to MAKE spring break.  Oshyn got to ride a dirt bike, Cruz a four-wheeler, and Tyce a jeep.  They forever want to go back to "John's house" and were wearing perma grins for hours!

So long--farewell!

The beloved Red Truck (aka Daddy's Truck) was traded in today.  

And we picked up something more suitable for a family of 6.  Hello BOAT!  

Despite our boys obsession with Daddy's truck, they are handling the switch quite well.  Their only concern was that our baby would never get to touch Daddy's truck.  I rubbed my belly on it for them.

Long Drive

Bowling

Nothing like throwing a heavy ball down a bumpered lane with a plaid button up shirt, sweatband, jeans,  & sporting a mullet.  How could one not take this kid and his brothers for a game of tenpins??

We had a great time, even though they thought I was trying to steal a bowling ball under my shirt on the way out...

Orange you glad I didn't say banana

Let’s cut

the whole thing half of it off!

Last week Cruz woke up and pulled on his side curls almost in tears.  "I don't want these curls anymore!"  They were bugging him b/c they wouldn't lay flat, but they looked oh-so-cute.  We cut O's hair in kindergarden so I figured Cruz had done his time also & a few days later we broke out the clippers. 

A moment of sadness/silence for the shedding of curls 

Beau got about half way done and Cruz said, "That's good".  The side curls that were bugging him were off and he was satisfied.  We couldn't help but keep it party in the back and 

business in the front...at least for now.

Hangin'

We are park goers.  I love to be outside and the boys love to climb & play.  What the heck am I going to do  when the boys are old and the park is no longer a place they get excited about?

AZ Surprise!

Thanks to a last minute, fun idea from my Dad and Sue, I had the chance to spend a quick weekend in AZ.  My cousin, Kelly, was flying in from Virginia for her baby shower and we kept it a secret from her that I was going to get to come.  The look on her face was priceless when I first saw her.  So so fun.  We are due 2 days apart so it will be a race to see who pops first!

It was very relaxing to go on a trip by myself.  I got to sleep in, go for lots of walks and visit with my family & a few good friends.  As fun as it was, it was so wonderful to come home to my life with the crazies and their fabulous dad.  I'm not ready to be a retired empty nester at all!  Lucky for me, I have many more years to go. 

Singing for Grace

Cruz had a big performance at his preschool's church.  The kids sang well and it was neat to see all of the banners at Grace Presbyterian church--it reminded me of my Grammie.  I adore his preschool, teachers and am so thankful that Tyce gets to go there next year.

The Golden Bears

Oshyn played a season of basketball for Upward Sports this year.  They do it up to the max (yet charge the same as YMCA?).  They had reversible jerseys, shorts, and even little cheerleaders.  Before every game they pumped up this big thingy (see below) and the kids all said their names in a mic before they ran out on the court...all to music like the big whigs.    

 These pictures are less than good, but I'll chalk it up to the fact that these little men PLAYED.  It was so fun to watch them actually have entertaining, hard, team working, lay up making games.  Oshyn was a stud (and knew it) and even attempted what I called 5-pointers.  It was a great season for the "Golden Bears".

Snow buffs

This year ski week wasn't filled with a maximum amount of snow.  We didn't have to use chains going up to the cab or plow the driveway.  The slopes had enough white stuff (real or fake, it worked just fine) and the kids were stripping off clothing instead of buying face masks so they wouldn't freeze to death.  Pleasurable skiing conditions for little people and perfect for Millie and Cruz who just started skiing this year.

The first day, back at the cab, Millie, Cruz, Tyce and I braved the snow that there was and had a bit of a snowball fight and made a miniature snowman.

That day, and all of the days following, Pop Pop and I would pack up about 15-20 sandwiches and head to the hill to deliver lunch.  We set up near the ice skating rink and got caught up on all of the cool tricks everyone had been doing so far.

We weren't sure how Cruzer would do, but with the great weather and a stellar attitude, he was an animal.  One day of ski school and the kid zoomed down the hill like he was born with ski's attached to his feet.  It was so fun to watch (on video) how proud he was of himself and the pure laughter coming from his belly when he fell every once and a while.  Kids are amazing!

Some Cabin/Snow-isms I don't want to forget:

Millie: Cwuza, do you know what 'none of your business means?' (She asked this 3 or 4 times, very politely before he answered back, "No, but I know what 3+3=...6!"

To Tyce the cabin was "the cabbage" :) 

Every night, everyone came home excited but tired.  When we got them all in bed there wasn't much of a peep heard from the bunk room.  Dreams of the slopes danced in their heads.

Here's a glimpse of our rocker, Cruz, on the slopes.  I sped it up a bit so it wouldn't be super long, so beware if you get snow sick. 

Practicing

I saw this cute photo idea on Pinterest with all of the kids stacked.  We tried to practice without a newborn baby on top...still wondering if one more would make it on there without Tyce flipping him off for a good time!  We will see...

Roughin' it

Beau has been camping about once a month with the scouts in our ward since he has become the Young Men president.  This has been a great learning experience for him, but try telling your little boys that you're going camping and they aren't.  Not fun.  The day he got home this last time, as much as I'm sure he wanted to sleep in the comfort of his nice, warm, cozy bed, he told the boys they were going camping.  They didn't go far--just out the back door, but they were beyond thrilled.  

 I could see the flashlights on as they were reading books in the dark of night.  

Morning arrived and they were all bright eyed and bushy tailed!

Tyce looks like he had a rough night...he was the only one in this picture that didn't sleep in the tent!

Camping was a success!  They can hardly wait for another adventure & boys night out!

Woodbridge Wilderness

Practically in our own backyard, there is a "wilderness" area.  Ever since I can remember, its been closed.  Sad part is, it used to be open all of the time until some smart guy decided to gas the place and set fire to it all for "fun".  I just found out it is open the 1st and the 4th Saturdays of the month (with supervision at the gate)...we had to check it out!  I've been wondering for years what was behind the chained gates.

The boys were ready for some wilderness!!  When I told them where we were going, true to their nature--they both put on camo shirts, jeans and boots.  Oshyn even threw on a "safari" hat.  The excitement was awesome.

We had a little tour guide show us around.  No joke, he looked about 12, but was something fancy in the military.   

Cruz got a cut from some very dangerous grass :) which slowed him down a bit, but he survived without a band-aid for quite some time.  He wouldn't suck on it like we all advised him.

 My little tree hugger enjoying the log walking.

We saw a deer skeleton to round off the day.  They took the skull but we were able to look--not touch, the rest.  

We can hardly wait to show Daddy and Tyce the gem of wilderness in our backyard!