still learning--even over christmas break!!

on friday, after days of lounging around the house, shawn and i felt we needed to get out and try to enjoy a somewhat warm and sunny day! we decided to take the kiddos down to the seattle children's museum--we had not expected too much, but were we surprised! we have visited other children's museums in various cities, and were always a little disappointed--but after spending 3+ hours in this museum we were anything but disappointed! the kids had a great time and even learned a little along the way. they have an area of the museum that rotates out different exhibits and right now the exhibit is mr. potato head and his adventures. it lets the kids journey through the depths of the oceans, go on a safari with tater, blast into outer space, dig in an archealogical site--to find tater parts!, and play with mr. potato heads in one of the best tater head set-ups i have ever seen--shawn and i even built our own tater heads! after spending an hour with mr. potato we ventured on to the rest of the museum---they have a "working" grocery store--where kids get to be checkers and can shop for groceries, they have a hardware store where kids get to build their own creations---i'm not sure who had more fun in this area -shawn or the boys--but together we made a mean little house! they also have an area where you learn about different countries--we were able to walk through a japanese styled home, a "sushi" restaurant, an african hair salon--after we felt we had culturally diversed ourselves we went to the story area....they had huge setups of goldilocks and the 3 bears, arthur, and an area where you could sit and read various books! probably the boys' favorite areas were the last 2 we visited--the art and creation station and the air factory! they both created a painting masterpiece--without getting any paint on themselves--i know a total miracle!--and they then chased ping pong balls through little tubes in the next area! i was super impressed with this museum--kudos to seattle! we would have probably been able to spend even longer in the museum but our pesky tummies started to rumble!!

christmas break in the breck!

christmas break in the breck!

this just in......we all arrived back in washington with "0" broken bones....truly a christmas miracle! we had a great time with the fox family in colorado the past 4 days...we had plenty of skiing, talking, laughing, shopping, and the best part eating! the cousins had a great time chasing each other around the condo, filling the place with constant squeals and giggles! grady gave it his all in the learning department--the first day was full of misery...both for him and daddy---the second outing went much better...he almost has skiing down! if his little legs could just keep up! it is hilarious to hear him talk about his skiing adventures...you would think he was a war veteran or something! he speaks of the time he fell down on his bottom, waiting in the long line at the lift, and when dad let him go down the mountain all by himself....just ask him he will be more than happy to share his stories! gabe is nearing pro level---shawn and him even skiied a black slope!! he is definitely a much better skiier than dear old mom!! i never left the comforts of the green slopes, i spent 2 days skiing, much of which i actually enjoyed!! the second day in the afternoon, i went out by myself--and ended up cross country skiing for a better part of one run!! i was in search of the area shawn had went to and as many of you know i am no genius map reader...so i ended up taking a wrong run and cross countried through some trees and around a lake...lovely! after that, i decided to stick to what i know and skiied downhill the rest of the afternoon! shawn had a great time trying to get the life insurance cashed out for the boys and i!! seth and him spent a couple of afternoons on the double diamonds....taking some nasty spills, but otherwise coming away unscathed! boys will be boys! on saturday evening gid, mia, gabe and grady all wanted to go swimming so we headed out---what a mistake!! the pool was an outdoor pool covered by a greenhouse sort of tent! when you walked into the tent you couldn't see but about a foot in front of you because of all the steam!! i opted to stay on the side, while shawn and shannon braved the cold water with the kids...when it was time to leave, i ran outside and got the vehicle warmed up so we would return with 4 kids and not 4 icicles!! the kids had a great time, but the adults decided we would not be returning for another dip on sunday evening!! on sunday after the slopes closed we took some of the kids sledding! this was probably one of my favorite parts of our trip!! the runs were great for sledding and after being skiied on all day they made for some fast sledding! uncle seth took the first run "to make sure it was okay" and he went flying down the hill...so we opted to start the kids a little further down the hill! aunt manda took all three kids down the hill -- missing the bushes by the skin of our teeth...someone didn't have hold of the string, so she used her feet to finally get them steered...needless to say that was the last time i took them down the hill! uncle shawn was the master sledder making run after run!! the kids had a blast even when they had to trek back up the hill! while we were sledding, a fox came walking right across the path, obviously very used to people. i was able to get a few shots before he was scared into the trees by a snowmobile! we had a fantastic time with all of our family--we are very thankful everyone returned home in one piece--although perhaps a little sore!

Merry Christmas!!

We just wanted to take the time to wish you all a very Merry "Christ"mas!!! We are heading out in a few hours to break a leg...oh, I mean skiing!! We'll post some new pics when we get back!!

enough already!

enough already!!

ok, i now know i would not make it in a place where you would not see the bare ground for months--it has been a week today since we had our first snow storm. we currently have around 8 or 9 inches on the ground, and while the kids have been loving every minute of the snow--i am so tired of it!! after a week straight of the white stuff covering every inch of my yard, trees and bushes (that were alive & blooming about a week and half ago!), i have come to some conclusions on my feelings of snow! 1. i love falling snow as long as it melts within minutes of hitting the ground! 2. i don't mind snow not melting instantaneously as long as i am warm and cozy inside with no place to go, and the 2 children, 2 house guests, and husband are content being there as well, and 3. the minute we come inside from playing in the snow for the 5th time in a day, the snow would miraculously not melt all over the floor, the clothes would clean and dry themselves, and the floor would mop itself!! so, while i am feeling all bah humbug about the wonderful white stuff....i have to admit i did have a good time this morning sledding and stomping around in it! the boys tried out all of their snow gear for our ski trip with the fox family later this week! the boys kept flopping themselves down into the snow and coming back out with their faces covered with snow! they looked like the people that climb everest, when they finally make it to the summit! plus, we have a great sledding hill right in the front of our house....so we had to all take turns coming down at full speed! so even if i am checking the forecast hourly for the next glimpse of a clear and above freezing day, we all had a great time in the snow...even if when we came inside, the snow did not melt, the clothes did not clean themselves...and that floor is still waiting to be mopped!

snowflake lane!

snowflake lane!

last night we went down to bellevue for dinner and their live show called snowflake lane! we started with dinner at mccormick & schmicks--everything was delicious! after dinner, we grabbed some tully's hot cocoa--after all it was a balmy 17 degrees--and out to the sidewalk at bellevue square for the show. each night since december 1st, they have had a live musical performance including real toy soldiers, little drummer boys, snowflake princesses, reindeers and penguins! the characters danced along the sidewalks to christmas music, and would stop and hand every child a sucker and talk to all of them!! the drummer boys stood on little stages that were scattered along bellevue ave and played their drums to all of the christmas music. the boys got to play a tamborine and grady even showed one of the toy soldiers a move or two! although it was super cold, we had a great time...it was just the thing to put us in the christmas spirit!

christmas with mom and joe!

christmas with mom and joe!

yesterday, we celebrated christmas with my mom and joe. they came in just ahead of the snow on wednesday night! on thursday, both gabe and grady's school was cancelled so they talked joe into taking them out sledding again!! this time they were much braver and took the sled up a lot further on the hill. while they were busy trying to break bones, mom and i ran some errands...i had to get the holiday pinata filled for gabe's class just in case they had school today (which they did not!). so we ventured around mukilteo, with the other crazies out in the snowy, icy weather--fortunately we have four-wheel drive, so we looked a little less crazy than everyone else! we got home, rested up a little, made a boston creme pie (yum-o!), and then opened presents!! we were all spoiled....the boys got way too many toys--but that is what grandparents are for! after we opened presents, we dined on some beef stew and then the grand finale--the boston creme pie!! we finished up our evening playing a couple of the games the boys got for christmas---a great finish to our first christmas celebration!!!