Sickness and Sleds . . . .

Just getting Hailey better and off to school found me not feeling very well for most of the week and then I got a call from the school on Thursday that Tyler had gone to the nurse about a head that "hurt like crazy" and turned out he also had a fever. This was sad because there had been an invitation to go up to the Baker's cabin. I believe it was in part so Kurt could help Rob fix a snow blower but you can't just go up to the mountains to work . . .


But, I think when you are up in the mountains they just call to you - "come play"! I noticed out of all the pictures that Tanya had taken (and kindly passed on to me) there were only a few of the working and a lot of the playing!!! But how can you resist!

Oh, there is also other benefits to being in the mountains . . .

Kids also trying to feed the deer . . .

The next group of shots are wonderful! Looking at these magnificent animals I always have a hard time imagining how a hunter could shoot them. Unless you were starving and had no options, but still . . .

Mom, can I keep him!

Okay - now past all the sentimental, cutsie animal pics that tug at your heartstrings and evoke feelings of peace, calm and serenity let's get to the real reason for going to the cabin!

Hailey, Hayden, Gloria and Zach besting the large snow balls!

See what happens when Mom isn't around! As far as I knew Hailey didn't have a driver's license!

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure Hayden doesn't either!

Playing in the snow can be soooo exhausting!

Needless to say - Tyler and I missed out on what looks like a grand adventure full of beautiful mountains, gorgeous wildlife and lawbreaking snowmobile driving!!! I am not sure though how much we did miss since the kids were covered with bruises from sledding and the groaning that is going on with all three of them of how stiff they are! Whimps. Next time Ty and I will have to go and show them how to play!

Homework, Homework, Homework !

I love watching the kids do their homework! Well, I don't watch a lot, I end up helping a lot but that's okay. All the kids are doing very well in school and I love to see them learn. I think with Ty's age it is exciting because they go from not being able to spell to being able to read in such a short time. They are such little sponges!
How come I never got to use markers for writing homework when I was a kid?



I have to say also that at Hayden's age it is exciting too because they are learning so many interesting things! All of the stuff that is around Hayden in this picture are things that he is using for different parts of his homework! I know! Teachers went a little overboard here!

And here, last but not least is Hailey doing her homework . . . wait, I see her bag . . . where is Hailey?????

Oh yeah, that's right! She skipped out on her homework for an evening of night skiing/snowboarding with her church kids class! She didn't get home until pretty late but we didn't have to worry about her not getting enough sleep for school tomorrow because she never went. When she got home she had a sore throat, fever and chills! So much for the homework!

I believe she had a good time! But, boy does she look exhausted! Can you get sick of having fun? Hailey says "no" but I'm not so sure . . . isn't fever proof?

Lazy, Snowy Saturday Afternoon . . .

"Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!"

Since it is snowing pretty good outside and it is also windy and gray all of us seem to be touched with a lazy feeling. No one is pushing themselves to really do anything. Even I have cut it back to only 4 loads of laundry, one sink of dishes, only cleaning the family room once, hanging up the snowpants . . . I don't think I really understand the meaning of lazy, but, I think I will check out my family and see how it's done!

Ahh - the Wii! Hours of lazy-time fun!

Watching someone play the Wii - Also lazy-time fun! (I am supposed to let you know that Hayden DID go outside for a little while and play football with a friend . . . he didn't want to be labeled as lazy)! I just must have caught him at a down moment.

Ty really has it down, he didn't bother waking up until almost 11 a.m.!!!!! Hey, where is that lazy mom who is supposed to help him with his hair?

Well, could playing piano really be considered lazy???? Well, if you did it in your pajama pants I would think so!!!!!

Well, things did get a little constructive here. Hailey has been practicing a piece called "conquistador" It is really quite pretty. She is supposed to be in some kind of festival in February and she will be judged on how she plays. Kurt overheard and decided to come in and tinker along with her on his guitar. After that they were mixing it in a traditional sound and then a rock sound. Being dreamers we also started talking about maybe them doing a classical/rock duet at a school concert in the future. But of course, Kurt being in the sound business, he started throwing in all these production/stage ideas (then things got a little out of hand . . . we were at theatre performance level when I left the room)!

Hayden plans on taking up the Cello this summer. Hailey keeps talking about a family band. I am sure with Tyler's energy he would be perfect on the drums. That leaves me being the nerd with the triangle! Or maybe the tambourine. . . Someone will just have to teach me rhythm. Yeah, it's that bad. Oh wait - I could turn the sheet music, pack around the instruments and get them their drinks and snacks! Is there such a thing as a "roadie-mom"?

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Hot Chocolate Anyone?

Some people have their coffee, some people crave their tea but for me . . . Hot Chocolate! I actually find reasons to drink the stuff.

In the summer when most people are driving around and drinking soda pop, ice water or coffee, be it a frappe', froppe', frippe' (whatever those things are) there I am with my steamin' cup o' hot chocolate! Last night was no different.

Heading home from an evening Bible class with my sister and part of her family we couldn't help thinking with all those big, beautiful, white puffy flakes drifting all over, that hot chocolate sure would taste great right now! Especially with a nice fire going in the fireplace and some wonderful conversation. Oh, and I did add popcorn to the mix. How complete is that! The only thing missing was Kurt and the kids! (they are out of town visiting family - if you know me you know why I was here instead of there . . . someday!)




I took the rare opportunity to force Chris to take a picture with me. Doesn't hot chocolate just make people happy!



Well, here are two of Chris's girls patiently awaiting their hot chocolate . . . Emma seems quite happy (see, it's that hot chocolate thing) and Kelsey is too engulfed in a book to notice her crazy Aunt stalking around with a camera. They are going to have to get used to this because this is who I am now!

Whoever knew that hot chocolate could be such an interesting topic! Just look at us examining our beverages. You see, wine people aren't the only ones who care about "bouquet, clarity and nuances"! And who needs a fancy cork? Try taking a good long whiff of that plastic lid . . . Mmmm, mmmm, What bouquet!

I am afraid to ask what Johnny is looking at.

Here is Kimmy showing the absolute joy one has when partaking of smooth, creamy and incredibly delicious, yes, . . . Hot Chocolate!

After the hot chocolate "high" I think Johnny was missing his cousin, Hayden. Of course the need to play a video game was mentioned but, sorry, they had to go. Still had a long drive left with the snow still coming down.

I tried to take a picture of the snow coming down outside because it really was beautiful but I am not a pro with the camera (yet)and it was too dark. The pictures didn't really turn out.

It was a perfect end to a beautiful evening! Hot Chocolate anyone?

Absolutely Gorgeous!

All I can say about yesterday is that it was gorgeous! We had been having yucky weather for about two days, windy, snowy, some rain, gray skies - the works! But the sun just burst out in the sky and it was just beautiful out. No wind, fairly warm and irresistible!

I decided that the driveway needed to be shoveled before the next storm and the boys decided that the snow really needed to be played in! (sorry, no Hailey, she had spent the night at a friends house).

I had to force the boys to sit together for this shot!



Hayden decided that he wanted to make a fort out of snow by using our recycling bin for the bricks. This was a great idea but a heavy task! Once one of those things was packed with snow it was quite heavy. It would take the two of us to turn it over!

You can see the fort slowly taking shape. If you look closely you'll notice "ice shards" that were placed on top for that "extra protection" that every fortress must have. Maybe for when the dragons swoop down they will get hurt on the ice and fly away without destroying it!

If you have ever hung out with Tyler when you are in the snow you will notice one thing . . . to him, snow is food! He spends about 90% of his time eating it, not playing! Then the shocker is that when you finally go inside he doesn't always ask for hot chocolate like most kids, he kindly pleads for a popsicle! This here is the "large mouth" technique. I believe it is to make sure we can see how tasty it is!

As you look at this picture you may think that poor Tyler has fallen down in the snow. Nope. Snow eating technique #2, "The Lay and Lick"! This one seemed to be the most favorite of the two yesterday. He would just lay on the ground for long periods of time and just graze away. It was quite entertaining.

Here he is taking a break and calling out to friends across the street. No doubt probably trying to get some feeling back into his face!

Hayden was very determined with this construction project of his! He even created special little caves in the back of his fortress to store snowballs! He also wanted to put a tunnel in it but since it was only two bricks high I didn't think it would hold together. But it will be great protection in the time of battle!

He's at it again! Technique #2! As you look closely you can actually see his "grazing" areas! This was too funny. I should have took more pics of it but, of course I didn't! I am new at this and am sure it will get better!

Don't you just love snow?! Bring it on!