Texas Motor Speedway

Last year for my 30th birthday, my parents gave me a gift certificate. Day at the spa? Nope. Massage? Uh uh. 10 laps at Texas Motor Speedway? In a Nascar?! You got it.

Since it was about to expire, we decided it was time to head out to the track. All three kids and Gigi went to witness this event.

After I checked in we all had a little tailgate. Did I mention how big my new trunk is in the minivan? Good grief, it could have held two more crazy kids.

Right before the first group of drivers took off the leader of the class came up to Jackson and asked him if he would like to drive the four wheeler to push off the first car.

How cool is that?!

I was totally expecting Jackson not to even answer this man, but as soon as he heard there was a four wheeler involved in the proposition, he got this big ol' grin on his face and nodded yes.

Here I am in all my glory in my nascar outfit.

The helmet really helps to complete the look!

A few things about this pic. First, notice the enormously steep slide in the background? Well, apparantly Madison got scared at the top and kept hollering for Gigi. So what did my mom do? Climb up and then climb back down? Nope. She climbed up and then slid down with both kiddos! Now that's a cool Gigi. Second, sweet Miss Lila actually fell asleep about 20 minutes before my race. Yes, you read that right. She fell asleep inside the racetrack. Now that's tired.

I was so very scared at this moment. No time like the present, though, so I hopped on in my #29 Shell racecar.

And off we went! It was about 10 minutes of pure adrenaline pumping through my veins. Wow! I have an all new respect for the real Nascar drivers, that's for sure!

Slopes of Steamboat

Here are a few more pics from our super-fun trip to Colorado.

All five of us skied together one day. Boom got some great video of both kids skiing with their harnesses attached to us--maybe sometime I will figure out how to upload video!

The last day we decided to go to the top of the mountain with everyone for one big family photo. Jared and I skied down with the kids and mom and dad met us at the base with Lila.

By the time we rangled both kids and dealt with all of their issues concerning ski boots and goggles and blew their noses for about the one hundredth time, Lila fell asleep. Sweet girl slept the whole ride on the gondola.

These two goofballs were not sleepy at all and thoroughly enjoyed the ride up and down the mountain. Jackson did say that one of his two favorite things about our trip was riding the lifts. I must agree--it is pretty cool, although I love it mostly for the amazing views.

We made it to the top! My dad taught the kids to say, "I have been to the mountain top!" and they did over and over and over. Lila woke up, too, so we got lots of great pictures. While the girl was taking this pic my dad snuck over and got my camera and began clicking away. Totally not supposed to do that, but I'm so glad he did! What a crew. Doesn't Lila remind you of Cousin Eddie in Christmas Vacation with that hat on?! Cracks me up. Thanks, Gigi and Boom for a fantastic trip. We all had a wonderful time and created memories that will last forever.

Steamboat

Our third day in Steamboat began wonderfully. We all had a good night's sleep and then got to wake up to an amazing view of the mountain. Little Lila was all smiles!

In the morning we took the big kids skiing and in the afternoon it was time for some more sledding.

Jackson and I zoomed down the mountain a time or two...

and so did Maddie and Jared. Apparantly those strings are supposed to help you guide this apparatus, but I never quite figured them out.

All that playing in the snow can tucker a girl out. It was 6:00 and Madison sat still for about 3 seconds. Since she'd decided to forgo her nap earlier that day, it was all over and she literlly could not hold her eyes open one more second. Jackson was jumping on the bed trying to rouse her, but had no luck. The girl was tired!

After dinner, this goose decided to do the dishes. Gotta love their outfits. These two lived in their long underwear. They were so filthy by the time we left! Jackson also loved wearing Gigi's ski boots around the condo. Now that I think about it, their feet are almost the same size! She only wears a 5!

The next day my parents went skiing together. Although I didn't get to ski with my mom I heard she did great. I am so proud of both of them for being such active grandparents--Gigi and Boom, y'all rock!

After skiing some with Jackson we all needed a break. The two guys hung out on the balcony and enjoyed listening to some live music. That harness is a great invention, but let me tell ya, wedging all the way down the mountain is so hard on your legs! Mine are just now recovering.

That evening we all went out for dinner. I realize that Jackson's attire may look a bit strange. Yes, he is wearing ski boots and is also sporting an ear/head warmer (for ladies) around his stomach. It looked like a cumberbund, and no, I did not let him wear it out of the condo.

We got all bundled up and hopped on the shuttle to go to dinner. This sweet girl fell right asleep. Can't say I blame her. Gigi's coat is so snuggly.

Ski Trip, Day 2

Day two of our winter vacation began by us five getting ready and heading over to ski school for Jackson and Madison.

We all had high hopes for the kids--hopes that they would enjoy being on the mountain, enjoy learning to ski and develop a love for the sport.

But mostly, we just hoped that they would have FUN!

Since Madison was too young to go to ski school, we signed them up for a private lesson. After getting fitted with their helmets and picking out some cool skis (SpongeBob for J and Dora for M), these two were ready to hit the slopes.

Mr. Matt, aka Shawn White, was their instructor. Before we turned them loose on him, we went over the rules. When I asked the kids to recite them for me, Maddie said, "No fighting, no crying, no whining...and if Jackson hits me, you will put him in timeout!" Think the girl has heard that before? Matt got a kick out of them and then off they went to the baby bunny slope.

First rattle out of the box, they both skied all the way down! Maddie went first and patiently waited on Jackson to ski down to her. Then they rode up to the top again on the magic carpet, which they loved.

They both did so good!

Look at this little ski cat!

Madison was completely fearless and did so good, too.

Just look at Pinkalicious go!

Jared, Boom and I watched from this ledge for about half and hour and made sure they were having fun.

Two and a half hours later we all met back there and picked up the kids. They were tired, sweaty, hungry and ready to go in, but they had had a blast.

Pinkalicious and Boom waited nicely for our shuttle bus to come pick us up.

After lunch and a nap, Jackson wanted to go back out, so us three headed for the slopes once more. Jackson loved the ski lifts and did so good getting on and off them every time.

After doing the bunny slope a few more times, we decided to try our luck at a bigger green run.

Jackson asked that I hold his harness for this expedition and we did really good, for the most part.

Seriously, it is so pretty up on the mountain. I just had to snap the boys while we were resting.

We all needed to rest because we bit off a little more than we could chew. This part of the "green" run was not so green. It was definitely more toward turquoise to light blue, and Jackson had a little trouble. After trying to ski him down with the harness and us both falling a few times, I just decided it would be much simpler to hold him under the arms! So off we went and zoomed all the way back down to our condo:) Ski Day #2 was a big success!

Trip to Steamboat, Day One

Last Wednesday our family embarked on our first winter vacation. We went to Steamboat Springs, Colorado and just had to best time. Our adventure began with a plane ride from DFW to Hayden, CO. The big kids were so excited about this and Miss Lila was game for anything.

After playing with her toys, eating some snacks and then playing with the seat in front of us,

all the kids fell asleep. Too bad it was literally three minutes before we landed!

Jackson kept asking over and over when we were going to land. Guess all that excitement just wore him out.

After taking a shuttle to our condo, these two maniacs were in full effect. They love the snow!

The adults enjoyed a nice glass of wine, courtesy of the condominium staff, and had a toast out on the balcony. We were right on the slopes and the view was amazing.

Jackson was so into his Mighty Machines dvd (thanks, Memaw!) that he just propped himself up and watched it. This would have been just fine, but we were in Colorado for goodness sakes! As soon as I could, I bundled the kids up and remedied the situation.

We all got our ski clothes on...

got out the sled that we'd found in the closet...

and headed up the little hill outside of our condo.

We wanted to get the most bang for our buck, so we climbed way on up there.

First up, Maddie. She and I slid down the hill and both hollered a bit! Then it was Jackson's turn, so I slid down with him, too. After a few rounds of taking turns, they wanted all three of us to go down the hill! I must say it was a bit hard to steer the sled--probably due to the fact that I am a novice sledder--and it got a little harder with one more of us on there. No prob, though! We just flew down the hill and into a big pile of snow. There were smiles all around.

While we were sledding, Lila was watching with Gigi from the balcony. She chose to wear her fur coat! Love it.

Right after the last time down the hill we trapsed back up to our room and got these two munchins in the bath.

After bathtime they both enjoyed being in the miniature robes that were provided by the resort. Jackson was pretty chilly, but Madison loved being pampered! So fun! They slept in a room by themselves for the first time and did great. After a good night's sleep they were ready to hit the slopes. Stay tuned for Day 2!

Steamboat 2011

Steamboat 2011! Oh my, what a fabulous trip!

There are many more pics to come. Here's a sneak peak, though, of us five up on the mountain.