Steamboat 2016 - Here we come!

We have been planning this trip for 6 months and last Saturday the big day had finally arrived! 

Somehow we got our 8 bags checked, made it through security without losing anyone and were at our gate with time to spare.  So far, so good!

Cameron was so happy to finally be on the airplane.   She buckled up, put on her headphones and watched a little Mickey Mouse to pass the time.  Before we knew it, we were on the runway in Colorado.

As we were walking off the plane, she kept shouting, "we made it!"
Yes we did.  Everyone was smiling from ear to ear.

American Airlines promptly delivered all of our luggage and we found our shuttle bus.  About 10 minutes into the ride, this chica was out like a light.

A little while later we were at the entrance to our home for the week--Hello Edgemont!
Oh how we have missed you.

This time we got the big four bedroom condo, which meant the kids had this awesome room all to themselves.  It had two bunk beds, plus toys, a big TV and an Xbox.  Wow!

Maddie claimed the top bunk and Lila took the bottom.  Bunk beds = happy kids.

After we set down our luggage, we went to check out the view from our balcony.

Not too shabby!

Then we went down to let the kids play in the snow.

I'm so thankful for this time I get to spend with my family.  Making memories for sure.
Love this lady!

There was a big concert going on at the base of the mountain.  We could hear it perfectly and still had all the room we wanted.  Perfect!

First family pic of the trip.  After four tries, we finally got it:)

The first few looked something like this.  Miss Thang has a mind of her own!

We sat down by the fire and just started to soak it all in.

Ski trip with this guy = one happy girl!

"I throw snow on my head, mom!"

So happy to be here for Spring Break.

We didn't waste any time and got right to making some good s'mores.

Yum!

This view.  My kids with their Gigi.  Making s'mores.  My heart was so full.

Add a little hot chocolate to the mix and we were living right.

Me and my favorite 9 year old.  

Pretty soon the sun began to set.  Magnificent.

It was a beautiful beginning to our trip.  

We ended the night with dinner at Slopeside and Cameron made a new friend.  This kid loves dogs so much and this was the sweetest animal.  Stay tuned for our first day on the slopes!

Fun Friday!

Few things are better than Friday afternoons spent outdoors.  Today it's sunny and 70 degrees.  Perfection.

My girl and I took a break from packing and headed out to the trampoline.

We did tricks, played Ring around the Rosie, sang all sorts of silly songs and just had the BEST time.

Wacky hair! 

Cameron loved soaring like an airplane, too.  It inspired us to lay on our backs and look for airplanes.  We listened to all the outdoor sounds, including lots of chirping birds, and ended up seeing five planes.  Every time ,she'd ask where it was going and then tell me that we needed to get on that plane and go to Colorado.  Smart girl!  Soon enough.  

Get outside today!  It does a body good.   

Open House

It was Open House at all Plano ISD schools last night.  Who ever thought it was a good plan to do this a day before Spring Break, I have no idea.  Don't they know that lots of parents are drowning in laundry while still trying to shuttle kids to and from activities?  Sheesh! 

 

But alas, the oldest three were SO excited and proud to show off all of their hard work.

 

 

Lila showed me her research project on an insect, lots of art work, her favorite computer game and other projects that were hanging around the room.  I am very proud of my super-star student!  We just had a conference with her teacher this week and she said Lila is one of the smartest in the class, along with being a very good helper to other students and her teacher.  Proud parent moment for sure.

I enjoyed seeing all of her work, but I was so impressed with this painting of a city skyline.

Jackson's portfolio was just as impressive.  He had a pizza project, this art project, made a book and plenty of other things.  He is excelling in school and his teacher made a point to come tell me again how wonderful it has been having him in class this year.  She said he's as smart as a whip and a great leader.  Can you feel my big smile?

 

I have no doubt that this little one will follow in her brother and sister's footsteps!   I bet she'll be just as smart, but probably with a little more sass.  She is such a hoot!

Little Ski Bunny?

As we were packing for our ski trip this morning, this little one tried on a few things. 

Fleece?  Check.  Toboggan?  Check.

Then she said, "I go ski, too!"  Oh my.  Something tells me that this little girl is NOT going to be content watching Jackson, Madison and Lila take off down the mountain.  I'm pretty sure she is going to insist that she gets to do it, too.  Stay tuned!

Fury Baseball with a side of Bumblebee Soccer

After a 3 1/2 month off season, it was time for these boys to take the field again.  On Saturday, the first baseball tournament of the season was upon us. 

These boys were ready to rock and roll in their new camo jerseys.  There was excitement and lots of anticipation in the air.  The teams they were up against were all legitimate AAA ones, and one was even a Majors team. 

Even their coaches were a little nervous, but ready to see how our boys would do.  We lost three boys last season and gained one, but we are so much more fundamentally sound now.

Jackson was up first as the starting pitcher.  He got the first batter to pop it up, had to run 15 feet and then dive for it, but he caught it!  It was a fun way to start the game.  He struck out the next two batters--even better!  We were off to a great start.

Jackson batted third in the lineup and we already had Ian on base.  He hit it hard towards third base, got thrown out, but Ian advanced to third.  Go #7!

Meanwhile, the Bees were playing against the Little Leopards, which meant Lila got to play against her friend Chloe.  So fun!

I heard my baby girl played hard--go Lila!

The Bees just couldn't quite hang with the older team and lost 3-2, but Coach Dad said they played well.  As soon as the game was over, he loaded Lila and Cami in the truck and drove out to meet us at baseball.



While it is always good to see my fam, I really did enjoy my time with Angie, Tammy and all the other baseball moms.  I actually had real conversations!!  The fam got there to see Jackson pitch the end of the second inning and The Fury won 7-0!  The second game didn't go as well, but we all left feeling good about the day. 

The next morning the boys were at it again.

I'm pretty sure these new jerseys could fit all of the dads.

Or at least the moms!  It goes down to his knees, for goodness sakes.

This time Gigi, Boom and Maddie were with us.  They were excited when we heard that Jackson was the starting pitcher again.

Such a great group of boys--Elliott, Jackson, Gavin and Brock.

Let's go Fury!

On the way to the game, Daddy and J had to buy some new baseball cleats.  His were a size and a half too small!  No wonder his feet were bulging out of them.  Now our 9 year old wears a size 6!

He started off the game really well, striking out batters and throwing really well.

He got in a jam in the second inning.  No runs had scored, but the bases were loaded with two outs.  He was having a tough time finding the strike zone.  Never fear, though, he held steady and didn't cave under pressure.  Then he struck out the batter!   Whew!

Ian got on base the next inning and Jackson got a hit to move him to third.  Coach Justin told Jackson to try and steal second, which he knew wouldn't work.  Sure enough, they threw him out, but that meant they took their eyes off of Ian, who was rounding third.  He stole home and we were up 1-0!  The next inning, the Rangers stole home, making it a tie game. 

It was still tied after an hour and a half.  Can you tell these two were over it?  We had to go into a Texas Shootout, which means the bases are loaded with one out.  The Rangers were up first and got 2 runs.  It was our turn after that, and we just couldn't make anything happen.  No tournament win this weekend, but they played really well. 

Lila and Maddie were just happy that they finally got to go ice skating!  We were right next door to an indoor rink, and they were dying to check it out.  Boom had offered to stay with them, so he and Gigi got their skates while we went to Fuzzy's Tacos with the team. A win for all!

The View

The end of basketball season was such a let down.  I got tired of seeing J's face all sad and upset.  He was frustrated, and rightfully so.  Thank goodness that's over!

This huge smile is a much better view!  The Cowboys had their first game of the season earlier this week, and came out swinging.  They beat the Dragons 70 - 0.  Wow!  It was an impressive display on both sides of the ball.  This kid even caught two interceptions and returned them both for touchdowns!  He also threw at least 4 or 5 touchdowns, and caught one from Brock, as well.  Quarterback, receiver, or safety--this kid can do it all!

We are so lucky that he got on a team with two very dedicated coaches.  They have a very extensive playbook that he prides himself on having memorized.

 

 

 

We also struck big in the good athlete category.  These boys are awesome!

 

So while Jared was at a data center conference in San Fran this week, and had this amazing view of the bay...(yes, that's the Golden Gate Bridge!)

 

I'll take this view any day of the week.  Watching my oldest play one of his favorite sports...

and seeing the joy on my youngest child's face as she learns how to swing "like a big girl."

She said, "I swinging mom!  This is fun!"

  

Ok, ok, so maybe I could be persuaded to take in this view for a few days. 
I don't think I'd turn it down!