Spring Break in Steamboat!

It's everyone's favorite vacation of the year.  Spring Break just brings a huge smile to my face!  For the past 3 years, we have gone to Steamboat, CO and we simply couldn't wait to get back there again.

Miss Cami put on her press-on nails and got her pillow pet out for the plane ride. 
She's such a great little traveler.

Two hours later, we were on the ground in Colorado!

Somehow we managed not to lose any of our 22 bags--we roll deep!

We stayed in the same complex, but in a different unit--this one was beautiful as well.

We got fitted for our skis and boots and then it was finally playtime!

Such a gorgeous day with my peeps.

There's something about running in the snow that just makes these kids so happy.

They made snowballs...

and did cool tricks...

and then made some s'mores.

"This is so good, mommy, but it just got all over me!"

Hooray for a fun week with my beautiful mama...

my hot husband...

my parents and this view! 

We couldn't wait to get on the slopes the next morning, 

but first, we had to go check out our favorite spot.  Slopeside did not disappoint!  Hot chocolate for the kids and cold beverages for the adults.  The perfect way to kick off our week.

Our vacation was off to a great start.  Sleep tight, little rascals.

Open House

 The day before school got out for Spring Break, it was Open House at Hunt.  The kids were so excited to be able to show off their work.

One of my favorites was this piece of artwork done by Lila. 
Check out her self-portrait right above her head!

Another one of my favorites was this group project on Theodore Roosevelt.  Lila used her best artisitic abilities and drew him for her group.  Pretty good!

The 5th grade put on a Wax Museum.  Each child had to memorize a speech and repeat it each time someone pressed their button.   Jackson did so well as Thomas Jefferson, and I couldn't quit giggling about his wig!

All the costumes were fantastic.  Such a neat way to learn about history.

Welcome to the World!

Baby Connor arrived on March 7th!  

Everyone was so thrilled to meet him only a few hours after he entered this world.

Jackson got to hold him first and did a great job!

Miss Lila was next and did equally as well.

Look at that precious baby!!

Finally, Jared and I got a turn.  Our very first nephew!

The baby of the Hays family, with his new baby.  I love it.

Sweet baby Connor went home a few days later in this precious outfit.
There's nothing quite like a brand new baby to rejuvenate your spirit.  God is so good.

Sky Ranch Church Retreat

A few weeks ago Lila and I had the chance for a mommy/daughter weekend at Sky Ranch with our church, so we took it!  We rode with Mandy and her daughters and just couldn't pass up a pit-stop at Buc-ee's.  

We grabbed cinnamon pecans and some fudge and were out the door again.  Next stop, Sky Ranch.

I've heard really great things about this place and it did not disappoint.  The first evening sunset was amazing.

We attended the worship rally after we got all settled in, then went on a scavenger hunt.

After that we went back to our cozy cabin and got ready for bed.  Lights out at 10:00...

so that we could be ready bright and early the next morning!

This whole day was jam-packed with activities.  The girls played on this nifty playground after breakfast...

then we headed to the morning worship rally.  Front Row Joes right here. 
We had free time for the next few hours...

so we jumped at the opportunity to canoe.   

Turns out, these girls are model passengers!

Next up, the super high-flying swing!

My little partner and I were ready to fly high over the lake.

We kept going higher and higher.  When we got around 25 feet in the air, I had to reach back and pull the rip cord.  Yeehaw!  What a rush!

The girls bounced on the giant pillow, 

and then we were all off to conquer the zipline.

When we got to the top of the tower, Mandy and I excited, but a little nervous.  She and her girls went first...

then it was our turn.

Let's do this, Lila.

Wow!!!  This was so awesome!  We were flying down the zipline at what felt like warp speed.  Such an adrenaline rush.  

 

My heart was still racing from the zipline, but Lila was all about tackling the next challenge.  Our next stop was the Vertical Playground.  First, she did the climbing wall and then she decided it was time to scale this telephone pole.  Say what?!

A few minutes later, my child was standing on top of this pole!  And then she jumped off!

She had the biggest smile on her face as she swung back down to the ground.  Fearless.

She and Finley did the last giant swing with ease.  

These two middle children impressed us so much.  No fear!

We spent the second half of the afternoon at the stables.  The girls went on a trail ride...

with some very calm horses.

Then they got to handpaint this big guy! 

Such a masterpiece!

Horse Tricks were the final event at the stables.

Lila loved "picking the flowers" upside down, 

and doing the "Texas T" as well.

A few hours later, the fun still wasn't over!  Time to take a wagon ride to the the Rodeo Arena.

Love these girls!

Western Night was in full swing.

The first event was for all the little girls to line up inside the arena.  Then, they let 5 calves loose that had scarves tied around their tails.  The girls who were able to pull the scarves off of the calves were the winners.  Cute idea, but these were not small calves.  They were about 5 feet tall and were bucking!  Oh, dear!

We ended the night with some s'mores... 

and calf roping lessons.

Something tells me that Lila may need a few more lessons before entering this event.

We had such a fabulous two days at Sky Ranch and stopped at Buc-cee's on our way home.  I can't wait for Lila and Jackson to go back for summer camp this year and be able to spend a week in this incredible sports-loving, Christian environment.