They are crafty

When they send him home with the art fundraiser stickers and this is what he does with them.  Kinda love it.

Sunday was a rainy day and after church we came home and played escape the room.  In case you are wondering, should you need to escape the room with a Leadbetter - choose Shane!

Than I actually had help form the boys to create this beauty!

Success!

The final day

Ski Sundown held on PAST St. Patty's day!!  Impressive!!  The final day was on Sunday and while Chris was traveling and shane buddied up with Austin, we left the spring chores aside and opted for one last ride down the mountain.

They has a pond skimming contest that we must missed as there was a hole in the tarp.    Bummer -  but some pretty good looking bumps on Gunbarrel.

Of course if there is a hole in the tarp, we should climb in it right?  He was wearing his good idea jeans.  He actually came out with a rubber ducky - I am not lying.  I can't make this stuff up.  I just opted not to take a photo.

Bye Bye Big Jim - Hello Ladies....

 Well, it is time - Big Jim is REALLY feeling his voice and using it PLENTY.  Chris is not a fan and while most neighbors say they like it, he thinks they are just humoring me.  Yes, it would get old.  So here we go.

All was quite until....

https://youtu.be/vH7ddbPKh5U

Yes, that one was around 5:30AM

More glamour shots for Big Jim

It was a BEAUTIFUL sunny day and after a trip to the vet and a bath for Nora its time to Take Big Jim to Hard Rain Farm in Burlington.  My mom, Nick and Shane went with me while Drew skied with Jack at Sundown.

I will NEVER forget how sweetly we carried him vs. when the farm owner picked him up.  Most likely the 'right way' but it was odd for us.    Here he is around 20 some off ladies - the look on their faces says FRESH MEAT - come and get it ladies!

We traded for 4 of his ladies to come home with us.  Again, the farm owner carries them by their legs which totally weirds out the kids - These ladies just got bummed to the Ritz!

My Birthday!

Celebrated in style with 6inches of wet snow and a snow day - the ironic awesome part is while the kids had the day off.  I got to go to work.  I will admit to kinda enjoying that aspect.  Loved my view as i pulled away that Monday morning.

The day itself was hectic as our Monday's often are - After work the rush to pump, the car to swim team and Krista covering down on whoever was remaining.  I was thankful for this sweet gift from Barbara and my Colordoku partner - sure and some champagne too.

I got completely spoiled the following night in a way that only parents can spoil their daughter.  Plates heaping with chicken paprikas and thoughtful family and friend gifts

Though it may not replace the pearl I lost I love the thought it carries.

Yes, there really is a pearl in there!

Just the Cuddles maize and this guy were looking for.

Now THAT was a birthday!

Birthday Ski weekend in Killington

Not to be completely quintessential - as if I know exactly what that means.  But these are really the weekends that dreams are made of.  

We have a BEAUTIFUL VRBO in Ludlow where the owner is actually in an apartment in the basement.  

The view is amazing (and the driveway is STEEP - the mini van made it on the second try when I wasn't in the car)

Most importantly the friends for everyone there was just fulfilling.

Love the warm welcome after a cold snowy drive of chilly in the crockpot and a fire in the fireplace.

Kids were playing a bit out by the VRBO while parents orchestrated the exit to the slopes.

Saturday morning and here we come - 'The Beast of the East"

We parked at a lift further away from the main stuff in an effort to avoid the Saturday crowds.

There was still some waiting time involved - but Asa had some work arounds.

You boys ready??

The mom crew

Adorable couple photo

#posers

I have NEVER skied with some many YOUNG GOOD skiers - there literally AMAZED me as they tackled mogul fields, glades, and steeps with confidence and control.  I never thought I would see the day and kept having flash backs of carrying them, shuttling them. etc...  I kept saying - we have finally made it!

The first official ride to the top

Looks like someone is READY!!  Lets do this!

Always, the views

These guys suckered us with the waffle cabin - most genius business model ever.

One minor hiccup Saturday night as Drew ran a fever and was exhausted.  We all seemed to witness him falling asleep at the table.  never happens.  I tucked him into bed early tell him his body needs to fight it off.  He slept like a trooper and rocked day too with a sore throat.  ON the up and up, no one else was affected later!!  We played a GREAT game of categories with EVERYONE too.  That and Cake gypsy Cupcakes rom Chris - Perfect birthday weekend in my book!

This photo is hysterical of their Sarah.  Look closely to see the green frosting all over the mouth and hand.  Cupcakes can be MESSY

But this makes me think of the rock stars our kids are - since we HATE wasting food, we packed up the scrambled eggs (Mark makes the BEST scrambled eggs) and Chris's delicious egg frittata and enjoyed that for lunch.  Sure there were cupcakes after, but the kids gobbled the left overs and made my heart sing!

Pretty awesome group of kiddos right there.

Heres to another successful adventure parents!  Now lets get home before the snow hits in CT - ironically VT wasn't expected to get too much so lets go home and enjoy it there.

Judging by those adorable skinny legs we need to by him 4 more bags of those chips - every day!  Best outfit ever Drew!

This was one of those weekends where you heart and soul just feel full.  Thankful for the great people in our lives that make weekends like this truly wonderful.

Sweet things

Beautiful snow fall and Nick asks to go cross country skiing with me - could I love him more.  well, the boots didn't fit right to the skis, we broke a different set, had to go back for something else and I finally just walked while he skied.  Total bust  - but we literally made the best of it the best we could

And I made it to work and watched it snow from there.  A rare Presidents Day at work for me!

Chris on the mountain at ski sundown for the boys - bet you wish you had photos of that instead =)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSrJDpAttvw

I love my sister!

I love when my sister comes to town and we get to do cool stuff like this.  Here is our carpet ball tournament.  Jackson was COMPLETELY BEAMING as he beat Goomba not once, but TWICE.

Maddy is getting some technique from the man shane dog!

That following day it snowed beautifully and my sister took ALL the kiddos to OUR old sledding haunts - My mom called the neighbors to make sure it was still o.k. to send a posse there way.

Most enjoyable way to take in some sledding.  Well played Stacie!

This on the other hand is a little scary - 5 kids, 1 adult, countless sleds and gear.

Up the sledding anti to Simsbury Farms.  This will REALLY wear them out.

Beautiful day and soaked in exactly how it should be

Kudos to my mom and sister for making this such a beautiful snowy day for all.  From wet tired kids, to full bellies and sleepy monsters.  They really tackled it with such beauty!