V-Day Mountain Getaway

It seems as if we've started a family tradition for Presidents' Day weekend in heading to the mountains with dad, Andy, and Kenz for some snowy fun.  This year we changed it up and rented a cabin in Grand Lake to enjoy the blustery cold, but they were loaded with a nordic center, which included snowshoeing trails, a tubing hill, and lots of people!  The "nordic center" is a golf course they convert in the summer - using the driving range for the tubing and the clubhouse for food and a warming station.  Genius!  The cabin was in the middle of town, just across from an ice rink and some cute shops, which kept us occupied, along with countless games of Yahtzee!

Out exploring the frozen lake amidst the wind!

Making our own pizzas for dinner!

The next morning we headed out to check out the nordic center.  They had a great little hill and free tubes to use.  It was cold and snowy, but fun nonetheless.

Warming up in the clubhouse with some hot cocoa

There's just something nice about being "stuck" inside a cabin in the mountains in the snow and enjoying family for a few days.  Until next year......

Super Bowl Champs

Our family has always bled orange and blue, from Brooklynn's first newborn Broncos outfit to now.  The entire state of Colorado supports the Broncos, and it's always a fun atmosphere come football season.  The playoff run was fun, and we never expected they'd be Super Bowl Champs, but what an experience!  So we had to pack up the family and make sure to watch the Super Bowl right - with lots of other friends and fans.  

These girls are ready to go!

We got this Broncos!

We had a blast and even better was watching the Broncos smother the Panthers.  The entire city was ecstatic and we were grateful to be able to share it with the kids.  I still have faint memories of the Broncos going to the Super Bowl in 1987 (when I was only 7) and of course  the big wins in '98 and '99.  It's always a special time here in Denver.

I urged Steve to go to the parade and take the girls (and yes, even pull them out of school, which I never do).  I knew it'd be an experience they'd never forget and (hopefully) make them lifelong fans.

The girls had a blast watching the rally and the parade!  

In the madness of a million people they were able to find Brett and Cenee!

Our Sweet Boo Boo

Ever since Brooklynn heard about kids donating hair for wigs to help kids with cancer she wanted to do it.  She set the goal of cutting her hair on the 100th day of 2nd grade (not sure why she chose that day, but it stuck).  So when the day come there was no apprehension.  Of course I had no qualms since brushing through her mop became a daily challenge filled with tears, yelling, and an attitude fit for a teenager.

In the end she cut about 11 inches and her perma-smile was the cutest thing ever!  She was so proud of herself and looked great afterward!  

The donation

 Could she get any cuter?

We mailed the hair and even received a nice certificate, which may be her proudest accomplishment yet.  This girl is going to do great things!

Rodeo Queen

I guess we can officially now call it an annual tradition checking out the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo.  The girls were excited to go yet again and see the animals and experience the rodeo.  It was funny how vividly they remembered each of the past rodeos and were really looking forward to the lady barrel racers.

During the rodeo Chandler leaned over and said to me, "I will never let my husband be in the rodeo.  It's too dangerous."  Glad she's already eliminating possible suitors......

 She finally got to pet a horse this time!

They had a lil' kids rodeo for Bubba to participate in, and she was pretty excited she was the only one able to do it.  That doesn't happen too often!  With her hat on and number pinned she was ready to go!

 Opening ceremonies on the stick ponies

 Even a ribbon for a fantastic finish!

 And then this happened at the rodeo.  This cowgirl is spent!

Resolution Time

It's that time of year where the gyms are packed (I remember waiting in line one day in January a few years back just for a treadmill), and we're all wanting to better ourselves.  Although I'm not much of a fan of the resolutions (I usually don't keep them along with the rest of the world...just look at the gym on a March day), I decided to make a few this year to better myself!  I thought I'd share, because then I'd be holding myself a little more accountable, right?

1.  More Plants less Meat!

This one I'd been debating over for a few years now.  Of course it always seemed more like a threat, and I think it freaked out Steve and the kids a little.  The decision came after I realized I was centering our meals around the "meat", and just adding a quick veggie to the side.  I was in a mundane routine of rotating meats and throwing in a veggie to make it healthy.  I wanted to add some variety to our meals and in the form of veggies!  So far so good (with a few cheats here and there), and we're still eating fish for all its wonderful healthy qualities, so Steve is content.



2.  Mix it up and Get Strong

For years I have been routinely going to the gym, running 3 miles, lifting some measly weights, and going home.  I haven't been sore.  I haven't been strained.  I haven't been pushing myself.  So I've started a fit Crossfit class that has been kicking my ass!  It's somewhat of a mix of crossfit but less strength-focused and more cardio-focused.  I absolutely love it!  After my first class I couldn't walk for almost a week but since then it's been bearable.  My goal is not necessarily to lose weight (which is a nice pressure-reliever) but to get stronger and push myself physically.  I was always in competitive sports and I miss that aspect of working out.  This class pushes me to my limits and I get to socialize too!

And there they are!  As moms we focus so much of our time into our kids and families that it's easy to lose the identity of who we are and make our goals outside of the mom/wife role.  Time to get it done and work on me!

Enjoying Thompson Time

The girls are always ecstatic when the Thompsons are here, and we were lucky enough to get a few extra days with just Carrie and Callen this time.  The cousin fun started at the WOW museum to kick off our Christmas Break.

 And we had to attempt the homemade gingerbread house.  Making the gingerbread was no easy feat.  I think we may stick to the boxed ones next time.

 After Christmas we ventured out to Hammond's Candy Factory for a tour.  Turns out it was a popular outing for lots of families, but at least most of the candy was on sale to satisfy our sweet tooth,

 As good as it gets with an active 2 year-old in a candy shop

 One day Carrie and Josh took the girls out for donuts, jumping, and lunch.  They absolutely loved it, and Steve and I got some gym time in.

 Jumping at Big Time (with an extra kiddo they picked up)

 Poor Callen is going to have a rough time when he's older with all these pictures of him dressed up with the girlies.  They love their human doll.

Christmas Time!

The day the girls look forward to every year was finally here, and it came and went just as fast as ever.  Our 3 days of gifts, food, and fun was one of our best yet!  The madness began Christmas Eve at the Wesling home with a nice meal, followed by loads of gifts!

This is a girl ready to get down to business!

 The girls with their matching aprons - ready to cook but no kitchen.....yet.

 Callen just as giddy as can be - is it a poopa in his pants or a candy cane he just ate?

 The girls with their mug they made for Magra

 Papa even got his own too!

Christmas morning was low-key with just us 5, but the girls were excited to see what Santa left, especially in their stockings.  It's always such a delight to watch their excitement as they open gifts, but this year they really enjoyed watching each other open gifts.  It's amazing to me that they don't just tear into them like wild beasts!

The girls looking for the hidden pickle.  Who will get the extra present?

 They decided they'd all open the pickle gift - such sweethearts!

We finished up gifts and had a nice breakfast before rushing into the bathtub and heading over to Grandma Betsy's and John's for dinner.  The girls found out they will ALL have a sleepover and see Mary Poppins in January.  Whoa!

Cousins!

Our last celebration commenced the day after with dad, Andy, and Kenz at our house.  The girls whipped up a fancy Easy-Bake cake for us all to enjoy!

 Papa reading clues for the treasure hunt to find their last gift!  A kitchen!  Finally!

 We finished the evening with dessert - a rock-hard pink cake that was enjoyed mostly by Kenz!

Although it's almost a little relieving when the madness ends, it's also a little depressing, because they look forward to Christmas more and more each year!  Christmas with kiddos never gets less exciting, only more rewarding!