Goodbye 2010... Hello 2011!

We finished another year without too many scars from it.  For that I can be very grateful.  We still have all our same jobs, same home, same number of children... all the important things that can at any moment be taken away.  I know that we have had trials and hard things but, we managed to get through those things and are able to look back at them and still think that 2010 was great!  I hope that 2011 is the same.  I am so grateful that I have the knowledge that no matter what comes my way I can trust in the Lord to help me get through anything.  I love my family so much and they make each day amazing.  

Happy New Year 2011

Brock, Kaden, Chase and Branson

Brylee, Hayden and Belle

Let's Celebrate!

Happy New Year!!!  We actually stayed up until midnight... well, not everyone but most of us.  2010 was a great year and I have high hopes that 2011 will be just as great!

Sledding in the SEVERE Cold!

Belle and Chase

Chase

Blake... Wipeout!

Going back for more.

So beautiful!

I loved the snow.  It was so beautiful but way too cold.  I tried to take more pictures of the kids sledding but my camera was acting crazy.  I did take some from Grandma's camera but I still need to get them.  All the kids had a blast sledding down the hills with the sleds that Grandpa and Grandma got them for Christmas.  

We Know How to Have Fun!

Sheri, Elizabeth, Grandma, Mom and Julz

Grandpa (not a robber) and Chase

Happy Birthday Sam! - You're an adult now!

Gotta love Scott!.. He had just told a funny story to the kids but what makes this picture so funny are his pants!  (He had pulled his ski pants down but still had shorts on.)

I love these 3!

Look closely at this cookie.  Grandma brought these sugar cookies and she had done some creative decorating.  (Actually, if you know my mom you know this would NEVER be something she would do intentionally.  I'm pretty sure that some of the decorations just fell off in-transit.)

However, it was funny to tease her about her new decorating skills.

Enjoying time playing games and talking.

Movie time!

Brock, Scott, Beau, Sheri and Belle

Lauren, Ella and Sam

Brylee, Grandma, Grandpa, Belle, Scott

Mom, Chase, Kaden

Brinlee, Conner, Lauren, Hayden, Spencer and Beau

Emily, Chase, Kaden, Spencer, Sam

Beau and Brock

We spent a lot of time laughing and having a great time.  This was a great way to spend the last days of 2010!

Cabin Comfort

What is better than spending time with your sister and cousin watching Annie?

Or, playing an intense game of Mario Kart...

...with your brother?

What about watching movies and playing dolls with your awesome boy cousin?

Or, just enjoying the day with two more cousins and eating LOTS of cheetos?

Hmmm..... all these things are pretty amazing and made for such a comfortable and warm and loving time at the cabin with all our family!

More Snow

Lauren did venture outside.... once.  After the failed episode of putting all the gear on.  I did do one last quick "throw on the gear and run outside."  She liked it for about 2 minutes.

I even ventured outside for a minute or two.

She really liked to be pulled around on the sled.

And she enjoyed making snow angels.

I love my baby girl... just like her mama... she likes to be warm.

I do like the snow and to play in it but, under these frigid conditions- 3 degrees- I do not.

Branson, Chase, Tatum, Hayden, Blake and Belle

Getting the car ready to go sledding.

Brylee, Chase, Scott, Kaden, Belle and Steven

We stayed at the cabins for 4 days and enjoyed every minute of it.  It was so fun to sit in the cabin and eat treats, make food, watch movies, play, talk, tell jokes and funny stories and just enjoy being away from the pressures of the world.  We were in our own little bubble up there.  Luckily for Sheri and I (we shared a cabin) also know as the "Party Cabin" I never even had to leave my warm and cozy abode.  The kids had a great time and so did the adults.  It was another memorable trip together!

Crazy Snow Fun

Hayden got all geared up for the blizzard conditions.

These 3 enjoyed the indoors a little more... or maybe their mother's did?

When they weren't playing in the snow this little gadget took up a lot of their time.

Love these 4 kids!

The snow was crazy.  It was really beautiful watching it fall and the kids didn't seem to mind the freezing conditions.

Lauren even got all suited up... once.  We got all this gear on her and didn't even make it out the door before she wanted it all off.

Blake loved it.

Steven, Blake, Brock, Sam, Titan and Spencer

This was the best snow jacket.  In past years when we have gone to the snow the kids don't even want this jacket because they get too hot!  Not this year... it was FREEZING!

Blake and Hayden

Really... some people live in these conditions.  Could you imagine if I had to scrape this off my car each day just to take kids to school?  No way- I would have to have a garage for sure.

This picture cracks me up.  It was so cold and the snow was coming down like crazy.

We left on Dec. 29th to go to Lazy Oaks cabins.  We had a great drive and we were so glad we left when we did.  The conditions changed so rapidly in a matter of hours.  When we first got to the cabins we could still see some brown on the ground.  Chase tried to make a snow angel and just got muddy.  Within hours we could not see the ground and we were sinking in the snow.  Over the next few days it snowed so much!  It was beautiful to watch but, for me, too cold.  The kids did not seem to mind too much.  They were cold but luckily us moms kept the heaters going and the hot chocolate on tap.