a good monday.

I smiled a lot today. when I walked past new furniture arrangements. when I embarked on new projects. when dinner turned out delish. when I was riding my bike with my children in 73 degree weather. when I had great conversations with neighbors and with my husband. when senny read to me. when beckham took the book and did it too. when coop told me about his success at chess club. when seneca chose to paint her music homework rather than use crayons. when I had two sleeping children in the back of my quiet car. when D told me he wanted brownie trifle for his birthday dessert. when beckham said he was so smart at school now because he was four. when I made a reservation for a hot date with my lover for saturday night. when I laid with bex and he said he wanted me to sleep with him all night. when he told me I could kiss him tomorrow. when I found sea shells in senny's bed. when Coop laughed out loud at the BFG. when my house was quiet for the night. it's a good, good life.

Saturday in my head.

Someday my children will appreciate Saturday mornings.  Right now 6:30 is sleeping in.  Crazy people. 

Having Beckham crawl in bed with me in the morning is like what I imagine it to be like when one is on drugs.  I can’t get enough and it makes me so happy.

Laundry really never ends.

Grocery shopping alone feels productive.

Beckham’s face is the the most delicious thing in the world.

Having Dad sick on a Saturday is like a wasted Saturday. Major bummer.

Seneca can not talk quietly.  I truly believe that she thinks everything she has to say is so dang important, that it needs to be loud.  She is animated- her eyes, her whole face, her hands… they all talk when she has something to say. 

Cooper is going through a phase.  At least that’s what I tell myself.  He has long stretches of the day when he is super silly, and it is contagious.  It is fun to see them all happy together, but when it’s bedtime, it’s bedtime and it needs to stop.  We’re working on that part.  At least he saves it for home.  I tell myself that’s a good thing too.

We saw some Native dancing last night and my kids loved it.  They were enthralled with the drums, the fast footwork and the costumes.  It was fun to see them totally engaged in that cultural activity.  It is nice that they are old enough that it doesn’t stress me out to do stuff like that with them.  We went to eat the night before, just the 4 of us, and it was the same way- they are old enough to handle themselves and be fun.  I need to soak that up before there is another little body to think about. 

There was dog talk around here a while ago.  I stopped it in its tracks.  But it’s back on my mind.  Is it time??  That was rhetorical.  Do not answer if you do not have something positive to say. 

my wednesday nights. post-edit

Tonight I watched Coop’s practice for the first half hour then moved down the field to watch these two.  Cooper is doing great and thankfully has a fun friend in his Wednesday night practice group.  My entertainment started when I moved to watch this duo.  They are in the same practice group on Wednesdays and will probably be on the same team as well, for convenience sake.  How am I supposed to be at three different games and practices?!  The last part of practice the coach had them scrimmage.  There were probably 10-12 kids, Senny and Bex were on the same side.  Senny was on fire and kept hauling down the field and scoring.  I was proud, but quiet as she did enough celebrating for both of us.  She would throw her hands up in the air and jump around and yell, “a score!  a score!”  Beckham would cheer for her, but I don’t think the rest of her team even knew what was happening.  The really amusing/ embarrassing part was when she would yell, “I have four goals!”  and then shake her little bottom in a happy dance.  Show-off.  We talked later about how it’s great to score, and you can be happy about it, but you don’t have to yell how many you have- it might make the other kids feel bad.  She finished the night with five, and was the only one on her team to score.  The other team got two in, one by mistake.  Beckham wasn’t as aggressive, but eventually wanted to get in there enough he began roaring at the opposing players.  I was trying not to laugh and reprimand at the same time and eventually decided to keep my mouth shut and let the coach handle it.  Perhaps he thinks he’s intimidating with a loud, “RRRroooaaarrrr!”  This should be an interesting soccer season, no?

I forgot something.  There was a dad watching on the sidelines tonight, not to far from me who had impressive, thick, brown dreads and a long bushy beard.  When Senny ran off the field for a drink, she pointed and said loudly, “that guy looks…”  I stopped her and quietly said, “Senny,  be nice.”  She looked at me with a look that said, ‘I’m not being mean, I’m just saying…’ and proceeded to tell me that he looked like “the guy from Harry Potter.”  It was totally true, and totally loud.  And his wife was right behind me.  Awesome.  I apologized and said that I hope he wasn’t easily offended, we were just the honest four-year-old type.  ‘Cause, apparently, we are.

good news.

we’re full of it around here. 

first, these two lovies and getting hitched!!  I’m so excited I can hardly stand it and my kids keep talking about “the wedding,” and all the fun it will be.  we love Dan the Man and therefore were happy to pay him a visit when his team came to play at ASU last week. 

we ate pizza and cheered on CU and left our favorite new guy some of his favorite treats for the flight home. 

and for more good news,  this cute boy is in the one-minute club!  he was able to go though all his music flashcards in 57 seconds naming all of the notes in both the treble and bass clefs as well as symbols for flat, sharp and natural.  we were at over two minutes a week ago, so his smile is the result of seeing his hard work all week pay off at music class. 

and this morning on the way to school, he throws out there… “oh, mom.  I’m on student council.  my class voted and I won.”  what?  you’re in first grade?  that’s what my head said.  from what I understand everyone who was interested in being a classroom representative was voted on in class and one boy and one girl were chosen.  He and his good friend Ryan were the elected.  This made me happy because while this school change has been the absolute right move academically, I have wondered about Coop’s social life.  Some of the kids in his class are weird.  Just being honest.  There are nice ones, too, but he hasn’t really clicked with any one or ones enough to have great friends that extend out of school.  I was glad to hear that people like him and have his teacher say that while he knows he’s at school to work and he takes it seriously, he has loosened up and has a good time in class.  Way to go, Coop!

FOUR

Beckham had been waiting for his birthday for a LONG time.  There were always way too many days left until the big day.

In anticipation, we had a lot of time to talk about what he wanted to do for his birthday.  Roller skating was the answer and try as I might to sway him toward other options, this one stuck.  for good.  for a month. 

so skating, it was.

we took the whole fam-damily and invited Elsie to join us.

thank you Heaven for skate mates.  my back couldn’t do two hours holding kids up.

friends over for cake and ice cream later and he was one happy four-year-old. 

I keep telling him that it’s ok if he still wants to be three, but he never takes me up on it.  he’s the cutest four-year-old boy I know and gives the very best kisses around.  Man, I love this kid but he’s getting way too big, way too fast.

eat. it’s what I do several times a day.

First, Thank You.  Wow.  Between this blog and facebook, I have had an overwhelming amount of love and support come at me and am incredible grateful for dear friends, family and your awfully kind words.  It is not quite the adventure I was planning on this summer, but will be an adventure of a different sort, one I’ll embrace gladly.  I may need your help, however, because I’m pretty sure my mother refuses to step foot in this state in July… I may need to send my kids to you.  That’s ok, right?!

Second, this one is different from the last two times I carried babies inside me.  I never felt quite this crummy with the boys- perhaps Heaven is mixing it up a little or perhaps I’m just trying to take care of three littles this time when I didn’t have quite the responsibility load before.  Thankfully, I think the worst is over, although tired is still here and demands to be heard.  And hunger.  Goodness, it’s amazing that I can feel famished after eating less than three hours ago.  This baby has gone through phases as to what he or she prefers. 

there was a bagel and cream cheese stretch- toasted and slathered with veggie variety, at least once a day.  glad that ended, it probably wasn’t so healthy, but man, when I wanted it, I wanted it.

then there are the apples.  honey crisp accompanied by peanut butter.  slice and dip.  and bless Denten’s heart, sometimes I need them right before bed, so he endures the crunching while we are on the couch.  but if I’m having cheese (english cheddar with carmelized onions) and wheat crackers, I need granny smiths.  the tart with the cheese and the crunch- mmm it’s good.  cheese can be found at TJ’s and F&E.  it’s very specific, I know.

there was the fish taco week.  I needed them.  finally got my hands on them and had them two nights in a row and for a few lunches after that.  I’m positive that Baja in Cali would taste much better, but for some reason, I just needed them. 

I also needed tomato sandwiches for lunch several days in a row, which is so weird because I despise tomatoes on their own.

and now for the repulsive?  occasionally I need mac and cheese.  not kind-of-healthy homemade kind, but the kraft variety straight from the blue box.  it’s not often, but once in a while it sounds better than anything else.  I know, it’s gross.  my kids see it in our house and wonder if the world is ending ‘cause mom does not buy that stuff.  however, they think it’s awesome and fully support my occasion lapses in judgment.

ice cream does not do it for me, neither do baked goods, which is alarmingly strange.  it’s like I need real food, in abundance. 

this week it has been breakfast burritos, although they are not limited to breakfast time.  a tortilla, cheese, a couple slices of turkey, a scrambled egg and a little salsa, all wrapped up, totally does the trick.  although it might be coming to an end and I don’t know what is next. 

any suggestions??

clearing the air.

Alright, already.  Let’s get a few things out in the open, shall we?  Some of you “in the know” have been patient and some not so much. Remember I told you a few posts ago that this year was going to be one of transitions for us here Robinsons?

Have you read this blog lately and thought to yourself, “man, she is one lazy girl!”  If so, I take no offense and fully admit to such.  There just happens to be good reason.   

I happen to have a little baby growing in my tummy. 

You may respond to this here screen with a “wait.  WHAT?”  or a, “I knew it!”  Both of which would be common responses thus far.  The thing is, it threw me, as in surprised the socks right off of me.  And if you thought I was taken, you should have seen my husband’s face.  It was a very slow, “Whhaaaatttt?” followed by a mix of complete disbelief and pure shock.

So here’s the thing.  I knew there would be another baby in this family.  Knew it, no doubt, have a storage closet full of properly labeled bins of baby, toddler and children’s clothes to prove that I knew something was coming sometime.  I did not, however, know that it would come through my own body.  Knew it was possible, but not really so possible, you know what I mean?  Therefore I had pretty much written off the idea of ever being pregnant again- had come to terms with the fact that I most likely wouldn’t feel a baby move inside me again in this life, which is the very very best part about pregnancy, in my opinion.  I had also gladly written off the changes my body is going through, the stretching, the uncomfortable, the pushing out in unattractive places, the emotional mess I become at the time of delivery.  I mean tell me how great it was when sweet little Seneca showed up and I instantly had this perfect little baby to hold all day long and yet my body didn’t change one little bit?!  That was not to be the plan this time. 

I have hesitated in sharing this and I’m not sure why.  I am thrilled and excited and grateful and in awe that Heavenly Father can create something so perfect that needs to be out of something that simply shouldn’t allow it to be so.  Maybe I liked that it was just my little secret for a while.  Maybe keeping it quiet kept it real.  I’ll be honest and say that I have had moments where my eyes fill with tears thinking of a few select of you who want this so badly and while I know your miracle will come, the fact that you’re waiting patiently and prayerfully makes my heart break.  Because I’ve been there, I promise I have.

My mom said, “people won’t get it.”  Denten agreed and I think they are referring to people who just hear we’re having a baby and are happy for us.  They won’t get that this wasn’t supposed to happen- except that it clearly was.  So here’s a bit of history, for you, or more so for this little bean who will someday want to understand why we think he or she is another complete miracle delivered to our family.

Coop was an IVF baby.  Stage IV endometriosis deemed getting pregnant on our own impossible, so we worked with RMA in NY and got Coop here.  In reality it was a lot more complicated than that, but the important part is that we figured out the issue, found a solution and thought we were in the clear.  Three more cycles of in vitro followed after Cooper- one in Phoenix, one in Utah and one in NY- all unsuccessful.  The last one was a complete mystery.  It was textbook perfect and no one, the docs and lab included, had any inkling as to what might have gone wrong.  After the fact, it became clear to me that I would not be completely open to the idea of adoption until we had tried all other alternatives.  I don’t know why I needed to go through it all first, but after the last attempt, I was open and ready.  It wasn’t a month later that the process was started and five months later that we had our daughter in our home.  If IVF would have been successful, we wouldn’t have pursued adoption and we wouldn’t have Seneca- and Heaven knew we needed Seneca.  It was all part of the plan.

We got Senny home and two weeks later learned I was pregnant.  By our own devices- after multiple failed attempts with fancy drugs, needles and lab work Heavenly Father said, now that you have Seneca, I’m happy to answer those prayers you’ve been sending up here.. here’s another one!  And Beckham was born eight months later.  Five months following that, I was pregnant again.  I know, what are the chances.  And yes, Denten was dying.  Three kids in under a year?!  Uh, no.  Turns out it was too good to be true.  The endometriosis had interfered and the pregnancy only got as far as my fallopian tube.  In order to remove the pregnancy, my tube was lost as well.  We left that experience with the knowledge that my endo was worse and that I had one tube.  Chances of conceiving? I asked the dr.  Not happening, she said. 

And yet here we are.  Not sure why we needed four years to get here yet, but I’m sure that mystery will be answered in time as all of them have.  I have learned, over and over, that He has a plan for our family.  Just when I think I have it figured out, He gently reminds me that He’s in charge and keeps me guessing.  I knew I needed to be patient and it would all unfold as it should, but in the moment being patient is sooooo hard. 

So, yes, this was unexpected.  Except that I expected something.    Not this, necessarily, but I believe that this little spirit needed to get here, to our family, and despite my imperfect and flawed body, He helped get this little one on their way.  Divine intervention?  There is no doubt. So I’m taking good care of this little bean.  That means I take naps and eat often and walk around here overwhelmed with gratitude.  My kids are learning patience because who should have to wait until summer to meet this new baby they are so excited is coming?!  But summer it is, so settle in, and be prepared for new reading material, because I’ve been holding back. 

today we went to the park.  the littles went to tumbling while Coop and I returned library books and took care of business at the gym.  we had lunch with dad at home and then everyone played baseball in the backyard for an hour and a half.  the kids went to a birthday party this afternoon while dad worked on the pool.  we had a throw-together dinner, read stories and scriptures and tucked everyone in.

I love these crazies. 

moments

Last night just before 11 p.m. (which is past my typical bedtime) I went to check on my kids before heading to bed.  I walked into each room, which had been thoroughly cleaned earlier in the day… picked up, vacuumed, dusted, closets organized and sheets changed… and kissed sweet little cheeks that had been freshly showered before they were tucked into bed.  I smelled clean sheets and clean hair and looked at peaceful faces and was so grateful that I had healthy, happy, sleeping children.  Then I walked down the hall and climbed into my own clean sheets with their super hot (see below) dad and again felt so grateful that it was under these circumstances that I was going to bed.

This morning I was getting ready in my bathroom while Seneca, who is my early riser, pretended to put on make-up and tried on every pair of dress shoes in my closet.  She wanted pink cheeks and practiced with eye shadow.  She chose several possible ensembles for me to wear to church complete with green peep-toe shoes.  She is quite adept at walking in high heels.  Then she climbed onto the counter so I could curl her hair for church and sat still while we chatted.  After we were both beautiful, we headed to the kitchen for breakfast and to see if any boys were awake yet.  Those are the moments that will be gone all too soon, I’m sure.  The ones where, in her eyes, I am amazing and beautiful when in fact I look at her and see those very same qualities that will only continue to magnify. 

in sacrament meeting I had two little heads vying for my lap and while “we don’t lay down at church,” I don’t mind tickling those little soft cheeks and squeezing little bodies that someday won't let me do it for a whole hour at a time.  I kept sending math problems down the row to Cooper who kept knocking them out of the park.  Don’t judge… we do music and math during sacrament meeting- keeps him reverent and engaged.  Eventually the two littles drifted back to the Norberg’s pew and I slid over next to my husband who held my hand until it was time for primary. 

There are a lot of things that could stress me out right now but they are not the things I want to remember.  I want to remember Coop pelting me with pillows after my nap today and Beckham wanting to do airplane, “one more time.”  I want to remember this feeling of safety and security and contentment that fills my home and the laughter that fills these faces that I love so stinkin’ much.  And the fact that I get to kiss them all the time, ‘cause that might be the best part.

And, the mister is making fry bread to go with dinner.  Ya-Um. 

 

2012 is a year of transitions for our family.  The first one came straightaway on January 1 when this handsome guy transitioned from associate to partner at the Rothstein Law Firm.  While the title is official and the work hasn’t changed much, the compensation plan is in the transition phase and will hopefully be complete in a few months.  D has worked unbelievable hours considering we do not live in New York and he has built great relationships with his clients.  The firm has been very gracious and complimentary and were eager to have him make this change.  I am grateful that he does something he is passionate about and that he finds satisfaction in.  I am grateful he is willing to work hard both to improve the lives of his clients and for his family.  Congrats, Babe.  I’m proud of you!

1/3? I'll take it.

this morning I took a nap on the couch while Beckham laid by me and watched a show. I was happy. He was happy. He liked me. I had a little guilt but I think it went away as I fell asleep.

this afternoon I had Coop finish the last homework assignment for the week. He's been putting it off all week and you would have thought I was the meanest mom on the planet. He had to write about what he has learned about the Civil Rights Movement. He can tell me about it every day, but when it comes to writing, oh boy, look out. The tears, the whining, the pleading, it was downright pathetic. It took way longer than it needed to, but it got done. He didn't like me very much.

Seneca asked for juice today and I said, "not right now." I do not feel guilty about that. It was the right answer. She had a meltdown of epic proportions. She visited her room where there was wailing and gnashing of teeth and flailing limbs. The yard guys outside probably thought that room held a torture chamber. Once this girl accelerates, the coming down process is long and slow and requires patience I usually have to dig deep for. She didn't like me very much.

All was forgiven once said incidents passed. And they liked me again by dinner. We had meatballs and they were a hit with everyone. I kept thinking they weren't going to leave enough for dad.

So riddle me this... I had two kids crying under my actions today and yet the only time I felt guilt was with the one kid who liked me all day. hm. go figure.

what was the best part of your day?

At dinner I usually ask everyone what the best part of school was today. tonight Cooper first said computer lab. It was a treat that they got to go to computers today because it was a short day and usually that is eliminated on short days. Then he said math. He is loving math right now and it is fun to him find success and satisfaction. Seneca had a snow day at school today. There was a igloo in her classroom with pretend icicles. There was a walrus, a snowy dolphin, an arctic hare, a whale that had white and black spots and a lot of bears. The walrus is camouflage when it is white. The owl can see the arctic hare very well and scoops it up. This was said with dramatic hand actions. Beckham had fun making his snowman at school this week. They are learning about sequence in stories and such and had to use their knowledge to put together a snowman in sequential order. He is not satisfied about where the nose on his snowman is placed but still enjoyed the activity.

I have decided that all mothers should come with either a maid or a personal assistant. I would have been happy with either one today. After we got our homework and music done today we all started at one end of the house together and walked through each room picking things up and returning them to where they belong. It was quick and everyone participated. Floors still need to be done, but I can handle that now that everything is picked up. I wouldn't have minded an assistant today to handle phone calls, bills, submissions, shipping errands and necessary but not fun emails. I don't mind those tasks when there isn't anything else to do, but when is that ever the case? Anyway, they are done.

Both kids got new puppet shows in music this week. They got their puppets ready today and have been practicing.. I am being summoned. Over and out.

we survived this marathon day quite well. almost. we moved from one thing to another all day and thankfully had helpful people cross our paths at every turn. heaven bless people who watch kids and are willing to carpool. we have fun new things to look forward to in music this semester with both cooper and seneca. senny is more focused on her reading it is fun to see her excited about it. beckham is especially focused on his upcoming birthday and wonders every day why it's not here yet. at one point today I had six kids, two bikes, two scooters and four light sabers in my car. I am grateful Heavenly Father gave me the energy and attitude to deal with that situation in a positive way. bookclub tonight- it was a good book and these are good friends. please bless Dent gets home in time. do you think I need to put on real pants again? grateful for days that go smoothly- I suppose it helps to visit with Heaven before it all begins, whadda you know... He listens and delivers!

yesterday was rough. like, rough. like sent my family to church without me, got there and couldn't wait for sacrament meeting to be over so I could stop crying. ugh. I felt empty and the day wasn't half over. luckily it got better. made it through primary (did you pray for me? someone did, I felt it). laid on my bed attempting sleep but it never happened. pork tenderloin recipe was a good one, but it was still pink in the middle. ick. FHE saved the day- Coop taught the lesson, Seneca sang to us and Bex and Dad chose candyland.

something Coop ate didn't sit well with him and therefore I sat with him for 2 hours last night while his system got rid of whatever it was. poor kid. so grateful he knows how to listen to his body and makes it to the toilet every time. also so grateful it was over quickly and he is back to himself today. he went to school late, but went nonetheless. I also noticed last night (early this morning?) that I was grateful for our oils which made the experience shorter than it would have been and not quite as painful. also felt grateful for my bathrobe. it's soft and fluffy and goes on quickly as I'm racing down the hall at 1:30 a.m.

today was better. I remembered to take my wallet to the grocery store (yes, brilliant, I know). Beckham went to tumbling without fighting it. it helped there was a doughnut on the line. I had a great conference with Coop's teacher. funny story there to come. paninis for dinner- pull whatever you want out of the fridge and I'll put it on a sandwich for you! luckily there were great options. my dad came up with a brilliant idea to solve a problem I've been trying to work out for a while.

tomorrow is crazy, one thing after another all day.. let's hope we all sleep tonight!

ramblings

I had a nap today. and I have a fairly clean house. I don't have a husband yet, but he'll show up sometime, he always does. I finished my book while my kids played at the park, this weather is awesome. We stopped at the store to get five things, scanned them and then realized my wallet was at home on the desk. bummer.

D stopped at the sophx house today to meet a few people to clean it up. The pool pump is broken, that is wonderful. If you'd like to know the honest truth, I wouldn't mind if someone took a match to that house, but I suppose I shouldn't wish such things. As I try to find things to be grateful for in that particular situation, it always comes down to the fact that I'm grateful it isn't worse, because it could be. Hard to believe sometimes, but it could be.

I am reading the BFG with Coop at bedtime, it is fun to hear him laugh at the Giant's funny phrases, I have to remind him to be quiet so we don't have other little bodies awake.

I think I have been fighting my calling since I got it and while I tell myself to embrace it, that idea has not been internalized yet. I need to spend a little more time and energy in that arena, but there is resistance. Being honest, remember?

Laundry is done. I need the laundry fairy to come fold it. I don't have it in me tonight.

You know what I could use tonight? Fish tacos. Oh, they sound so good. I need to quit thinking about it. soft corn tortillas, thick, fried white fish, a little yummy white sauce and shredded cabbage or slaw-- ahhh, why isn't there a fish taco delivery station around the corner?!

I am tired. My-eyes-sting tired. My-back-hurts tired. Floors were vacuumed, kids clothes were organized and the too-smalls put away. Dutch is sparkling in and out and Trader Joe's was hit at a maddening hour. If you looked at my house now, you wouldn't know it looked fantastic earlier today. It looks like three monkeys had a ball together and then their mama was too tired to supervise clean-up and just wanted them in bed. Good thing Saturday is a special day, the day we do it all again! And dad is working tomorrow... major bummer. But I'm happy. I'm healthy, as is the rest of my house. I have enough money to pay the bills that are due immediately. I have food in my house and a great bed to climb into tonight. And I won't be lonely tomorrow- not everyone can say that. I'll count it as a blessing.

the good kind.

Today has been one of those days.  Not those days, the good kind.  The kind where laundry actually gets folded and put away, the kind where the not-fun-but-essential phone calls get taken care of.  After school learning time consisted of the little ones doing matching and pattern games while Coop worked on a puzzle of the United States.  I put pasta sauce together then we all went out to enjoy 80 degrees in January.  We took a long walk (me) and bike ride (them) and enjoyed short sleeves and gorgeous weather.  When we got home I laid on the couch for an hour intending to pick up my book but my eyes just closed.  I listened to matchbox cars racing around makeshift tracks and little imaginations lost in their own world.  I was approached occasionally to fix the star wars ship or get sleeping beauty’s thumb through her sleeve, but mostly I just laid there and listened, drifting in and out of consciousness.  and smelling yummy sauce brewing.  There may have been the occasional whiney voice, but it didn’t last and the little brother made a good decision to not step on the big brother’s puzzle again.  But mostly it was wonderful and I was grateful.  Grateful that I have these kids and that I like them.  Grateful they like each other and can play together without the tv or the wii or any electronic distractions.  Dinner will be delicious, my nose tells me so, then we’ll read new books and head to bed and I just may find my book until D walks in around 8:30.  There are things I could ask for, but if I’m being real, I’ve got it pretty good. 

Have I told you yet that this is going to be an amazing year?  it is.  I promise. 

Christmas break 2011

We ventured up to the cold country to ski.  Well, that was the excuse, anyway.  Mostly I went to lounge, which I accomplished famously, much better than anyone accomplished skiing.  Brundage didn’t even open until Friday and considering it rained from the moment we arrived until we drove away, we’ll call that day a wash.  Except the kids skiied, and liked it, so not a complete wash.  Saturday was better, the sun even made an appearance.  Of course I was avoiding letting my children see me when they were in lessons and then when I was with them I had more than my hands full getting us all down the hill in one piece, so forgive the lack of ski photos.  Instead enjoy these… while waiting for the snow to fall we went sledding, and tubing, and ice skating, and Wade and Dent even braved the hot springs with all the kids.  We watched movies and played games and read and laughed ourselves silly.  We ate delicious food (I could use some quiche right about now.  and a cinnamon roll.  and some shrimp.  and a few scones…) and enjoyed long walks with dad.  I basically surrendered my children over to the McCall house and only parented when it was absolutely necessary.  I took one pair of real pants and wore them once.  It was lounging at it’s finest.  On New Year’s Eve the kids went outside at 8:00 and yelled “Happy New Year!!” to the world then were tucked right into bed.  Dad did the same, minus the yelling.  Katelyn made it until 11:45.  My family is fantastic and hilarious and a little bit crazy.  Never once in 12 days did I wish to be anywhere else.

It was delightful, as usual.

look at these faces..  they are perfectly miserable, can’t you tell?