Our Steamboat Visit

Swimming at the hot springs in Steamboat.






Cousins showing off tongues after eating fun dips.

Last week we went to Steamboat Springs, Colorado to visit Katie’s family. We left directly have school Wednesday afternoon, which was surprising since I started packing about 2 hours prior to departing. It was a long drive with lost of bathroom stops but we finally arrived about 10:45pm and of course sat up late visiting.

The house was pretty full with our family of 5 and dog and their family of 3 plus to dogs. I think the 3 dogs took up more room than the families. It seemed like there were dogs and our stuff everywhere. The kids had so much fun and they didn’t care about our crowded quarters.

Thursday morning we had a late start (although not as late as I would have liked). I forgot to pack our swimsuits so we visited Wal-Mart while Katie delivered Girl Scout Cookies and I bought the family suits so we could go to the hot springs. I stayed in the car with Audrey while she slept so just Randy and the 3 kids swam. When Audrey woke up I joined Katie in the lobby and started snapping pictures. Sarah put her head under water, which she was very proud of and Zach, Mariah and Randy took turns going down the water slide (I think Zach had the most turns). It was funny to see the steam rising from the pool and know they were swimming in warmer water and it was 20 degrees outside. The lifeguards were all bundled in coats so I’m not sue what they do if they have to “save” someone. After swimming we hooked Mariah up with skis for the next day and then took the kids bowling. The kids all loved bowling and had begged to go all day.

Friday morning we were up early to get Sarah and Mariah to their ski lessons. Of course there was drama as we got them bundled, skis on, and gloves on (which Mariah didn’t want to wear). After Randy deposited them at the class Zachary and Randy enjoyed the slopes. When Katie and I came to pick up the girls at 3:00pm they had had so much fun. Mariah went with Randy and Zachary up the lift for her first time and down a slope. Sarah continued going up the magic carpet and down her little hill, she was sooooo tired and cried at the drop of a hat but kept going down the hill until they closed up at 4:00pm.

Mariah had a previous commitment to go on a snowmobile ride with a mentor/friend. Randy took Sarah to another ski lesson while Zachary and him went skiing. Mariah joined them mid day. Randy let Zachary go on a blue hill all by himself because Mariah still needed to stay on green. At some point Randy got separated from Mariah and Katie and I were called because Mariah was lost and then after Zachary finished his blue hill all by himself he couldn’t find Randy. Zachary went into a store to ask to borrow their phone so he could call his dad, they asked him if he was lost and he said no he just couldn’t find his dad. The store called Ski Patrol and that’s where Randy picked him up. Zachary got a candy bar and a cute Steamboat pin and was never even upset. Mariah was bummed that she didn’t go to ski patrol so she could have a free candy bar. As part of Sarah’s lesson she went up the lift twice and then a third time with Randy after her lesson. Yay Sarah!!

Sunday we went to church with Katie and Mariah. Katie has never been to her ward in the many years that they have lived there so they all thought she was visiting with us. I made sure to stress that we were the visitors and she was a member of their ward. Church was very touching for me and I enjoyed all the talks and lessons, all from converts. After church we prepared to go home so it was sad day for the kids. The drive home was long and I am still unpacking. We had so much fun visiting Katie that Randy and the kids want to go back in a week or two.

Potty Training

The Doodle is finally starting to potty train. She loves to sit on the big potty with the lid down and pretend to potty and use all our toilet paper. Everytime I try to get her to sit on the potty with the lid up she freaks out. So finally yesterday I found our little potty and brought it upstairs. For the first half of the day she didn't want anything to do with it. Finally last night I got her to sit on the potty while I was on the potty and after she sat there for about 10 minutes she went potty. She was so excited and we did high fives, the only thing I failed to do was the "Pee Pee Dance" so I'm sure we will get to that another time. She didn't want to get off the potty, I guess she thinks you are supposed to stay on the toilet forever.

Today while we've been home she has been sitting on her potty. She carries it to the hallway and into the living room. I finally found an pull up from when S was littler and put that on her since she wouldn't let me put her diaper on. Whenever the Doodle goes potty she takes all her clothes off, for whatever reason she thinks she needs to be completely naked.


The poor dog.

Pack Meeting

Tonight Z had Pack Meeting with a western theme. Of course the kids had fun running through the gym chasing each other, eating lots of food and drinking homemade rootbeer. Z was awarded his Bear tonight. He has been working so hard at earning his badge and beads and loves cub scouts.

Skiing Saturday

Yesterday R went skiing with Z. Z has had a few lessons but it has been awhile. He was so excited to go that he even gave up 2 soccer games to hit the slopes early in the morning. They skiied from about 9:00am until about 6:00pm. I can't believe that Z survived that long, it was so cold. Anyway he said he loved it and had a ton of fun. Next weekend we are going to see my sister in Steamboat Springs Colorado and Z is excited to ski again. S and her cousin will both take skiing lessons so S can't wait for the visit either

While they skiied the girls and drove to Heber City to visit Patty and see Oliver. It was nice of Patty to let us invade her house for the day. Oliver is so cute and tiny.

Happy Valentine's Day

We don't generally do very much for Valentine's day but last night I did make arrangements for a babysitter. I couldn't find a local play that wasn't sold out so I started checking out movies we might enjoy but couldn't find any that I really wanted to see. So I thought dinner would be good; no kids and yummy food. When I asked R where he wanted to go he told me to pick since I was planning the night so I finally thought we could just go to Mikada (a new Japanese place we haven't tried here in town) or Texas Roadhouse, either way I wasn't smart enough to call ahead for reservations. When we got in the car R started telling me a story and driving toward the freeway, I had no idea where we were going to dinner and I didn't want to interrupt his story. When we were almost to Ogden I finally asked where we were going and he asked where I wanted to go and said he just started driving and didn't pay attention. I thought we might try a new Japanese place he had about in Ogden and then I also thought that if we were going to Ogden we should try out Ye Lion's Den. I listen to the Movie Show on Doug Wright and they always talk about this restaurant so I've wanted to try it forever but I didn't say anything out loud thinking we would need reservations there. Then we drove past it and I told R that we could go there. R turned around and we went inside and I checked and she asked if we had a reservation when I said no, I was told there would be an hour and 45 minute wait (which of course I wouldn't do), then R said no we have a reservation and checked us in. I was so surprised and had no clue and it was funny. Our food was so good, I loved the scones and raspberry honey butter and my prime rib was yummy but R's Steak Oscar was fabulous. Of course the creme brule' was wonderful.

It's a long story to tell about our dinner, I know, but it's an example of one of the many reasons I love my hubby. He is so good at listening to things I want and then surprising me. This past year in listening to the movie show I have wanted to try this restaurant and loved how he remembered and then we had an excellent dinner without kids, just the two of us to talk and visit. I love you so much sweetie.

Today he is taking Z skiing and the girls and I are going to Heber to visit Patty and see little Oliver. Z is so excited about skiing with his dad and I've excited to relax today.

1st Family Victory Candle Dinner

We had our first family Victory Dinner tonight. Z completed his multiplication pass offs so we celebrated his achievement. Dinner wasn't anything fancy because I had to come up with something the kids would eat so we had spaghetti. Z thought that lighting the candle and then blowing it out was pretty cool. Little A tried to blow the candle out the entire meal. Z also ate on our "You are special plate". I am working on the victory candle journal as well.

Good Weekend

We had a nice weekend although I wish it were longer. Z had an early morning soccer game on Saturday which got us going early and ready for the day. The team lost by 1 point but Z had fun. I caught up on some laundry and cleaned the house a little. Then Patty and Brian's family came over for dinner. Brian worked on my computer and helped me clean up and organize my iTunes. Patty and I were able to visit while the kids played. With the baby coming today it will probably be awhile before they come over so it was good to visit.

Sunday I didn't have to teach a Young Women's lesson so it was relaxing for me. R was able to come to church with us so it made church great. They started a family relations Sunday School class that we started attending yesterday which I really liked. After church the kids went with Aunt Holly to her house to play while I caught up on stuff and R and the A took naps. We went to Ogden to pick up the kids and had dinner with Holly's family and visited. While we visited S worked on her cute little Valentine's box and the other kids worked on their valentines.

The weekend always goes so fast, I wish it were longer.

Parent Teacher Conferences

This week was early out each day due to Parent Teacher Conferences. I scheduled ours Monday night so we could be done with it and it's also a night I didn't have other stuff scheduled so it worked out.

Z really likes his teacher although if you ask him if he likes school he will tell you "no". His teacher does a lot of fun activities with the students and he has really enjoyed her class. She complemented Z on his writting, he loves to write stories and share them and she also said he was well behaved in class. Z needs to keep working on spelling, he is really struggeling with spelling, no matter how much he studies.

S has shown so much improvement. Her teacher had lots of good things to say about her improvment. She is struggeling with math so I will continue with the flash cards. We also need to work on comprehension, but I have seen her improve in reading so I have been happy. S is a good speller and has been better at staying on task in class. I no longer feel like she could "fail" first grade.

I was happy to go to Parent Teacher Conferences. I really appreciate what the teachers do and how they work to teach my children.

The Star

A has been getting up on panio and sitting. The other day she brought a micriphone with her and pretended to sing. It was so cute. She likes to sing and dance with her sister to High School Musical 3.

Hardware Ranch Pictures

Words Kids Need to Hear

I have been reading the book Words Kids Need to Hear and there are many good suggestions in this book. Chapter 3 is titled "I Treasure You" and I loved a family's idea to show attention for accomplishments in a healthy, memorable way. The author shares a simple idea that can make a profound impact on the way members of a family celebrate one another. They call it the victory candle and it's a simple concept.

Soon after a specific and significant achievement by someone in the family, start a meal with a lit candle on the table. Turn off the lights, any by the glow of the victory candle raise your glasses of milk, water or whatever to toast the person and his or her feat. That person then enjoys the honor of blowing our the candle at the end of the meal. Record the event in a special victory candle journal. Over many years, entries could inclue awards won, first teeth lost, faith milestones reached, academic and sports achievements, acts of bravery, and even workplace accomplishments.

By creating a standard ritual, everyone recieves the same celebration. The result: the person feels pesonally celebrated--the accomplichment itself remains secondary. Long after the candle extinguishes, the victory candle's warm glow of attention continues. Imagine reading the victory candle journal through the years and reliving the moments and memories. When done well, the "I am treasured" feeling transcends time.

I loved this idea and we are going to start doing. I will share our first victory candle celebration hopefully soon.

Weekly Menu

Sunday: Sausage & Stuffing Criss-Cross Pastry
Monday: Meatloaf & baked potato
Tuesday: Baked Dijon Salmon
Wednesday: Easy Stuffed Pork Chops
Thursday: Swiss Steak
Friday: Turke Dressing Pie
Saturday: Leftovers