Introducing...

The newest member of our home

Found this on Craigs list for $250. I thought it was a fantastic deal and love the look of it. I wanted to get a piano because Avery is taking piano and really enjoys it.
It's almost 100 years old. Now where to put it....

Bonjour!

So I have been a major slacker, BIG TIME!
We just got back from Quebec, Canada where they speak french. Let's just say the only thing I knew how to say was "Parlez-vous anglais?" Which means "Do you speak English?" and "Merci!" Most of the people we met knew a little English so were able to get around pretty easy. We stayed in a little ski town called Mont Tremblant so luckily for us most people knew both English and French, It's Canada, right? I was shocked at how French everything really was. But I guess that is how Quebec is. I just didn't know it until we were there. I guess I just thought everything would be in both English and French. Most of the time it was only in French so it was a little hard to get used to.

This was a very unexpected trip. We knew we wanted to go skiing and so we did some research. We wanted to go somewhere we had never been before. Kevin found this awesome deal on airfare from Allegiant Air. Keep that airline in mind, they have awesome deals to random smaller airports. We flew out of Sanford which is only 35 minutes from our house. It's one to definitely look up. Our whole family (4 plane tickets) flew for $360 round trip! Isn't that awesome. They have all kinds of deals. They do charge you to pick where you are sitting but they always keep young kids with there parents, so we decided to chance it (just incase you book a flight). It worked out beatifully and I would highly reccomend them. We flew into Plattsburg, New York and drove two hours to Mont Tremblant. The drive wasn't bad at all and Mont Tremblant was amazing!

The first day we put the kids in Ski School for a couple hours. Van went to the Activity center. This is the first time I have ever left any of my kids as an infant to be watched by an "activity center" but it was right next to the tram and I had there phone number so I could check up on him at anytime. It worked out great. Kevin and I were able to have some alone time and despite Kevin's fear of heights and cold weather, we actually had a great time and he actually did awesome! Way to go Kev! My sister-in-law Michelle has always said "There isn't ever bad weather, just bad gear" So we were prepared and weren't cold once. It was great. The kids did great. The resort had a really cool "magic carpet" tram (pictured below) that was easy to get up the mountain for beginners. It was so much easier than a tow rope. I was shocked at how independent they were on the mountain, so the next day we went skiing as a family. We had so much fun. Boston now wants to move to Canada and talks about it all the time.

I do have to mention this. It's one of those "you had to be there" stories but worth telling anyways. When we were at a restaurant (remember everything is in french). At the end of the meal Kevin was acting all smooth and when our waitress picked up his plate to take it away he smiled and said "Gracias" in his suave voice like he was fluent in french. She turned to me like nothing had happened (obviously she didn't know any spanish) and asked me a question but I was laughing to hard to answer because I couldn't believe he had just gotten confused and said thank you in spanish instead of french. It was so funny. But yes, I understand, it probably isn't that funny to you but a memory I will have forever.

Tubing In Mont Tremblant

Although all of these different snow trails look the same, they really aren't. Each one is different with it's own spin of bumps and steep parts. This tubing park was a blast. This was the first time I have ever been to a tubing park with a tow rope and everything. It was great fun. Avery and Boston loved it. Kev and I rotated so Van could watch and take in all the excitement.He is such a sweet little guy and loved every minute of it. Boston was Mr Independent and wanted to do it by himself all the time. Avery was my sweetie who wanted to make sure Kevin and I didn't feel left out when it was are turn to be with Van. It was such a great thing to do with the fam.

Skiing at Sundance

Can I just say that I love SUNDANCE. It makes me feel at home. It is by far my favorite resort. Maybe because it was 15 minutes from home and I grew up skiing there but there is just something about it. I love the small ski resort feel. When I think about it, it makes me smile. So many fun childhood memories. And because of that. the one thing I was determined to do while we were in Utah is take the kids skiing. When I got sick I didn't know if it was going to happen. On the last day of our trip I finally felt strong enough to go. I was so excited. I didn't know quite how it would all work out. Kevin was awesome and came with me. He isn't a fan of the slopes so he hung out with Van. We stayed on the tow rope and the kids loved it. Kevin would stay in line with Boston while I took Avery up and then by the time we skied down the mountain Boston would be near the front of the line and then I would take Boston up and Avery would wait in line. It was perfect. Avery surprised me because she was so determined to ski on her own and she didn't want me to hold on to her so I would ski backwards and she would follow me. Boston was pretty brave as well, but he liked to ski fast so he skied between my legs. We had the best time and Kevin was such a trooper. Van was fascinated by all of the people and didn't get fussy at all. It was great. The only thing that made me sad was not being able to experience this all the time. That's one of the things I truly miss about Utah- the beautiful mountains and the snow (sigh).

Our Little Sussy

While we were in Utah, Nicole Hill of A little Sussy took some pictures of Avery for the company she worked for, Ruberball, a stock photo company. You can check them out on her blog. Last time we were in Utah she wanted to take some pictures of Avery and our schedule was too tight, so I was glad that it worked out this time. We had lots of fun. Thanks Nicole- you are incredible at everything you do!

Sledding with Aunt Jen

So while we were in Utah I got really sick and was in bed for almost 2 full days.  This was frustrating because I wanted to do so many things when we were there but because I got sick, I didn't get everything in that I wanted to. Including spending time with so many people that I wanted to. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Next time, right? 

Luckily for me, I have one of the best sisters ever and she took my kids sledding for a day, took them to her house for hot cocoa and made the Lance and Jen helped Boston and Avery make a snowman. They had so much fun. I just wish I would have spent the day with them instead of spending it in bed.  Thanks Jen! I owe you one!

 

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Who's that crazy woman running after the train?

The day we got to Utah was a little crazy. We decided before we came to Utah that we were going to ride the Polar Express (Heber Creeper).  Little did I know I would be packing all night- I didn't even sleep for 2 minutes.  

When we arrived in Utah I was exhausted and took a little nap.  When I woke up, I had to hurry and get ready. We were really pushing it for time.  Avery was meeting us up at the Heber Creeper because she was playing with her cousin and they were going on the "Polar Express" with us. 

When we drove past Midway I had a feeling we weren't going to make it. I was mad at myself because I knew if I planned better, this wouldn't be happening to us.  We were on the phone back and forth with Genise and Matt (Kev's siter and husband, who had Avery on the Polar Express) and when we turned into Heber we had less than a mile to go.  I was panicked. Matt told us that the conductor just said "all aboard and they were starting the engine.  We were speeding down the road and we could see the train. We hurried and parked and we could see Avery and her cousins and Matt and Genise on the train.  I slammed the car door and started running. Let me give you a visual... I had jeans on with huge 1980's moon boots- navy blue with red and white stripes, a fleece, my puffy North Face vest, and a snow hat on.  I started sprinting and I mean sprinting for the train.  Kevin grabbed Boston out of his car seat.

All of a sudden I heard the train whistle and I knew what was going to happen. The train slowly started to move. I started screaming and crying at the same time and literally grabbed a hold of the train. Boston was screaming because he wanted to be on the train and was stuck in the snow. Kevin knew there was no hope but for some reason I kept sprinting.  The conductor told me it was too late and to go talk to the lady in charge and the train station. I kept screaming "My daughter is on that train! My daughter is on that train!" With tears down my face... I had lost it! 

Meanwhile, Genise (kev's sister) was yelling to her husband, "Do something Matt! You have to stop the train!" I think everyone on and off the train, including our husbands, thought we were crazy. 

The reason I was so upset was because Boston wasn't with his cousins and sister. If they were together and we missed the train I wouldn't be nearly as crazy and upset. 

I ran to the lady in charge and she radioed to the conductor. They told me it wasn't going to happen. I was balling my eyes out. I honestly was acting like a five year old. 

Then all of a sudden the conductor told the lady in charge that the train had to stop because they had to wait at a train crossing, so if we hurried we could run and get on the back of the train.  I couldn't believe it! We were so lucky! When we entered the train everyone was cheering- I felt like we were apart of some cheesy Christmas movie. That's when I realized that everyone was watching me from inside the train. I could feel my cheeks get pink from the embarrassment. 

So yes, we were able to go on the Polar Express and share the experience with cousins.  We had fun listening to the story and having hot chocolate and cookies, singing songs and meeting Santa and Mrs. Clause.

Note to self- Be at least 30 minutes early next time :)

gotta love Boston's smile...it's his "I don't want to take a picture" face.

Merry Christmas!

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Avery Started Piano this September. It was such a joy to watch her progress for the last couple of months and be able to watch her participate in the Christmas recital. She did such a great job and I was so proud of her. Way to go Aves!

Thanksgiving Camping Trip

While most of you are freezing, we decided to go camping by the beach for Thanksgiving weekend. Yes it is a little colder than usual, but it is still warm enough to be in a swimsuit and catch a wave or two. I think our favorite part was taking pictures of everyone jumping in the air (you had to be there). The kids were so excited to camp. We had lots of fun doing skits, making banana desserts (thanks to you Jen) and telling stories. I only wish we could have stayed longer. :)

Most people make snowmen out of snow. Here in Florida, we make them out of sand.

cute little cousins