Sunday, February 22, 2015

The Little Things

I haven't blogged in awhile because, well, we haven't had any big "blog-worthy" events this past month. That's not to say we haven't kept busy and been having fun; it's just been in the in-between moments. But since most of life happens in the little things, I thought I'd document some of those too...

Two buddies at the park on a very warm Sunday in January. Despite the blizzard we're getting this weekend, we've been loving several unseasonably warm days this winter!

 Watching the Superbowl (halftime show) with Grandma and Grandpa.

Sydney grows up more and more each day. Painting her toenails on a Wednesday afternoon.

A typical scene with Ryker. He's often content to entertain himself, and puzzles are one of his favorites.

Brothers cheesin' in the tub.

School is in session, and Sydney is the teacher, always. (Some sort of weird blanket school?)

Stealing Mom's water. Cute enough to get away with it.

Sydney making Ryker's bed without any prompting. This one. She's a gem.

A sample of the daily reports we get from Myles' teachers. He's working so hard in school, but it's his character that consistently stands out and makes us proud.

Taking after his big brother, Ryker has started waking up VERY early in the morning. These two often play together for a long while before Gilby and I can muster the energy to get out of bed!

Sydney reading to Ryker before bed. Precious.

Always helping out in the kitchen - here Ryker's making his own smoothy!

Chocolate protein shakes for lunch are so much more special in milkshake glasses!

All ready for school! She still dresses herself and fortunately her fashion sense is coming along nicely.

Working on his Valentine's Day cards for his school friends.

Myles' class Valentine's party.

Myles and one of his best friends, Paige. She's already requested she be in Myles' class next year too!

A Gilbert sibling hug. Myles' face says it all. These three love each other.

A late night for this cutie who was refusing to go to bed! I swear these kids take shifts ALL NIGHT LONG!

The in-between moments are pretty great too. I'm grateful for this life we're living!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Growing up.

This past Monday all three kids had pink eye, so I had to unexpectedly stay home from work with them...all of them. I was, admittedly, a bit grumpy about it. I love my kids, but getting back into a routine after the holidays has been tough, and some days Mama's just got to get out of the house.

But then something happened. While the boys were playing/fighting downstairs, Sydney sat with me at the table while I finished breakfast, and I looked at her. Like really actually looked at her while she was chatting away, hands wrapped around her mug of tea, and she looked so grown up. It seems like just yesterday she was born, and here she is, well on her way to becoming a young woman. I was simultaneously remembering what she was like as a baby and picturing her 20 years from now, hopefully still wanting to sit across from me and chat over a cup of tea.

My beautiful baby girl ~



Snow Mountain Ranch

As one of our Christmas gifts this year, my parents took us all to the YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch camp in Grandby, CO for 4 days and 3 nights over the New Year's holiday. We went up the afternoon of New Year's Eve, with Ben, Aubrey and Brodie meeting us up there that night after a long day of driving from North Dakota. Chelsa and Jy had to unfortunately stay at home with the flu. They were definitely missed!

Snow Mountain Ranch had the perfect set up for our family and we had so much fun!! We each stayed in our own hotel room in the same lodge with the dining hall a short walk across the road and tons of activities on site. We could all choose our own activities, and between all of us we went roller skating, ice skating, tubing, snow shoeing, swimming, played basketball, volleyball, ping pong, and more! We were also able to hang out in each other's rooms, watch a couple football games, order in dinner for some quiet adult time (early bedtime for the kids!), and let the cousins play. Again, so much fun!

In more pictures and less words, our family vacation...

Outside our room - they were eager to play in the snow right away!

Sisters.

 Snowshoeing.

Love, love, love all the cousin time.

 Lots of first timers at the roller rink! Aubrey picked it up right away, Sydney kept plugging away, the boys gave up. Probably a good choice!


 Packed in the van to drive (a short distance) to the tubing hill! This looks safe, huh?




 Proud of my kids for trying so many new things, and having a great attitude through it all.


Uncle Danny and Ryker have a sweet bond.


 Tubing was a favorite for everyone!

The girl cousins. Like Sydney said, "Girls have to stick together!"

Having fun ice skating until poor Sydney fell straight on her bum!


 Siblings.

 All together!

 Six of the seven grand kids. Raum (3), Ryker (2), Myles (6), Brodie (2), Sydney (4), Aubrey (5)

 The whole crew.

Thanks for the great trip, Mom and Dad!