Halloween 2014

 

 

We have a cute little Queen Elsa and a “Dark” Vadar this year!  That’s what Alex calls Darth Vadar.  So cute, I just can’t correct him!

 

I’m pretty proud of that little Queen Elsa dress because I made it!  I asked my Mom to come up and help and with a little this… and a little that… Volia!  I couldn’t have done it without her expertise on the sewing machine.  Thanks Mom!

 

We created an Elsa dress out of a white long sleeve t-shirt, some shiny spandex “dot” material and blue polyester for the dress.  And a detachable train… wonderful!  And the train is Sara’s favorite part.  When she was getting a little worried about the hair part, I found an inspiration to make yarn braid/crown.  In usual Sara fashion, she wouldn’t even try it on for days, basically breaking her Mama’s heart.  Then, on Halloween night – she wants to wear it!  Go figure!  And she loves it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leavenworth

 

 

 

We rented this place (VRBO.com) specially selected since it could contain our dogs in a fully fenced yard and had sleeping cabins perfect for two families.  We had a blast!  Although there was not as much snow as we were hoping for, but there was snow and we DID sled (which was our ultimate goal). 

 

We were celebrating (a bit late) Lance’s 40th birthday and nothing like a sledding adventure to make sure you know you’re not 20 anymore! 

 

We left on Saturday morning of President’s Day weekend and stopped at the pass since it was snowing and got the kids to stretch their legs, but it was too windy and no good place to really play.  So onward we went!  And about one minute from the pass (on either side) it was raining…. we were worried about the weather.  But, down a bit on the other side – we could see the sun shining and the clouds parting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We arrived at the cabins and they were lovely.  So cozy and cabin-like.  No frills here, but everything we needed including some binoculars!

 

 

Main Lodge

One of the sleeping cabins (there are two separate sleeping cabins on each side of the Main Lodge)

Our view from the Main Lodge – We are definitely thinking about coming back for the summertime!  I mean – look at that pool!

 

There was even a playground!

 

 

And our view of the Enchantments that evening – stunning!

 

 

One of the best (and totally cool!) things was that the deck had warmers, all you had to do is flip the switch!  We sat out on the deck while the kids played and we were fine.  It wasn’t that cold, but the warmers along with our clothes made it just fine.  I want warmers now!

 

And of course, Sara enjoying her “beer”. 

 

Oops!  She’s out!  Daddy giving her a bit more to tide her over. 

 

 

 

And a happy Daddy and a happy Sara!

Bottoms up!

 

 

The kids had so much fun with their friends, playing with toys and games, outside.  It was a weekend well spent! 

 

My kids don’t have any cousins,  Lance is an only and my sister has no kids.  I have so many good memories of spending summer time in Colorado with my cousins and Grandma and Grandpa.  I consider these kids to be my kid’s cousins.   They will grow up together – seeing each other grow up and having fun. 

 

I made some fantastic home-made apple cinnamon stone ground oatmeal and Sara loved it!  Which is good, usually she’s a picky morning eater!

 

 

 

We hit the slopes on Saturday afternoon at our “secret” spot at Enchantment Park in Leavenworth.  It’s a baseball park, but in the winter with the snow – it turns into a perfect sledding spot!  And not many people there – so its not crowded at all – even on a long weekend!

 

 

 

 

Alex and Oliver had such a blast!  Alex and Oliver are two boys that totally understand each other!

 

 

 

There also is a nice playground there – so Sara really enjoyed this too!

 

 

 

 

 

Alex made a “heart” snowball!

 

And a hot tub to soak away all the sore muscles after days filled with sledding!

 

 

Sledding more on Monday!  We were hoping to go for a horse drawn sleigh ride like we did last time we were there (link), but it was too icy and too slushy for the horses.  Note to self – go in January next year!  Last time we went – I was 6 months pregnant with Sara and Alex was almost 3.  So, Sara was the same age as Alex when he went.  (oh – and note how my face is totally the same and how my my photo skills have changed over those 3 years!  Cool!)  And I still have a sled-loving boy, who wants to go faster, more, bigger sled hills. 

 

 

Oh yeah – I’m there too!  Since I’m the one taking the pics – I have to ask Lance to show that I was actually there!

 

 

Alex’s 4th Birthday

What do you get when you mix friends at a huge bouncy house? 

 

The perfect mixture for Alex’s 4th Birthday party, he LOVES his friends and he LOVES to bounce!

 

First, we started off in a waiting room, waiting for the party before us to clear out.  Sara and Alex found a fun mirror and they were having so much fun! 

 

Here’s the layout of the place – 4 huge bouncy structures, a slide, obstacle course, a flat bouncy place and a climbing wall.  And an air hockey table to top it all off!

 

Here’s one of the photos that turned out in the actual bouncy house – the lighting is terrible in there!  Unflattering fluorescent and very dim.  Not a happy photographic Mama here.  But, we did get a picture with the whole group of kids – Sara is un the upper right and Alex is right up front.  With all friends – all around!

 

The kids get so hot (so do the bouncin’ adults!) and were so thirsty afterwards!  Alex was so excited to have birthday hats. 

 

We had pizza, carrots and string cheese – the lunch of champions!   (I had to have something healthy!)

 

 

 

When it was time for cake – I let Alex put on his own candles – where ever he wanted!  He loved this and figured out where to put them all that was just right for him. 

I gave a really nice speech about how Alex loves his friends so much and loves bouncin’ around so much and the mixture of the two was like heaven for him.  I thanked everyone for joining us on this wonderful day.  And how proud of Alex we are – he is doing such a good job of growing up.  I then asked him how it felt to be 4 years old – he said “good” with a big smile on his face.   He was truly in the moment.

 

A few days before his birthday – he wondered when exactly he would be 4 years old.  He figured out, all on his own, that after he ate cake he would officially be 4.  The whole cake ritual is very important to Alex, you see.

 

(the funny part for me was that the day before – he REALLY wanted to be 4 after his birthday circle at preschool.  I told him that his birthday was the next day, but patience was so hard sometimes Mommy!  So, in compromise, I told him, that “just between you and me – you can be 4 after your birthday circle if you want, sweetheart”.  And he was very happy with this)

 

We got him a Monkey cake (actually supposed to be “Curious George” but the cake place didn’t want to infringe on copyrights!) that was just his, and a big 1/2 sheet cake for the friends and parents.  Let me tell you – he loves having his own cake!  He doesn’t share with Mommy or Daddy either!  It’s all his!

Chow down!

After a full morning and pushing Sara’s nap, I just put her in the car with her birthday hat on.  I couldn’t resist this picture! 

Thanks everyone for joining us to celebrate Alex’s 4th birthday – we had so much fun! 

Remlinger Farms Birthday Party

This weekend we went to a birthday party and had such a blast! First it was over to Athena's house for cake and ice cream. Alex was very confused because it was Saturday and we were going to "Preschool house" and both Mama and Daddy were there! Not what he is used to! He kept on say - "No, No - go Birthday party - not Preschool house!" We told him that the birthday party was AT preschool house!

We sang Happy Birthday to Athena - who is now 4 years old! We had cake and ice cream and all the kids loved playing with the balloons.

Then it was off to Remlinger Farms - a big farm in Carnation that has too many things to do in one day - especially for a little 2 year old who still needs his nap! Alex rode on a tractor, got to ride a real steam powered choo-choo train that whistles and goes through a tunnel, ride a canoe, AND ride a PONY!

We had such a good time! We pushed Alex beyond his usual nap time and then he crashed. He slept from 3-5PM and then went to sleep at 8PM. Sunday he took a 3 hour nap, just to make up for some lost time.

L to R: Brandon, Alex, Isaac, Athena