Hiking Misadventures

We have been enjoying the nice weather and have started taking the kids out on hikes and biking adventures.  Last week we decided to head up to the mountains for a little hike.  We headed up to one of our favorite spots and started down an old closed down road.  We started at the top and headed down hill.  After walking for a short while the kids decided they had had enough.  So we started to turn around.  Brian felt like we were about half way down and decided he could run up and get the car and drive it to the lower lot.  The kids and I could simply head down hill and meet him at the bottom.  Way easier than getting three tired kids to the top.  

We took off, enjoying our walk with songs and stories.  We searched the area for bugs and found pretty little waterfalls.  Soon I realized we were far from where we needed to be.  The girls were getting whiny and I was having to take turns carrying them.  I was pulling all my tricks of motivation to get them to the bottom.  It turns out we had 3 more miles to go when we left Brian.  The road was about 4 miles in all.  Our short little walk was not so short for short little legs.  The kids did great in the end.  Lily was asleep in about 2 minutes after getting in the car.  Oh and if you're wondering, Brian did come up the trail and met us about a half mile from the bottom.  So he was able to help with the carrying from then on.  I'll tell you what though, my calves are so sore.  Who knew downhill was so rough on the body.  Probably a lot of people.  Not me though.  

I think next week we will research our hike a little better.  And bring water with us. And I will probably not let the girls bring their purses.  Lily packed a jar of rocks in her purse and then was kind enough to let me carry it.  Kids! I tell ya!

We had to take a lot of breaks

I overheard Charlie encouraging Lily to keep walking and then I looked over to see him holding her hand.  He really is the best big brother these girls could ask for

The kids thought it was so fun finding snow on a hot sunny day.

We are sure loving this nice weather and can't wait for more adventures.

Miles of Love,

Stacey

Finally Spring!

We made it!  Through winter I mean.  We always seem to go into hibernation in the winter.  We socialize less, we do fewer activities, we stay indoors mostly.  But this winter felt especially bad.  We didn't spend much time with friends, we rarely played outside and we definitely spent way too much time on electronics.  Finally, we are getting some warmer days and starting to play outside again.  It's amazing how much the weather can effect how you feel.  It's so nice to open the windows and enjoy the longer days.  I think this year I was the one who felt the winter blues the most.  I had a hard time staying motivated to get anything done and I really just didn't want to do much of anything.  It's time to get back out there and put friendships back into the forefront.

We are counting the days down till summer.  We can't wait to swim.  There is a pool directly across from us at the park we are staying at.  They are prepping it now and we are all obsessed with watching the progress.  We can't wait for lazy days at the pool. 

We are also getting more serious about finding land to build on.  We are doing on our research for a couple of plots and hoping to make an offer on something soon.  We are all getting excited to build something of our own. 

Recently to get out of the house more, we have taken up roller skating.  I didn't think I would remember how.  Turns out it all comes back to you.  The kids are picking it up rather well and we all love it.  So for now I will leave you with this little video of our last outing to the fun center.  There are also bouncy house stuff there. 
Roller Skating Video

Oh and the kids have been learning to ski.  Kya and Charlie spend most of their time on the big hill with Brian.  Lily is learning to ski with me on the small hill.  She loves it and begs to go all the time.  And I think she is the cutest thing ever when she skis down the hill. 
Lily Learning to ski

Big Kids Learn to Ski

Miles of Love,
Stacey

Electronic Free days

This past weekend we had three electronic free days and it was the best.  I really am so tired of electronics and the effects on my kids.  Amazing how well they play together and how creative they are when there are no electronic distractions.  Here they are making a toy talent show. They played this for days.   

We headed up to the mountains on Saturday.  We love it up there, hence the wanting to live there, so we go up at least once a week.  We told the kids we could go sledding, we were actually wanting to look at some land.  They are so tired of driving around looking at land that we have to do a little manipulating.  We had found 20 acres that we were sure was more than we wanted but still wanted to check it out.  So we headed up there.  Of course when we got there it started to snow super hard and was actually pretty cold.  Not to be deterred we all bundled up, put our snow shoes on, put the kids in sleds and started plodding through this amazing plot of land.  It did stop snowing and with all the walking we were quite warm.  The land was beautiful with trees and a creek.  It isn't for us, but was fun to dream.  It is more than we actually want to take on.  The kids loved running around and being pulled in the sleds.  Lily was super tired so she had a few melt downs, but still managed to have fun. Both of the older kids thought it was fun to jump back and forth across the little creek, and both ended up stepping into the water and filling their boots with ice cold water.  So they were ready to get back to the car after that.  It was so much fun to be out in the snow with the kids.  Everyone had so much fun, even with their wet feet.

The next day we loaded up and headed down to spend time with my sister.  I think my kids would live there if we let them.  My sister would let them, or all of us actually, if we would just agree.  So we spend a lot of time there.  So we got our laundry done and the kids played with there favorite cousin, sorry to all their human cousins. 

Monday was a holiday and we went and saw the Lego Movie 2.  We went back to my sisters and loaded up and headed home.  The kids of course threw a fit and didn't want to leave.  But we got home and everyone was so exhausted from such a fun long weekend.  This is really what life is all about, making memories together.

Lots of Love,

Stacey