The Hungry Dragon

Yes. This picture deserves it's own post. At least I think it does!! Jacob and Caleb got new dragons, and apparently Caleb's was hungry. That is macaroni and cheese he is shoving in it's mouth. Why do they have to grow up?! Why can't they be little forever?! I love how he is opening his mouth with it!

A boy and his dragon. Full, messy, and happy. That dragon's going to have to take a bath with that kid!

The Balch Winter Retreat

The last weekend of January we talked some of the Balch's into coming up for some snowmobiling. Four of them had bank meetings in Salt Lake that Monday and Tuesday, so it wasn't too hard! Matt, Jenna, and Joe showed up Thurday night, and they headed out to the cabin Friday morning with Charles and Jacob. Jake was in heaven spending the day with the boys (and Jenna ;). They made chili, went for a ride, and chilled at the cabin. I went up in the afternoon with the kids and grandma and grandpa. We spent the weekend eating and playing. Good times!!

This is Caleb with his helmet on backwards. Everytime anyone went outside he grabbed the first helmet he could find and put it on so that he could go too. That kid loves snowmobiling. More than once I had to physically pry him from his machine. In fact when we were riding out to the trucks I tried to get him off to put him in the car. He refused. I told Charles he had to keep him, so he got to stay and shut down the cabin with his dad. He loved it.

Matt and Jenna, sorry about the sun! It's the only picture I had of them!

Check out the awesome garage we built last summer. My camping trailer is so nice and cozy in there!!

This time it was dad's job to pick up the sledders. And he was a lot more wild.

This is Jacob going down the hill backward. Charles would pull him up the hill, then drop the rope at the top. Jacob would sled down backwards and they would do it again. Boys.

Another fun weekend.

The Midway Ice Castles

For family night on the 24th we decided to visit the ice castles. We waited too long last year and missed them, so when we heard the ice skating rink was closed for the year, we decided we had better do it. They have raised their prices because they got a late start because of the warm December, but it was still fun. Cold, but pretty dang cool!

The Annual Birthday Trip

Every year for my dad's birthday we go out to the cabin. We snowmobile, sled, eat shish-k-bobs, and relax. Once again we had a great time.

This is the house that Brooke built...

Oh, and finally a picture of the two teeth she just lost. She lost the first one at home, and the second one at my dad's birthday dinner at Diary Keen (the 20th). Appetizing, huh? One right after the other, she was excited that it was finally her turn to have a visit (or 2) from the tooth fairy. On that note, Brielle lost her 6th tooth yesterday. The tooth fairy is having a hard time keeping up!

I love this picture of my dad, it is totally him!!

Luckily Grandpa was willing to pick up the sledders at the bottom of the hill. If he hadn't Jacob would probably still be standing at the bottom. That kid refuses to pull his sled up any hill at all.

Since this trip Nolan has officially outlawed iPod Touchs, and iPads from the cabin. He want's it to be a "no technology zone." Sorry Nolo, not going to happen!!

Here is Brooke, coloring the old fashioned way!!

We had a great time, and it was fun to see everyone. We missed you Minnesotan? Carliles!! Hope you had a great birthday dad!!!

That snow's too hard...

When we got home from St. George, the kids were actually excited to play in the snow and have hot chocolate. They had Tuesday off from school, so out they went. Brielle came in about five minutes later. She was done. She said the snow was too hard. Me being the mean mom I am, I made her go back out. After all, it was her idea in the first place! And we all know how long it takes to get everyone dressed for the snow! Once again, Caleb would not leave his gloves on, so I let him play without them and he had a great time. I had to make him come in eventually.

Warming up...

All In A Day

For Martin Luther King weekend we headed to St. George. We didn't get there until Friday night, so we had to cram all the fun stuff into Saturday. We started the day out by feeding the ducks at the golf course. Caleb was hilarious, he just wanted to eat his bread. At one point he was distracted and a goose snatched a whole piece of bread right out of his hand. He started after it to get it back, but then thought better of it, and cried instead.

When we ran out of bread, and were starting to leave, Jacob decided we couldn't go until all of the ducks were in the water. So he ran from one end of the pond to the other herding the ducks into the water. Then he would turn around, realize some had gotten out, and start over. I had to make him stop eventually so we could go to Claires. Brielle really wants Brooke to get her ears pierced. In fact, the other day she told Brooke she wouldn't play with her unless she got them pierced. Anyway, Brooke instead decided to get some clip ons. She loves them, but they hurt. I'm sure Brielle will keep working on her, we'll see if the peer pressure gets to her.

We had lunch at Arby's, picked up dad and  grandpa and went to the park.

Then it was time to swim.

Sunday was a lazy day. We went to church, went for a ride, had a yummy dinner, and watched a movie. Charles had another golf round Monday morning, so the rest of us went shopping. Then we headed for home. Another great weekend, thanks G & G Balch!