MASS 2013

MASS Mountain Area Ski School.

You have to be a fourth grader to participate in MASS and Josiah finally made it. She was so excited to learn to snow board with all her pals. Now you may see Adalie in a few of the MASS pictures and you may even see her in the year book on the MASS page, but shhh don't tell!

Josiah started as a "B", endured a few days of tedious instructors and eventually graduated to a "D"!! We love that we live in the mountains where part of their schooling is to head to the snow every Friday for some skiing and boarding!

Doesn't get any better than that!

All Stars 2013

Both Josiah and Adalie were chosen for their All Star soccer teams again this year. Adalie played for her coach Daddy and Josiah played for Terrie Rich. Both girls had great teams with great groups of girls to play with. And they were fun to watch.

 Surprisingly for how small she is, Adalie is a contender! Her strong legs are a force to be reckoned with. She made some great corner kicks for her team and used her famous elbow to her advantage!

Josiah, although a bit intimidated by the level of soccer being played, found her niche as a left footed forward.  Her coach plays down the line and cross to the center.  So Josiah made some great crossed on cue!

We heart Soccer!

Strawberry Mine Adventures

Despite the inherent dangers, we decided to attempt another Strawberry Mine Adventure with the Waves.  Much to our surprise, there were no incidents of frost bite, no rescue parties, and no stuck washers that will be on their forever. 

We did have beautiful blue bird days, snow forts, Josiah and Adalie riding their new machines, sledding, snowboarding, gaming,  and tons of fun in the snow!!

So although our stories from our adventure this year will not be near as funny, we had a blast with the Waves!

Happy New Year 2013

We spent New Year's in our traditional way with all the family at Shaver Lake.  Our days we spent holding Libby, crafting with Grammy, gaming, and of course, tracking up all the new snow.  But we added a little "flare" to our New Year's Eve night - literally!  Us girls participated in the lighting of the mountain at China Peak.  It was scary to hold a flare in a line with a bunch of people, hoping you would not burn yourself, you neighbor or be burned by them, while skiing down a hill at night!!  But, really really fun!

Happy New Years 2013! 

xoox

Playtime

Time to try the new airplane!  After multiple crashes on the simulator, Seth decided he was ready for the real deal.  So we headed up to the school with all our toys and planned to play.  It was no surprise when the plane got stuck in the tree or crash landed on the roof.  But the best was Seth's amazing flight loop da looping the power lines with a safe return to the grassy field.  We got video of the plane, but better would have been a video of Daddy with is tongue stuck out, dancing with the remote in hopes he could save his new plane from oblivion.  So began the adventures of flying!

Once the sun began to set, it was time to try the Wii.  Everyone joined in on the fun.  But the best was Amma who just could not bonk her opponent in a sword fighting match.  And if she did make a hit, she quickly apologized - too cute! 

Chirstmas Day 2012

After fixing Santa a plate full of goodies on Christmas Eve and slipping on their sweet matching jammies, the girls headed to bed hoping they would find some sleep.  The kids woke up to a fun Christmas morning surprise.  Packages were strewn about, stockings were stuffed to their brim and the chaos of Christmas fun began!  

Josiah, Adalie and Sage all woke up together to discover some goodies in their stockings.  We had just enough time to play with the basketball hoop for Josiah and truck ramp for Adalie before all the Waltner gang come over for delicious Christmas morning quiche.

Later, more packages were exchanged, candies were consumed, pictures taken, Santa talked to and everyone just settled into the rhythm of the day.

Merry Christmas 2012

Josiah 9yrs, Adalie 7yrs

Chirstmas Eve 2012

Christmas Eve this year was a new adventure. Although we spent a night in Yosemite like we always do, it wasn't in the same way. Christmas Eve this year brought bucket loads of fresh beautiful snow. Unfortunately, the falling snow closed the ice rink which is our traditional spot. But it did bring new adventures of cross country skiing with Sage, snowman building, snowball fights, walks through the powdered covered woods, and boot skating on the ice. 

Hurray for a WHITE Christmas!

Elf on a Shelf

This little fellow turned up very mysteriously one day.  But it wasn't him we noticed first.  It was a present wrapped neatly and placed under the Christmas tree.  A present addressed to "2 sweet girls" but which no one recognized.  Once opened, we saw it was this little Elf's story.  But now, the challenge arose to find the little guy. 

After some serious searching, we found him sitting atop our giant wall clock in the living room.  He was so cute, but the rules in the book say "you must not touch him or he will lose all his magic to fly back to Santa".  And if Santa doesn't hear from his little helper elf, well you know what happens then and it is not pretty!

So, like we were instructed to do, we first named our elf.... Kolbie.  The girls then proceeded to make him comfortable in our home, elf style!  Each day he moved to a new spot and it was fun to search for him and wonder how on earth he got where he was!

Christmas is coming! 

Cross Country

It's 4th grade and now Josiah can join any or all of the school sports teams.  I think she may be choosing the latter by joining all the teams available to her.... and I couldn't be happier.  It is so fun to watch her try new things.  To realize that some things come naturally and some things take work.  And maybe secretly I am hoping that all these fun sports will keep her on the straight and narrow....at least I can hope!

Cross Country Team... Josiah ran her little heart out! 

School Sports Rule! 

4th grade.

Oh Christmas

It's that time of year again.... lights, tree, decorations, cookies and more!  This year we all agreed a smaller tree was in order again!  Even so... the ladder was a staple for reaching the top!

Looking forward to another fun filled season!

2012

Every year we take a family picture for our Christmas card.  It is fun to look back and see how our family has grown right under our eyes over the year.  We sure do love these sweet girls.  They are beautiful inside and out! 

So here is looking forward to a wonderful holiday season!

Bass Lake 2012

Thanksgiving

Each year it is our family tradition to take a Thanksgiving Picture. Although there is always some grumbling involved, I cannot help but to look at the progression of pictures year after year and be filled with such joy. Time has changed our family.  We have grown in numbers and in love for one another.  It is through these pictures that I clearly see that my plan, in so many ways, was and is not God's plan.... and yet His plan fills me up and leads me to life abundant!

He is so Good!

Thanksgiving 2012

Our Thanksgiving holiday tradition at Shaver Lake was filled with fun.... cards, targets, baby holding, crafts, exploring, running with Josiah, and more! 

Happy Thanksgiving 2012!

Lucky Mommy!

Oh, how these sweet girls love to create little surprises!  They cooked, they decorated, they set the places.  I am the luckiest Momma in the whole wide world!

Halloween Carnival and Parade

Happy Halloween at the school Carnival and Parade! Josiah 4th grade with Ms. McPherson Adalie 2nd grade with Mrs. Durrell

Halloween 2012

Once again, Josiah knew exactly what she wanted to be for Halloween.... Princess Leah, of course! We had just watched the whole Star Wars story from beginning to end, leading to Josiah's costume idea. So I searched high and low for Princess Leah hair-do ideas and costume pictures. We finally hit the jack pot with socks!  They make the perfect Leah bun!  From there, the dress was pretty easy to recreate.

Now, of course Adalie wanted to be Princess Leah too.... until I tried the Leah buns on her!  No way, no how.... that cinched it.... no Leah for Adalie.  Thus, the Princess Leah Jedi Warrior Costume was created!  Every Princess must have a Jedi Warrior Cloak and "Life Saver"!  And of course, this cloak was made of the softest possible material to be found!

So here are my beautiful Leah girls in their handmade costumes... each with their own little personalities shining through!

Happy Halloween 2012!

Yosemtie Birthday

My all-time favorite Birthday tradition.... biking in Yosemite! Not only do I get my family all to myself, but there is something so special about pedalling through the changes of the season in Yosemite. It makes you stop and take a deep breath, something we often need to be reminded to do. It makes you count your blessings. It allows you a moment to experience joy!

My very favorite thing in life is my family.... and so it is a perfect gift each year to be given a time and place to breath them in! 

Happy Birthday to me 2012!

Daddy 29years (still), which makes Mommy 27years (still), Josiah 9years and Adalie 7years!

Cayucos

Cayucos holds so many memories for me. But one of the best is sharing it with friends. So we took a weekend with the Waves and packed in as much fun as possible. From tide pools to boogie boarding, bike riding to kite flying, sand castles to frisbee... it was a fun packed trip!

We are lucky to have such great friends (both big and small)!

Josiah 9years, Adalie and Kaiya 7years, Bladen 4years.

Amma and Grandpa

Amma and Grandpa decided for each of the girls' birthdays, they would like to take them on a special trip of their choosing. What a treat! Well, it was Adalie's turn. And in these things she is so much like me! Although so very excited, she was so very nervous about being too far from home for too long. So after considering who she is... we asked if Josiah could go along too! Now they were ready for their adventure!

These lucky girls spent the weekend at the Boardwalk and Monterrey Bay Aquarium.  They rode all the rides they were tall enough for, ate out, had ice cream and all of their grandparents' attention.  But, what I love, is the way our grandparents love our kids.  They ride the carousel and bump the bumper cars!  They have always been the ones who give their whole heart.  Never just buying gifts, but always investing time, energy and love!

We are blessed!

Thank you!

Just a Day

We are so thankful for sweet friends!