Christmas Vacation

Just a little recap from vacation...The night we got there included trying to push the car up the driveway to no avail, resolving in ordered pizza for dinner, and stuffing us 4 kids on one couch under piles of blankets to watch a movie because the heater was not working. A cold yet exciting night. The next few days was a mix between sledding, building a snowman (notice the singular-I was the only one who built one), playing games and reading. On Wednesday was our first day of skiing! It was cold, snowy, and fun. Taking lessons was very helpful and the next two days we were going down all the greens and blues! I think we caught on pretty quickly and all of us can't wait to go again =)

The third day of skiing, also our last, Ash and I wrote this hilarious note and hid it up on top of one of the lifts. We tied it to a branch and covered it with snow. 2 weeks later our friends, Blake and Brandon, went up to ski at Wolf Creek too. We showed them on a map and even talked to them on the phone while they were up on the mountain to guide them to it, but they didn't ever find it. It was a sad treasure hunt!

Here is a compilation of pictures and videos from out trip =)

We definitely had an amazing vacation and made lots of memories. Thanks dad for taking us :)

Truly A White Christmas

We are leaving in 3 hours to go to Colorado! Yes, it is 2 a.m. and we are leaving at 5 a.m. Am I trying to pull an all nighter? Yes. We have had so much to do and I would rather hold out a few hours then try to wake myself up after a short nap.

We will be in the car for about 16 hours (give or take..depends on the weather) in just a little bit. I will probably sleep the first half of the trip and enjoy the scenery the next half. It is going to be snowing when we get there so we are bundling up and praying for a safe trip.

Most of the time we will be playing games, watching movies, and just spending time as a family. 3 of the days we get to go skiing! It's an amazing Christmas present. I will probably fall. Get up. Fall again. Get up. And finally ski! It's my first time so I am a little nervous but it will be fun no matter what. I am sure there will be a lot of hot cocoa and wrapping in blankets once we get back to the cabin. =)

We are still planning on having a huge Christmas feast! Mom and I have been working on pulling together a few ingredients and making a grocery list for when we get there. We have to have at least some of our traditional desserts and of course yummy ham, sweet potato casserole, macaroni, and other fun feasty foods. =)

Praying my mouth will heal up soon so I can eat real food...it's going to be an interesting car trip. Lots of applesauce! :)....:/

We will be gone for 9 days! I am sure the trip home next Sunday will not be as exciting as the trip there, but be looking for some pictures after Christmas. I will start taking those in just a few hours =)

Well I pray everyone has a wonderful Christmas. I'll be missing everyone especially my sister and brother, Rach and Joshua, who will be thought about every day of our trip! It will be good though.

Merry Christmas!

Oh the holidays!

It's Christmas time again. I love the holiday season for many reasons; family time, no school, enjoying friends, and the joy that seems to be so evident during this time. Today began that season for me. School is officially over for a month and I have a busy yet relaxing break to enjoy.

Saturday we depart for Colorado. We will be on vacation for 8 days with no internet or phone service..it's going to be a nice family trip. My dad is taking all of us skiing for Christmas. This is our first time to go so we are all excited!

For one reason I have mixed emotions about this vacation. This is my first Christmas without my big sister, Rachel. Joshua and Rachel are staying in California this year and we are all bummed that we have to be a part. I just keep telling myself God's plans are good and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. I don't know when the next time I will see her again (it has been 7 months...the longest I have been without seeing her). I am praying God provides a way for us to be together soon. I miss them terribly and look forward to when we can all spend some time together.

It is going to be a great Christmas nonetheless, and I will probably take way too many pictures of the piles of snow and beautiful mountains. I pray this is a blessed Christmas for everyone and that we all remember the reason we celebrate it. =)

12 Inches of Snow!

So Texas did it!

This snow was definitely a record for my life. I have never been anywhere that has had this much snow. 12 inches! It's crazy. We love to go to Colorado for vacation but it isn't normally in the winter.

Morning classes at CAIA(or CHE) were not canceled, but I didn't go anyways. My dad took Hunter to school(only 5 minutes away) and decided we shouldn't go to school especially because he didn't think it would be safe for my mom to pick us up later.

We invited the Redwines over and Holley is here, so we all ventured out in the snow and had a blast all day long!

"Sedgewick" and all of us! This was a really fun snowman to build! It didn't take too long with 6 of us working. It was about 6 feet!

Holley and Moon!

The park was awesome!

After playing out in the snow for a long time, we headed inside to warm up and play games. :)

We decided to make some smores..or at least try. =)

That night we all went across the street and ate Chili together. Perfect dinner on a snowy day!

snow..snow..snow..it wont be long before we'll all be there with snow!

I woke up to my older brother, Hunter, opening the blinds and saying, "Hannah, Ashtyn, its snowing!" Ashtyn and Ethan jumped out of bed and went to play in it. I didn't make it outside to play in it because I was getting ready to go to Portia's to hang out there while it snowed. Well the snow didn't last that long, but I still enjoyed looking out my window watching the snow fall. I love it when God gives us little surprises like that!

A couple days later....We have family movie traditions every Christmas. One of the many movies we watch is White Christmas! So this is my family (part of it at least ;)) watching the movie and enjoying some yummy Reese's peanut butter cookies and mint chocolate cookies(made by myself I might add).