March Fun

Head to the track to run with Connor in the stroller.....and Connor insists on running.  We will see how much she can improve her time in some 5K's this summer.

Our babysitter.  She had to be one of the founders of Pinterest.  I don't know where she gets these ideas but always something cool!

Traumatic moment for Mom.  Last time in the rear-facing car seat.....I've stuck her back there as long as I could...

Thumbs up for forward facing! Even though now she squirms the whole time she is in the carseat....maybe it's because she doesn't know what to do with her legs since they aren't propped on the backseat anymore?

Mushrooms!  Kinda....We dug these out of the freezer from last year.  They were okay...but not the real deal.

My boys.

This was an unbelievable moment.  So, Jace had to have some blood drawn.  He had some blood drawn last fall, and it was a matter of me holding him, holding his legs under my legs, a nurse holding his arm down, and another nurse getting the blood. All while Jed watched because Jace wouldn't let him near him and if he would have, there wasn't room.

So. Wasn't excited about getting this done, but tried to prepare him us...warned the nurses when I made the appointment, warned them when we got there, and we were ready for the same thing.  Assumed the position, pulled out my phone for him to watch some farm videos for a possible distraction, AND HE JUST SAT THERE.  Didn't flinch an inch.  Unbelievable.  But SO thankful it turned out like that!

These goobers.

Ranger ride!  Can't wait for summer!

I picked Brook up one day because Barb had to leave early for baseball games, and she's doing some standing!

Jace's Family

The Powell's: Melissa, Aaron, and Alexis (6 months)

The Great-Grandparent Johnsons: Erma and George

Grandma and Grandpa J

The Tharmans: Carl, Jena, and Brook (8 months)

Grandma and Grandpa B

The other Great-Grandparent Johnsons: Richard and Darlyne

The Luedkes: Kyler (6), Derek, Cassidy (2), Colton (8) and Jennifer 

Great-Aunt Debi

The Johnsons: Jay, Morgan, and a soon-to-be boy cousin!

S-I-X

But first, a belated picture of Jace with his Superkid poster.

And now, Jace turns 6.

This last year seems to have been a BIG year for Jace.

~He finally (FINALLY) EATS.  Which means he grew.  A lot.

~He is almost finished with Kindergarten and it is A-MAZING what he has learned in this year.

~His personality is really developing.

~He still loves Connor.  A lot.  But he has also learned just how to push her buttons...

~He loves Jed.  And he is LOVING all the stuff he is getting to do with him FINALLY.  Tractors, hunting, cows, helping Jed...

~He still loves me.  He's still a mommy's boy and I'm soaking this up as long as I can, because I know my days are numbered.  I mean, he still gives me a kiss and hug when I drop him off for school every morning.  He's my favorite guy.

~He loves Angus, and wants another dog.  He's really starting to treat Angus as "his boy" and wants him to follow him around the yard (which he pretty much already does)

~He loves dirt.  Sandbox dirt, where there is always work to do.  And garden dirt, where he is excited to plant things this year.  And of course field dirt, where he can't wait to help plant.

~He's still our red headed boy that loves popcorn, pancakes, starburst, and the occasional Mountain Dew.  And his love for Ice Cream is really coming around too!

Jace wanted to write his own sign, and he did a great job!  The picture on the right is showing that once again, it is SNOWING at his birthday party!

He got some really exciting gifts!  AND...he let Connor "help".

Again, he requested dirt cake.  Throw in some animals and ta-da!  Hunting birthday cake!

This is a new challenge for birthday parties at our house...get all the cousins in one picture.  Not too bad for our first attempt!  Colton (8), Alexis (6 months), Kyler and Jace (6), Brook (8 months), Cassidy and Connor (2).

We used trick candles this year.  That was fun.....

And, trying out one of his gifts after everyone left...just a little roller skating in the house!

Kyler turns......6!!!

Isn't she cute in her "party dress?" 

Sometimes I think these two spend more time crying and fighting than anything else...BUT...it's better than it used to be!

Connor kinda loves Kyler...

AND, the birthday cake she picked out.  Totally fits her. 

Family!  Some are more enthused than others...

Happy Birthday, Kyler Dianne!

Winter Park 2016

We love skiing.  This annual ski trip is so much fun to look forward to every winter!

A look back at the road coming into Winter Park...it's a long, steep, winding road! 

 Every so often you see spots like this...we have no idea how they get to the top of the mountain, but these kind of spots are where back country skiers come out.  A lot of these spots aren't cleared like this, they literally come out of the trees!

This year we got in on a Saturday, driving out on the busiest ski day of the week.  So we were able to go up north of Winter Park to Granby Ranch, where they have night ski.  It was a good way to test out the ski equipment for a little bit before hitting the slopes for the day!  On the road into Granby Ranch deer were everywhere...literally right next to the road!

Here is the ranch all lit up for night skiing--it was icy, so wasn't the best skiing, but still a fun couple hours of skiing for only $20!

And then we got to spend 3 more days skiing at Winter Park...as usual, it was a blast and those 3 days flew by!

Top of the mountain, as quick as we could!  Being the experienced skiers we are (HA!) We have learned that if the top is open, you get up there ASAP because it will close down if it's too windy.

This doesn't do it justice...but in the picture below we are getting ready to jump off the edge...it's my favorite! 

Enjoying a cold one on the mountain!  We tried out a couple new spots this year, but decided we like our usual Lunch Rock.

The girls!  We must have been on a steep hill the way we are bracing ourselves from sliding down the mountain.

The gang!  Jed, Angela, Ryan, Megan, Austin, Gracie, Curtis and Jaime.

Another picture that doesn't do the mountain justice...but Jed, Megan and I decided to do an entire run of moguls.  It was SO long...but we did it!

At the end of that run!

And at the end of the trip we always close it out with supper at the "Lime Cantina" where they serve good Mexican food and tasty margaritas.  Still smiling! Jed said this was my best year of skiing yet, and I have to agree!  A.K.A. I kept up with him this year.  :)

Now the question is.....do we take Jace next year? When we got back we told him he couldn't go until he learned to ride his bike.  Well, he learned in one afternoon.  Then we told him he had to practice roller skating and maybe roller blading...and he has been working on that! 

So, until next year!