Ice Skating With the Crott's Family

We had one final day to squeak in some fun before school was back in session so we coordinated with the Crott's family for an ice skating date.  We love to spend time with this awesome crew.  It's so fun when our good friends have kids who are compatible with our kids. It's a win win situation.

The kids patiently waited for a table to open up at the Blue Plate Diner.  It was worth the wait.  After a delicious breakfast it was time to ice skate at the Gallivan Center.

Is there anything cuter than little baby ice skates?

I think not.  Poor Sam has a hard enough time running around and not falling with normal shoes on, let alone ice skates.  Ice skating is hard.

Gina to the rescue!  The fact he would even allow her to get this close is a bit of a miracle.

As long as I was in his view he was fine.

He had fun holding on to us or being carried around the rink.  It's exhausting work for the person carrying him though.  He had fun and that's all that matters.

Ice skating is the best sport in the world if you want your older kids to hold your hand.

You'll have to ignore the poor quality of the above picture.  Evie and Hank held onto me for countless laps around the rink.  They were so cute, "accidentally" running into each other.  Save this for the wedding video!

And then there's my darling Max.  After his first failed attempt around the rink he was done.  Max doesn't like it when there is something he can't do.  He took some pretty nasty falls so I couldn't blame him for sitting out.  Randy and I couldn't convince him to get out and try again.  He was beyond pissed that we had even brought him to such a stupid activity.  Next thing I know, Gina was patiently teaching him how to skate.

She reached out to him when I couldn't and it was awesome to see.  Slowly but surely he got his confidence back and ended the day on a high note.

Of course he was the one who didn't want to leave at the end of the day.  That's classic Max for you.  I'm so glad our day ended on a happy note.  These kids are pretty damn adorable together.  It was the perfect end to our Christmas Break.  Is it bad to say I'm ready for the kids to be back in school?  I think they're ready too.  Time to get back to our routine.  We had a fabulous break.

The Family that Climbs Together, Stays Together

Dyson and Colby gave Hank and Max passes to try out the new indoor rock climbing gym in town.  We have driven past it numerous times so we were anxious to see what it was all about.  I was sold the second I saw the adorable kid sized climbing shoes.  My kids are monkeys and judging from these pictures you can see they get it 100% from their daddy.

First up, Max

He gave a few of the employees a scare when he decided to jump from the top instead of climbing down.  He did this about 50 times.

Cute little Sammy would climb up so high and then couldn't get down.  It was a slight problem when Randy wasn't around.  I can't carry him down that wall.  Speaking of Randy...

His freakish upper-body strength really came in handy as you can see.  This place is legit.  We were the only patrons there without a Nalgene bottle, a chalk bag, and nappy hair. 

Hank impressed me with his strength.  He really thought about his hand and foot placement and never gave up.  He has a little fear of heights so he proceeded with caution.  After spending over an hour climbing, everyone was hungry so we came home to eat dinner.  The kids begged us to take them back that night.  Since we had an all day pass we figured why not.  Sam didn't last long the second time around so Randy took him home so I could climb with the boys.  I'm plenty strong enough to climb, it's just my debilitating fear of heights that gets me.  Hank and Max were so sweet to coach me on as I attempted to make it to the top.

No one can say I don't try to hang with my boys.  I may not look pretty trying but at least I make an effort.  My palms were sweaty and my heart was racing but I made it to the top!  It was fun to try something new and an excellent way to get my kids energy out on a cold winter day.  We will definitely go back.

Sledding

Christmas Break is cruising by.  I had a panic moment that we haven't done enough with our kids so we headed up to Tibblefork to sled.  It was cold and windy but the kids were pumped to haul down the mountainside. 

Max didn't hesitate and was the first one down.

The kid has no fear.

Hank got cruising!

He even caught some air.

You think Randy could resist a turn on the sled?

Sam was a good sport and attempted hiking on his own.

Max had it figured out. 

Sam and I took shelter under some trees when it started to snow and the wind picked up even more.  We had fun watching the boys but then my little punkin wanted to head back to the car.

We ate treats and listened to my boyfriend (Nick Hexum) while the others made several trips up and down the hill.  I could have stayed up there for hours.  It was breathtakingly beautiful.  

Happy Birthday Randy!!

Our main man turned the big 3-7!  I can't believe we've spent nearly 20 birthdays together.  It blows my mind.  These boys couldn't love and adore their dad more,  Nothing says birthday like a trip to Jack and Jill's for some bowling.  Jeri and Scott brought their bowling balls and bowling shoes and joined us.

This bowling ramp is a genius invention for Sam's age.

He insisted on doing it himself which was fine by me.  It kept him entertained for quite awhile.  Then, the pull of the arcade was more than he could handle.  It wouldn't be a birthday without a meltdown from Sam.  He made a scene and eventually got to play his precious games.

I was able to handle his fit much better knowing Randy and I would have an adults only party later that night with some of our friends.  My parents, bless their hearts, happily volunteered to take the kids overnight for us.  It was such a treat for Randy and I.  New Year's Eve isn't exactly the easiest holiday to get a babysitter.  Plus it gave me so much piece of mind knowing my kids were going to have a blast with their grandparents.

All three of them stayed up until midnight and had a blast with the Ross Fam.  My parents are seriously the best.  They genuinely wanted to spend time with my kiddos, never acting put out to watch them on New Year's.

After Randy and I dropped the kids off we headed downtown to the Peery Hotel.  I got an incredible deal on a room there.  Once we saw the room, the good deal started to make sense.  It was a strange, very tiny room, but did the trick.  We didn't plan on staying in the room much anyway.  After we got all dressed up, we met some friends at Squatters for dinner.

Erica must have been in the bathroom for this pic, but her and Todd made the trek from Lehi to celebrate with us.  Our new friends Jenn and Dustin were also in Salt Lake so they joined us too.  We needed a little dance party in our tiny room before we headed out for the night.

The birthday boy was ready to get his groove on.

I couldn't love this mug more.

Only VIP treatment for my main man.

It's always a good time when these two are around.  I appreciate their effort to come hang with us.  Erica was just getting over pneumonia.

We danced...

and danced...

and shimmied the night away.

We took lots of selfies too.

Then the clock struck 12.

Cheers to 2015!

Randy was one happy birthday boy.

Until he realized his birthday was over.

Now for the sap.  I can't think of a more deserving man to be celebrated.  The good times we have keep getting better and better.  There is never a dull moment with this guy.  He makes me feel loved, excited, happy, and carefree every single day.  Not to mention how amazingly he provides for me and our children.  We would be lost without him.  Happy birthday my love, my best friend, my soul mate.  I coudn't love you more!  I'm so excited to see what this year will bring.  Let's have some incredible adventures.  I love you!