Snow, Snow, and more Snow!

About a week and a half ago we headed up to Island Park to see my parents. They don't have as much snow as they have had other years, but it is still a beautiful winter wonderland. Jim and Kris came up the same weekend so the kids had some cousins to play with and plenty of sledding and snowmobiling to do. Lynn, my dad, and Jim all went snowmobiling in the morning while we took the kids sledding. When they got back, the rest of us did a little snowmobiling with the kids and then some warming up by the cozy fire. It was a quick trip, but as always, a lot of fun. I know I take way too many pictures, but Lynn's dad let me borrow his nice camera lense so I was having a lot of fun with some close ups.

There were swans all over on the river by my parents cabin.

Our puppy, Sketch was amazingly good while we were up there and has been better since we got home. Lynn and I are wondering if my parents dog, Sage, was able to talk to him a bit and tell him he needs to settle down.... I wish.

James, Claire and Madi all taking a break from sledding.

Grandma even joined in on some sledding fun.

Claire enjoying the hill.

I took quite a few shots trying to get a swan in flight, they fly really fast, but finally I got a winner.

Parker eating some snow.

At some point, while we were sledding, both of my kids had a cousin pulling them up the hill. I guess we need to work on some manners. Sorry James and Audrey. You guys were troopers.

Madi got her birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa while we were up there and I think she is now asking me daily when we can go fishing. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa, she loves it!!

The kids also got some Valentine's from the grandparents. They were a nice treat for the long ride home.

We stopped to see Grandma Helen on the way home and the kids gave her some Valentine's. She looked really good and was glad to go on a little walk with us.

We also stopped over in Victor to see the kids new little cousin at Aunt Sharon and Uncle Lohn's house. He was born on February 3rd so he was only 5 days old when we saw him. I have forgotten how small newborn babies really are. His name is Sylas Reed and the kids seemed to love him. Madi keeps asking me when we are going to have our own baby. Who knows....

Dancing Kids

Madi has really been into dancing lately. Almost every night her and her dad have to do some dancing and then we go dancing down the hall to her bedroom when it's time for bed. The other day she asked Parker to dance and it was so cute because they even got in the right position and she was trying to do dips and everything.

This one is a little blurry, but I thought it was so cute how they are looking in each others eyes.

Madi really thought she was dipping all the way and Parker was trying hard to get her to dip further.

Sledding

Grandma and Grandpa Dahle have a perfect little sledding hill right by their house. It is tiny, but the kids love it and get their fill of playing in the now. This is a picture of the kids with their friends, Caleb and Annie, getting ready to go do some serious sledding. Parker, Caleb, Annie and Madi

My Baby is 4!

January 11th was Madi's 4th birthday. I can't believe my baby is already 4 years old. It doesn't seem like that long ago when we were traveling through a huge snow storm hoping to make it to the hospital (I still feel bad for passing someone that had slid of the side of the road, but I was in a lot of pain). I think we got about 12 inches of snow that night. We even had to wait extra long for the doctor to get to the hospital because he had to shovel himself out of his driveway. Madilyn is such a princess and loves anything that is pink or purple. She really has her dad's personality; so for those of you who know Lynn, she is very stubborn and is always teasing. "Pink" is still her favorite blanket and comfort and we are still trying to get her to stop sucking her thumb (again the stubbornness shines through). We are so glad she is a part of our family. The Friday before her birthday, we had a simple princess birthday party with some of her friends. It was very basic, but the kids seemed to have a lot of fun. Everyone came dressed as a princess, we decorated tiaras, played a princess/cake walk, played Pin the Dress on the Princess and ate cupcakes and ice cream.

Princess/Cake Walk

Pin the Dress on the Princess

Opening Presents

The whole crew. Back Row: Lexi, Parker, Madi, and Abbie. Front Row: Annie, Porter and Lillian

Sunday was her real birthday. Lynn made her a toy chest (I will have to say he did a great job) and we filled it with very girly dress-ups. Parker gave her a matching game. She also got a Tinker Bell doll and some princess books. Grandma and Grandpa Dahle gave her a Dora jacket and some Dora toys. Thanks everyone for the fun birthday!

And of course the Belle birthday cake she has been begging me for. Happy Birthday Madi!