We headed out bright and early Monday morning, caravaning with Brent's parents. Somehow these green doughnuts made the seven hour drive with three little ones bearable. Once in Moab, we settled into our rented house and then had some time for a ride. We left Ruby with Grandma and headed out on our first adventure to Fins 'N' Things. It's like a giant sandstone roller coaster.
Hudson was so excited to turn 5 that he could hardly sleep, by 6:00 he was already stirring.We forgot our leprechaun traps at home, so those pesky guys found us in Moab. They left a trail of footprints up the cupboards to the Lucky Charms. They also took one of Brother's birthday presents and hid it in the backyard. He had to find it under the rock marked with an X.
We spent the afternoon in Arches National Park, hiking and using those birthday binoculars.
We had dinner at Pizza Hut and green ice cream and cupcakes back at the house.
I can't count the times we've read The Night Before St. Patricks Day. We got most of our trap inspirations from the book. Hudson loved building them. Actually he just loves to build. We hope our design are solid and that a little leprechaun is waiting in one St. Patricks morning.
I re-purposed several items and gave thrifted finds a new coat of paint. The frames are mini-chalkboards and now all the church/preschool handouts have a place on the bulletin board. My oak chest now doubles as a toy box and reading seat.
I swapped out a dresser with these cubicles my husband helped me build. There's lots of storage space and a big coat rack keeps all the coats and backpacks off the floor.
I pieced together these quilt tops, now I just need to get them quilted and the room will be complete.
quilt top for her
quilt top for him
Brother had to get 4 immunizations. He was so brave. There was one that really stung and he thought about crying. . . for one second and then he was over it. Because he's tough and grown up all ready to be a big kindergartner next year. He'll get to ride the school bus, meet new friends, and keep getting smarter.
I came downstairs after vacuuming to find my oldest two giddy with excitement. They had spent previous hours in the basement dressing up in old costumes and had now reinvented their own wardrobes. "Look! Mom!" they ordered.
I had a hard time stifling my laughter as I evaluated their git-up. They were either some fast moving cattle rustlers, living high on their stolen wealth or the fast talking auctioneers who wear their Sunday's best in the livestock ring.
So here are the two girls at three months. Even though Dalanie had a lot of hair, Ruby's makes it look a little sparse in comparison. Ruby's hair is getting so long, but I still can't bring myself to start with the ponytails already.
Let me draw some attention to the footwear.
These well-loved and well-worn John Deere cowboys boots. They were the best thing I ever brought home from a garage sale- for free. (Some other boy had shown them a lot of love, broke them in, and wore holes in the toes already.)
Queen of scrunched up noses, lopsided smiles, and crazy outfits
I have grown to cherish these lazy winter mornings where all of the kids come piling into bed with us. First they find Ruby and smother her with all sorts of loves and climb under the covers to snuggle up to her. Then Brent employs his reverse psychology tactics by saying that he doesn't want any loves. This inevitably ends in a dog pile of squeals and smooches. Aaaahh. What a way to start off the morning.
Outside we went snowshoeing and sledding.
On Saturday we packed a picnic lunch and set out to find a little snow for some recreating. The white stuff was a little sparse, so we shared the trail with snowmobilers. It made for easy walking which is always good with 3 little ones in tow.
Once back at the parking lot, Hudson challenged everyone to a sledding competition. He's got the running jump launch down to an art. We might not have form, but the parents have the weight advantage. It was determined that everyone who had fun was a winner.
