Autoban = Snow Expressway

 A peak at the 3 Sisters on our morning drive.

  We headed up to Hoodo's Autobon tubing park to spend the day in the snow with some good friends the Monahans.  On the drive home I asked Mike what an autobon was and he described it as "like a freeway."  Autobahn is a German word which translates to "federal expressways". German autobahns have no general speed limit, but the advisory speed limit (Richtgeschwindigkeit) is 130 kilometres per hour (81 mph).  I'd say that right there is an accurate description of the sledding hill. 
F-A-S-T!  The kids enjoyed the ride.  Eli heading down solo most of the time and the younger kids in a double tube or on a parents lap.  Ruby (still has a fear of sleds, but getting better in the snow) and Henry took turns sitting out.  We took a break for a picnic lunch then hit the runs a couple more times.  Overall a thrilling experience, I just should have worn an extra pair of underwear.

Kara and Henry



It looks innocent from the bottom.



There goes JJ and Olivia!

Ellinor (almost 3)



It had a rope tow (which was it's perk.)



We had a great weekend just spending time together eating, catching up, swimming at Eagle Crest, playing outside, and iceskating.  We are truly GREATFUL.

more than a sick day

 We had a sick week at our house.  A diagnosis of a fever and cough requires a prescription of endless couch time, the privalege of being carried everywhere, multiple doses of children's tylenol, a trip to the pediatricians (and NO trips to anywhere else during the week), gallons of gatorade in a variety of colors, and a continuous reel of disney DVDs.

 



Thanks Mom for the extra supplies.

 


Ruby tries Jell-O for the first time and likes it.



It's a strange household dynamic when the kids are NOT constantly moving, throwing things, getting out toys and art supplies, talking continuously, screaming, or fighting.  With a week of downtime and feeling under the weather over, the kids are now ready to go out in the world and go right back to their old ways of  constructing then destructing, playing then fighting then playing together again.  It is nice!

a trampoline and a friend. . .what more could a kid want

 

any given day. . .is a day that the Lord has made!

This is the day that the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.

The activities that fill our lives are meant to bring us joy.  Sometimes it takes me getting behind the lens to see this world with a joyous point of view.  I guess that's why I take so many pictures.  Here are some of the things we do on a routine and daily basis.  Enjoy!

A trip to the park and a walk in the canyon is a must on a January day that reaches 50 degrees.  Thanks Camie, Jayden and Pippa for the outing.  Going back down the canyon trail after the sun goes down is MUCH, MUCH cooler!

Corinne enjoys her nap time with a new furry friend.  Thanks Grandma Martin for the birthday present.

Derrick and Elijah lounge around and watch My Side of the Mountain.

Now, it's Ruby's time to wake up from nap.  She loves her new "Bumble" Crocodile.  We adopted the name straight out of one of her FAVORITE books, Tumble Bumble which features a big Crocodile as one of the main characters.  Ruby is very fond of reading before and after her naps.

Now it's time to open the mail with Daddy (an activity to do while we wait for dinner.)

This is Corinne's activity:  painting in a fairy dress (which she layered up to go jump on the trampoline.)  Jumping on the trampoline is what her brother is doing right now  (an activity to do while we wait for dinner.)

This is Ruby's favorite place. . .the pantry.  The activity (while waiting for dinner):  sorting, rearranging, stacking, and sometimes pouring out of the assorted spices.


 

Then comes bath time.  Elijah showers seperately, but today, he got in the bath with the girls after.  If only for the photo-op moment, it was worth it.

Ruby loves to apply her own moisturizer.  Keeping her skin baby soft is a

very big thing  for her.