Ski Day

Drew had last Friday off so we kept Liz out of school and they went skiing together. It's her fifth year going, though most of those years she only went once. Happily, this year she's willing to ski alone (good timing since Drew wants to start Lainey next year). Now we'll see if I dare to ski alone. I'm feeling the pressure to at least give it a try so next month I've committed to pull Liz out of school again, haul the whole family to the resort, and take a lesson.

What we've been up to . . .

This morning my mom called and asked when I was going to post again. I guess it's been a while (for me). So far we've just been trying to get back into a routine after the holidays.
We came up with this year's family theme. We also updated our "to do" list with fun winter activities for the next few months. Thing Lizzie's most looking forward to: ice skating with Daddy. Thing Drew's most looking forward to: skiing with Lizzie.

Since this last snowstorm was pretty pathetic (a.k.a. did not provide enough snow for sledding or snowman-building) we made do with "indoor snow" (shaving cream).

I'm in the Primary now and honestly, these last two Sundays have been pretty stressful. Drew is gone all day for toboggan training so I'm flying solo at church (meaning Ellie comes to Primary with me). Last Sunday the two little ones were super loud in Sacrament meeting. I could not get Alaina to pipe down. At one point I whispered, "quiet Lainey!" And she immediately turned it into a song, chanting "quiet Lainey, quiet Lainey." Argh. Lately Sunday has become something to "just get through." I'm hoping I can do better this Sunday (by preparing earlier).

I finally started giving Ellie veggies. We've started her on broccoli. She's not loving it.

Alaina has started taking her naps in her (or my) bed instead of the pack-n-play so Alaina can start taking her naps in the pack-n-play instead of her carseat (finally!).

We're slowly replacing our holiday crafts and decor with winter ones (thanks Dyckmans for showing me the proper way to make snowflakes).

Alaina started dance class. She seemed to enjoy it, but had trouble staying with her teacher (I wish I didn't have to be in the room with her). Next up for Lainey: toilet training? Just as soon as I work up the courage.

Still not crawling but so, so, close.

Other things: I can't wait till Lizzie is done selling girl scout cookies and I'm finally planning the Barnes family 2011 trip.

Our last Christmas activity . . .

Last night I took my family to see the holiday lights at the National Harbor, specifically the stuff in the Gaylord hotel. After about 20 minutes we were more than ready to go.

I turned to Drew and said, "Well, now we know that this is not something we need to do next year."

Andrew said, "No. Now you know." (Because apparently he knew long before we arrived.)

Oh well. They can't all be winners. Here's a post Christmas holiday activity that did live up to my expectations (and will definitely be on the "to do" list next year): The trains at the Botanical Gardens. This year they created famous buildings from around the world. It was fun to find some that I have actually visited: Petra, Eiffel Tower, Neuschwanstein, and the Hagia Sophia.

Lainey pix

Lizzie & Ellie pictures

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

Last November we had a fabulous photographer, Penny Lutz, take pictures of the girls for our Christmas card.

We weren't able to get too many group shots because with three kids there was always one that was uncooperative. Still, I'm happy with the one's Penny got:

New Year's Day

We went back and forth on our New Year's Day plans. We wanted to go tubing at Liberty Mt. and to Longwood Gardens (Drew gave me a season pass and I'm dying to use it). Finally we decided to do both, but when it all played out we actually only had time for the tubing. Everything just takes longer with kids.I swear the time we spent bundling and unbundling the kids before and after was equal to the time we spent on the hill.

Liz was excited, but Alaina couldn't get over the discomfort of multiple thick layers. In the end she was too afraid to sled (we discovered this after paying for her) and spent most of her time in the lodge anyway.

The sledding hill was equipped with a "moving carpet" so there was no need to tire ourselves out by hiking back up after each run. They also had young men at the top to give us a push start. Nice.

The babies weren't old enough to go on the main hill so we took turns. First Drew watched the Alaina and Gabrielle . . .

while I went tubing.

Then, I watched the little girlies in the lodge . . .

And Drew accompanied Lizzie on the hill.

It was loads of fun and I can't wait to go back.

The following video is from Drew's I phone.