Skiing in Colorado

 After what seemed like forever we finally were able to make it up to the mountains to go skiing. We realized that skiing in Idaho was closer, less expensive and way easier. We were happy to be together on the mountain finally. After a few practice runs on the practice slop we figured we could go do the green. Keystone has a green run that is over 3 miles long. Savannah went down with daddy while Brittlynn and I decided to take a break at the lodge. For some reason I decided to convince Brittlynn to go down the run. It didn't go so well. It was so windy that she kept getting knocked over by the wind. She would just fall down and not move. We made it half way down and decided to wait for Daddy and Eric, they went down a different way and just passed us so I convinced her to try a little more. Then Eric picked her up an carried her down the rest of the mountain. Savannah decided to follow them and I carried the poles. I am a much slower skier than Eric and Savannah so I hope they all made it down together. When I got to the bottom I only found Eric's and Brittlynn's skis...no sign of savannah's. I found Eric and ask him where she was and we immediately realized she was lost. I wondered if she went back up the lift or where she would have gone. After talking to a worker I remembered the split in that took you to the other lift. The radioed over to the workers on the other side and went to look for her, Eric headed back up the mountain to ski down and find her.  Shortly after he left the called and said they found her and she was waiting in the lodge for him. It was a scary moment of the day. Skiing in Colorado is way different then in Idaho. Brittlynn fell asleep while we were waiting and decided she was done for the day. It's hard when your body is so little to go against the wind. Savannah still wanted another run for the day, so she went one more time with Daddy.

We had a lot of lessons learned. First off if you get lost, find a worker and make sure you can see mommy or daddy always.

As we talked about what happened to both of us we talked a lot about prayers. I know my prayers were answered. Savannah wasn't sure. As she got down to the bottom of the lift she kept praying that Mommy or Daddy would come and get her. We didn't come so she wasn't sure her prayer was answered. As we talked about it more she was watching and praying for us to come down the path and she had an impression to go toward the building. As she did a worker came right up to her and asked if she was Savannah. Even though we weren't physically able to be there to answer her prayers, he was watching over her. Sometimes our prayers are not answered how we think, but he answers them.

Happy Birthday Eric

So we have some of the most crazy, but amazing friends. Heather decided she wanted to throw Eric a surprise birthday party. I was all about it because I am not the best at birthday celebrations. It was an amazing night surrounded by some amazing people and Eric was very surprised and felt very loved, especially during a time when things aren't going the way you had planned. Dinner and some games afterwards made the night special.

For his actual birthday we spent the morning together doing sealings in the Fort Collins temple (ours is closed for cleaning). We were planning on doing a session but we got there late. The best part is when you forget your sunglasses and have to borrow your wife's.  With that change of plans we were able to help an older couple complete their family names that they brought and couldn't have done with out us. It was a tender mercy for them and a great experience for us.

We also found out that Alex had decided to get married on his dad's birthday so we now have another member in our family. Welcome Anastasia, we can't wait to be able to meet you and we are excited for life's adventures that await you.

Of course the best part of the day is watching the girls spoil their daddy. They love to celebrate and remind me how important it is to make special days count. They decided they wanted to make Eric cake pops, so we made the best out of making it into a cake. I would guess he also enjoyed being able to play pickleball with his friends, and have someone besides me to play with.

A lot has happened over this last year...the temple, retirement, new career as a Realtor, becoming a temple worker, and many other amazing and wonderful things. The year has been great but there is so much more of life to live in the future. We will see what 45 has to offer and are excited for the new adventures.

Sewing Day

So every once and awhile I get out my sewing machine because I need to sew something. Every time I get it out then my girls ask me if they can learn. I am always trying to do just one project and be done, and I don't really have a crafting space to leave it out. So my reply is yes I will teach you just not today. In Idaho I promised Brittlynn that I would give her sewing lessons. I thought I would have time this summer before we moved, but I got to preoccupied with packing and other things. Today I needed to make something to send to Alex for his birthday. She was relentless...she wouldn't stop asking until I said yes. I know I should be better at taking time to teach them. I just get busy doing whatever it is I need to do.

The end result was the happiest girls in the world. They made little pillows for their dolls and they couldn't be happier. Now they can't stop thinking about the next time they have sewing lessons. I am grateful or days like these and I am grateful I have this basic skill that I can teach them. Today I got the best mom ever award from them.

Extended Break

So we had a really long Christmas break in Colorado this year. We got out the week before Christmas and didn't go back until January 4th. We were hoping to go skiing before the girls went back to school but logistics with rentals and timing didn't work out for us to go. With this new career we are never sure when we get our next pay check so I am more cautious on spending.

We got a gift card to a movie theatre for Christmas from Eric sister so we decided to take the girls to see the new Disney movie Moana. They girls had so much fun and it was great to go out together as a family.

After a great New Years Eve party playing Just Dance I decided we should get it for the girls so they can play on the TV. The girls have been playing every chance they can get and it is fun to watch them play. 

We made it back to school for one day and then they called a snow day. After a morning of Just Dance the girls asked if they could go sledding and I said yes. For them the word "Yes" was like a miracle. I guess I don't always say yes to that, its usually daddy who takes them and they were so excited. So after lunch we headed over the the sledding hill. It was so much fun, the sun was shining and it was a lot warmer than you would think. Their laughter is what made the trip well worth it. I even managed to make it down the hill with them without crashing. (Another mommy miracle). Eric spent the morning working in the Temple. He wished he could have been there with us. Brittlynn ran into a friend from class and they spent the rest of the time together.

After sledding it was a little time for mommy. We went over to the Pecks house to do nails and the girls were able to play with their friends. Eric came over for a little while to use the treadmill and then he surprised me when he said he had to show a house in a few hours. This new career has been challenging because you can't see the direct result of your efforts. We had two deals fall through at Christmas and our financial future started to terrify me. I don't know if this new deal is going to work...but I can see that we are very watched over and amazing things can happen that we can't always foresee. By being obedient to the commandments you are watched over and blessed in ways you could never imagine.