Ski Bunny

Cutest season pass EVER! (free, btw)

Making a turn

Doesn't she look fast? (actually and action shot of her falling...)

Apres Ski at The Derailer

Loves the chair lift



Ahhh..... catching large snowflakes on her tongue while pulled in the wagon.....

 MLK weekend we took a long weekend to ski in Winter Park as a family. The snow isn't very good this year, but Lauren loved it. We started on the bunny hill and within minutes she was riding the "magic carpet" lift- getting on and off by herself (Favorite phrase of a 3 year old - I DO IT MYSELF!! WAAA!!). She did great, and didnt even need us to hold onto her or the harness that we had borrowed. It was funny and impressive what she could accomplish on her own. We were proud mama and daddy when a ski instructer told her to put her hands out and point in the direction she wanted to turn and viola! she was steering herself. Her concentration and determination surprised us both! I never have given small children enough credit- they can understand and do so much more than I ever imagined (if interested) and it is just plain mind-boggling!  Day 2 of skiing she insisted on taking the chairlift way up the mountain, she loved the ride up but was DONE about half-way down. Try to explain "too bad you have a long way down and NO the chairlift will not pick you up midmountain and give you a lift" to a 3 yr old. I bribed her with Hot Cocoa and then when we got to the bottom the coffee shop was closed and we couldn't even give her any. Luckily french fries are an acceptable substitution when it comes to bribes!

Happy 14th Birthday Casey!

Our beloved dog Casey celebrated his 14th birthday on New Year's Day. Lauren and I baked him a cake made of shredded carrots, honey and peanut butter. He got a candle and we sang to him- it was a fun day! We sure love this dog and hope he lives many more years. It will be tough when we dont have him one day...

WE LOVE YOU CASEY!

Noon Year's Eve

Lauren and I hit up the Children's Museum for their Noon Year's Eve celebration. The weather was bad- windiest day I have ever seen- but still a fun time. They had a ball drop outside and then a huge field of bubble wrap layed out for the kids to jump on. I lost Lauren in the chaos for a minute, but all was good. It was too cold for the other planned outdoor festivities so we stuck to inside. She made crafts and played and danced in the crazy projection circle dance floor. This bear was around and helped to animate story hour. She just loved him! (pictures from my phone).

Christmas 2011

Cousins

Christmas 2011 was in North Dakota with Jeff's family. Alison's family was there, so Lauren had lots of time with her cousins. Here are a bunch of pictures from the playground at Jeff's grade school, they have an awesome playground and there was still no snow in ND, so it was a fun Christmas eve morning with Lauren and the boys. On the trip home we asked her what her favorite things from Christmas- she said "my cousins" and when asked what else? the answer was "candy in my stocking". Well, that is it- she is spoiled beyond belief but we could have just gotten her a candy cane and some time with her cousins and she would be the happiest girl around. I love this little girl...

Alex

Jacob- He and Lauren have the same eyes, I think

Adoration for cousin Jacob

Cousins

New Bike

We gave Lauren a glider bike for her Birthday/ Christmas- it was going to be her birthday gift, but due to cold and lots of snow, we held onto it until  a warm day happened. She is learning to use it and thinks it is awesome. The bow has to stay on it- she calls it her flower!