Family Moab Weekend

We love hanging out with the Larkins.  Our kids are all about the same age so we do fun things.  Tyler and Darren went for a bike ride while we went for a drive to Dead Horse Point.  The hike was short and I think the highlight was running back to the bathroom when we were done.  

Then we drove into Arches and took the kids on TierDrop Canyon.  I was so excited.   They did great.  Even on the big rappel at the end.  They got to do single strand which was fun.  

One night we went for a razor ride.  My kids were so excited to go on the razor but the only time to go was during the pouring rain.  After the ride we all enjoyed the hot tub!

The last day we took the kids up Looking Glass rock.  Its a three pitch climb with a long rappel.  Again... super proud of them!  They rappel down through the little crack at the top of the arch. 

I believe this is the trip we did Fins and Things- We  hiked out in the dark and cold snowy path.  Crossing the river a few times in the cold and dark.  We were so glad to get back to our cars. 

February 2019

February was a busy ski month.  Lots and lots of great snow.  Tyler had an amazing ski team instructor.  Coach Ray is one of the best.  Tyler is in the center of the picture hiking up the mnt to ski some fresh powder.  Abby can ski about anything on the mountain and she is 5.  The youngest ski team member.  But because she has a blue coat she gets called a boy all the time.  So so pulled out a chunk of hair from her helmet and said she looks like a girl now.  It's what the fashionable girl skiers do.  (Not me... but my 5 year old daughter noticed and did it!) We had a good avalanche blast at Sundance.  Great up close safe experience for the kids to see what it is like!  Ella can ski with the best of them.  She's jumping a trip in the picture below. 

We had no school one day and went to the Children's Museum downtown.  The girls each brought a friend.  We stopped for ice cream at Dads work on the way home.  

Ella had another competition. I was so glad I could get off of work at Sundance to go see her.  It was such a fun day to see her.  Ella and I spent so much time together right now.  When we drive to tumbling practice we practice spelling.  In the morning we practice math.  After school we do more homework.  Its a lot of time, and patience.  But she is understanding things so much better.

Abby does lots of creative play.  She has so many "friends" that she takes care of.  She feeds them, reads them stories, and teaches them school.  

We made it through Valentines Day.  I am terrible at holidays.  The girls made cute boxes.  

Abby and I spend lots of time together still.  Next year is first grade so she will be gone all day and I think we will both love it.  I love her paper she wrote at school.  It says.  "lift, I am on a lift, I am going skiing with my friends."  She loves skiing!  She drew a picture of "the mother ship" bike with Daddy.  She loves to ride fast behind Darren.  Also we listen to book on the way to ski team and back.  The main character made a collage in the book, so Abby came home and made a collage about her also!

And I finally got a new phone.  Tyler can show me how to use it.  and take smoldering photos of himself in portrait mode! He's a pretty great kid!

January 2019

January 2019 came and went and I think I worked more than I ever have.  I had a crazy first month of being the Head Coach of the Sundance Maverick team.  Lots of work to get 100+ kids and 20+ coaches organized.  I was also testing for Canyons School District all the special needs kids.  And I really tried to still be a good mom.  After my first weekend with Sundance I took a hot bath and Darren took the kids out for the evening.  It was really nice!

Ella had her first ski race at Snowbird.  Darren got to cheer her on.  She got 10th out of like 20+ girls so we were excited.  She is on the end of this picture with a turquoise coat and purple pants.  Tyler also had his first Soda League race and was awesome.  We didn't stay and see how he did but we had a good time!

We had our friend Mila over to teach us how to make cakes.  My cousins the Rupp's came.  It was so much fun.  And a yummy cake to eat after!  Then the next weekend Tyler made another cake on his own.  There was some extra so Ella decorated one also.  

 Tyler loves affection.  Ella is nice and gives him loves.  Abby.... we are still working on that!

 Ella had her first tumbling meet.  She got two 2nd places and an 8th place.  She is quite an athlete.  We still work hard on school since that comes a bit slower for her.

We did try to go skiing on Martin Luther King Weekend.  It would have been amazing but the traffic was terrible.  The roads were horrible.  So glad we got to turn around and go home.