5 years!

On Thursday we made the trip out to the "boy's spot" to leave a balloon for Little James' birthday. He would have turned 5! Sometimes it seems like yesterday and sometimes it like it has to be longer than 5 years. I realized that in the past 5 years I have had 4 children (wow!). Sydney fell asleep in the car so she was half-awake by the time we got there. James shoveled a path and we were only out for a few minutes - it was COLD! Not many of the pictures turned out - all of the ones I took look like I was using night-vision - I was so cold, I didn't care. We did have a good day. Ceci had us over for dinner and the kids got to play with cousins which is always a good time. I found myself giving Greyson hugs all day long - I am glad he doesn't mind. I picture baby James being a lot like like Greyson - I think they would have looked similar to each other. The girls and I wrote Birthday messages on the balloon - Sydney picked out the blue one at the store. I am glad the girls look forward to celebrating their brothers' birthdays. We miss the boys so much but are so grateful for the family God has given us.

James' birthday was this past week too. We had dinner together and played a family game of Ticket to Ride - Raleigh creamed us all!

And just more random pictures...

Greyson loves playing in the laundry about as much as he lights up when I get out the vacuum - must be a boy thing...

Ski Day!

I took Raleigh skiing today - I was not sure how it was going to go. I have not skiied in 11-12 years and I have never taught anyone before. Raleigh was a little afraid at first. She usually is like that with something new. We went up the small hill with the tow rope a couple of times and then decided that hill was too small so we took the chairlift to a bigger hill for the rest of the time.

Raleigh did GREAT! She told me she loved the time on the chairlift because "it is fun time talking to mom." I was so glad I got rid of my old skiis that were really long - so much easier to teach someone with short skiis on. Raleigh fell a number of times but was always glad when she made it down the hill without falling. I think she was surprised when I fell too! (In my defense, our skiis crossed and we both went down - oh, the other time was when the 12 year old snowboarder flew into me - I did not even see him coming - he was so appologetic, which I was impressed by for his age!)

Raleigh was cute - I looked like a total dork. My purple and teal gloves are from high school and this was the only hat I could find that covered my ears. At least I found a new pair of snowpants on the clearance rack so I did not have to wear bright teal ones and look like a Christmas tree.

And...Sydney want to go now...I mean NOW, like today, like jump in the car and go. I told her maybe next week - I have to wait until Raleigh is in school - not sure about taking 2 new skiiers by myself yet. Raleigh needs to get a little better!