Mobile trip

Cooper and I flew home to Mobile about a month ago. After the previous experience flying home we knew we couldn't fly the whole family for a while. Grandma was in the hospital and I really wanted to visit with her. I am so glad we did. Cooper and I both were able to spend time with Grandma at the hospital. She did tricks with her bed for Cooper and showed him all of her bobo's. The experience wasn't ideal, of course we would have loved a visit with a healthy Grandma, but it was nice to have a chance to say Goodbye. She was so loved and will forever be missed.

Easter

Easter...Ummm... yes, I am just now writing about Easter. I am so far behind I don't even know everything I have left out. I get the pictures uploaded on the computer and am always overwhelmed. So, I will try to get this all updated once again and do my best to write more often. Our Easter was very simple but nice! Since we do not have any family here we do things a lot more relaxed and less formal. We went to the Easter service Sunday morning and picked up some food after and went for a picnic at a park we had not explored yet. Beautiful area! Oh and let me not forget the Easter Bunny did come to visit the kids and they were thrilled with all of the goodies. Cenley got a broom set and a few other goodies, Cohen got books and a puzzle, and Cooper got a Batman watch. We died Easter eggs the day before Easter and the kids really enjoyed doing that! I will post a few of the pictures we attempted. If you haven't noticed Cohen does NOT like having his picture made so it's kind of difficult for him. :)

Bear Valley

Clay and I have wanted to go snowboarding again for say I don't know 5 or 6 years. But, we got married and had 3 kids so it was a little difficult. But, now that we live out here on the West coast it was finally possible to hit the slopes :). Clay planned a trip for us out to Bear Valley (apparently it's where the "locals" go). He rented a cabin secluded in the woods at the top of a mountain. Mom came out for a visit and to go on our trip with us. So, we packed up Gammy, the 3 kids and the dogs and a LOT of stuff in our way cool mini van and headed out to Bear Valley. We knew we we would be in the woods but I don't think it hit home until we got there with how difficult it would be to get all of us and our stuff to the cabin. We hired someone to help us get to the cabin. Because...you can't just drive your car there, we had to ride snowmobiles to get to it. So, the man came with his snow mobile pulling a small boat and trailer and Clay had a snowmobile with a trailer. So, I road with the guy that picked us up with Cenley. Mom, Cooper and the dogs road in the boat and Clay and Cohen took the other snow mobile. Quite the adventure, but we made it! :)
We were able to just walk right outside our cabin to the perfect sledding hill and that is what we did a LOT every day. The kids and the adults LOVED it. Mobie loved the snow as well, she played hard in it. Switch slept most of the time in the cabin, because she can't get around very well, but she did enjoy the snow when she ventured out! I will post pictures of the sledding and continue the post later with the snowboarding! :)

Cenley Grace..all Grown up?

My baby girl is growing up WAY TOO FAST! Cenley thinks she is a lot bigger than she is. She loves to play with her brothers and tries to keep up with them. She wrestles with them, teases, jumps on the trampoline and much more.
We got Cenley her first tricycle lately and she loves it. We have a little parade going around the neighborhood when we walk to the park. Cooper on his bike, Cenley on her trike and Cohen still being pushed in the little red car :).
Also, For at least the past 2 months Cenley has been talking about using the Potty. Seriously? We still haven't potty trained Cohen. She carries the little frog potty to us and says tt. Well, ok then go ahead. So we let her try and she hasn't actually gone yet, but I am thinking it's pretty close. Love that girl!

Valentine's Day

We had little sicklings on Valentine's Day but we did have a V-Day celebration week! We made cards (that we are yet to send), decorated cookies and had some yummy food. We do love to celebrate any and all holidays. The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately and we have been able to get out and have lots of fun at the parks and just out in the yard. Here are a few pictures of life lately :).

Sensory Bin

I have been reading lots of ideas for things to do with kids and found a fun idea the other day. I have heard of sensory bins but I have not ever tried making one myself. So...I decided to give it a whirl. I just used things I had on hand such as cotton balls, beans, pasta, cheerios and added some cups, bowls and spoons. We went out after dinner and let the kids go to town. I was amazed and how long they played with this stuff and really enjoyed just running their hands through it. I think I will do a really messy, gooey one next time, they will just LOVE it.

BEACH

Well, we hit the beach again, I think we will be spending a LOT of time there. The entire family loves it. With it being only an hours drive it's easy to pack up and go for the day. I have been wanting to get back to Monterey to get some more Sea Glass, it is so very neat. Clay and I have been reading up on it so it makes it even more exciting to find it now.
First, we went to the actual beach with the sand for the kids to play in. It was a chilly day so we had to have light jackets and hats. We saw people out surfing which was neat, but other than that not a lot of people out there. The kids enjoyed some digging in the sand and running from the water. Actually, Cohen was trying to get in an swim and yes eventually he fell in. (that was time to leave) Cohen was FREEZING but I seriously doubt he learned his lesson :). If he weren't so cold it would have been hilarious. After we got everyone changed and cleaned up we went to the Pier so Mama could get her sea glass. Cooper walked down with me and we searched for at least 30 minutes. Cooper said we were Pirates looking for Treasure. It was so much fun :). (and I had a great helper) Some more people came down where we were and Cooper said Oh No Mommy we have to get them to leave they are gonna get our treasure! :)
Lastly, Coffee time for Mommy and milkshakes for kiddos. Another fun Beach trip!