The great outdoors

Elise's winter outdoor trip was these past two days.  On Day 1, they went snowshoeing. On Day 2, they went cross country skiing.  

I would love to brag about how wonderful our weather is, but that has not been in the case. The sweet Kindergartners braved the rain and slush, but still did their trips with smiles.

Now, our spring break partying can begin!

Change gears

Thanks to an under the weather little one

 and a full on slushy blizzard (my camera phone didn't quite catch the dramatic weather),

our day has now turned into staying at home in our pjs, 

making dried fruit

 and packing for spring break vacation.

Our regular over-scheduled day will resume tomorrow.

Our weekend in photos

First there was a little skiing for the boys while the girls had some great mother/daughter time at the nail salon

 There there was a short family bike ride to celebrate spring's upcoming arrival

Plus, another tubing party

Winter, we aren't letting you escape us yet.  

When the moon shines

To celebrate a very special friend's birthday, we headed up to Galena Lodge with some friends for a wonderful meal and then snowshoeing under the full moon.  As my sister would say, "this wasn't your typical movies and Outback Steakhouse crowd".  

We didn't spot any bears, but had plenty of laughs and the Adventure Club has been born.  

Happy weekend!

Can I get an AMEN that it is the weekend!

What could have been

**A two year old Braden on the magic carpet---so cute!**

I went from someone who wasn't interested in ever skiing to someone to fell in love with skiing in just a matter of two weeks.

Why the change of heart?

I will claim my family was THE primary reason, but my competitive nature comes in at a close second. 

It's time for my confession....

In early January, Columbia Sportswear (I still kick myself as I write this) wanted me to do a photo shoot for them.  Everything was all set for the next day, until I realized what my "job" requirement was.  I knew that I was going to play wife and mom to my pretend family, but I didn't know that I was supposed to be skiing with them.  Skiing for this non-skier.  Oops!

I couldn't even fake it, so I had to back out. The shame!

I was upset at myself that my own silly inabilities caused me to lose such a cool gig.  Then I realized that my silly inabilities also made me lose out on some awesome family time.

Thus, a skier was born. 

Hope it is like riding a bike and I won't have to relearn next year!

Proof in the picture

After a full day of day of skiing, Patrick and I then ventured to a great night of a dinner/auction for our school.

Here is proof that Patrick and I actually went on a date without the children!

The theme of the evening was Casablanca and we are pictured with two tremendous friends who just moved to town this summer.

Thanks again to Pinterest, the back of my hair looked something like this...

Very easy hairstyle that I will copy again.

Together as a family

Patrick's parents and his sister's family were in town this weekend.  It was a fun weekend of skiing and catching up and more skiing.  I was a terrible picture taker, so I will have to wait for more pictures from Jane and Katy.

 Jane and Grandpa Bob with cousin Sienna (age 2), cousin Owen (age 5), cousin Helayna (age 8) and Elise getting ready to hit the slopes.  

 Thanks to the best ski couch---my hubby---who pushed me hard this weekend and stuck by my side. No thanks to my super lame helmet and lack of goggles. 

The skier dudes---3 generations of Buchanan men.

Out of her shell

I always knew that Kindergarten would open up Elise's world, but I had no idea that her world would blossom this big.  She continues to surprise us and amaze us with her courage and independence.  Plus, to see her face beam with pride is the icing on the cake.

Elise at her first public speaking opportunity at school.

Thanks Grandpa Bob and Jane for coming!

More Powder Day photos

The teachers sent more Powder Day photos that I just had to share (thank goodness for awesome teachers who take awesome photos!).

Elise's class on Dollar Mountain...

 Some of her girlfriends and her teacher

 Patrick and Elise with some friends

 The snow bunnies who melt my heart.

Braden's class on Baldy...

 The fearsome ten.

 Love this!

Organization and preparation

It is only the first week of March, so that means our outdoor garden has to wait 2 more months. Yet, our indoor garden is fully thriving.

As an Arizona gal who worships the sun and being outside, the outdoor garden becomes my baby.  I let Patrick and the kids do all the indoor garden prep work. Thank you dear!!

And then we went tubing

February is going out with a bang and March will be starting with an even bigger bang.  

After school yesterday, we went to a birthday party at the tubing hill.  It was one of those great parties that all of my kids got to go.

Even I went and didn't get sick on the super speedy hill.  

Peace out!

Heck of a day

My Monday morning consisted of taking ten 3 and 4 year olds (plus some great chaperones) on one of these 

 to the top of this mountain (check out the view!)

 where we met up with two wonderful ski patrolers

 who took us ripping down the mountain on one of these.  HOLY TOLEDO!

My day job isn't too shabby.  

Yet, now that I'm a skier, I may have to become a ski patroler! 

Watch out olympics!

For the past 6 years, I have been the family's skiing cheerleader. A role that I cherished and took very seriously. The family could not ski every weekend without their cheerleader....according to me.  

Yet, the kids have become great skiers and I could no longer run next to them down the hill.  Plus, I felt like the biggest dork.

I always thought that I didn't need to learn how to ski, but this weekend was my turning point.

This photo is yours truly crawling down the hill on skis!

I still look like a dork, but a very happy and proud dork who for the first time ever skied next to her kids. 

Oh the kids!  They were just as happy and proud as I was.  It was a great family moment.

Following Tradition

Following Community School tradition, Friday was declared a Powder Day. That meant that school at school was cancelled and everyone was supposed to meet at the mountain for skiing.  A fun, anticipated yearly event. 

Well, the preschoolers couldn't go skiing so that meant that Mr. Will and I took the class for an adventure around town.

Elise skiied with her friends and her daddy.

Braden partied on the mountain with the second grade class.

Kids were everywhere, with their families, with other families, with friends, with other friends---the whole village.