Snow Day

A few weeks ago we treated the kids to a snow day at Soda Springs.

It was a little rough now and then with a small baby and a fairly sharp wind,

but all in all, everyone had a great time!

Bradley and Tommy had ski lessons,

Audrey ate snow and played with Brock,

Robby and I stayed warm in the rental shop.

When everyone was worn out and done with lessons,

we handed out hot chocolate and headed home.

Here are the pictures we managed to get…

 Best way to taste the snow? 

In Audrey's case--face first!

 Mmmm…tasty!

 Eating lunch and waiting for lessons to start.

It's fun to hang out in the snow!

 Just killing time.

 Tommy did some exploring.

 He refused to take off his helmet until after his lesson.

 He was also annoyed he couldn't wear his skis the whole time too.

His lesson went very well.

He told me afterwards:

"I fell down--that was the bad part. 

But then I got up and the next time I didn't fall!"

Way to go buddy!

 Bradley's lesson went well too.

He progressed enough to be able to make turns

and could stop when and where he wanted.

He really loves being out there on the slope!

 Audrey playing with Daddy on the mountain of snow while waiting for the boys to finish their lessons. She is as fearless as either of her brothers!

 The final act of the day--making a snowman!

 They were so proud, but disinclined to stay still for a picture.

It was definitely time to go home!

 Robby's first snow encounter. 

He was not terribly impressed, but he was a good sport.

His first taste was the same kind of thing.

He licked it and accepted it, 

but we couldn't get a smile out of him for anything!

Not bad for a last minute day at the snow!

Halloween 2013

Though this actually happened before Robby joined the party, 

I feel I should at least give a nod to our Halloween festivities from last year.

 Audrey inherited (and adored) a pretty Ladybug costume, 

Tommy was a green dragon for the second year running 

(he REALLY loves the costume and we bought it a little too big last year), 

and Bradley was a terrifying Darth Vader 

(his mask even did the voice for him, quoting lines from the movie).

 Of course, they often found it necessary to remind me they were really just my own kids--

not really a bug, a dragon, and a super scary villain.

Don't worry, guys. I know it's you. 

Being that I was super preggers with Robby, and on bed rest, our activities were limited.

We even toned our decorations down a little this year 

(no spider-webbed walkway),

but they did get to go trick-or-treating, so it wasn't a total loss.

To their utter delight, the kids got to trick-or-treat not only with their daddy,

but also their beloved Uncle Gordon and Aunt Alli!

They trooped up and down a street or two, gathering candy,

finally returning to their own doorstep,

at which point they found out I was giving candy away!

Actually handing it out to every kid in a costume that came to the door!

That was by far the scariest thing they encountered the whole Halloween season!

You should have seen the horror cross their faces 

when they saw the almost empty bowl in my lap!

Luckily I had saved a few pieces, 

and they had a huge stash to console them.

Ha ha!

I love our kiddos!

It was a very happy Halloween.

Three 2013 Cousins

Here it is--the first picture including all three cousins born in 2013!

It was taken at the hospital a day or two after Robby was born.

Gwen Thomas, Silas Christensen, and Robby Lyle!

I hope they will grow up knowing each other.

I hope they will be friends.

I can't wait to see how they grow and develop.

(Oh, and thanks to Alli for filling in for me in this picture!)

Latest and Pretty Darn Great!

As I return to this blog, I feel I should start with the most important thing that happened last year…

The birth of Robert William Lyle.

 Labor was longish (almost 24 hours), but not bad at all 

and I got to have my own doctor in attendance…awesome!

 Before we knew it, Robby was with us and he was super cute, even as a newborn.

He weighed in at 7 lbs 5 oz, and 19 inches long.

 He was pretty sweet from the start--I love how newborns cuddle on your chest!

 Of course, he bonded with his daddy right away.

And the kids loved him!

 Bradley was so proud of his newest little brother.

 Tommy loved and adored his little buddy.

They share a special bond already!

 Audrey was very possessive of the little guy.

"He's MY baby!"

 We got to bring him home on the third day. 

It was so nice to be out of the hospital!

And there we were…a complete, not-so-little family!

Welcome Robby!

Brock's Birthday

Earlier this month Brock had a birthday and we spoiled him the best we could. I don't know who had more fun--Brock, the kids, or ME (because I got to plan it)! Ha!

This is what he saw when he woke up (dragged out of bed by the kids, actually). He said it was the first time he'd had a present wrapped in balloons.

Under the balloons (which each had a 'spooky ghost drawn on it, per Brady's request) the kids and I had put together a 'candy card', but with healthy snacks because we're trying to eat better. I think it turned out pretty good--it even rhymed!

While we were eating breakfast, I informed Brock that his real present would be arriving soon. I hired him a gardener for a single morning (thanks to our friends the Zumsteins!!!)--to help him put together our garden. He has spent so many weekends helping me out that his garden has suffered (see below).

He spent the next hour planning and prepping for Raoul's arrival.

This is our Before shot. Pretty, but not very tidy.

And After! Isn't Raoul amazing?! 

Brock was so pleased and the rates so decent, we've decided to have Raoul come once a month and help Brock keep it up. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROCK!!!!

Daylight Savings

It is the bane of young motherhood. Last year it wrecked havoc on my schedule and made me one grumpy, super-pregers mom with two irritable toddlers.

This year, to my surprise and delight, we have adjusted without any trouble. WHAT?!?!?!

Here's why...our kids go to bed at 8pm--all three of them. They always have. But starting a month or two ago, it felt too late for the boys. With school, soccer, play dates, and spending more than half of every day outside, they started getting grumpy around 7 (right after a big dinner). Audrey too--she was always ready for bed by 7:30.

I wanted to put them down at 7, but I knew they'd start getting up at 6am. I just couldn't face it!

Then Daylight Savings hit.

To my surprise, the problem resolved itself. The evening grumps went away and it only took me a few days to adjust my internal clock--after all, I go to bed earlier too. The daylight-at-bedtime thing is fine because I have blackout curtains in the boys' room.

Weird.

And so it is, for the first time ever, I love Daylight Savings!

Christmas 2011

A very, very late Christmas from our little family!
This picture is from Christmas Eve in Park City, UT. As you can see, the boys were extremely excited, Audrey was a good sport, and we all had a fantastic time!