Day #321 and #322

I made chocolate chip pancakes and sausage for Delaney’s birthday brekkie and let her eat in front of the tv, which was really something since we’d only had the tv on to watch one movie the whole time we were gone. I realized we’d forgotten to bring her “birthday girl” shirt and she said “oh! No problem!” And came back in this dress. Never mind that they were going sledding and it was 9° when we woke up. 😂 she’s such a nut. 

She had me take a picture of her flossing in between her big gap since I’d laughed so hard the day before. 

Addie took pictures of the whole cabin, every room. 

It’s always fun to see and remember. It was very small and quite old, but it was perfect for us. We had fires in the fireplace and made all but one meal in the kitchen. I liked tbat we were away from people and everyone had their own space. 

By Friday there were way more people skiing, and we were so glad we’d come in the middle of the week. Matt took the girls sledding and that was the one thing I really regret not being able to do. 

I searched through every pair of snowpants at the lodge and they didn’t have my size either. Bummer. 

It was only about 12° by this point, so way too cold for me to hang out outside with them in just jeans. 

I headed to the lodge and spent an hour in the jacuzzi. I was the only person there and I listened to my podcasts and enjoyed the beautiful views and didn’t feel too bad about missing the sledding fun. 

I picked the cold snow bunnies up and on our way out of town we drove to Blackwater Falls State Park. 

We had to hike out to the Falls overlook and first Matt fell and then me. 😂 they don’t shovel or treat the walkways and stairs, so it was slick. 

There’s tannic acid in the leaves on the trees and it makes the water that brownish “blackwater.”

💕

Delaney requested McDonald’s for lunch and you don’t say no to the birthday pook. We listened to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and it was a lovely and easy ride home. 

Alli decorated and had made cookies and lava cakes for us to come home to, and D was SO excited!

She had a card waiting from papa too. 🥳

We sang happy birthday. So happy. 



She’d sit and wait, or clear her throat to show she was ready for attention and pictures. 

She appropriately ooohed and aaahed with each gift. 



I love this one. Like she was doing her photo duty. 

I wrapped her new bike helmet in one of our Christmas boxes and everyone made the super funny Christmas joke -  “it’s a box! Just what I always wanted!”

She got a letter board and she said it needed to be on her wall asap. 

Auntie Alli had unicorn everything and it was so fun. 

She’s been wanting a bulletin board for a long time. 

This face = good gift receiver. 

This was the gift I was so excited about. It’s a human body with removable organs and a book guide. She’s a little budding scientist, so I knew she’d love it. 

It’s pretty cool! I’m learning a lot too. 

Papa unicorn and the baby bug. 



Silly shot!



Missing a few, but still an awesome crew. 

Delaney had a fabulous 9th birthday. We love this little caboose so much. 

I also got some pictures from Matt. He took the drone out a  few times, and fought through the cold warnings. 

One of our pool nights. 



Frankie the snowboarder. 

She inherited addies cute snowsuit. 

Addie actually wore Alexis’ old coat and Christian’s old pants. 

She’s a skier. 

Frankie had trouble latching her bindings the first day, but after that she was independent. 

And Delaney is a good little skier too. 

She goes slow and to her own beat. Always. 

They love riding the lift by themselves. 🤷‍♀️ 

Matt got this drone shot of us outside our little cabin. Fun, fun few days!

I didn’t take any pictures today, but Sarah did. She and Ellie picked Laney up for some birthday fun for Ellie. 

They went shopping and acted crazy and had so much fun. 

We unpacked and Matt washed the jolly green. We’re hoping for snow tomorrow!

Day #320

Delaney left her Tervis in the car last night and her water was frozen this morning. It was so cold!

The crew made it for their last day of snowboarding around 10. 3 days in a row is a lot for little girls, and Delaney pooped out for awhile. She hung out at the lodge happily, and then rejoined the gang. 

I spent the day watching the snow fall through the trees all around me and it was just peaceful and beautiful. I finished a book and took a hot shower and it was just lovely and cozy and quiet. 

I picked the snow fun crew up at 4 and we struck out at 2 restaurants before we decided to come back and eat at the lodge. We got there right when they opened fir dinner, so there was only one other table taken. They have a wall of huge windows and we enjoyed watching the snow still falling as we ate. It wasn’t supposed to snow at all while we were here, so that was a welcome surprise. 

After dinner, Matt took the girls swimming and I had a meet and greet with the Bowie ward and the deaf branch. I was worried about our spotty Internet, but it worked perfectly and they were both so fun to meet, I just loved it. 

We have really been enjoying studying the Book of Mormon verses together and following along with Come Follow Me. Good discussions each night. 

Like all good vacations, we are simultaneously bummed, and ready to go home. We’ve got a 9 year old to celebrate and I purposely left her gifts home so there would be some excitement there. I found some really fun gifts for her and had everything ordered and ready last month, so I’m pretty stoked.