Absolutely Awesome Eight: January-ishness

We have probably received more snow in the past few weeks than we likely received during all of last winter season. In fact, the final week of ski school (end of last January) was cancelled due to insufficient snowfall. I'm not complaining (especially in light of the recent east coast storms), but I have done a whole lot of shoveling. The pile-up on the sides of the driveway are getting so high I can hardly throw the snow now. And the local roads? A constant mess...

Aaron has done a lot of traveling over the years. Particularly last year. We are looking forward to having him around more this year but his first business trip of 2016 proved to be a little more exciting than he's used to. While landing in San Francisco, the brakes locked up and one of the plane's tires blew out. Emergency vehicles came to escort everyone off the plane but not before one of the mechanics found a way to release pressure from the landing gear, etc. All is well that ends well. Good thing we pray for safety in our travels every single day!

These two are always making something from something...

But they still prefer to have Mom make their school lunches (go figure!).

After getting a routine physical for a summer camp application, we found out Brinley's vision wasn't 20/20. She never complained about not being able to "see" so we were a little surprised. Needless to say, she is now the proud owner of a pair of glasses.

Tanner and Brinley - new glasses all around.

Quinn has been waiting and waiting for his first "official" basketball experience to begin.
After watching countless games for siblings, his moment finally arrived.

He didn't realize, however, that his teammates would still be learning how to dribble.

Quinn is ready for more advanced playing but I'm afraid he's off to a humble beginnings kind of start.

After recovering from the tragedy of his first loss (of any organized sports' team experience), he invited his teammates/favorite playmates over. Of course, they all brought their light sabers. It's high energy when the "boys" come play.

The name of their team - "The Quinn-triplets".

There are actually two Quinn's (M & F) and the triplets.

Five players for 3-on-3 games.

Aiden, Brock, Collin, Quinn

Except for spending a chunk of time rotating six children through the dental office, the kids enjoyed a day off from school (MLK). Most of our married lives we have had zero dental insurance (until a year ago - kids only). Traveling to UT for the past 8 years has been super inconvenient. It's so much easier staying local for the kids! Quinn was full of facts about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and shared them freely with us.

Yep, always making something...

Anna has mastered omelet making.

But didn't want me taking pictures...

Neither did Jantzen...

Quinn has been waiting since last April to complete the derby car kit he received for his 6th birthday.

It's been cute to see him put on his "work clothes" and don a pair of safety glasses, drag the kitchen barstool out to the garage and sand away. He has done this multiple times.

Aaron borrowed an electric sander from his Dad and finally got the job done.

Quinn was giddy about painting it and picking out just the right stickers to decorate the car with.

A new family favorite we acquired this past Christmas - the classic game of PIT.

It is the first game we have ALL enjoyed playing together.

In fact, we've played this game on several occasions already!

Monumental.

When Aaron asked me what I wanted to do on my birthday, I had a running list already in my head.
Of course, given the circumstances, I was really just choosing between going to see a movie or running a few errands. Given the fact that I rarely make it 30 miles south to do the needed returns/exchanges, etc., practicality won out.

Aaron must love me. He came along.

Waiting in the car while I did Christmas returns in the mall still counts. Actually, he had a conference call anyway so it was a win-win for us both:).

He did help with the food run we made....

...and loaded it all up in this brand new Subaru Forester loaner vehicle.

I have been driving this for two weeks while our blue Subaru was having repair work done on it.

After completing a few of the errands on my list, it was time to exchange vehicles. Frightening but true that I put over 1000 miles on that car in 2-weeks! Have I mentioned how much time I spend transporting children? After getting back our beloved blue, it was off to dinner.

We like the drill. Get a gift card for Christmas. Use it to celebrate Heather's birthday.

It works for us.

Hard to pass up the 1/2 price birthday special and having a gift card to use.

Back at home it was key lime pie.

Singing happy birthday. Opening gifts from the children.

They wrote sweet cards that made me tear up.

And a new pair of much-needed oven mitts from Tanner.

I can hardly wait to use some of the coupons from Jantzen, Anna and Elsie!

Now I've caught up again with Aaron.

We can be 43 years young together.

Friday morning - it was Disney day for Elsie and she chose to dress up as "Maleficent".

Friday is early-out for the kids this year. It was an extra early out for Tanner as he, his friend, Jacob and Aaron left town for a quick adventure in UT.

Tanner and Jacob at Beaver Mountain Ski Resort in Logan Canyon

It's been over 20 years since Aaron has skied, but he said it was like riding a bike for him.

This was Tanner's first ski experience and he brought an expert along.

An avid skier, Jacob was the one for the job.

The three of them really had a great time crashing the Kirk's friends/family party. They ate potluck at the lodge with Adam, Britton, Jenna and Korinne and spent the night at G-ma and G-pa's place (they were on a cruise) before returning home Saturday morning.