What We Have Been Doing

In the past week we have been really really busy...playing in the snow. About a week ago with the first real snow of the season the kids were DYING to get outside and build a snowman, go sledding, have snow fights, build an igloo, build snow forts, etc...we had to pace ourselves, but we managed to get most of that in over the last week!

Here are the kids ready to get something snow related accomplished. McKaleigh has her snow blocks to build an igloo and the boys have a pretty awesome snow ball maker/shooter.
Colton getting in some quality snowballs for throwing.
All of the kids rolling their assigned snowman parts, and Alex following everybody around throwing snow at them.
Alex standing on top of the snowman base with dad.
Mission accomplished. I think it's the best snowman we've ever built.

Mom and Alex getting in some sledding. I should not have done that given my recent surgery. Maybe someday i'll take it easy!
Dad and Alex heading down together.
The kids on their way over to the little hill after a few major wipeouts on the big hill.

Dad and the kiddos.
McKaleigh squishing Colton on the way down the hill.
Unprompted Alex just dropped down in the snow and started making a snow angel. It was so cute, and then he wanted dad to make one. Dad is such a good sport, cause it was FREEZING!

Although I prefer the warm weather, a few good snow days mixed in are great. The ideal....weather in the 80's and 90's year round with a few snow days every quarter! Wouldn't that be fantastic!

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Post Surgery

I have to say that I thought a few days in bed would be so nice and relaxing - but they were anything but, and was yelling "I am so bored!" from my bed by Friday afternoon.

All went well with the knee surgery and after bringing me home and tucking me into bed, Brett was off to the Pharmacy, Costco, Scouts, YW in Excellence program, and cleaning up from the day. The pain has been manageable - with a great prescription, and the worst of it has been the just sitting, laying. and watching. I officially finished the Hunger Games - a great read, and watched more episodes of Bridezillas than I should admit to. Brett had a guys day on Saturday with the Utah game, Dinner and Poker so McKaleigh and I Netflixed the documentary Babies. It was really cute...not to mention enlightening! Since I have been down, Brett has managed scouts, dates to the Nickelcade and icecream with the kids, karate, shopping, dinners, cleaning, 7 loads of laundry, dishwashing duties, walks to the park, cleaning, helping me with ice packs, showers, dressing, bandages etc...He will be a great companion when I am old and gray! He says that he can tell that I am beginning to feel better, because I am getting bossier. I am hoping that after a check up tomorrow all will be well and Brett is probably looking forward to that trip to L.A. tomorrow- even if it is for work! Life is good - and I am lucky to have such a great family! Thanks to Grandma Deb and her babysitting, the neighbors for the dinners and company and the kids who have been tireless in their efforts to make sure I have everything I need!

Halloween

We were so lucky this year to have grandma Cindy at our house for a few days leading up to Halloween - It's a first and we had lots of fun. She was really great as scooping the guts out of the pumpkin and giving us lots of ideas about how to use pumpkins (roast the seeds, use the pumpkin as a pot and cook some kind of soup in it...) Here she is with Uncle Bri, who came up for the festivities.
Colton and Uncle Bri working on his pumpkin in the background, and Alex finding it hard to smile with that bowl of guts nearby.
The finished products. I really liked dad's ghost and was truly impressed with McKaleigh's Jack Skellington (from the Nightmare Before Christmas). She did not have a stencil just a picture to look at!
Alex and Colton right before the school parade. Colton could not wear his mask at school, so we painted his face.
Daddy as Brett Michaels. He looked pretty hot in those women's pleather pants!
The family all together (minus mom the picture taker) right before trick or treating. We were lucky that we were able to go on Saturday. It was a cold rainy night, but I think we had a great time. It was McKaleigh's last year!