Cabin fever, I think we've got it!!!

All that know me know that I am truly a desert rat. I love the heat, sun, sand and surf. But...after a bit of convincing we headed up the mountain to give some winter sports a try and I have to say I'm hooked!!!  Have nice accommodations is where is starts. A bed, nice warm fire, hot shower at the end of the day, great friends and of course, s'mores! The kids took to skiing like a fish to water. They have no fear and were flying down the mountain after a few hours in ski school. I decided to snowboard and that can be compared to a fish on land. I crashed and burned for hours and finally made it down the hill with the my assistants Justin and Matt. The next weekend I decided to ski which was much easier. Justin was shredding on his new snowboard like a pro after couple of days practicing. We had a blast and can't wait to go again.

 Tanner and Madisen eagerly waiting to hit the slopes

 Tanner at the end of day one of ski school. He learned to keep his all his equipment on after crashing without his gloves.

 Family picture 

 Justin and Matt...brothers from another mother!!!

 Justin and Me...I was crying under those sunglasses because I had just wiped out and my ego was bruised.

Scott, Tanner, Madisen and Drew at the end of the day ready to get warmed up and eat some s'mores.

More than just pictures

All my life I have had a camera in my hand nearly every where I go. It has captured fun memories but none as special as the pictures below. After years of pain and struggle my angelic mother returned home to her Father in heaven on December 30, 2012. A year before that, not knowing that her health would decline so quickly,  she asked that we all plan to do everything we could to be together for Thanksgiving in 2012. Just one week before that celebration we were given the news that she didn't have much longer with us. If not for that request given to us a year in advance we wouldn't have had these pictures or the sweet memories of that wonderful week.

Yes we are alive after a year of no posts

Just a few highlights from the past year...

 Christmas happened! Even without the usual celebrations Christmas was great. This year although different and a bit rushed was special simply because my heart was in a different place. Being so focused on family and feeling so blessed is what it was all about this year.

 Madisen turned 8 and was baptized and has since turned 9! Time flies...

 My little heart breaker, Tanner is 11 and started Jr. High School this year.

So much to be thankful for and so many amazing things have transformed our family and made us a stronger unit. Hopefully I will keep up on all the exciting and new things we do this year.