First Ski Lessons!

The kids have been off track the past week so I signed them up for a free ski lesson at two different resorts.  They were VERY nervous and I thought for sure at least one of them would hate it but they all survived and even enjoyed it!  It was weird to just drop them off in the morning to do something they had never done before and then pick them up at 3 and hope for the best.  On the way to our second lesson at Snowbasin both Isaac and Lucy started feeling sick.  Lucy got out of the car and threw up in the snow in front of us and Isaac was crying by the time we walked to the lodge.  So Isaac ended up coming home with me for the second lesson but Lucy recovered and she and Esther had a GREAT time.  They absolutely LOVED skiing and they LOVED Snowbasin.  They were begging me on the way home to go again soon.  I'm so glad they braved their fears and found skiing was something they could like!  

Esther's Birthday!

I think I say it every year but I can't believe my little baby Esther is now 11 years old.  She is such an amazing girl.  She has a very strong moral compass and is always trying to be helpful and obedient to her parents.  She loves to read, play with friends, play the piano (most of the time), ski (a new love), swim, shop, babysit (not as much for her own family), and talk with the adults.  She is such a smart and responsible student at school.  Her teachers are always gushing about her and how they can't think of anything she needs to improve on in the classroom and they have to try to find an extra way to challenge her.  Esther is a very sweet older sister too.. her siblings all adore her and look up to her.  Wes often prefers Esther to Mom or Dad.  John was out of town this year for her birthday so we celebrated with him a couple days early and then on her real birthday Papa and Nannie brought us some Costa Vida since Isaac and Lucy were recovering from Walking Pneumonia.  Then Esther got to go shop for a present and a treat with them after.    Esther is a light and a joy in our family.  I'm not sure what we would ever do without her.  

Lucy's Birthday/Trip to Vegas with the Thompsons

We had Lucy open her presents on December 26 since we were planning to leave on the 27th (her real birthday) for Las Vegas.  She is really into Ever After High dolls and was really excited to get that and she always loves building some legos.  On this day Wes developed a pink eye.  No big deal... we got him some drops and then used only oils to clear it up.  Then that evening in the middle of the night Lucy sat up and started to vomit.  I somehow managed to catch it all in my hands and ran to the bathroom to dispose of it.  I tried to turn the light on with my elbow only to find that the power was out.  So I then ran to the toilet  and somehow managed to get it in the hole and get myself cleaned up.  Then the shock wore off and John and I were standing there in the dark bathroom and just started busting up.  This is how the Thompson family rolls.  If a trip is coming then someone will inevitable get sick before, during or after.  We thought about postponing for a day or two but the family wanted us to just come along and Lucy was doing a little better in the morning.  So we drove on down to Vegas.  

Lucy with her very exciting presents pre-barfing. 

In Vegas at our dive of a VRBO managed by a mean old guy who lived in a trailer by the hot tub.  Gross.  Auntie Lisa and I both had the same Gapfit hoodie so we h ad to have a picture. 

My kids really love their cousins!!  

Red Rock Canyon with all the cousins.  Harris was really happy to be in the picture, as you can tell.

Lucy finally got to celebrate her birthday properly a few days later.  She got a big old cake and had Lucy and lots of cursive "L's" on it.  That was her specific request.   

Auntie Beth treated the girls to a manicure and there is nothing Lucy likes more then girls stuff like painting nails.  She is always begging me to buy her makeup, especially mascara.  

On the strip in Vegas.  Not our favorite place.  

The highlight was eating at Bobby Flay's burger place.  It was delicious.  

Lucy enjoying the Hershey store. 

 

From the top of the Hoover Dam.  (John couldn't take the heights so he is unfortunately not pictured)

Uncle Stu and girls at Hoover Dam on the other side.  

Wesley got to be cuddled and cared for by his sweet little cousin Flora which was great for Wesley's parents.  

He also liked to pretend he was one of the big boys and watch movies with them.

The Thompson brothers 4. 

Container Park was tons of fun for these kids.

Did I mention John was sick again for New Years Eve, New Years and then some with a bad stomach virus?  Happy Holidays to us!

The kids went to see Star Wars again and Auntie Beth did their hair in the appropriate Rey hairstyle.

Wes got to ride a mini train instead of Star Wars. 

We had a great time with the Thompsons in our sub-par VRBO.  We made memories we will never forget like running to Kmart the first night to buy new comforters for the slightly disgusting beds and for cleaning supplies for the nasty bathrooms.  Also the guy told us if we lost any of his ragged towels we would be charged 100 dollars OR if we left a bad review at the end he would charge us 4000!!  Good times.  It's always great to be with the Thompsons and we always have a good time and eat lots of really great food.  Grimaldi's calzone is one I will never forget.  Plus we got to hang out with my good friend Cathy and her cute family a couple times.  Her girls are adorable.  It makes me miss when my girls were little and into Disney princesses and dressing up.  I can't believe we didn't get a picture of them!  She was crucial in our survival lending us an aerobed and lots of clean blankets.  Esther refused to sleep anywhere on the nasty sheets so she was with us in our room on the aerobed.  There was also lots of good visiting time and games.  We also had our usual Target run with just the ladies to shop around and enjoy some girl time.  And the boys had good times playing lots of ping pong games.  We just wish it had been a little bit warmer.  :)