A weekend at Silver Mountain

Ry's been talking about going to Great Wolf Lodge again and Logan's been wanting to take a little ski vacation, so Silver Mountain in Kellogg, ID was the logical choice.

We surprised the kids and picked them up early from school on Friday and made our way. 

When Presley saw the skis in the car she quickly said, "I thought this would be fun."

We stopped in Spokane for a potty break and to buy Ry his IPod for his birthday. 

Then we made our way all the way to Kellogg.

We checked in, had some dinner, and then made our way to the waterpark. 

Harper was so happy to be tall enough to go on the big tube ride. 

She was not tall enough to go on the single rider tubes yet. 

She did not use her puddle jumper at all. 

I think her and the kids loved the lazy river the very most. 

On Saturday we woke up and had some breakfast. 

Then we rode the 3 mile gondola up the mountain to find the snow!!

On the gondola

Harper and I watched for the kids from the lodge windows. 

Logan in yellow and Ry in orange helmet.

Ry in orange, Presley in pink helmet. 

Dave skiied all day with them, I don't have any pictures of him. 

Our way down to Kellogg on the gondola. 

It was such a pretty day. 

We made it back to our room by 4, cleaned up and went to dinner at Noah's. 

Then we went swimming again. 

Presley remembered how to body board

All four laying down waiting for the huge bucket of water to fall on them. 

(My camera got wet as I was taking this picture)

We got up on Sunday and went to breakfast at Sam's. 

The kids and Dave went swimming while I packed up our room. 

I forgot flip flops for the kids so boots worked to get us to the pool.  Oops. 

Then we stopped by Grandma Berries niche. 

We bought her a little shamrock because it was the first of March. 

We stopped at her brother Harley Knowles' niche too. 

We made our way back to Coeur d'Alene and visited PPK's rock. 

And visited our 104 year Great, Great Grandma 

and she remembered the kids' names. Amazing!!

We almost had a perfect week-end 

Until...

We changed to the spare tire and we finally made it home!!

Birthday Week-end Fun for Everyone!!

Rylan's EIGHTH Birthday

Your last picture as a seven year old. 

Your birthday fell on a Friday this year so I woke you up like I do every morning to get ready for school.  You were up easily, you knew that today was your birthday. 

Before School

and with your brother and sisters. 

(Today was clone day at school for Logan and he and his friends were all wearing pink socks)

Dropping off my EIGHT year old. 

It was raining out but you still gave us the I Love You sign. 

At your request, Harper and I brought in sprinkled donut holes for your class. 

You asked your friend Sadie to help you pass out the treats. 

And then your classmates sang to you. 

And you danced a little with Harper. 

It was time for recess and I told you to get your stuff ready because we were going to go on a special trip this weekend for your birthday.   

We picked up Presley and Logan and made it to Spokane, our first stop. 

We all had to take a potty break so we went to the mall. 

And we had a birthday sundae. 

And then we surprised you and took you to the Apple Store because you've been wanting an IPod Touch and with all your birthday money, you had enough to buy one. 

And then we drove on to Silver Mountain in Kellogg, Idaho. 

We checked in, ate a quick dinner, and then headed down to the pool to go on the waterslides. 

Eight started off really great!!

Rylan's 8th Birthday Interview

What is your favorite color? Gold

What is your favorite sport? Soccer

What is your favorite book?  Ninjago

What is your favorite food?  Buttery noodles

What do you want to be when you grow up?  The best soccer player

What is your favorite thing to do in school?  Free Choice

What are you scared of?  Heights

Where would you like to visit?  Argentina

What do you like to do with Logan?  Play soccer

What do you like to do with Presley and Harper?  Play babies with Harper and Presley

What is your favorite thing about mom and dad?  Mom cleans the house and Dad is funny. 

Lea's Day-Lea's, Week 8 (2015)

Day 50,  Thursday, February 19th

Starting work on the kitchen and breakfast nook ceilings. 

Day 51, Friday, February 20th

Sunnyslope's Family Fun Night. 

Rylan was the big winner. 

Day 52, Saturday, February 21st

Laser Tag after a day of basketball for Logan's team. 

Day 53, Sunday, February 22nd

We raced home from Spokane so I could go to a "Class with a Glass" painting class. 

Day 54, Monday, February 23rd

Twins today

Day 55, Tuesday, February 24th

Heading into school and Ry's giving us the 

I Love You sign like he does every morning. 

Day 56, Wednesday, February 25th

Logan receiving his Student of the Month Award.

Logan is a Star Student of the Month

Last week we received an e-mail and a letter in the mail to let us know that Logan had been selected as one of Foothills Star Students for the month. 

February's theme was "Friendship".

The assembly was on Wednesday the 25th and I was happy to get to go. 

We had chosen to not tell Logan that he would be receiving this award. 

They called students down to the commons area and Logan was surprised to see me sitting in the front row. 

That morning I had tried to get Logan to wear something a little nicer.  I was not convincing I guess. 

The principal of Foothills, Mr. Goveia, called up each student and read why they were nominated for the Star Student Award. 

Logan's read, "I nominate Logan because he is a good friend.  He's always there for people.  One time in the hall, I wasn't feeling well so he walked me to class.  Logan shows great friendship everyday by asking me how my day is going and it makes me feel good about myself.  That's why Logan Nelson should be student of the month."

The neat thing about Logan's nomination is that another student actually nominated him. 

Almost all of the recipients were given this award by their teacher. 

Someone who knows Logan had to write this up, present it to his core teacher, and then his teacher had to agree with it.  

(That's why his award says Student Nominated, Teacher Agreed)

The February Star Students

Logan and Abby Simmons.

They've been friends since second grade in Sunnyslope. 

I can not think of another award that is more suitable for Logan than a friendship award.  

He has a great core group of friends and it seems like people just like to be around him.  

That horrible sixth grade year, we would continuously encourage Logan to just be kind and a friend to everyone.  And now, to see him acknowledged for making somebody else feel good about themselves was really a proud moment. 

Foothills is lucky to have Logan at their school!!

Half Birthdays in February!

February 5th

Logan turns 13 1/2 

I knew we were going to go out for dinner so

we drove by Cupcake Blues so I could pick up 3 cupcakes to split for afterwards.

But they were already closed. 

So he had half of a Mexican treat.

(I don't know what these are called, whip cream on a cinnamon and sugar tortilla chip)

He wasn't that impressed when I cut it in half. 

He did get to eat the other half after I took the picture. 

February 20th

Presley turns 11 1/2

Presley forgot that it was her half birthday.

She was so happy when I brought her a half of a doughnut and said happy half birthday to her. 

February 23rd

Harper turns 5 1/2

Presley told Harper that it was her half birthday today.

She was excited to see her half cupcake on the dinner table. 

I think she ate her whole dinner in record time. 

Rylan's whole birthday is coming up!!

Bring on the Spring: Spokane AAU tournament

Logan had an AAU tournament on February 21st and 22nd in Spokane. 

We stayed the night at the Ramada Inn near the airport. 

He got to play at the Gonzaga complex "The Warehouse". 

The Panthers had two games on Saturday and won each. 

It was a good competition and they won by only 5 and 4. 

On Saturday night we went out to dinner and then the team went to play laser tag. 

Logan had such a fun time at this. 

(Riley, Carter, Nathan, Colby, Triston, Logan, Chase)

Presley, Rylan and Harper hit up the hotel pool. 

It even had a waterslide. 

I brought Harper's puddle jumper because I wasn't sure if she'd remember how to swim well since it has been so long.  

But she did great. 

Jumping 

(That's Rylan waiting to catch her in case she has any problems)

and swimming (or doggie paddling)

and hot tubbing. 

This was her and Ry's favorite spot together. 

Logan had two games on Sunday too. 

These are my only pics of basketball. 

That's Dave in the background eating popcorn.

As you can see by the score, we lost this one badly. 

But they won their last game to take 3rd place in this tournament. 

Only one more basketball tournament for the year.