Birch loves it when I pick him up and hold him as he stands on the windowsill. There's a green space behind our house that dips on one side and after a rain it fills with water. Normally there are then ducks that hang out until the water is gone. Birch likes to look for the ducks. If there aren't any he then searches for "tweet tweets" or birds, as he just recently started to call them. Something so simple that makes him so happy ;)

Took the kids up to Bogus while Dad and Lisa were visiting - I can't believe I didn't grab a shot of us with my phone! Anyway the kids had lessons in the morning and we all skied together afterward. The snow was quite slushy and I was trying out Lisa's old skies, which made for a humble day of skiing! I almost felt like a beginner, but it was interesting to try another pair of skis since I've had mine for as long as I've been on the slopes.

Birch was pretty under the weather yesterday. He refused to nap, but later fell asleep watching Baby Einstein. Thankfully ;)

This Christmas season I have been blessed to remember more than ever that our Savior is the miracle and blessing that we should celebrate most. If you haven't seen "He is the Gift", check it out here.  I've seen it three times and each time I cry like a baby :)  It is less than 3 minutes long but more than worth every second!!  Merry Christmas!

Here's a photo of Birch on our way into church this morning. Ami got these suspenders/pants for him and I may have to put them on him every week until he grows out of them!

I ran to the mall the other day while Oakley was at preschool and I thought it would be fun to let Birch play in the tot area since he'd never done it before. As you can see, he took advantage of every moment ;)

We took a trip up to Cascade last week, just like we do every fall. And just like every time it was beautiful!

We ended up doing a four mile hike while we were there, which is the furthest the kids have ever gone, and they did wonderfully! Not a single complaint about being tired. It was great. Of course it helped Aspen that I told her an hour long story about a witch named Griselda. I told her a story about her while we were at the cabin a couple years ago and now she's a popular subject when we're up there.

Eric took the kids fishing one day but with no luck. Eric said he wanted the kids to catch a fish but that on the other hand he didn't want to have to clean one and cook it ;)

The cabin only has a shower so Birch bathed in this bug bucket that's up there. He's getting better about enjoying his bath time.

I remember when this aspen tree was much smaller; it has grown so much! The Aspen trees up there in the mountains are so vibrant; the whole feel reminded me so much of Boston.

Here I am with my precious baby boy. Birch was so good on the hike. He loved being on his daddy's shoulders. I think I look like my mom a lot in this picture. Happy fall!

We had a huge stroller box in our living room once, for two years. Occasionally I would transport it upstairs to keep it interesting, but most of the time it was visible in our main living area. Every time I tried to recycle it the kids would beg me to keep it, and I always gave in. After all, it served as a canvas for marker art, a castle, a cave, a house, etc. but eventually it gave up the ghost and out the door it went.

 A few months ago we bought a bistro table and chairs and haven't let go of the box it came in yet. Birch thinks it's the best thing, as you can see. Oakley has whipped up several pretend ice cream cones in it, but I will be sneaking it to the garage soon since it is literally falling apart and will soon be a health hazard to the kids.

To me few things are as rewarding as seeing my babies sleep at night. When I opened Birch's door last night his right leg was up high, resting on the side if his crib. Before I took this photo he had put it down, but I still couldn't resist.