New Year Winter Wonderland

I'll go with lots of pictures and few words to tell you the story of our New Year's. It wasn't planned far in advance...more of a spur of the moment decision for everyone to go to the cabin. I think that always makes for the most fun, and this was no different! We loaded up the truck on Friday morning and met my parents at their cabin just minutes after they arrived, themselves. 

I snuck in the back with the boys for a bit to make sure everyone's needs were met. Three hours is a long time, especially for these guys who are no good at sleeping in the car.

We warmed up by the fire while the heat in the cabin kicked in to high gear.

Then, we headed to down to the golf course to play in the snow. There wasn't much there, but that all changed, as you'll see if you stick with me.

Our littlest guy was crabby all weekend and ONLY wanted his Nonna. He's had something up with him for a couple of weeks, between ear infections and molars and whatever else. But it seems we have our happy guy back...at least for now!

We tried to make snowballs, but they were all wet and no good.

Max and Kristin and the boys arrived in the late afternoon. I don't think we've ever had all of us together at the cabin, so that was awesome. Gavin had a blast with his cousins, and once we got all the boys to bed, we brought out Cards Against Humanity. I don't remember when I've ever laughed that hard.

The next morning, New Year's Eve, after a hot breakfast, we made a field trip around the corner to the Family Center at Torreon. Gavin drove, of course.

Free arcade games and fun for all.

Shooting guns and other wholesome activities.

As we were leaving the Family Center, the snow started really coming down!

We took a field trip to find some deeper snow for sledding and ended up almost to Sunrise. But it was worth the drive. So much fun!

Papa sent Gavin down on his first hill.

He loved it!

Graham was perfectly still and happy out in the cold. He didn't even mind wearing his hat, which was a first.

There's a guy that can rock a beanie straight out of the 70s. #lovehim

Hudson was so sweet and took Gavin down on the sled with him a bunch of times.

Baby Pierce got in on the fun!

Even Graham got a turn.

Cruz was awesome, too. Gavin was digging all the attention from his big cousins!

Getting a free ride to the next hill.

Uncle Max took a turn at launching Gavin.

Snuggles to keep the baby warm. Eventually, my mom kept him in the warm truck while we finished up our last few minutes of play.

Look at his face!

One last toss into the snow...

And a photo with my favorite baby before we loaded into the truck and went back to the cabin.

The videos were my favorite part. I took so many. I don't even know if the Cloud has enough storage them all.

(This video is called Cruz and Gavin, but it's actually Hudson and Gavin. Whoops.)

Back at the cabin, we took a family picture, minus Graham who was sleeping pre-6pm, and that was about it for our NYE celebration. I was asleep at 9 and Dylan by 10. But we woke up really refreshed!

Cartoons with cousins before bed.

This guy spent his first ever night in the top bunk.

Morning screen time with Piercey.

Never a dull moment.

Sitting in the pantry for hide and seek.

...and then, later in the morning on New Year's Day, it snowed at the cabin. It snowed and snowed and snowed and snowed. It also happened to be my parents' 38th wedding anniversary. Usually they are off at a fun New Year's event to celebrate, but this year was awesome and unique having us all together.

And finally enough snow had collected on the golf course to go sledding!

Hudson giving Gavin a helping hand.

One run down the driveway before moving the party out to the back.

It was cold and so fun and so beautiful.

Four dudes, one sled.

Boarding on the sled. This guy, the oldest cousin, will be a natural snowboarder.

This foursome sled ride ended just how you'd imagine, but everyone had a great time.

My heart melts over this sweet face. He was such a good sport out in the cold and snow.

Trudging back up the hill with daddy.

One last run with Cruz.

Can you see how, at the bottom of the hill, there's a cliff with running water (a creek...or a stream) down below? Can you guess which kid sledded right off the cliff and into the water?

Yep, this guy. Dylan fished him out and ran him as fast as he could back to the cabin where we stripped him down and got him in a warm bath. He was totally fine after a few minutes and really enjoyed the attention that everyone gave him.

In baby jail while the rest of us gushed over Gavin in the tub.

Good as new in no time.

We packed it up shortly after our final sledding hurrah and headed back toward home. But we didn't get there quickly. We got stuck in a traffic jam behind a jack-knifed semi on the Beeline for a couple hours, so Gavin decided to spread some New Year's cheer and waved at the oncoming traffic through the sunroof..

Graham wanted to check out the view, also.

He got lots of waves and flashing lights and honks, and we laughed our butts off from inside the truck.

And just like that, we're home and starting our routine in 2017. We were able to pack up the last of the Christmas decorations yesterday, and we sent Dylan off this morning for the week. Since he hasn't spent a night away in almost a month, we got really spoiled with having him around at home. We're all pretty sad about it...except for Dylan who just reported that he enjoyed a glass of wine and a filet for dinner somewhere in Ohio. I'm not sure I'll remember how to get us out of the house in decent condition for a work/school day tomorrow, but I'm sure it'll happen somehow. For as many days off that I get in the week, the short work week always comes around again far too quickly. Ugh.

But to bring things back to the uplifting side of the spectrum, I must say that I'm loving the feeling of starting anew that comes with the New Year. 2016 wasn't terrible for our family or for me, specifically, but I'm very glad to be hitting a refresh button. I didn't make any resolutions or specific goals for the year, but in general I'm going to try and be more present and cut loose a little more often, and just be content in my really great life. (More books, more wine, more movies, more homemade meals. Basically drink more and be more lazy...just like most people's goals, right?) Happy New Year, and may it bring you lots of love, health and prosperity!