Church Nativity

Joey led a group of guys at church to make a Nativity Scene.  We had wanted to donate a nativity to the church last year but never found one that we liked.  Enter Pinterest--I told Joey he should just make one!  So he did!  He put a LOT of hours into it and also had the help of a lot of other guys--and it turned out great!  Here are some pics of the process and final product:

The stable made out of milled wood from our land--the boys LOVED it!  Also the first two figurines that they jig-sawed out.

I brought beers to the hard workers :)

Sanding, routering, priming and painting the figurines after they had been cut

Creating the star!  It turned out so great and he just imagined what he wanted and made it happen! 

Darren doing more jig-sawing

Maurice helping Joey put it all together in the literally freezing rain and snow

Working on the lighting before we can call it complete!

All done for the whole community to enjoy!  Our church is right on the main street in town and also Highway 70--so everyone passing through town gets to enjoy it too!  :)

My Birthday and Snowshoeing

My birthday week really did last a week which is always my goal but not always the reality.  It was fun to start it at Northstar and I guess it officially ended yesterday when Joey and I took the morning off of the kids to try out my new snowshoes.  On my actual birthday I worked at the Pharmacy in Greenville and they surprised me with a 5 pound chocolate cake--no joke.  It actually had bars of chocolate in it.  It was amazing and such a sweet* surprise!  They also gave me flowers--they spoil me over there!  I came home to dinner made for me and dishes done and kids put to bed while I hung out!  I love my birthday!  

Yesterday Joey and I went up to Eureka Lake and I used my snowshoes and Joey skied.  It started out SO cold but quickly I was taking my down jacket off and loving the "cool breeze" that when we first started out felt like a whipping wind.  Snowshoeing is a workout!  But it was super beautiful and fun and always nice to get away without the kids for a few hours and hang out with Joey.  It is especially nice since our time is running short on getaways without the kids with this baby coming soon!

Owen loved making Christmas cookies this year!

He did great frosting the cookies and made the BIGGEST MESS with the sprinkles!  It was fun!

A piece of my cake from the Pharmacy.  They sent me home with candles so the kids could help me blow them out.

They LOVED blowing out the candles!  We re-lit them at least 10 times!

Birthdays are so fun!  Levi kept beating Owen at blowing out the candles--we couldn't relight them fast enough!

How beautiful is it out there?  I love the snow!

Winter wonderland!

My jacket is getting a little small...:) and I can't button Joey's extra pair of snow pants!  :)  This is at Eureka Lake--I didn't know if I was going to make it (Joey said it was half mile and it turned out to be 1.3 miles UP there) but it was fun to sit at the picnic table up there and drink our thermos of hot tea once we made it!

More Sledding!

We are getting spoiled by all these snowstorms and the boys get to go sledding so much!  Our friends had their grandkids in town for the week who are also 4 and 2--so we decided we needed to get together for some sledding!  We also had our friend Ali and her 6 week old and 2 year old out there with us so it was extra fun.  :)  We've had a lot of fun in the snow and the winter is still young--probably lots more sledding pictures in the near future!

Check out that sledding hill!!  I went down it with Owen and Levi in my sled.  And then I carried Levi all the way back up... :/  35 weeks pregnant and carrying a 35 pound kid up a snow hill--let me tell you I was huffing and puffing!

Lunch and hot chocolate!

Owen and Hallie had a little bit of fun out there.

Splash landing!

The crew!  Minus Silas who was asleep in the front pack.  :)

On their own!

The big final race!  Ali and her six week old in the front pack with Talia who is two-- versus Rob, Levi, Hallie and Owen.  :)

The moms and grandma with all the kids!

Check out the icicles on this tree!  It looks like it was decorated for Christmas!

Northstar Ski Trip!

We just got back from two nights at Northstar!  The first night we were there it snowed two feet on the mountain!  It snowed about 8 inches in the Village where we were staying--so fun!  

Owen absolutely loved the skiing!  It was so fun to watch him!  We also got a lot of fun time hanging out together playing games and watching Christmas movies.  :)  We also had fun celebrating my birthday all weekend--even though it isn't until Monday.  :)  We are hoping this will be the first of many years celebrating my birthday weekend at Tahoe--we had such a great time!

As soon as we got there these guys got in their snow gear to head out on the mountain!  Levi and I took naps!

I wasn't feeling too great the first day there (both boys had a stomach bug earlier in the week) so Joey took the boys shopping in Truckee while I rested some more and they came back with presents for my birthday!  A new mug for my collection!

The boys were so excited to help me open presents!  Owen couldn't help but tell me what was inside!

New snow shoes!

Jenga by the fire--so fun!

The boys loved sleeping in the same "bed" both nights!

We woke up to two feet of new snow on the mountain and close to a foot at the Village.  We loved staying right in the heart of the Village.  Coffee, sushi and ski lifts just downstairs!

Levi got a season pass this year too--free under 5!  We called him grumpy pants all weekend for refusing to smile for his picture. 

Headed to the Gondola which was literally downstairs from our place

I'm the only one in the family without a season pass--so I took a different route to the top via the Ritz Gondola.  It was SUCH a beautiful morning walk I couldn't help but take a picture on my way!

I found them!  When I asked the guy at the Ritz if I could take the trail down  to the magic carpet (in my new snowshoes!) he said he'd just drive me down in his mini snow plow.  I guess being 35 weeks pregnant has it's advantages!

Season pass or not, this guy refused to put his skis on this trip

Someone is excited to ski!

Doesn't the sky look fake?!  The whole scene looks fake--it was so beautiful!

Joey sent Owen off on his own while he and Levi stayed up top to watch!

Joey taught him how to break the day before and he did so great at slowing himself down! 

So much fun!

Joey kind of did it all holding Levi and helping Owen if he needed it.  I just took the pictures.  :)

Loving going out on his own!

Taking a ski break to throw some snowballs at Daddy!

Heading back home...

Helping Owen around to the Gondola

The only thing better than skiing is taking the Gondola up and down...

Even "grumpy pants" liked it!

Wagon rides with all the gear!  The one minute ride might have been Levi's favorite part!

Hot chocolate down by the fire

Happy goof balls!

Helping me get breakfast ready

By far Levi's favorite part of the trip--the big bathtub!  They took 3 hour-long baths while we were there!