2016 Part One

New Years Day 2016- Another death defying day at Mt. Charleston and probably our last New Years to be spent with all the crazies up there that have very little regard for safety while sledding. For example, Natalie was taken out by a lady coming down the hill with a selfie stick. She could have stopped but she was so busy taking selfies on the way down she nailed Natalie. We were very lucky Natalie wasn't seriously injured or worse. So it has been decided that while it was a fun tradition, it is not worth one of our kids being hurt. Time to start a new tradition.

 Valentines Day-The night before Valentines day Zach and I had the opportunity to attend a session of Stake Conference at our church and then went out to dinner with friends. While we were out the kids had a little valentines day "party" with treats and crafts. On Valentines day we had my family over for dinner to celebrate the day of love.

 Wiped out after church and dinner. We are party animals!

Red Rock Hike- The kids had a day off of school so we headed up to red rock with some friends for a fun hike and then went to Spring Mountain Ranch for a nice picnic lunch.

Beach Trip-Two years ago we took a day trip to Newport Beach during spring break. The weather was perfect and it was a great day, the only downfall was having to drive back that night. This year we decided to get a hotel and stay the night so we wouldn't be driving home a bunch of cranky, sandy, sunburnt kids. The downfall this year was the weather. Our main beach day was super windy and the waves were exceptionally dangerous. We ended up back at the hotel pool/spa for the rest of the afternoon which turned out to be a ton of fun. We went out to dinner that night and then had treats back at the hotel. The next day our friends had to leave but I was able to take my kids and their friend to the beach again and this time it was beautiful. We could only splash in the waves for a little bit but I am glad we were able to enjoy the beach for a while.

 Natalie started out the car ride in the very back seat but had a bit of an episode of car sickness so she came up front and became my navigator for the trip. She thought it was pretty cool to sit up front and yes she was in her car seat.

 When we first got to the beach I think everyone was so excited they didn't notice the wind whipping sand in their eyes and just how cold it was but it only took a little bit of time before everyone was freezing and upset. The weather and a little scare in the ocean was all it took for us to decide to go.

Trying our best to create a shield against the crazy wind. 

 This is Natalie right about when the novelty of the beach was wearing thin, especially since there was sand everywhere, even in her snacks.

 Change of plans. Hotel pool is just as much fun as the beach right?

 The dinner crew. Nothing like 11 kids out to dinner at Cheesecake factory.

 Day two was a much nicer beach day. Happy girls.

 Typical teenager. Having a blast with his stepmom and little sisters.