Our Winter Wonderland - 2011/2012

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So I decided that since I LOVE winter and we had a great time over this passed winter that I would post everything summing it up since I didn't do individual posts (this winter I am going to try my best to individualize everything) but here it is!

A wonderful family tradition Jon's family is the candy trains.  The first year we did this as a family I just thought wow this is a lot of candy.  It has been such an awesome tradition and I am so happy to say it is something we will always continue.  We are so fortunate to live near Grandma Jo and Papa Rod that we made our candy trains with them.  Carter and Grandma Jo had WAY to much fun making his candy train this year.  Carter is yelling with excitment and because he was completely full of sugar.

I got a call from my mother in law saying she had seen an adorable picture of a baby wrapped up in lights and a diaper on pinterest and that I had to do one with Xander.  Needless to say my picture did not turn out adorable however I tried so I thought it was worth keeping.

When Jon and Ben went back to California to pick up our suburban after it was finished at the dealership he knew I really wanted a Christmas tree so he stopped on the side of the road in Oregon and cut one down.  We truly had a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.  It was the thought that counted though right??

Our kiddos in front of the tree prior to putting all their presents under it.

One thing I really wanted was an AK-47.  I talked to Jon about it all the time however I never thought I would actually convince him to buy it for me however 10 days before Christmas I opened my present and here it was.  Isn't she a beaut?  I definately think so!!

Carter and Jon I feel loved my gift more than me.  It was fun to watch them shoot!

Ryan and I shooting, don't make fun of my stance, I was freezing.  That is my excuse and I am sticking too it! :)

Our family Christmas day at my Grandma Sybils house for dinner.  Guess who dressed the boys?  Yes, Jon!

Great Grandma Sybil and her four great grandkids.  Carter, Jetta Ann, Blake and Xander Pants.

I was definately lucky enough to marry someone who is a great snowboarder.  With that comes one thing, a wife that is not great at snowboarding.  Lucky for me he has been a good teacher and I have came a long way.  Since Carter was 2 1/2 Jon decided it was the PERFECT time to teach him to ski.  So we went up to Silver with our great friends Ryan and Stevi and Jon tried teaching Carter to ski. It was an adventure let me tell you.  Jon thinks it was hard work but Carter had the best time of his life and ALWAYS asks to go back.  Atleast it was a success.

Jon and Carter getting everything ready to learn to ski.

Daddy did not realize it probably made sense to teach Carter to ski on the bunny hill so instead they went straight down the mountain.  Jon didn't have his board on and he pulled Carter to get him going and realized that wasn't the best way to teach him.  Jon then pulled on the ropes pulling Carter to the ground to stop him, Jon put on his board and tried all over again.  They were more successful the second time however daddy learned that Xander will be taught on the bunny hill.  :)

Carter when we were finished did not want to leave however he was so happy to hear we would be coming back lots more.  The day Carter *learned* to ski for the first time was a blast and we had such a great time however no one had as much fun as him.  Look at that smile!! 

Two things Carter loves are Jenna and the snow.  So he really enjoyed having snow days at her house occassionally when mommy and daddy were both at work.

This pretty much sums up our winter.  We did lots of stuff to stay busy, we played in the snow a lot and we just enjoyed spending time together.  I was blessed with a new job at the start of November that gave me the opportunity to spend way more time with my boys and it was the best decision I ever made taking that position.  I love the snow days I was lucky enough to have with them.