Sassy Saturday

Our jam-packed Saturday schedule had us running from one place another this past weekend.  By the time our head hit our pillows we were just completely exhausted - but OH it was SO much fun!!!  You know that kind of day, right?

If you haven't already put together the pieces, I should inform you that we don't live near our parents.  I mean, we don't live across the country either...but it's a good two hour drive so we want to have a really good reason to make the trip (besides, you know, just saying "hi").  Well Saturday was one of those days.

Every year, my MIL's work throws a company picnic, like I think a lot of places do.  But this is no ordinary potluck they do.  This is one of those all day, beer on tap, meat on the bbq (all ten of them), bouncy house, train ride, petting zoo, face painting type of picnics.  You know, the kind you drive two hours for and don't bat an eye.  So yes, we make a habit of attending this thing, along with the rest of the family.  It's well worth our time, that's for sure.  The kids have a blast and are WORN OUT by the time evening hits (hehehe --> my maniacal laugh).

This is my favorite summer sweater, BTW!!! =)

Excuse the critters =)  Just didn't want to show these kiddos b/c I don't know who they are!

But as if that wasn't a good enough reason, my graduating class (2003 baby!) was celebrating our 10 reunion.  It seemed like the perfect opportunity to drop the kid's off at grandma's and dress up for a kid-free night out.  It was wonderful to see so many friends that I haven't seen in YEARS and catch up and reminisce!  It helped that hubby and attended the same high school, so even though he's two years older than me he still knew several of my classmates.

Of course I was the lame girl who forgot to take pictures practically the whole night, so this is all I really got.  =(  SAD!  I didn't even take a good pic of my new dress for y'all!  Boo.  However, there was a photo booth there so I'm HOPING those pictures will be posted on Facebook soon so that I can have some keepsakes of the night.  Regardless it was still fabulous!

Sweater: Nordstrom Rack
Dress: Urban Outfitters (Here)

Let's Feast!

Our family is no stranger to Ethiopian food.  In fact, we love it!  We make it a habit to visit the local restaurants as well as the markets so we can make it at home.  And we certainly find Gotcha Day a great excuse to celebrate our daughter's Ethiopian heritage.

Cocoa Puff in her Ethiopian Scarf

Now I'll be honest here.  I haven't made Ethiopian food in probably two and a half years.  The last time I made it was when I posted the recipes here on my blog!  It's not that it's all that hard.  It is just very time consuming.  And, well, with two littles in the house....I don't have a lot of extra time to spend in the kitchen.  So our normal celebration does in fact take place at our favorite Ethiopian restaurant.

This year, however, when we started planning Cocoa's Gotcha Day, my husband requested that I make the feast.  And I welcomed the challenge!

In the past I have only tried three recipes:

The traditional chicken stew and my personal favorite - Doro Wot.
The Shiro Wot - ground chickpeas in an onion/garlic base that looks about the texture of hummus.
The Ethiopian version of a tomato salad - Yetimatim Saleta.

Oh yes, and the Hambisha Bread...which I skipped this year only because the market had some freshly baked and my husband thought he would save me some time (isn't he thoughtful?).

But this year I thought I would really out do myself (HA!) by adding in some of our favorite recipes that I found in the Ethiopian cookbook a friend from church gave me as a baby shower gift!  So I also made Messir Wot (a lentil based dish) and Curried Cabbage and Potatoes (which is just like it sounds).

I started cooking around 1:30pm and dinner was ready at about 7:00pm.  We invited a couple friends to join us, because - let's face it, we can't eat all that food ourselves!

I'll admit, we don't have the best lighting in our dining room, especially in the evening.  I did the best I could to photoshop them, but I'll admit that food photography isn't my best skill!  

I think she liked it, don't you???

When Cocoa joined our family, we not only gained the best daughter parents could ask for, but an amazing culture and heritage.  And we get the joy and honor to celebrate it with her!  We are so blessed.

If you want to try cooking some Ethiopian food yourself, you can get my recipes right here (except the Messir Wot and Curried Cabbage....I wouldn't feel right about sharing them since I got them out of a recipe book).

ABC's...and Pickles too!

Being a mom can be so fun, so frustrating, and so rewarding...even at the same time!  I know all you moms out there know exactly what I'm talking about.

My Hollywood has a stubborn streak to him.  He gets it from both of us (but mostly his dad).  Lately his stubbornness has been in reference to learning his ABC's.  I was convinced for months that my four year old didn't know his ABC's and therefore have been pushing him with working on it.  Shortly after our friends convinced us to try Netflix (completely unrelated to his ABC's) and we discovered Super Why (completely related)...I learned that he in fact DID know his ABC's.  It really shouldn't have come as such a shock to a mother of a boy who went from not talking to full sentences at 2 1/2.  And yet...I still have not quite figured out the magic trick to get past the stubbornness.

But alas, I can relax knowing my kid can go to Kindergarden fully able to say his ABC's (note to self...we need to figure out what we're doing for Kindergarden).

So yes, it is a bit frustrating when my little man will only recite the alphabet up to a "G" and then end his song with "and pickles too all done" (don't ask)?  Yes.  But maybe it just makes it all the more rewarding when he makes it all the way to "Z" and wants to do it again.  But even if it didn't, this kid's crazy expressions would make it all worth it... =)

I love you, crazy!

Phew!!

It's been a loooong time since I've posted!  I guess I've been a little busy!  Instagram or Facebook followers may have noticed some sneak peeks at what I've been up to, but if you haven't...I'll let you in on the secret.  We were on VACATION!!!  Well...as much of a vacation as you can have with a two and four year old, right?  ;)

I can't say I'm entirely happy to be back.  I mean, we were enjoying beautiful 80 degree days and now we're back to gray and rainy.  BUT, it is good to be in our own home and our own beds and cooking some good 'ole homemade food rather than eating out all the time (our tummies are still paying for that).

So I have a couple thousand loads of laundry to catch up on as well as fending for a sick kid (yay for plane germs) but I'm hoping to get some pictures up here soon, so stay tuned friends!

Blogging: Mommy Style

I have a lot of moms tell me they are just way too busy to blog.  I get that, I really do.  That is the very reason why my number of posts from week to week (or month to month) can very so much.  Mommyhood is hard work.  I only have two and somedays I just feel like a down right mess.  Hair not combed, teeth not brushed, yoga pant wearing, non-vacuuming, laundry piling MESS!!!  We all have days like this (some of us more than others, myself included).

So how do I fit in blogging between fort building, mouth feeding, preschool teaching, grocery shopping and the many other tasks that come with the business?

In my case it is usually in the form of one of the following:

1) During nap/quiet time.
Of course this depends on my to-do list for the day or my level of exhaustion.  Some days the floor just needs to be mopped and the best time for that is nap time.  Some days I feel like I've been running non stop and simply need to relax on the couch with a good book.  Other days I multi task and fold laundry while watching some Desperate Housewives reruns or the latest episode of Nashville.  But if I am going to blog during a nap, I'm going to make the most of my precious time and try to pop out several posts and schedule them over the course of a week.

2) After bed time.
This is not my preferred method, because this is my precious one-on-one time with my husband.  He works long hours and I try to really enjoy the time that he is home and give him my full attention.  But occasionally he has a show to watch that I really could care less about, so I'll sit next to him on the couch and let my thoughts spill through my iPad.  And there is the random occasion that he has to work late, and this is a great time for me to unwind and blog for a while.

3) With a babe in my lap.
We all know there are some days that our kids won't let us out of their sight.  They cling to you like a monkey and whine in your ear.  I will try to distract them with a coloring book or by letting them pound on the piano so I can get a break for a moment...but that doesn't always work.  Of course I never get very far on a post when my littles are around, because they are my first priority.  So there are lots of interruptions for snacks and sippy cups or breaking up fights.  I usually just get a paragraph or two written or a couple photos edited.  But sometimes - that is enough to clear my head and let me get back to my mommy duties with a smile!

Well today is one of those days.  A kid-in-lap-kind-of-blogging day.  And I don't mind, as long as I'm getting these cheesy smiles instead of tears!

And hopefully someday my kids can look back over my blog (that hopefully will be made into a book?) and see that it was good for me to take some time for myself every now and then and that I was a better mommy for it.  This may be a little outlet for me - but it's all for them anyway!!! =)

Project #472

We've begun yet another project in our house.  One we have been planning on and waiting for since we moved in our house 5 years ago.  A master bathroom.  Of course, the master bedroom had to be put into place first....which we completed about two years ago, before Cocoa came home.

So why are we just now getting started with it?  Ooooh.

First of all....it is a completely unfinished space.  No window.  No flooring.  No plumbing.  No siding.  Nada.  Which means it will cost a lot of money...which leads me to number two.

Cash.  We needed to have the money set aside before we started on the bathroom, and until now, other projects have topped the priority list.  But since we got our tax return back, we now have a chunk set aside to complete this project.

Three - storage.  As we showed the plumbers around our bathroom-to-be, it didn't take long to realize that we hadn't gone through any of this junk since we moved it!  Back in the corner (right around where the carpenter ants were taking over...yeah...long story) were boxes that we moved in and never unpacked.  Also - tool store house.  Yep - this is where all the things that don't have a home go.  And before we could get working on this space, all those things needed a home (even if that home turned out to be the Goodwill or the trash).

But now that those three things are out of the way, we have happily begun.

The plumbers spent an entire day invading my home and making a ton of racket (hear - no nap) but they got the job done and now we are ready for inspection.  After that is completed, then we can begin the flooring.  So while we are waiting for that, my hubby decided it was time for the window.

So last weekend (yep - my birthday weekend) I sat in the sun (WHAT?!?  There's SUN in Washington?!?  LOL) reading the end of Safe Haven and snuggling my babies while daddy cut a hole in our house and filled it with a window.

Bringing me right back to the summer she came home...

And you know who took THIS awesome picture?
My 4-year-old.  Future photographer on my hands??? =)

This is Hub's "you want me to smile NOW?!?" look =)

Working hard

Hole.  And yes, I forgot a picture of the window itself.  WHOOPS!

And yes, I do realize how ghetto my house looks with that lovely green trim work and overgrown bushes.  Hopefully that will be project #473...

Coffee Date!!

Fellow blogger Amy @Filled With Praise clued me in to the coffee date that MercyFound Ministries is hosting today.  My coffee is already a little cold thanks to the constant stream of distractions that come with being a mama of two little ones.  But just for you, I'll pop it in the microwave for the third time!  I wish we could be face to face and we could start this conversation with a big hug...but on the bright side, you don't have to listen to my 4-year-old and 2-year-old bickering and crying and tattling.  =)

So whether you need some fancy creamer or you like it black, grab your cup and sit down for a little mama gab sesh...okay? =)  The ladies at MercyFound Ministries asked the questions to get the ball rolling (go check it out for yourself).

1. What first drew your heart to adoption?  Who was on board first - you or your husband?

My husband and I talked about adoption long before we were married.  I don't even remember who brought it up first.  But somewhere along the line when we were planning our family, we forgot about that dream.  At the point that our good friends were in Ethiopia picking up there son, I felt God whack me over the head with a 2x4.  I remember sitting at the computer reading the entire travel journal in one sitting bawling my eyes out because I knew that is where God was leading us.  My husband came home on his lunch break to a blubbering mess, but it wasn't long after that we were submitting our application and starting the long crazy journey to our Cocoa Puff.

2. Share a couple of favorite songs on your playlist.

I am completely on board with Amy on this one....music speaks to me like nothing else.  Once you get me started I could go on all day, so I'm going to limit it to two here.  The first is "Lead Me To The Cross", specifically the version by Francesca Battistelli.  Beautiful.  The second is "Love is Here" by Tenth Avenue North.

3. Do you have a favorite scripture?  One that is especially meaningful to you right now?

Habikuk 2:3 "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will come and will not delay."  This verse was in my kitchen throughout the adoption process and reflecting on it helped me to find peace in the wait.  Lately as we are seeking God's direction on our next steps, I find myself clinging to it once again.  God's timing is always perfect.

4. Share what country/countries you have/are adopted/adopting from, and what agency you used, if you're comfortable doing so.

Our family adopted from Ethiopia using All God's Children International.  

5. Any quirks or fun things that make you uniquely you (that you want us to know about you:))?

I was a cheerleader in high school, and even though I don't do it for sport anymore, it is something I hope never to give up completely.  I will always be my husband's and my kid's biggest cheerleader and I love to cheer others on as they go through the long adoption process.  You need a "go team go"?  Just say the word!

I play piano, but I actually can't read notes very well so I play based off of guitar chords instead!  I also have a guitar but I have no idea how to play it (but I would love to learn, will you be the one to teach me?).

Unless it is in the form of deep tissue massage, I can't handle people touching my neck.  My husband and kids will tease me by pretending they are going to choke me and if their hands even get near I turn into a crazy karate chopping ninja!

So now it's your turn!  And my coffee mug isn't even empty yet so I'm all ready to hear your answers!  Ready, set, GO! =)

My Days Lately...

A lot of my posts over the last little bit have touched on fashion, on our family vacations, on special events, and home decor.  The day to day in our household looks a little different.  The hair is disheveled.  We don't always get out of pajamas.  There are piles of laundry and dishes in the sink.  There are projects, construction crews, pesk control, and "To-Do" lists everywhere you turn.  There are blanket forts and crumbs on the floor and so much screaming I get a headache.

But I wouldn't trade it for the world!  The day to day stuff is where the memories are made!  Where bedrooms transform into the great outdoors.  Where you can camp under the stars and roast the perfect marshmallow over the fire (and it never burns!).

Where little girls can dress up as a fairy, or a princess and feed her baby the ideal combination of smushed bananas and apple juice before playing her a lullaby on her piano and shushing her to sleep.

Where toddler crafts are a blast, but so messy it gives mama a panic attack.

Where we relive every real-life moment or dream in the form of Mega-Blocks.

Yes, I wish there was a little less fighting on their part and a little more patience on mine.  I wish I was more organized and planned out my day better.  I wish there was never a night that they didn't get to kiss their daddy before closing their eyes.  I wish I was a morning person who could have a normal conversation before finishing a cup of coffee (its true - I'm a grump).

Although I am sure there will consistently be a list of improvements I would like to make in myself, I am thankful that God loves me right here where I am.  Messy, unorganized, easily frustrated little old me.  It's hard to grasp that thought sometimes while living in a world that expects me to be super mom.

My devotions this morning literally stopped me in my tracks, being that I was in the midst of writing this post...

"Don't look for affirmation in the wrong places; your own evaluations, or those of other people.  The only real source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love....When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity." 

 - Jesus Calling

"My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." 

- Proverbs 3:11-12

Thank you Lord for once again meeting me right where I am.  For speaking the words that I need to hear right now.  And hopefully it encourages each of you to seek affirmation from the Lord today!



{Real life photos brought to you by - the iPhone!!!  Haha...but seriously, please excuse the fuzzy and/or poorly lit photos.  It's reality right now.}

The "Dirty Thirty"

Photo Credit: Mike Fiechtner Photography

I don't know why he calls it that, I really don't.  But those are the words that come out of his mouth every time I tell someone that this past weekend he turned the big 3-0.  My husband has quite the unique sense of humor that you either get or you don't.  Either you will laugh and think he's hilarious, or he'll notice that spacey look in your eyes and know to move on.

I remember when we first started dating and a few people felt the need to warn me about his humor.  That after a while it would get old.  That he would start telling the same jokes over and over.  But God put that man in my life to make me laugh and I am so thankful I get to grow old with him!  He can make me laugh day in and day out (and guess what - those few jokes he tells over and over...they are the really funny ones that I keep forgetting the end to).  And it's those laugh lines on his face that melt me to the core.  I can just picture us, old and grey, surrounded by grandchildren laughing at their silly grandpa and all his crazy stories!

I love that man and all his crazy - in fact, I'm crazy about his crazy!  And I got to celebrate him (with JUST him) all weekend long.  Grandpa and Grandma offered to have the kids for the weekend and let us do whatever....but we opted for staying home and keeping it low key.  We got to sleeeeeeeep in our own bed (without constant interruption and early wake up calls).  We got to play GAMES (which I swear never happens anymore).  We went out for every meal and even enjoyed an afternoon movie!  We had zero schedule which may have been the cause for us driving around at 10pm trying to find an open Pho restaurant and settling for Chinese.  Haha!  It was so crazy fun to just be us with no responsibility for a little bit.

Although the thought of having an empty nest some day is so scary...but spending every day all day with the man of my dreams also makes it something to look forward to =)

Photo Credit: Mike Fiechtner Photography

Happy 30th Birthday to my one and only.

I love you! =)

Waiting for the Reveal

As I scrolled through Facebook today, a few friends' statuses sparked a chord with me.  Specifically the few moms I know who are sitting at the top of a waitlist right now, longing for that life-changing call to find out the little person(s) God has waiting for them.  Although I don't mind distancing myself from those all too familiar emotions most of the time, this week the memories are coming back like a flood.  It's still hard to believe that two years have passed since we walked in their shoes, cried their tears, and prayed their prayers.

One week before Cocoa's referral

God's timing in these cases never cease to amaze me.  I look forward to the day I get to rejoice with each of these families celebrating their referrals and hear how God used every detail of their adoption journey for His glory.

Our referral call

On the day we received Cocoa's referral, I remember listening to our case worker on the phone and crying as she shared details of our daughter's story that were so beautiful and intricate, only He could have written it.  Even recently it dawned on me how beautiful the timing of her referral was.  I hadn't connected the pieces of the puzzle at the time, but it was just three years earlier that we were also in a waiting phase.  I'm not sure I have shared that part of our story here before...

In the summer of 2007, after four and a half years of marriage, my husband and I decided that we felt ready to start our family.  It never crossed my mind that it might not happen right away.  After several months of trying, we found out we were pregnant!  Although I was bursting at the seams to tell everyone we knew, we decided to wait until we were a little further along.  Days before we about to announce the great news to our family, I started bleeding.  After a lengthy visit to the doctor and several tests later, they called me to confirm I was having a miscarriage.  We both took the weekend off work to mourn our loss, only telling our employers.

I know many people think we are crazier than heck for keeping that from our families at the time...but you have to understand that we were about to surprise them with awesome news and that this was going to be the first grandchild on my husband's side of the family!   I couldn't bear to ruin the surprise with the news of a miscarriage.

So fast forward to February 2008 when we had just moved into our fixer upper and waiting for God to say "YES" to bringing a child into this world.  I'm sure you can imagine the overwhelming emotions when we got another positive pregnancy test.  We were a little more cautious with our excitement the second time around, but, that being said, I knew I couldn't go through another miscarriage without the support of our family so we decided to share our news almost immediately.

One week before Hollywood was born
Photo Credit: Heather Cowill Photography

It may seem insignificant to some - but I find it really beautiful that exactly two years later we were ending our wait to see our daughter.  That two years after finding out I was going to be a MAMA for the first time, I found out I was going to be a mama for the second time.  Only God could time that so beautifully.

The first picture we ever saw of our daughter - 2 months old, 6 pounds

February 28 may be our Referralversary (haha love that, don't you?)....but I am celebrating BOTH my kids today and the wonderful journey God brought us on to both of them.  My heart is so thankful I have those two crazy kids to call my own.

Photo Credit: Mike Fiechtner Photography

This February we are also in a waiting season.  While I won't compare it to anything like finding out you are becoming a parent (get it out of your head because that is not happening right now)...we are waiting for God to reveal to what is next for our family and discern what His dreams and desires are for our lives.  Somedays are easier than others, but as I reflect on God's perfect timing the last two times in my life...it makes it a lot easier to trust His perfect plan this time around too!

Belated Winter Wonderland

If you've been following me on Facebook, you probably know I've had sick kids crawling all over me and consuming my time this past week.  I won't go into the gory details - but believe me, you're not missing out.  This post was started so long ago I can't seem to wrap my mind around where I was when I started writing it....so I'm starting over!

Last week (or was it the week before?), our family took a much needed vacation up in the snowy mountains of Whistler, BC.  My parents have a time share just outside the upper village where they had an extra bedroom for us to use.  We were thrilled with the invite and jumped at the chance to experience some snowy fun with our kids, since Seattle seemed to miss out on anything more than a winter dusting this year.  Just over a four hour drive from our home, (give or take depending on the wait at the border) Whistler was the perfect way to get a break from our routine without breaking the bank.

We left on Thursday morning with our ride packed to the brim and stocked with snacks, cartoons, and books for the littles.  You know, normal road trip material.  Our plan was to take a potty break/leg stretch at my parents' (about a halfway point) and drive the rest of the way together...but they decided last minute to head up early and get in some skiing before we arrived.  It all worked out marvelously as the kids were very into their movie at that point so we just kept on going!  We didn't stop until lunch time, when the kids were complaining about sore bums and mama needed a potty break.  At the first sign of an A&W we pulled over and got out (how very Canadian, right?).

I have some pretty picky eaters on my hands so they didn't eat much more than french fries and some apple juice, but they were excited and ready to get back in the car and go the rest of the way up the mountain to see grandpa and grandma....and more importantly, the SNOW!  I was amazed how much the scenery around us changed in the next half hour.  We went from kinda cold to literally freezing and surrounded by a winter wonderland - it was so beautiful!  We calculated that the last time we were in these mountains was nearly 9 years ago, celebrating 6 months married!  WOAH!

Although SO much had changed in Whistler (to the point it was almost unrecognizable) in the last 9 years, thankfully the condo was simple enough to find.  We arrived maybe 15 minutes before my parents and then the fun began!!!

It didn't take long for us to bundle up and head outdoors into Whistler village.  First stop was the grocery store to stock up on food for the long weekend.  We split up the staples, and while waiting in line to pay, Grandma and Grandma informed us that there was now an awesome playground just minutes from there - how exciting!  The ladies took the kids while the gentlemen brought our groceries back to the condo and put them away.

This playground was seriously awesome!  Although the compacted snow all around it made it quite slick so it wasn't long before the kids were freezing and ready to head back.  We hadn't exactly dressed them for snow play.  So it was back to the condo we went, fixed up a delicious dinner of hamburgers, salad, and chicken nuggets for the littles.  After that, the kids begged us to take them in the pool (indoor/outdoor)...but it was so cold that evening that by the time we got down there they were happy to go in the hot tub instead.

My parents had mentioned wanting to go to the village afterwards, but when we looked at the clock we realized we were already past bedtime AND Cocoa had missed her nap today.  We decided to take advantage of the time away though, and got out the stroller for Hollywood, and I put Cocoa in the Ergo and we headed out into the cold.  We really just wanted to get some exercise and see the village....but we couldn't help ourselves when we walked past the chocolate factory and popped in for some caramel/chocolate covered apples...mmm!  Of course by then, Cocoa had fallen FAST asleep in my arms (after literally fighting me to get her in the Ergo in the first place).  But it turned out it wasn't a problem at all.  When we arrived back at the condo, Hollywood said he was soooooo tired and Cocoa transferred into the pack and play without argument (thankfully we had planned ahead and put their pajamas on under their winter coats before we went out).

The Olympic Rings

My precious SLEEPING baby...these moments are way to rare!!

Back at the condo, she didn't even blink as I took off her winter gear!!!

Sleeping arrangements worked out better than I had imagined.  Grandpa and Grandma, of course, claimed the master suite (it was only fair considering they paid for it =).  It included a king size bed and attached bathroom.  The guest room, where we stayed had a queen size bed and just enough room to put the pack and play for Cocoa Puff.  We probably could have put Hollywood on the floor and tripped over him in the middle of the night, but he was SO EXCITED that the couch pulled out into a bed and BEGGED to sleep there.  He really had to talk us into it... ;)  We also had our own bathroom just next door.

I was a tad concerned about our lil man sleeping on the hide-a-bed because last time he slept in a bed without a railing he fell off at 6am and woke the whole house up screaming.  I put the edge of a chair against the bed when it was pulled out...but he really did great.  Every night we put him down on our bed and then transferred him to the hide-a-bed when the adults were ready to go to sleep.

The following morning, my parents wanted to get some more skiing in, this time at the Olympic Village.  They had heard about a great sledding area right near the lodge, so we decided to follow them up there and do our own thing and then meet back at the condo.  It was totally worth it.  Right at the base of those HUGE ski jumps you see on the Olympics they cut into the hills some great sledding paths.  Most of them were simple slopes, but a couple had jumps (that daddy had to try out, of course).  Much to our surprise, our fearless adventurers were absolutely terrified.  They LOVED the snow, but they did not want to go down that hill a second time.  We still had fun playing in the snow, but it wasn't very long before our little man was in dire need of a bathroom.  We walked up the hill to the lodge, and Cocoa and mommy played in the piles of snow while the boys searched out a bathroom.

After they got back out, they were more interested in climbing the "mountain" (the pile of snow outside the lodge) than they were sledding, but we just had fun with it.  Of course the underprepared parents over here had horrible gloves for the wee one and it wasn't long before she was crying "cooooooolll!!!!"  We talked little mister into going inside, warming up, and getting some lunch.

Daddy ordered mommy and Cocoa some coconut curry soup to split while Hollywood devoured probably the most amazing blueberry muffin on planet earth.  Then it was back out into the snow for a couple minutes before heading back for a nap for Cocoa.

Grandpa and Grandma arrived back at the condo during Cocoa's nap.  After warming up, mom and I wanted to head out and explore the village a bit.  With my husband's blessing, we took off, grabbed some coffee from Starbucks, and walked around.  We found some awesome clothes, but all of it was completely out of my price range.  It was still fun though.  And I found some warm fleece gloves for my baby girl that matched her new winter coat.

When we got back to the condo, we found out Grandpa was starting to feel pretty crummy.  The kids were sad to have to keep their distance from him, but it was for the best.  Whatever he had, did NOT sound good.  After some yummy steaks for dinner, we did the hot tub thing and put the kids down for bed.  Since my dad was in bed coughing his lungs up, mom offered to stay and watch after the kids so we could get out for a little bit!  We weren't going to turn down that offer.  We didn't do anything but walk around and have a good chat, but it was good to get even a short break from the kids and be just us for a bit.  Those days are rare lately.

After a lazy Saturday morning, Grandpa asked if we wanted to walk up to Blackcomb village with them and check out a soup and sandwich shop there for lunch.  It sounded like a good break from PB&J so we bundled up and headed out...Hollywood rode in the stroller (which he is quickly growing too tall for), and Cocoa went back and forth between daddy's shoulders and mommy's arms (her favorite places to be....can I hear a huge "awwwww" =).  Before heading that way though, Grandma wanted to stop into the toy shop and treat each of the kids to a treat.  Hollywood picked out a garbage truck and blue airplane and Cocoa chose a purple My Little Pony that came with a baby butterfly.  Made. Their. Day.  Grandma also bought some dice and a new game for something entertaining to do back at the condo tonight.

It surprised me how busy the shop was at lunch, but it probably shouldn't have.  It was in an ideal location for skiers and snowboarders to take a break and warm up for a bit.  Hubs and I both built an awesome sandwich, which we each shared bites of with Cocoa.  Hollywood refused anything but a muffin, but that was okay.  There was another little baby there that Cocoa was oooing and awwwing over while we ate and chatted.  Afterwards we leisurely walked back to the condo to put our little lady down for a snooze.

During her nap (and Grandpas), we broke out the new game "Pick Two".  It kind of reminds me of a mix of crossword and scrabble....but it was so fun it surprised me!!!!  It was fast paced and just a little competitive.  Hubs won almost every game, not surprisingly, but we all enjoyed it so much!  After Cocoa woke up the kids BEGGED to go into the pool so we headed on downstairs with them.

For dinner, Grandpa and Grandma wanted to take us to a new restaurant in the village, but when we arrived it was so busy they said the earliest they could get us in was 9:30!!!  So we went next door.  G&G got some burgers and Hubs and I got to try some yummy stir fries.  We were all happy.

We took our time heading back to the condo, trying to wear out the littles....it worked!  They were SO ready for bed when we got back.  As soon as they crashed we got back to our games =)

The next morning we had to be checked out quite early so we quickly took showers and got to packing.  But before making the long drive home, we decided to all take one more walk around the village (which mainly led us to the playground for the kids) and stop at a burger joint for lunch.  With tummies full of food and eyes full of tears, we loaded the kids in their car seats, started a movie, and back down the mountain we went.  Hollywood couldn't stop crying, so we promised a stop at the other Grandpa and Grandma's before heading home.  That did it!

There was an insanely long wait at the border which made for some majorly crabby kids.  But a new movie and some snacks mostly fixed the problem.  Thankfully I also had some Mad Libs in the glove compartment for our entertainment.  After we crossed back into the United States, we had a little trouble getting ahold of my Hub's parents...which made me concerned we may have to break our promise to little man.  Thankfully they called us back (they were just outside) and told us to come on over.  This was also about the time that my boy started complaining about a tummy ache and was the start to a long week of disgusting mom duties.  (Enough said, right?)  We ended up staying over there past dinner time waiting for his tummy to settle a little bit.  Our beds were a welcome sight that night.  =)

Alright....so it didn't end on the best note...but it really was a great trip and we are so thankful we took the time to head up into the snow to make some final winter memories!

So tell me friends...where is your favorite winter retreat???

P.S. ALL of these photos were taken on my iPhone, so please excuse the quality.  I was just not in the mood to tote my bulky DSLR around the snowy mountains.  Follow me in Instagram for peeks into our daily routine and follow Cocoa's hair care journey.  For instance, if you had been following me the last couple weeks...you would have had some sneak peeks of these pictures!  =)