Bright and Earl-y: New Year's at Big White

Tuesday, December 26th

On our drive to Moses Lake, we stopped halfway in Meridian, ID for a few hours to visit with Brandon, Kelsie & Troy. Owen immediately accepted Troy as a friend after seeing his room full of Cars toys.

Here are some pictures from our visit: Troy, Madden & Owen

Brandon, Madden looking inquisitively at Brandon, me, Owen, Brad, Kelsie & Troy

Owen and Troy hugging goodbye. Side note* Owen saw these pictures the other day while I was working on this post and kept saying, "I want to go back to his house!"

Wednesday, December 27th

We spent our first day in Moses Lake hanging out at David & Peggy's house and recovering from our long drive. Owen got to try on his very first pair of skis in preparation for our Big White trip. I was the one pushing for Brad to teach Owen how to ski and for the first time ever, Brad was the parent saying that he probably wasn't old enough and we should wait until next year. (Apparently our personalities are rubbing off on each other)

Madden spent a lot of time looking out this window at grammy & grandpa's house.

Building "snowmen" with dad

Owen had a blast playing outside in the snow with Brad even though the snow wasn't prime for snowman building.

Bump picture! 12.27.17

14 weeks along.

Thursday, December 28th

The next day, Peggy, Brad, me & the boys went over to Grandma LuDeen's house for a visit. I absolutely love this lady! She is the sweetest woman. Owen was thrilled to receive a train ornament from her Christmas tree.

Saturday, December 30th

On the 29th, David, Peggy, Brad, me & the boys loaded up the Suburban and made the drive to Kelowna, British Columbia. We arrived that night after driving through a ton of snow!

The next day, everyone hit the slopes while Owen & Declan headed off to child care. Madden & I spent some quality time together in the condo since I'm pregnant and wasn't able to ski (which seems to be a common theme).

Owen joined Madden & me after lunch and the boys practiced their rendition of "jingle bells."

Watching the Cougars game. Madden didn't want to be left out.

Our boys in their matching jammies!

Here's a video of Madden doing my favorite trick of his...holding his arms up above his head when we say "SO big!" He also decided to be an over-achiever in this video and show off his clapping as well.

Madden was also enthralled with the new washer and liked to watch it spin

New Year's Eve!

Sunday, December 31st

Kristy & Brad teaching the boys how to play battleship while Madden just tried to eat all of the pieces

It's obvious that Owen is an Earl because I'm pretty sure they had something Simpson's related on the tv in this first picture with grandpa and Owen was seriously cracking up so hard. (Don't ask me why the Earls love the Simpson's so much...after 5.5 years, I'm still trying to figure it out.)

Also, I need to apologize to the family for not allowing the heater to be turned on in the front room while Madden was awake since he kept going over and touching it. I think Kristy & Kendall had it the worst since they have no meat on their bones. But really...who thought placing heaters that low was a good idea?!

That night, the family ventured out to attend church on the mountain. Madden had just fallen asleep for his nap so I had stayed back with him and missed out on all of these cute pictures!

Owen & Declan dancing with grammy

New Year's Day!

Monday, January 1st

On New Year's morning, the family enjoyed an empty mountain while the rest of the resort was hungover. Madden & I had some more quality time together while the two older boys hung out in the child care again.

Here's a video of Owen skiing down the mountain on Brad's back. Probably not the safest thing he's done as a parent, but hey at least the video is cool!

David, Brad & Kristy

Owen must have had fun at day care because this was the first nap he had taken in months! Also, here's Madden trying out Aunt Kristy's new hat :)

Kristy & Brad being great parents again, playing games with the boys

This picture of Owen & Declan is one of my all time favorites. This is how I found them at 1am. How cute is that!!

Wednesday, January 3rd

On the 2nd, we all made the drive back to Moses Lake and the next day was spent having fun at grammy & grandpas house, Brad and I eating lunch with the staff at Dr. Jorgensen's dental office, visiting with cousins, and Owen going to his very first Big Bend basketball game!

Here's Owen refining his jingle bell skills. If golf doesn't work out, at least he has his music to fall back on!

Hanging out at Corbin & Kelsie's house with Mike & Allie

Here's Emmy, Kowen, Madden, Owen, Nora, Millie

Owen absolutely loved Nora and played so well with his second cousins! I think he's going to be pretty disappointed down the road when he finds out he and Nora are related...

Bump picture! 1.3.18

15 weeks along

Big Bend basketball

That night, Brad & David took Owen to his very first Big Bend basketball game! Owen hung out with his new friend Nora the whole time.

Thursday, January 4th

Saturday, January 6th

That Friday, we drove from Moses Lake to Utah all in one day and spent the night at my parents house. That Saturday, we made the drive from Utah to Vegas where Courtney happened to be babysitting the Nielsen kids. We made it in time to catch the tail end of Rhode's basketball game!