Snapshots from the cabin...

Our family loves going up to the property in Idaho.  It is only an hour in a half away, but once you get there, you feel removed from the stresses and pressures of home. 

 

For the past few years, my greatest desire for the property was getting a hammock.  Laying under the trees with a book sounded like heaven.  Something about the cabin makes one oh so sleepy. 

 

On one of our first trips to Idaho, we came across this inexpensive hammock.  It was perfect for testing my theory of proper cabin relaxation.

 

 

I was right.  It was heaven. Sometimes.... I even share. :)

 

Here are few random pics of Collin.  Lex is always cornering Collin for fashion blog pictures.  This time it was Lex who was behind the lens. 

 

I also found this pic on the camera.  One of Lexie's favorite memories of the cabin is sitting around with Grandma Dopp and painting or working on some sort of craft or art project.  For a few years this sat on our table in our trailer.  Now I think it has found a more permanent home by the cabin.  We are so lucky to have our own private Garden of Eden.  Hopefully our early spring will last.  We can't wait to get back up to Idaho and open the place up for 2014.  Bring on summer!

Mother's Day 2013 and Glimpses...

I love how technology evolves.  I used to be a huge blogger.  But then, I put found myself putting more time into different projects and lost my passion for blogging.  I recently heard a keynote address from the Roots Tech conference.  (I think that's what it's called.)  They talked about how important it is to document life - in whatever way you choose to do so.  Whether that be blogging, journals, scrapbooking, videos, etc.  You chose what is BEST for YOU.  There is not a right or wrong way to do it.  So... Even though most of our recent memories have been recorded through our cameras and Instagram, I hope I can eventually get our highlights and some low lights recorded here as well. 

 

In addition to Ryan's Birthday, May brought us our first trip to the cabin.  I have many passions in life.  One of them is s'mores. :)  I think they are heaven.  And, each summer I eat way too many of them.  But... for posterity's sake, I recorded the first official s'more of 2013.  It is the only way to kick off a summer.  We did manage to get a bit of work done at the cabin as well. 

 

 

Ryan is so lucky to share his birthday with our angel niece, Alene.  When I picked up Ryan's birthday balloons, I also wanted to get one for Alene.  We can't wait to get to know this sweet girl in the next life. 

 

May also brought the Imagine Dragon's Concert at UVU in Orem.  Ryan had purchased three tickets for me and Ryan and Lexie.  Sadly, he was called out of town for stupid work.  We ended up taking Lexie's friend, Whitney Cox.  While we had a fun time, we sure missed having our dad there.  He would have loved every minute. 

 

On Mother's Day, Izzy wrote me this darling note.

 

It says:

I love you because you do the dishes and my class (volunteer at school), and tuck me in to bed at night and find the time to read a fairy tale.  I am so glad that you can be my mom.  You are a beautiful girl and there's sometimes that I frustrate you.  But, there you are to teach me from right from wrong.  I love you.

 

Ohhhh!!!!  I love my kids. 

 

The start of summer also brought more photo shoots for Lexie.  For a while there she had a bit of a booming photog business.  I took her to a family photo shoot at the temple.  She needed me as a test subject for this temple shot.  It has been fun for me to accompany her as she has developed this talent.  She has a creative eye and sees things other do not.  No matter which of her passions stick with her, I know she will go far in life.  She just will.  She is just awesome like that. :)

 

The end of the year also brought lots of time in school class rooms.  This one was for Mom's and Muffins.  Izzy thought I had forgotten. I would never do that!  I never want to miss one of those special days.  That is the whole reason I do what I do in life - so I can be available for those special moments.  I sure love my sweet girl.

In May, Lex went to the High School to take her AP Geography test.  While the test didn't pan out for credit, I'm proud of her for doing her best.  It was a great learning experience and will help her in her future as she chooses classes and has additional placement testing.  Plus... she is darling, so..... :)

 

 

And with that... May was a wrap.  Well, except for Memorial Day and the last day of school.  Let's see if I can stick with this and post those sooner rather than later.

Sleddin'.....

Today was amazing.  I love when a complicated day just works out.  There are so many times I say to myself, "Why does life have to be so hard."  But then... there are days like today, where everything just comes together.

It all started Christmas Eve night.  As we were chatting we learned several family members were planning a sledding trip up to the cabin over the upcoming weekend.  We had another commitment on the day they were going and were sad we were going to miss the fun.  I'm not sure why, but for some reason we have never made it up to the cabin in the winter.  It always sounded.... well, COLD! :)  But, we had heard how much fun it was and we wanted to try it.

So... we found a solution.  Jackson had a doctor's appointment on Friday at 11:30 to have his cast removed and the pin from his wrist surgery pulled.  Despite the snowy roads, we made it to the doctor's office by 11:28 and the cast was being cut at 11:30.  Fast doctor appointments just DON'T happen.  We were pleasantly surprised.  We had x-rays, the doc consult, and were out of there and in the car by 11:58.  Sweet!  We were finally on our way to the cabin.

The kids were so excited.  They wish we could live at the cabin.  It is one of their favorite places.  We love it as well because for the most part, while we're at the cabin, everyone (including Jackson), is usually happy.  Hurray!  We made great time and pulled into the cabin at 1:30.  Grandma and Grandpa had been hard at work preparing for our visit.  A neighbor had plowed for parking and Grandpa had used the snow blower to clear paths for the fire.  They even went up a whole day early just to make sure the cabin was toasty warm for our arrival.  It was bliss. 

After a few moments of relaxation, we bundled up and headed out for "The Hill".  There are some great four wheeler trails behind the cabin.  During the summer we love to run the loop and in the winter, they make for great sleddin' hills.  Our family was a little unprepared with outdoor clothing.  We're not much for skiing.  But, with help from Circe and Grandma, Alexis and I found ski bibs and were all set.  We loved staying warm and dry for sledding.  If anyone sees ski bibs and coats on sale, let us know.  We are in the market.

At first, Izzy wasn't too sure about this whole sledding thing.  But, after one time down the hill, she was hooked!

 

Mismatched gloves, my marshmallow coat, and grandma's bibs - a fashion icon! :)

 

Lexie's sledding photo shoot. :) :) :)  We love this girl!

Thanks for the ski bib loan, Circ! 

 

 

 

 

Jackson had a hard time with sledding.  He thought it was WAY TOO dangerous and was soon ready to go back to the cabin.  He main agenda item for this trip was... the fire!  Before  he left, he did manage a few rides behind the four wheeler.  I was proud of him for braving the outing for as long as he did.  We were also reminded of why our family is NOT a skiing family.  Jacks just can't handle the stress.  He wouldn't even ride with me down a tiny hill.  It is just too much for him.  At times like this, it makes me sad how much of a prisoner he is in his little body. :(

 

 

"The Hill"

It was perfect for all ages.  Mild enough for the little ones and big enough to give the big kids a thrill.  Plus, with the four wheeler taking you back up to the top when you were done, it took all the work out of sledding.  Yes.... we are lazy sledders. (sleigh riders? :)

 

Nik and Little Kiptyn.

 

We loved it.  Thanks Grandpa for all your work!

 

Izzy discovered she loves to eat snow. :)

 

The river was beautiful.  Lex teased me a bit.  When I commented on how pretty everything was with the fresh dusting of snow, she said, "I know... it just looks magical."  She knew that was exactly what I was going to say. :)  But, it does.  Nature can be truly breathtaking.  We are just lucky we have our own little spot on the planet where we get to partake of it.  We truly are blessed.

After the kids were sufficiently tired, we headed back to the cabin for a bonfire - Jackson's favorite.  Anything is possible with a little gas and a match. :)  Jackson loves having a fire at the cabin.  He wouldn't even come inside to eat dinner.  I brought him his bowl of soup so he could continue to "tend" the fire.  He feels it is his responsibility to keep it going.  And... he does a great job.   

 

Jackson couldn't wait to watch the fire start.  He had a hard time looking at me.  He didn't want to miss a moment!

 

Kiptyn.... we get him to like us by bribing him with treats. :) 

 

Collin and Cade had a great time building snow forts.

 

Even baby Jersey loved being outside.  The only problem... she didn't want to keep her hands in the toasty blanket.

 

Our fearless leaders... Grandma and pa.

 

After a warm bowl of soup and cup of hot chocolate, a few of the kids and I headed back out to the fire to roast marshmallows.  Yum!

 

As usual, the s'mores were perfect. 

We're so glad we made the effort to build this memory.  It was one of those fun and perfect family days.  Even though the pictures look cold, we were all toasty warm in our winter gear.  The kids are already planning when we can schedule our next trip.  Collin was especially disappointed that we didn't get to sleep over.  So... it looks like this was the first of many winter cabin sleddin' trips.  And, that is just fine with me.  I'm always up for another perfect family day!  These truly are the sweet moments of life - and I'm not just talkin' about the s'mores. :)

Labor Day at the Cabin...

Yes... it is almost Christmas and I'm just posting Labor Day.  Maybe by New Years I'll have this little ole' blog in a more respectable state. :)

Labor Day was spent in Idaho at the Cabin.  We always look for an excuse to get away and enjoy S'mores. Lex, however, did NOT enjoy me trying to capture her on film.  In her words, she looked hideous. :)  I'm sorry Lex, but I just don't think it is possible for you to look hideous. :)



By this point in the trip, the weather couldn't decide if it was fall or summer and by the looks of the kids, they couldn't decide either.  Some had coats, and some were sporting swim wear.  This also must have been towards the end of the trip because my kids were looking like rag-a-muffins.  However, they have smiles on their faces.  They must have been having fun and that's what's important.

Love this picture!  Grandma Marlene, Isabella, and sleeping baby Jersey - three beautiful ladies.

The snack shack was Grandpa's latest cabin addition in 2012.  It's the perfect place to construct the quintessential s'more.  Believe me, I'm a pro!  This year, the winning combination was King Size Hershey candy bar with coconut marshmallows.  Holy Cow.  YUM-O!  

Only five more months until we get to do this again.  We can hardly wait.

The Loop...

About this time of year... I really start to feel the reality of winter.  The Christmas season and all it brings makes the cold bearable, for a time.  But after the bustle of the holidays is complete, I have to find other outlets of light to shine on me so the winter doesn't seem as long.  Today, as I was going through pictures, these snapshots Lex took seemed to do the trick.

This is "The Loop".  It's the four wheeler trail behind the cabin in Idaho.  The Loop is part of the cabin, part of family memories, a surefire way to get babies and toddlers asleep for a nap, a quick escape for couples, a spot to get cell coverage, and a great place for up and comers to learn to drive.  Yes... we all love The Loop.

Ryan and I took one last trip to the cabin with the kids in October.  We needed to seal up our trailer for the winter.  It was a quick day trip.  But... I have to say, it was one of my favorite trips of the year.  The Loop was alive with the bright, rich colors of the autumn foliage.  Not to sound too dramatic, but.... it really was breathtaking.  We had the place to ourselves.  All of the other part time residents had bundled their properties and had said their farewells for the season.

As Ryan and I came down the hill and crossed the bridge on our way back to the cabin, the trails bid us farewell with promises for more memories next summer.  We can hardly wait.  For me, spring can't come soon enough.