Winter Wonderland

 

As always we tried to spend as much time as possible up at the cabin playing in the snow as we could.  The kids love the snow and the cold doesn't seemed to bug them as long as I have hot chocolate waiting for them.  Snowmen were made, sledding was done, snow angels created, icicles licked, ski hills were conquered and all with smiles on our faces.  Craig and Brooklyn headed up to Brundage 5 times this winter.  Brooklyn graduated to the bear chair and continues to get better each time.  She is still a little timid but her skills continue to get better.  McKay is very excited to start skiing next year and not to be stuck at the cabin with Mom.  Craig and I were even able to enjoy a day up at Brundage all by ourselves.  I even got up skiing to Bogus Basin once with my mom and sisters.  I got in 4 ski days this winter and it was AMAZING! 

We got one big snow that stuck in Boise and it was the weekend Craig and I were in Jackson, but luckily we left the kids snow stuff with Grandma and they played with cousins in the snow all weekend long.  When the sun was out we bundled up and would head outside on bike rides or jump on the tramp or hit golf balls.  We enjoyed the winter and the snow and all the time we got to spend at the cabin with family.  We never get tired of McCall, but we are excited for spring and summer and the adventures that await.

visiting Great Grandpa

McKay can crash pretty easily in his booster seat

practicing their golf swings in the backyard

he fell asleep during quiet time in their new tepee

this was the after math of a quiet time, every puzzle piece and game piece dumped out in one big pile. Not a fun next few hours for anyone.

Brooklyn's Baptism

 We are so proud of Brooklyn for making the decision to be baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  On March 6th her Dad baptized her in front of a lot of supportive family members.  As much as Covid has sucked, for a lack of better word, one bright spot was that Brooklyn was able to have her own baptism.  She was able to have Pops give a talk about baptism and Grandma give a talk about the Holy Ghost.  Cousins and aunts said prayers and played the piano.  Nana and I were able to be her witnesses.  It was really nice to be able to have it has just family.  After a beautiful baptism and confirmation we headed over to Craig's parents house for a brunch.  With help from my mom and Diane we were able to feed the crowd, I even made homemade cinnamon rolls.  She was so happy all day and just had the biggest smile on her face the whole time.  She is so lucky to be surrounded by so many people that love her and support her.  Craig and I are so lucky to have such a sweet girl who has the desire to do what is right and follow the example of her Savior.

The following day Brooklyn had a neat experience that helped strengthen her testimony of her most recent gift, the Holy Ghost.  Sunday was fast Sunday and we encouraged her to fast for a little bit.  While she was fasting she got in the shower to start getting ready for church.  While she was in the shower we realized that she had lost her new CTR ring that her Grandma had given her.  She couldn't remember taking it off or where the last place was that she had seen it.  Craig and I were frustrated because it was actually the 2nd time she had lost the ring.  After some tears had been shed we encouraged her to say a prayer.  After she was ready for church she was ready to break her fast.  Craig said a prayer with her and right after Craig said amen, Brooklyn remembered exactly where she had taken her ring off. She and her brother had played play-dough the day before and she had taken it off while she played.  She walked right into the tech room and picked it up where she had left it.  Mind you Craig had already looked in the tech room.  It was so great to be able to talk to her afterward about the power of prayer and how the Holy Ghost can help us.  I hope that she never forgets that feeling that she had.  What a blessing that was to help her budding testimony!