First Sledding on the Hill

Last year was a disappointment as far as snowfall totals went. Oh, how we longed to sled on Donkey Hill...we even did snow dances...to no avail.

This year, Mother Nature heard our cries and granted us just short of a foot of snow within the past couple days.

Today, we decided to brave the roads and take the kids out for Breakfast and some sledding fun on the hill. There's only so many naps, board games, movies, treats, and de-cluttering you can do before you gotta bust the cabin doors open and make a run for some wide open spaces and fill your lungs with some ice-cold country air!

Breakfast was yummy at The Egg and I.  It makes me smile how everyone is so predictable in what they order. Karah got the berry granola. Bradley enjoyed a ham and cheese omelet...Bryce enjoyed a little pancake with his favorite - fried egg white. He discriminates against yolks. I ordered my favorite strawberry-banana Belgian waffle..and Tom bravely departed from his usual pancakes and tried a veggie frittata...which he ended up loving. I think he wanted to marry it. 

He's already taken, frittata. Step back.

With our belly's full and warm, we headed to Donkey Hill. We fed the animals and grabbed the sleds. Tom decided just to be an onlooker because of his sledding "accident" yesterday. We have steep stairs that go down through our retaining wall in the back yard. It snowed so much that the steps disappeared and it was just a steep ramp of snow. Tom thought it would be "fun" to sled down the ice ramp (with retaining wall blocks on either side).

Bryce was screaming and begging him not to do it. "Daddy, No! You'll kill yourself!"
Tom ignored the pleas of the Kindergartner and, with determination, began his "journey" down the ice slide.

He was going so fast, when he reached the second section of stairs, he was completely airborne. His body crashed back down and the force of impact was centralized over "L-5" of his spine. He said it was like no chiropractic adjustment he had ever received. Everything jarred and popped...and yeah, he can hardly walk today.

The kids started on the little hill.

And eventually wanted to try the big hill.

It gave me the chills just looking at the pool and imagining how cold the water would be today. 

It was all tucked away for it's long winter nap.

 So thankful for Donkey Hill and all the fun it has to offer, year round.

Someday that hill will be our backyard. 

We will come in and warm ourselves by the fire...

and smell stew simmering away in the slow cooker...

and nap on the couch - in front of the big window - overlooking our winter wonderland.

Someday.... :)

But until then....we love it just the way it is.

Draw Nearer: The Island

or click here to watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO7k8sd8Lvw

Dear Little Bear Cubs,

Sometimes it takes a song for someone to sing what I can't say. 

It seems that, forever, I have searched for words to express the love that your Daddy and I have for each other....and for you.  No matter how fervently I dig in the trenches of soul, the words that well up still fall short of fully expressing the depth of love, connection, and adoration I feel for him...and for you.

I found a song by Jeff Brinkman that beautifully describes the love that Daddy and I share.

Before you were ever born, we wanted to grow something solid and inseparable that would, one day, be the foundation that each of you could begin your lives on.

The song says, 

"You'll be the ocean - I'll be the land - 

And we'll make us an island for the young ones to stand. 

And you'll stay here - we'll sail away from harm 

I will keep you warm and safe in the harbor of my arms."

We have worked hard to build our island...

where you can't tell where the land stops and the water begins.

An island where you feel protected from harm -

Where you can always feel warm and safe in the harbor of our arms.

Daddy and I talk about you every day. 

Every. Day.

We are trying our best to raise you up unto the Lord.

Sometimes we don't handle things right...

sometimes we say the wrong things...

but you still love us and forgive us

and you're patient as we try to navigate this

thing called, "parenthood".

Just as we fall short,

you have your moments, too...

but the fact remains that no matter

what you do...no matter what you say...

regardless of any poor choices you might make it life...

We are your island-

and you will ALWAYS 

have a place here.

We strive, every day, 

to feed our marriage, friendship, and love 

so each of you can know the blessing

 of having that firm ground beneath your feet.

We promise you that we will always make sure 

our island is built on the rock of Christ -

to keep our family firmly anchored to 

His teachings, His love, and His forgiveness 

that allows us all to cleansed and healed when we fall short.

I love you, Little Bear Cubs.

Your Daddy loves you

and your Heavenly Father loves you.

Love,
The Mama Bear

I

"

Summer Fun on the Hill

2013 was a great Summer on the hill. The good times are too numerous to count - but here's a recap of some of the highlights.

Girl's Night Out(s)

What's better than a swim on a hot Summer night?

Adult swim!

There were a few nights this Summer that we had Girl's Nights on the hill.

My friend, Jessica, and I had a fun night when she made me a special dinner for my birthday. 

Mmm...it was good. Smoked chicken with grilled pineapple and broccoli.

It was so fun to enjoy dinner by the pool and soak in the beautiful view below as we talked and talked...uninterrupted by "little people".

No offense to the little people...but sometimes...during the Summer break...by the end of the day...mama's are ready for some relaxing. You little bear cubs will understand when y'all are parents someday :)

Jessica was so sweet to plan and prepare everything to make it a fun night. 

  

The best part was not having to wait in line for the diving board. 

We had it all to ourselves.

 Jess even had dessert ready and waiting. Amazing Key Lime pie. 

Oh my heavens, it was good.

  

The entire night was fabulous.

Night Swimming

We enjoyed many nights on the hill, as a family, swimming well into the night.

We love a good, spooky, swim! 

 

    

Kid Parties

Karah had her birthday party on Donkey Hill this year. There were tons of afternoon swims with different friends and family. We were there every day and it never got old.

The 4th of July

After a party at our home, we all headed to the hill for swimming, a fire, watching fireworks and lighting Chinese lanterns.

Our favorite part of the swim party was watching all of the "big boys" play rock the boat (where they take turns doing cannon balls and jackknives into the pool...one after another...creating a massive wave pool for the kids. 

Sitting on top of Donkey Hill, you have a perfect view of the city fireworks show. You don't have to fight traffic or crowds...you can just sit and enjoy. There were two additional shows off in the distance that we could see at the same time. 

If only i had good pictures!

 The lanterns were so much fun. I  lost count of how many we ruined as we were trying to figure it out. Once our engineer (John) figured it out...it was great. It was beautiful.

 It was fun to share the night with our family and friends.

   

Flash Flooding

After a horrible drought in 2012 - it was great to receive an abundance of rain in 2013. The rainfall totals were impressive. The rain actually FILLED the pool to the top. 

This is what it did in the valley below.

Time to buy a kayak.

The donkeys didn't seem to enjoy the rain as much as we did.

Summer Camping

Piper enjoyed her first night of camping this Summer. We invited Courtney and the kids to camp with us, and they brought along Piper's mama, Georgie. 

They had a blast together, exploring Donkey Hill.

The humans had a great time, too. 

 When we woke up the next morning - the entire valley was full of fog. It was gorgeous. It eventually cleared out, but the chill in the air remained. Karah and Rhiannon took a Polar Bear plunge. I turned blue just watching them. Brr....that was a cold morning!

There was plenty of work to do. (read: poop to scoop)

   

  

Wrapping up Summer

Meet Brandon, the pool "boy"...and his mini me.

Since we don't live on the hill yet...he helps us maintain the pool and kept it looking great.

Time flew and it was time to close up the pool for the season...a depressing day for all of us.

Though we were sad to see it close...we had a fun time helping out. 

  

  

S'mores and some more S'mores

I don't even want to think about the quantity of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars we consumed this Summer. Yikes.

One memorable weekend, Grandma came to town and joined us at the campfire. 

Mmmm....I love em burnt.

Farm Chores in Business Casual

  

 It was a great, memorable, Summer. It makes us so happy to have so many fond memories on Donkey Hill. We continually thank Heavenly Father for such a beautiful gift and patiently await the day that we can live there. For the time being...we will keep adding to the list of memories.