Boone Vacation

 It has REFUSED to snow at home. So sad.... I want a snow day SO badly and it doesn't seem like it is going to happen. I can't believe that Kinsley basically hasn't seen snow in her life (other than when she was just born/baby). So, we had to hike it to Boone in order to see snow this year!!! It was an amazing trip and we are so grateful that GG and Heather let us stay in the amazing family house - Thanks to Heather's dad!! 

We spend the first day or two hanging out at the house and exploring downtown Boone and ASU. I like to show the kiddos my old stomping grounds and really try to recruit Blake to ASU! HAHA! I doubt he will actually want to go there, but a mom can try, right?! Haha. Either way, it is fun to walk around and see all of the iconic ASU things - like Yosef and The Rock Stadium. 

And... we finally got to see snow on the snow tubing slopes!!! It was SO pretty, even though they were having to blow snow. HAHA! I am not sure what I thought snow tubing would be like. I thought we would just hop on these tubes and slowly go down like a snow slide. Well, all was correct except the SLOW part. Oh. My. Gosh. We SHOT down that slide at lightening speed while spinning in a fast circle!! Kinsley is in a "Mommy Only" phase so I had to hold her in my lap while I was spinning so fast. I thought I was going to lose her or throw up all over here. My head was spinning for hours. Naturally Blake and Joyner loved it. Blake wanted to go faster and do a million more slides than I could keep up with. Kinsley shockingly loved it too. Haha. Dad and Heather enjoyed watching us from the deck view. It was an adventure!!! 

Princess KK

 We have a princess in this household... and her name is Kinsley! HAHA! It is her world and we are all just living in it. Honestly, it is a perfect little world. 

The girl knows how to relax. Most other kids are running all over the place with energy. At school, Kinsley just relaxes and takes it all in! 

She also can appreciate the adventure in life... with her purple jeep and her unicorn! Everything just sparkles with fun in her world. 

I love this little life she has created. 

Blake the PreTeen

 Blake is 12....and officially our PRETEEN!!!! Happy Birthday, buddy!!! I am so proud of Blake and everything that he has accomplished in his 12 years. He is honestly my sunshine and makes mom life so easy!!! 

Blake's 12 Year Old Report...

• He weighs about 85ish pounds and is almost as tall as me!!! 
• He is currently getting a A's and one B in school
• He continues to play basketball, baseball, and flag football...and plays the piano.
• He adores Kinsley and I think she adores him even more. 
• Blake is a GREAT friend and kid. He honestly has a heart of gold in all that he does. SO CARING!
• He loves playing video games in his free time - specifically Maden these days. 
• He is still just as energetic as ever! Haha. 

...and he is getting a really big surprise this birthday!!! 

Blake has been begging us for a phone for about the last 6 months. We made him prove to us that he could handle middle school and all the responsibility that comes with school and sports. He has accepted the challenge and done SO well with juggling all the things. He has balanced his life so well and done a great job with maintaining his grades, being a great family member and friend, and balanced his sports. What more could we ask of him?!?! So he gets surprised with a phone on this birthday!!! 

We also threw a birthday party for Blake a couple of days after his actual birthday. We did a family birthday party on his birthday and a friend party a few days later. The friend party was at this place called the Par-Tee Shack. It has an awesome indoor putt-putt place where you get to do these extreme putt-putt holes. It was so cool and perfect for these guys that like a challenge!!! :)