Dashing Through the Snow

WHOA turbo. Let's back up 2 months for a minute. Remember that one time I posted about happenings in February but totally disregarded our amazingly fun sleigh ride from December?

ya, That was lame of me.

So step in my time machine--we are going back.

Groupon is a lovely little thing. (those of you that don't know what Groupon is--google it). While browsing the super deals it had going one day I came across a sleigh ride! You don't have to be a genius to figure out that it obviously wasn't being offered in Vegas. Those horses aren't too keen on pulling a sleigh through a dirt field. However, there is a little ski area about 45 minutes north of Vegas that gets (or makes) snow.  Since the girls don't get to experience the fun of putting on massive amounts of layers very often we decided to partake the in fun this little voucher had to offer.

ANND being that it was the month of December and I was in dire need of something fun to put on the advent calender--it worked out well.

There was probably as much snow on the ground as there is in Colorado in May--but the girls still thought it was lots of fun and enjoyed riding up front and helping to lead our Clydesdale's.

Good job Vegas for finding a way for everyone to enjoy dashing through the snow--in a one [two] horse open sleigh.

It made our Merry Christmas season that much more special. 

Well these two are adorable.

Helping to steer the sleigh. She was excited.

My cute little winter bug. She looks like she's ready to go carol.

It may look warm...but it was pretty nippy. This is the end when the girls were tired of having nippy noses.

Sun. Is. Bright.

On our way back to town (once we were far from the snow) we stopped to see some wild horses. This one has obviously gotten used to the people traffic that comes through there.

And then there is Zoie.....nuff said.



Straight to the Wild Wild West

Sometimes all of us need to get in touch with our cowboy side. Don't deny you don't have one--everyone does. Living in Vegas doesn't pose many opportunities to "cowboy up".  If you drive about an hour north you can find some wild horses.....OR if you travel down to Freemont street you can take a glance at the Neon Cowboy...OR if you want to pay crazy amounts of money you can get yourself a ticket to the PBR finals that are in Vegas every December. But that's all I had really discovered.

Until now.

Some little birdie whispered to us the secret about a little place not too far from our house called Bonnie Springs. Equipped with a petting zoo, little train, and an entire little old western "town".   Berns and I decided to lace up our boots and take the kiddos there one weekend in February. The girls loved being on the "ranch" and getting to partake of the goodies that come with living back when John Wayne ruled the earth.

The mock little town they created had a little jail, a small chapel, a theater, little shops, an ice cream parlor, grave yard, and lots more. And every so often they would put on a little skit with a bank robbery and a hanging.

Dont lie--ya'll wanna kick up your spurs and go for a trip too.

Oh--and did I mention the awesome wild Donkeys that greeted us on our way home by our car? They wanted some popcorn or something. 

Leo the Lion--a ferocious little beast--Zo trying her best to tame the animal as she rode into the sunset.....

Little Pixie

Riley and her serious western face.

The ones I adore.

Bia found a little "horsey" just her size

The animals started eating Riley.

A little timid at first to feed the creature...but then....

it became the most hilarious thing in the world to do!!

Trying to coax the ducks into coming over to be fed.

Madam Riley

Zoie....who knows....

Bia participating as much as she could

The children got unruley so I locked them up.

Ha! This kid is hilarious.

She is even cute behind bars. She only served 30 seconds of her life sentence because of it.

The girls with the "Outlaw" cast.

Our little donkey friend.

Lil Pixie

Beezer, B-Rex, B, Chub Chubs, Bia Tortilla, Beezer Sneezer, Bia Bird, or Baby Bia.

We all have a name for this little tike

I don't care what you call her....

I just care that she's mine

and she's so gosh darn amazing.

This little wee one has found her personality and it is quite distinct. She is opinionated for sure. She will let you know how it is. She makes messes....And she giggles--never have I heard a huge belty laugh from this little one--just giggles--lots and lots of giggles.

She melts my heart. I think I will keep her. But you may come and play with her if you would like. 

And to all a good night....

I'm only about 1600 days late with this post. It's cool. I know I havent killed anyone in anticipation--so we will continue on like the date is not September 26th 2012....but more like...December 28th, 2011.

Berns grew up in Brazil--Christmas was spent on a beach... WHA? I know...strange but true.

I grew up in Colorado.---Christmas was spent snuggled under blankets looking at white snow outside. (Let's be honest, some years it was spent looking out the window LONGing for the white snow to fall.) Regardless--it was freezing.

I'm pretty sure if we lived in Brasil I would drag my fake pine tree to the beach and set it up--and put fake snow around it. People would stare. It wouldnt be a pretty site.....

And since Vegas is not a snowy place--we spent another year packing up all the goodies and treking it over to my sister's house in Utah to partake of their frigid weather, snowy mountains, and hot chocolate.

The whole fam showed up a few days early so we could do some serious sledding, and go see the lovely lights at Temple Square. it was so nice having so many of us together to enjoy the true meaning of the holidays. Writing about Christmas just makes me giddey and anxious for the next one to come...and see, now that I wrote about it in September I only have to wait a few months. Until then--let's ooh and ahh over some pictures.

um, hello pretty pretty building.

Our little family picture + my nephew Jackson. He wanted to be included. He's awesome.

Little curious faces are my favorite.

2 princesses awaiting their their treasures.

Christmas morning--Santa brought Zo a whole PONY VILLAGE! The kid was in heaven.

Riley had been dying to have this Barbie. Not real sure why cuz she wasn't really into Barbies--but probably due to the fact that she was super "fancy"...Riley is all about fancy.

Check out the face when she opened Playmobils. I think Berns was even more excited. Best. Toys. Ever.

All the kids got matching Christmas PJs made specially by yours truely.

Bia slept through all the opening of presents--but woke up in time for Chruch. Being that it was Sunday we took a break after seeing what Santa brought and went to church--you can tell my children were thrilled about it. --

However--coming back home and realizing they still got to open presents they were overjoyed.

Love Christmas. Love my Family. End of story.

Run, Run, as fast as you can

Yes--It was that time of year again. The time when I spend an insane amount of Ben Franklin's on candy that will inevitably be thrown into the trash. (We wont go into just how much I spend, my husband might be reading this....) However, it's an essential part of the year when we gather our friends and try to see who can make the best graham cracker house (We like to pretend they are made out of gingerbread....).  Unfortunately this year we had a bit of a challenge in that we didn't have any piping bags for the icing...so we were stuck using knifes (truly an amateur move on my part). 

The girls wanted to invite their best buds over and have a little holiday gift exchange as well--sweet little Preston even brought Baby Bia a present. Its always a thrill to see how excited the girls are and the creations they come up with. Berns and I both decided to take a step out and let them have a go at building their own....Zoie started and then just decided the candy was the most important part of the entire thing....take a look at the finished product.

The little houses weren't too stable due to the lame method of gluing I provided.....Maybe next time I'll remember the piping bags.....or rubber cement...that might keep things together a little better.

(excuse the nice yellow hue of all the pictures...I didn't feel like editing it out....you'll live.)

Riley and Hailey diving in.....trouble makers I tell ya.

Preston working on his masterpiece. I think he made a ski jump or something resembling it at the end.

Bia was just content eating the crackers--it was best she was locked behind a tray.

Preston's masterpiece....Amazing.

Riley's masterpiece in the making

Viola! I would like to point out the adorable little street light. Go ahead--squint your eyes and take a moment to find it.

Hailey's masterpiece.

And then there is Zo's....I feel as though the child may grow up to be a hoarder.....

Taking a bird's eye view....At least there is SOME graham crackers in there.

Preston gave her a snuggly little bear. Her and Bia walked around all night like this.

True contortionist at heart.

Love.