Happy Valentines Day

So...we just got back from a fun filled weekend in Big Bear. We were going to come home last night but my sister talked us into staying and having Chad and the kids go snow skiing with them today. We went up there and stayed with Chad's Grandma who lives there. My brother-in-laws family has a cabin there too and a bunch of couples from our ward were all going out there for the weekend to hang out. We got to go to hang out with them and spend some time with Big Bear Grandma so it was a good weekend. She spoiled us like no other. Let's just say we came home and loaded our fridge and we didn't even go to the grocery store. Plus, she picked up some toys for our dog from Costco because she knew we'd be bringing her. (Costco is an hour away...down the mountain.) Roxy loved them...and she loved Big Bear.

The kids played in the snow with their cousins and a bunch of other kids in our ward the first day. On Saturday night my sister's older kids watched all of the younger kids (18 little ones to be exact)...so we could all go out on a date. It was super fun. There were so many fun people there...we laughed all night. Sunday we relaxed with Grandma, went to church with our huge clan and made dinner.

And today...we got up bright and early so everyone could get on the slopes. Alexis and Carter have only been snow skiing once a few years ago....and we took them between our legs. This year my sister and Chad got them skiing on their own almost immediately. They loved it. Chad came home a few hours before they closed and said the kids could have kept going but his legs killed from skiing slow next to the kids. I guess Alexis felt pretty independent because she kept sneaking off to get on the lifts on her own.

I, of course, wasn't able to go...not just because I really stink at snow skiing but seeing as I will be having a baby in 6 weeks it wouldn't have been pretty. So, I told the other couples to go have fun and stayed home with all the little ones. It was a pretty smooth day considering for much of the day I had FIVE 1 year olds...then joined later that afternoon by Four 4 year olds who were pooped out on the slopes...oh yeah...and the 3 dogs on the balcony who kept wrestling each other. I changed 5 poopy diapers and picked up 3 dog turds....got the babies down for naps and rotated the dogs in their kennels for naps and lunch. That might sound weird but my sister's dog and my dog are still just puppies. When Chad came to their cabin to meet up with me towards the end of the day he totally cleaned up their kitchen, took their trash out, and drove 4 bags of trash down to the dump downtown before they all got home. I don't know if they will even know it was him. I'm only bragging because I was so impressed. He was tired...and really...none of the mess was ours since we weren't staying there. He just happily did it to be nice. Isn't he the best! All the couples were super appreciative that they got to be out on the slopes and not have to rotate taking care of the babies...but really...if any of the other Mom's were prego they would have done the same thing. I was just impressed I was able to deal with 8 poop turds and be somewhat ok with it....especially when 7 of the them weren't from my own child.

Bottom Line: I'm glad my sister talked us into staying...my kids had so much fun and Chad said it was fun seeing how fast they caught on. The funny thing was Chad resisted doing it because he felt bad I couldn't go...but honestly, I would rather they go have fun together. Sure I'd love to go...but we will go again sometime and I'm looking forward to a healthy baby in a few weeks. That makes it all worth it.