Juliet is SIX

My sweet baby bunny is growing before my eyes. On her birthday we decided to head up the mountains for some lunch and an impromptu photoshoot. Juliet has been very invested and taken with fairies and nature as of late, and I thought like it was the perfect time to let her pretend to be a winter fairy in the woods. The day was so mild (even in the mountains) that she braved a few photos without a coat.

Christmas Day!

I want to start this post by saying what a magical Christmas this year was, having an eight-year-old and an almost six-year-old made the magic just splendid. We did so many fun things before the holiday that we were primed and pumped to celebrate.

Juliet got an American Girl doll that looks just like her and promptly named her "Julie" (even though the note on her arm said her name was Clara). James got Lego, lego, lego and laser tag guns.

My mom hosted the kids for an entire day on December 23rd so E and I could ski with my Dad. What made the day so special was that they both picked out surprise presents for us. They were more excited to give these gifts than open their own. E got framed artwork.

 And I got a heart pillow.

The plasma orb was a huge hit as well!

After opening presents at our house we head over to E's parents to open more gifts, see family and each brunch. Look at this cute crew.

Cousins are getting big! William was a baby last year and now in full blown toddler mode. Seriously a lot of fun.

And, as in years past, we hosted an epic Christmas dinner with smoked turkey, scalloped potatoes and the most glorious homemade bread. Because hosting is so fun and so exhasting I snapped a single photo. WHAT? FAIL. Juliet showing my cousin Taylor her brand new camera!

It was a wonderful day and a merry Christmas was had by everyone!

Lava Hot Springs {aka WAY too many pictures of us soaking!}

My dad's new annual tradition is instead of a Christmas gift, he gives us a mini vacation and time with the people we love most. It's beyond fab. Having time to actually enjoy my siblings, my dad, my almost step-mom, and her kids really is the best gift we could ask for.

My dad pays for everyone to stay a single night in a local motel and gives everyone a gift bag upon arriving that includes treats, cheeses, and wine! What a lovely thing indeed!

This bunny loves her swim cap. She looked so old fashioned and sweet. And her cheeks were so rosy the entire time.

All my little flyaway got misted and then froze! The air was that cold. And those beautiful trees behind me? Coated in frozen steam.

So many people! All my sibs (with significant others), all Traci's kids, my cousin Lauren, Traci's sister and husband and four grandkids. Seriously so much fun.

We all had to stay hydrated. Lots and lots of water bottles.

So much soaking and chatting. Everyone gets along so well. Lots of laughing and teasing and relaxing.

Londyn and James play so well together and never were separated.

SO STEAMY!

And the water is crystal clear. The pebble floor just feels so good under your feet.

Just gorgeous.

The town of Lava Hot Springs is just so charming and tiny.

It was cold while we were there. The daytime highs were 4 degrees, so everyone bundled up and there were plenty of icicles to play with.

Frozen trees and blue skies. There is nothing better.

Both days we spend a couple of hours at the hot springs, so lots of time to soak.

I warned you about how many soaking pictures there were, a lot. L to R: Lauren, Melissa, Witt, Londyn, Craig, Chandler, Brooke, James, Jess, Brandon.

See ya next year Lava!

Last year's Lava post can be found here. 

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve was windy and dark, with the promise of lots of snow to come!

We arrived at my mom's house late in the day and started opening presents. My mom does all her Christmas presents the day before, to try to help ease some of the Christmas madness. It's brilliant actually, and so fun to space out the opening madness.

My mom doesn't pull any punches and found this incredible wooden dollhouse at a second hand store, along with all the furniture and accessories! James, Juliet and Auntie Melissa spent over twenty minutes setting it all up.

So many things to set up. And can I just say how much I LOVE this doll house? It's solid wood and gender neutral. No pink at all!

Soon we trickled into the back room to start opening more presents! Everyone was there, all four siblings, their significant others, grandparents, and my kids.

 Lots and lots to open!

 James ALWAYS needs to be sitting next to Jess (my brother's girl friend). They adore each other.

This adorable bunny was on her best behavior the entire night. She did not want to leave and even ate some dinner! Woot!

James wore the same outfit as last year for Christmas Eve, and Juliet wore a vintage dress I purchased on Instagram.

Last year, just for the fun of it!

Snow hike with the kids

The last day before E's winter holiday started I decided to take the kids on a little solo hike in the snow. These two adore the snow so much, that I knew if it didn't get too deep we'd be fine. Little did I know how deep it actually was!

Back at home we had had a huge storm earlier in the week but warm weather melted most off of our lawn. But Temple Quarry Trail still lay thick with beautiful white untouched powder. And the kids were in heaven. Stomping through the deepest of it, hurling snowballs at my head and laughing with glee whenever they hit their target.

An amazingly fun time was had by all.

Such deep powder! Snowshoes may be in order next Christmas.

So many photos of him chasing me with a snowball!

Winter wonderland to the extreme.