Home.

This is the first Saturday we have been home for in months. It was super fun to spend the day with the boys. On Friday night, we picked up the movie Smurfs and had a popcorn and movie night. I even remembered to make cookie dough so it could sit in the fridge all night chilling.

When everyone woke up, we had pancakes and then the cookie making began.
Gingerbread! I used Bakerella's recipe and it turned out perfect. This was serious business for Axel.
Lucas is an old pro be he too takes it pretty serious.

We finally got to the really fun part of decorating.
And eating! Once Axel discovered how tasty the frosting was, that was the end to decorating.
As you can see, sprinkles are awesome!Lucas had a little gingerbread making factory, each one made with love.
We had to show off our final products.
Mommy's too! I've decided making gingerbread heads is WAY MORE FUN!
Cookies were not enough so we busted out the foam crafts from Michaels.
After a busy morning, we ate lunch and headed to the beach. It's cold by Florida standards (high 50's/low 60's) so the beach was ours!

The white stuff! We finally found our Florida snow and it's going to be a white Christmas.The ocean was so calm. It was my most favorite day at the beach so far.Yep, wet shoes and so much fun.Mini sand castles.Not bad for little jumpers!
Here is what the shore looks like, cute buildings.
After the beach we headed to the horse stables to enjoy some fun Christmas activities.
Feeding horses carrots.Horse rides for Lucas. Axel wanted nothing to do with the horses.
Bouncing!
Axel visiting with Santa. Lucas wanted nothing to do with Santa and is pretty sure his letter will suffice.
We ended the evening with smores.
Last week, we even got our tree decorated. We got a small one because we will be in Disney World for a week during Christmas. He's cute but the room could use a 12 ft tree easily. :)
Tree decorating will be the next blog post!What a wonderful day!

Another 5.14...Whoot!

We took another extended weekend trip to the cabin and had a wonderful time. It was our last trip to Kentucky, for the season, so we shut down the cabin and got her ready for a long, cold winter.

Mike had his best climbing weekend in history. He climbed another 5.14 called Transworld Depravity at the Motherlode crag. The same day he onsighted a 5.13a after reclimbing another 5.13a by mistake. They all kind of blend together. :) The next day climbing, he did a 5.13c and onsighted 2-5.13a's. Yes, I know this is Greek to many but to summarize, HE ROCKED IT!

Here's what the boys do while we climb...diggin' in the dirt, makin' snow flakes, drawin' and makin faces.
This is Axel's drawing of Thomas the Train. I LOVE THIS!!
This is pretty standard of Axel...always checking to see what Lucas is doing.

Cute?!?Here is my view of Daddy at the top of his climb.
Daddy is lowering off his route after he climbed it.
Happy Daddy! In shock Daddy?
There's a REAL smile! His accomplishment is starting to set in!!! Chocolate cake celebration is in order!
Daddy showing the boys the route and the reason for the chocolate cake celebration.
After moving to Florida, we had no idea how our season would go. Our training was different but proved effective for both of us. I'm just so happy for him and love to see him succeed at such a high level with something he is so passionate about.

Last time he climbed a 5.14, we did not get any photos of him actually climbing. This time, we were prepared. I climbed up a rope about 60 ft in the air and took a million shots of him climbing. The light was perfect and somehow I remembered how to use the "fancy" camera! I was so nervous to see the photos but I got some great ones that will be added to our collection.

Here are some unedited photos so you can have a little sneak peek.

CONGRATULATIONS MIKE! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! The boys have been troopers and have adjusted to the LONG drive. I love these kids. They truly are amazing and I'm just so happy they are part of our family. I'm also so happy they put up with all our shenanigans! THANK YOU LUCAS & AXEL!

I think this is the first week we will be home more that 5 days in a row. The drive has taken it's toll on me and I'm just happy to be home. I've been super busy playing catch up around the house getting things cleaned, Christmas decorations up, doing a little shopping and doing all those little things that fall behind during climbing season. It's been a great season but it's coming to a close and I'm ready.

I'm ready for Christmas!

Thanksgiving!

We headed back to our cabin for an extended stay. It cut out one round trip drive and Lucas only had to miss two days of school. Daddy was not so lucky, he had to make the trip back to work but it was a rainy week at The Red so he didn't miss anything. I'm sure he enjoyed the family-free quiet drive home too. :)

The first weekend was spent climbing and visiting friends. Some dear friends from Knoxville will be moving to Portland this December. We are not sad to see them go, only excited for them and us. Now we have more friends in Oregon to climb and visit with! We will miss seeing them at The Red but know we will catch them across the country.

Mike's sister, Christina and her family made the long journey to our cabin from Georgia. It was so fun to spend time with them. They have two little boys, Marcus (2) and Dominic (-1) so the cousins had a great time playing, fighting, screaming, laughing and getting DIRTY.

We climbed, hiked and eat a delicious turkey dinner. Our cabin is just so cozy and we love being there. We have moved the Wii to the upstairs for the boys so the rest of us can watch movies.

Dinner time. It was so good Shawn had to lick his plate!
Jason & Axel.Karissa & Axel.Karissa & Lucas. We will miss you guys!
The rain set in for three full days. There was so much moisture, you could see it in the air.Axel has a new look! He slipped at the park on a ladder...oops!
Fun with Cousin Marcus.
Wii Nook.
Rainy day designs!
Getting dirty.
Daddy & Uncle Eric getting ready to climb.Aunt Christina & Dominic.
Uncle Eric climbing.
Lucas climbing.
Found a ladybug.
Anther climb for Eric.
Shawn & Axel.
Waiting for Aunt Christina to climb.
Go Aunt Christina!
Turkey dinner!
Check out those eyes!
Daddy carving the turkey.
The boys even enjoyed our special dinner.
Oops, I got distracted and forgot to take photos of everyone at dinner. Sorry.

Daddy getting ready to climb. He is very close to getting another 5.14!
Mommy working on a 5.13...working is the key word. :)
Lucas is King!HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. We love and miss you!