Vail Family Ski Trip

The boys have been bugging us to go to Vail as a family so one of the last weekends of the ski season, we asked our good friends, Tom and Corine, to stay at their luxurious condo in Vail. It was spring skiing as you can see below.  The sun was melting the snow quickly.

Jonas decided to try out snowboarding for the first time.  

 He was so excited to emulate his daddy! He even wanted to know exactly how to carry his board.

First they took some runs on the magic carpet and then the chair lift. 

 Back at the condo, hot cocoa and lots of water for hydration.  

 That evening, we snuggled up on the couch to watch 'The Wizard of Oz'.  Daddy has been reading the story to them for weeks and finally finished it.  Of course the movie didn't portray what the book told.  I was so impressed on Jonas' memory of the book and how well he knew the plot and all the characters.  He knew more about the story than the movie showed. 

April 8th, 2013-Silas' 3 1/2 birthday!  He has been longing for this day because he knows it's getting closer to go to Legoland!!! Yahoo! So on this day, he decided to try snowboarding with daddy.  It went well but he wanted to get back on skis so he could go fast. Heehee!

 The last night we were there, we walked downtown Vail and came upon this pirate ship playground.  What a fun discovery!

A little Star Wars figurine for a gift.

 We adopted the idea of celebrating half birthdays a few years ago since Jonas' birthday falls so close to Christmas.  So we made half chocolate birthday cake and poured a half a cup of milk to go with it.

 This cake was so easy to make but it looks like it was cut right in half. Thank you Pinterest!

Happy 3 1/2 Birthday Silas!  We love you so much.

Spring Recitation for Grandparents!

Grandmom had the opportunity to visit Jonas' school for the first time and watch his spring recitation.  It was a special morning!

Grandmom and Jonas doing a craft together.  So sweet!

That blue tie was Daddy's tie when he was a boy.  Jonas just loved wearing it!

Out on the playground with Grandmom! Weeeee!

Spring Activities

Spring had sprung for a little while but snow has fallen in April.  I wanted to post what we were up to before the weather changed on us.

Jonas and Silas have been refining their skills on the playgrounds lately.  Remembering just last summer how I always needed to be close(for Silas) in case they needed help, to this spring of watching them develop into little boys on their own.  Jonas has been fascinated with the monkey bars.  After every meal, he asks,"Mum, feel my biceps, they are huge."  He knows to eat healthy food for big muscles and is so happy to notice his strength when he is out on the playground. 

Silas is fearless and will follow Jonas' lead every day.  Good thing Jonas is such an amazing leader and 'raises the bar' for Silas all the time.  There are times where I don't have to fight a battle with Silas getting dressed in the morning, Jonas handles it himself.  It's very cute to hear how he entices Silas to get his tasks done.  I believe Jonas likes to move on with the day so he can play with his best friend, Silas:)

At the zoo acting like Gibbons on the monkey bar.

Another talent that Jonas has been engrossed with is puzzles.  Since I could remember, his love for puzzles amazes me.  Today he is finishing 500 pieces on his own.  Here are 3 puzzles that he is very proud of.  Two of them are 500 pieces that took him 1-2 weeks each and 100 piece puzzle that took him 25 minutes.  He loves the challenge!

Silas is so captivated by all the animals that are coming out in spring. I believe this butterfly just hatched from his chrysalis.  He sat and sat soaking up the sun while we gazed on it for a long time.  Birds have been flying around looking for food, so Silas and I made birdseed cakes.  Of course, the squirrels ate them, so we will need to find something else for the birds.  We have a Bird book that shows all the different birds in Colorado.  Silas has been researching every time he sees a bird. Most of them been Red breasted Robins, so far.

Another feat that Silas has accomplished is riding on the tagalong, just like Jonas.  His legs have grown and we are so excited for this new adventure with the four of us.  He is all smiles when he rides with Dad, sometimes I hear Dad calling out for him to pedal.  I think Silas is mesmerized by all the glorious nature around him.  He sure does enjoy each moment of life!

One of our favorite family rides is the Cherry Creek Trail downtown.

Rock climbing and hiking has always been pleasurable pastimes! They are so good at it and love the outdoors!

Brothers-they run, they cry, they play, they laugh and at the end of the day they will always be friends. It blesses my heart to see how much they love each other and always there for each other.

Spring skiing and Swim Lessons

Finishing up the ski season continues to be a blast on the hill.  So far we have been 18 times this season. Silas keeps getting better and sometimes too confident that he will ski the trees.  Jonas has been conquering the Black Diamond(expert) runs at the very top of the mountain.  For the past month, he has been requesting to go to a Black Diamond first, no warmups on the Blues(intermediate).  

This is Jonas 6 minutes in the car, after a day of skiing trees and black diamond runs.

Matt and I snowboarded powder in Vail together for a long weekend.  A memory that will last forever!

Both of the boys took swim lessons at the local rec center.  Jonas was moved to an advanced class and was very successful in swimming.

Silas watching his big bro swim, awaiting for his turn to swim with his class.

Easter Celebrations

Spring is here and with that came Easter.  We had a few weeks of fun activities with the kids. 

Our first one was CCU's Easter Egg Hunt that we have attended for the past 4 years.  This year we invited Kallie to come join us.  The boys were so elated to have her along.  Other than the egg hunt, there were lots of games and inflatables to enjoy. 

Silas' first chocolate of the Easter season, he's hooked!

Star Wars t-shirts from Aunt Mo and Uncle Jon

Dying Easter eggs...

turned into a science experiment.

Easter morning baskets! Ready for baseball season

And swim lessons!

First tasting of Peeps!

Of course, we had to include a Lego set.  These were a mini set that took minutes to build.  They are getting too good.  

Hid over 50 eggs in the house for the boys to find.  I told Matt the night before he was hiding them too easy...well, I was wrong...it was hard enough for them.

Easter breakfast at the French Press in our neighborhood.  The boys working on puzzles(one of their fav things to do) and looking cute in their ties(worn by Matt and Uncle Jon).

Our church, The Sanctuary Downtown. What a glorious day!

Silas looking sharp!

Aunt Mo and Uncle Jon joined us at church.

Silas, Asher, and Jonas posing for the camera.  I love the light shining through the stain glass behind.  Reminds me of God's light is always near.

Here's the link for our Easter sermon...losing my religion

Family photo on Easter day in front of the church.

Drove down to Grandmom's house for the rest of the day.  Jonas sporting his tie with a tshirt at the fancy table. Grandmom made a smashing Peter Rabbit meal and a bunny carrot cake for dessert(a tradition in the Helton family).  A tradition that I will continue forever.

Playing baseball with the Aunts, Uncles, and Daddo! Jonas has started baseball season this week(stay tune for that posting)

Break for an outside Easter egg hunt

Back to playing baseball.  A good way to wear off the sugar high in the boys.  They were nutty!

Silas is hitting the ball now.

Jonas continues to improve

Homerun!

May the promise of Easter fill your heart with peace and joy!