STARTING THE YEAR OFF WITH A BANG!

A New Year which brings New Things! I had created a webpage quite a few years back but was unable to keep up with it because I didn't have a computer at home to work on it. I hadn't really thought of creating a new website or even blogging yet here I am! I have lots of family and friends that are out of the state and many I have been able to catch up with on Facebook, which has been great. Yet I thought I would give blogging a try and see how goes. Maybe I will really get into it especially since I LOVE pictures and LOVE showing off my family!

Our New Year started off with a bang. We hadn't been up to the snow in almost 5 years. Our last visit was when

Jayden (soon to be 5) was only a few weeks old! We thought it would be great to go again considering Jaylen was only 2 at the time, so neither of them was really old enough to remember. And now we also have Akayla-Joy and Alaya who had never seen the snow either! So now we had a total of 7 of us to dress and prep to get up to the snow! Each time I go to the snow (which as you can tell isn't often) it reminds me why I don't enjoy the it and kids make it much harder! There is just so much "stuff" needed!

So, all dressed and ready to go, we drive almost 2 hours towards Tahoe to get to our destination. There is a place you can park for $10 and slide down this giant hill! They had a smaller hill but the boys had to brave the

big one first. Their first run was was fun! They flew down; all the way to the very bottom. Even Aryianna and Akayla-Joy braved the hill and made it without a hitch. So, of course, mommy asked them to go again so she could take pictures! (Now mind you this is all with-in 10 minutes of our arrival).

(Everyone is up on the top by the giant snow ball) (Aryianna and Akayla-Joy's run down the hill)

Then came the big "Bang"! On their second run down the hill they hit a big bump and the boys went flying and Jaylen got the brunt of it. In the car ride home we came up with a "Super Hero" name for him. So Jaylen was officially changed to "Ice Face"! He hit the snow (more like ice) and banged up his pretty face! Jayden was sad that we didn't talk about the scratch on his nose since he gotten hurt too. Yet Jaylen had the fat lip and long rash across his cheek and chin to prove he braved the sled ride down the hill!

(The "Bang" Moment!)

Akayla-Joy had fun but her fingers got too cold and Alaya cried to go in the sled again and again. (Down the small hill of course). Jaylen even braved the smaller hill after he got a treat of hot coffee and M&M's. (Chocolate always makes you feel better!) We also found a place where they were able to have a snowball fight and did get to enjoy playing in the snow. Overall it was a great time, though I do not think our next trip will include the giant sled hill!

So the New Year has begun. Vacation is over and we're back at school. We are getting back into the swing of things. Amazing how a few weeks off can make you forget how it was to get up in the morning! Yet I am excited for what the New Year is going to bring for us. Our next venture is birthdays! Jaylen turned 7 Dec. 28th and Jayden will turn 5 on Jan. 14th. I am beginning to put together their birthday party for February. Jaylen is going to be starting baseball and Akayla-Joy will start up her pre-school class as well. We will be busy soon enough!

It's amazing how time just keeps ticking by and you have to stop to remind yourself to not forget the big picture. These moments are to treasure because they go by so fast. I try to imagine what my kids will be like when they are all grown up. I pray they love the Lord with their whole heart, unashamed and unafraid! And in that I have to remember today is more important than tomorrow because today shapes who they are tomorrow.

I hope that you enjoy catching up with the Gunter Clan once in awhile. I think I just might enjoy this blogging thing!