Free Fishing

Snowbird was offering free fishing in their pond during their customer appreciation days. So it only seem fitting to add  fishing into our plans. But this time I had Mason help out alittle more. He's working on one of his activity pins to help get his scout badge so he planned his part of the trip.

He helped pack the lunch, the first aid kit, some activities for those who had to wait a turn for the fishing pole, and helped plan out the trip with a map. Alittle more work but worth it so he can pass these off.

 I didn't plan on catching anything since we're not very experienced fishermen. But it was a great learning experience. Lily learned to hold a fishing pole. So she's crossed that milestone.

 Mason learned how to cast out his line with only a few tangles.

 Hailey learned how to hook a worm. Gross since I had to show her.

 Cati she enjoyed all the snacks Mason and I packed and drawing on rocks. That was one of his activities  to bring up markers so we can draw a rock family.

 Then I guess Ducati had an urge to catch something since she used our net to catch Hailey. We all laughed so hard.

 And there's Mike...in the zone. Until Ducati threw all our bait into the pond so this trip ended quicker than we expected.

 Lily's teaching Ducati how to hold a fishing pole. Even though she just learned 30 minutes prior.

 She's so proud of herself. She catch a few leaves and a stick. It was a good day for her. 

 While Mike was teaching Lily alittle more about fishing I took our other kiddos on a little adventure hike.

 There's a bridge not to far away from the pond so we played there for a little bit.

 The things our kids imagined. There was a troll who ended up chasing us so we had to hide in the forest from the wicked witch.

 When we were done with our troll/witch/bridge adventure we went back to pack up when I found that Lily went all country while I was gone.

We didn't catch any fish. Which was a blessing since we had more things to do. It would have been awful to drive around with a funky fish smell all day. But we all enjoyed and loved this family bonding time. And I loved that is was all free. :-)

Snowbird Tram

This weekend Snowbird was having it's customer appreciate days. 

So Snowbird had discounted activity tickets but I was more interested in the free activities. With either a $3 donation or a canned good you could get a free tram ticket. So with my crazy coupon skills we took up some soup, toothpaste, and can veggies which I got all for free. So this was truly a free activity. 

 We were all pretty excite since none of us have ever been on a tram.

 Just look at that view. Absolutely beautiful.

 Mason was the only one alittle scared of the height. But he managed just fine.

 Lily and Hailey were lucky to squeeze in between some adults to they could look out the window. At the end of the ride everyone exited and enjoyed a completely breath taking view. Breathe taking since it was freezing up top.

 But we could handle it as long as we kept walking. Thankfully there was a warming hut that gave us a few minutes of warmth.

 Hailey looks so cold....I mean cool in this picture. :-)

 I would have smiled but my teeth were freezing. hahaha

 The tram is back! Yeah-everyone hurry to get in line.

 Some people stood on top of that mountain. Some hiked back to the resort. So this time the tram was practically empty. So we were the 1st ones on. That means window spots. :-)

 Our nice tram family photo.

 Even though I was freezing this view was so amazing.

 On the way down our kiddos enjoyed the window view. They seen everything from people walking, deer running, trees hitting the windows and snowy spots. They really enjoy this ride.

 Cati enjoyed looking out the window. As long as I stood by her she wasn't afraid of the height.

 Lily kept saying, "Best day ever!"

 The view that kids got from the front the window.

 Yup even Mike is enjoying the view back down.

 The view Cati and I seen from our side window.

 Here I am playing with Cati to help ease her since her ears were beginning to pop.

 She's such a cutie pie.

That's it for our tram ride. It was over and done within 1 hour. But our family loved every minute of it. But that's not the end of our Snowbird trip.

Grandma's house we go

After the visit to Wheeler Farm we stopped off to play some more at my mom's house. I don't know where my kids get this energy. I was in need of a nap by this time of day.

 Lily was loving all the puppy kisses.

 Mason was playing some old dino toys of his from 1st grade. Hailey was chasing another dog around the yard. And Ducati- she enjoyed a little ride on the play~skool Dora car.

Now we finally went home and made a mad dash to make dinner before Mike came home. I don't think he realized we had spaghetti twice in 1 week. :-)

Wheeler Farm

I love UEA weekend! 

 It's a true rarity when I will have all 4 of my kids on the same weekend that Mike has off. So this weekend we truly lived it up! :-)
Today my mom took us to Wheeler Farm's Pumpkin Days

I haven't been to Wheeler Farm for years and forgotten how fun it is. 

But this time of year they put on the Pumpkin Days and Hay Maze event. Which we never been too but were very excited when I looked it up on-line. 

My kids were so excited to see all the fun farm animals. 

I think they would have been satisfied to just pet all the animals and me not bug them for a photo.

Proud momma moment. While feeding the cows Hailey overheard 2 boys squeal and scream when the cow licked their palms when grabbing the grass. The mother of these 2 boys tells them to be careful-Cows are not pets. They'll bit their fingers right off. Hailey tells the boys, "Cow's don't have top teeth so they won't bit your fingers off. They use their tongues to grab their food. " Then she shows them how to feed a cow (palm up) They boys looked at her like she was a weirdo. Hailey looks at me and I reassure her that she's right. I was impressed she remembered all this from her farm field trip last year.  After I praised her for teaching them about cows she then calls those boys, "City Kids." Too funny! I can't help but agree. What sort of mom dresses in heels, bangles, and Chanel to go to a farm? You know there's poop everywhere. I love it! Back to our trip.....

 "Oh my gosh! Bunnies" said Lily.

 I could not get 1 of my children to look at me long enough to take a photo. So most of my pictures are half faced, rolled eyes, or turned heads. Oh well.... in this photo my mom is trying to get Ducati's attention long enough so I can take a picture. She's tempting her with a leaf. Not much but all I needed was 3 seconds which is about how long Ducati turned her head towards me.

 My mom and Mason checking out the pigs.

 Lily's just staring at the piglet. I'm really not sure what's she thinking but she looks puzzled.

 "Ducks! I love ducks." said Ducati and Hailey at the same time.

 Lily wanted to feed the ducks but I didn't have any bread so she got creative. She was going to toss in a huge pile of leaves ( I stopped her in the knick of time) but I couldn't help but laugh at her creative genius thinking.

 Hailey really enjoyed herself here. I think she kept hinting to me that she wants a pet duck.

 While my mom went to purchase wagon tickets she also picked up 2 bags of duck food. I had no idea that they sold duck food. Oh well....we were all grateful. Now to only have my kids share. :-)
 

 Next was a wagon ride. It was a nice little ride.

 Mason, Lily and my mom.

 I don't like the photo with Cati and me. It's alittle blurry but I do very much like her smile. So it's worth posting just so see that smile.

 The wagon ride was...lame! Maybe it's better at night with all the lights but my kids just kept laughing when they seen a mask with a garbage bag body.

 

 Hailey she couldn't help but laugh when she seen a bunch of cardboard witches standing in some trees.

 She couldn't stop laughing which means I couldn't help but laugh too.

 But I can't complain. Laughing kids are WAY better than scaried kids.
After the wagon ride the staff handed out candy so we took a quick break to enjoy the sweet treat.

Now a quick play break to work out some of that sugar.

 Next, Hay Maze. Ducati wasn't a fan of this so she stood with my mom while Mason, Hailey, Lily and I went for a little adventure.

♪♪ We are lost, We are lost. I don't know where to go. ♪♪

 Twist with turns, climbing through holes, and walking in circles I finally did the grown up thing and peaked over the hay piles and seen the route to the exit.

 We were all excited to get out of there.

 Last but not least, the pumpkin patch. The tickets for the Pumpkin Days includes a pumpkin from their patch. So everyone got to pick their own favorite, funky, orange pumpkin.

 I say funky since most were very oddly shaped. But it's OK- it adds character to them.

These kids had so much fun. 

 When Mike got home from work he was overwhelmed with all the stories each kid was trying to tell him about the farm. I'm really glad that my mom treated us to such a great afternoon.

And I know my kids had alot of fun since the drive home Cati fell asleep. Sleeping kids means success!