Olympic Oval Ice Arena

During Christmas Break, we went ice skating with the cousins at the Olympic Ice Oval. This is the place where the Olympic Long Track events took place. It is a very nice facility with a hockey rink and another ice rink in the middle and the general public skates the long track around the two. It wasn't until we were on the ice that Jared and I realized that Ethan, Luke and Brady have never ice skated before. Rachel had gone with friends a couple of times.

 Brady had some trouble with the whole balance on a sharp thin blade thing.

 Rachel and Josee taking a break - that long track is ... well ... long!

 It didn't take Luke long to figure out his balance and he was off! Around and around, over and over again.

 The arena had these nifty little "ice-walkers" to help with balance for the little ones. Those contraptions were in high demand and you didn't want to let of it for fear that someone would quickly take it.

 Matthew taking a break too.

 The older girl cousins. I think it's only a matter of time for Rachel to catch up in height to Evelyn and Josee. Just you wait!!!

Great picture of Chris and Evelyn

 Rachel and Dad

 Almost everytime I try to take a picture of cute Lizzie, she gives me this face so her Dad had to join her.

 The only downside to the ice skating what the hockey. Not necessarily the game, but the smell of sweat and feet! Gaaa-rossss!

Once Lizzie decided she wanted to skate, she didn't want to stop.

We had so much fun and have already decided that we need to go again. Even better is that they are open year round and it's not that expensive. Score for us!

Fall Leaves - Lets make fall clean up fun!

I was just looking through the photos I still have on my camera and realized I never posted these and need to play a little catch-up. This is one of the big trees in the back yard that has a great rope swing. So the kids had this great idea to make a pile of leaves as a landing spot.

 Go Luke Go!

 Brady looks like he won't let go, but he does!

 Rachel is laughing hysterically.

 Ethan...wants to keep going again and again and again!

 Doesn't look like Jared made it off the ground, does it?

 Here's Rachel again!

 Did we fake you out? yeah, you really thought I was gonna swing, huh?

Looks like all fun and no work to me!

Ethan turns 14!

It's hard to believe that Ethan is now fourteen. He is truely enjoying giving me heart attacks by saying such things as "I start seminary next year" or "...in two years, I'll be driving!" or " I'll be on a mission in 5 years!" Life is passing too fast.

 We have our family traditions...this one isn't one of Jared's favorites but I like it, it's unique! We wake up the birthday person with cake in bed!!!! Start the fun day with a complete sugar rush....

The part I didn't get pictures of was Ethan using his Christmas and bday money to buy lots more Lego. We ended the day with having cousins over. They pulled a great trick on him.  On the dinner table, one of the cousins had put a small gift. They then told Ethan that his present was on the table. He excitedly went over and picked up the small gift and unwrapped it.  Josee, his cousin who is only younger than him by 3 weeks is trying to hold in the laughter. He looks at the unwrapped gift, not quick sure of it...it was a lipgloss watch. We all busted up laughing trying to get him to "try on" the watch. Not able to hold it in much longer Josee told Ethan that his real present was downstairs under the bed. A few seconds later he comes up with a big grin and a nerf sword/shield in hand...and a big sigh of relief! It didn't take long for Rachel to confiscate the gloss watch and make it hers.