A {Snowy} Spring Break

We've been back to our routine of school and activities after our Spring Break the last of couple of weeks...but it's just now finally starting to actually feel like Spring!

We had {hopefully} the last snow of this season this week...on April Fool's Day...but it was no joke...

...luckily it didn't last!

 

And we've been able to enjoy more pleasant sunny days lately!

 

And although we have been sooo ready for warm sunny days...we took a road trip up to Boyne, Michigan for our Spring Break getaway for one last hoorah in the snow to ski!  Well...Dan, Alex and Emily had fun skiing...Ellie and I enjoyed a little bit of relaxing and sitting by the fire...but loved watching the skiers from our room!

 

I really hope to catch up with them and get out there on the slopes soon...they have so much fun!

snow bunnies...they never get tired of playing in the snow!

our view of the slopes

hanging out in the lobby before hitting the slopes

Daddy's sidekick

Ready to ski

Emily telling Ellie all about skiing...she'll be right out there with them in no time!

soon-to-be-family of six skiers!

Headed to the top

Elizabeth and I waited at the bottom while they warmed up on an easy run

Alex in the lead!

here comes Emily!

"Yes!"

My sweet skier girl

We'll see you guys later...so ready to get out there and ski! 

 

It was a fun relaxing trip!  Boyne is such a cute little village with a few quaint little shops and restaurants, and we were there at a perfect time...there were no crowds! 

 

And we didn't leave without taking a few pieces of chocolate home to enjoy...

 

...and swimming in the heated indoor/outdoor pool and splashing at the fun waterpark in the lodge!

 

Sadly...we had to cut our trip a bit short by just a day...hoping to get home before the next round of snow!  Leaving the snow...heading home for more!

 

We enjoyed it once again, however...and took advantage of the beautiful winter wonderland!

I took the kids to play and sled at Brown County State Park!

"No more snow!"

Emily loves the snow!

There's a smile!

The snow is fun!

Enough with the pictures...let's go sledding!

Watching Alex and Emily on the hill

Full speed ahead!

that was fun!

Here comes Emily!

Aaaah!  Watch out for those thorn bushes!

Alex goes again...

cheering on Alex and Emily!

...and again!

Elizabeth was a great cheerleader...but did not want to take a turn on the sled!

Mommy took just one turn...that was enough!

So fun!

Sweet swinging sisters!

taking a break from sledding to play and explore in the snow!

snow buddies

enjoying the playground

 

Since we have had plenty of chances to appreciate the snow and all it has to offer this year...we truly hope it's been given a wonderful send off!  It was all gone by the next day...but it was still cold, so we {along with the rest of the state!} decided to head to the Children's Museum for a fun day indoors!

One of their favorite things to do here...digging for fossils!

Ellie's favorite too...she loves dinosaurs!

Playing the part...in Egypt, the kids serve the adults! 

Running into our old pal Peyton!

Getting geared up to go deep sea diving!

Admiring the geckos

Another fun visit to the museum!

A good day!

Alex building with his newest marble run from the museum gift shop...adding to the two he already had!
{Ellie chose a gecko and a new dinosaur, and Emily a new stuffed dog from the gift shop!}

We were very fortunate to enjoy just about every single day of our Spring Break!  Alex and Emily had to start back to school two days early in order to make up a couple of snow days earlier in the year...but our last day of break started with dropping Alex off at an all day aerospace camp!  He learned about space and aviation and had the chance to build and launch a rocket with his group!

 

But while he was busy playing an astronaut for a day...the girls and I had breakfast and hot chocolate from the donut shop!

 

And enjoyed a play date with my MOPS group at the Commons!  Elizabeth loved climbing all the way to the top with Emily, and was upset when it was time to come down!

 

We picked Alex up in the afternoon and watched his group launch their rocket...it went the highest of the other groups!  He had a fun time!

 

We had a wonderful break...but as much as we enjoy our time at home and away from home...it's nice to get back to our normal schedule...

 

...but sometimes that means catching up on lots of sleep!  Getting back to reality is hard work!

Ready for my next round of pictures to include some green grass and colorful flowers!  Ready for Spring!