Skiing, and Jokes, and Birthdays, oh my!

It has been a big month in the Murray household! My boys are growing up so fast. Such a cliche, I know, but it's true. We find ourselves pre-school shopping for Cash, flirting with 5T clothes (and Deck is completely into 3T), and watching our boys have conversations with each other (which is hilarious).

This winter marked a lot of firsts for us. We started off by taking the boys skiing with Uncle Joe and Aunt Mel.  We took them to Nubs Nob where they have the PERFECT bunny hill.   Joe and Nathan managed to get them up and into the chair lifts, and before long, they were getting very comfortable wth their skis.  We put a harness on them, which allowed for quick pickup, as well as two straps that came out of their backpack and allowed for them to be guided along. By the last two runs, Cash was able to get off the chair lift by himself without falling, and managed to ski down the hill, by HIMSELF!   He still fell a few times, but he was incredible. Declan was even attempting small jumps (where does he get this stuff?!) and wanted to go faster and faster. We were so proud that they were willing to try something new, and then extra proud when they actually did well with it. We skiied for almost 4 hours, and they can't wait to go back. 

Then we moved on to Kid's Joke Night, a part of LaughFest that goes on in Grand Rapids every year.  Cash got up first and told his jokes - all by himself this year! He was so brave, and the delivery was perfect. Grandma and Aunt Beth were even there volunteering so they got to watch.  Then Declan got up (best part: "And now... he wants to be a dragon when he grows up...  Declan!") and walked stone-faced up... grabbed the microphone, perfect delivery, and BAM -stone-faced walked right off again.  It was incredible.   My kids amaze me every day.

In every day news (just to mark a point in time many years from now) Nathan and I are still working out with Patrick twice a week. We are about to move into a house with Nathan's brother for one year before we make the Final Move to Rockford. Declan just turned three and we had a racecar birthday party for him at Auntie Kristyn and Uncle Jake's house.  We love having family movie night, and Steak and Shake seems to be our dinner choice most of the time if we choose to eat out. I have been offered a position as HR Coordinator at Amway, and Nathan's job is going well. I am also quitting the Kroc soon, which will be a relief (just to have one less thing on my plate). We are trying to potty-train Decky, but he seems to fear pooping in the potty (but apparently pooping in his pants is no big deal). Cash and Declan strive to be like their Daddy at all times, which basically means hanging out in their underwear or shorts at all times, and never wearing a shirt when at home. And the laundry.never.ends.  Ever. 

We are so happy.  We have an amazing family. We have an amazing life. I'm always terrified for the other shoe to drop, but try to just cherish what I have every day.  We are blessed.