It's Nothin' But Sunshine.....in Newport

So we went to Cali this summer, and for the record I love it there.  I am convinced that if I could I would move there in a heart beat.  It fits the lifestyle of my kids and I 100%, bikes, skateboards, beach, outside, chill, all the time.  I know I know, to many people, it's crowded, it's expensive, however after everything I have been through, small house, family time, and fun is all I need.

We went to Newport Beach courtesy of the Fulcher's.  Billy and Shari have been friends of mine for a longtime, back from the "Beyond Image" era, that is 12 years ago.  Anyways their family had a beach house, and we got the invite how could we say no?

One other thing...this is Allison (this is us leaving for Cali, she wasn't' sure what she was in for).  Yep, she is new to the group and so far fits in pretty good.  She likes to smile, have fun, and play.  With that being said she picked a pretty good trip to go on, and this is her inaugural appearance to the blog.















Our days were pretty simple, wake up, cruise to the donut shop, eat, come back, suit up, go to the beach, dig, skim board, dig some more, lay out, play with star fish and crabs (Cote), come back and skate, ride bikes, and crash.  It was perfect.  Plus "Penny" boards are the real deal now, throwback to the late 70's and my boys loved them!

Nixin I think had the best time though.  We shared the house with her BFF Bella, and I am not going to lie it was this 24/7 all day everyday with these two.  I was so grateful for all of the kids there, each one of my kids had kids there age to play with.  On the beach, the boardwalk, at the house, so fun.

Allison purchased matching swimsuits for all of the girls.  So Nixin, Bella, and Presley (oh yeah she is the darned cutest thing you have ever seen, and is Allison's little girl.  My kids adore her, and she is so gorgeous, and so much fun.  She loved the water, and would not stop crawling into the ocean).

It was an awesome trip, with awesome people.  I am not going to lie I hope to make Newport an Annual trip, so Fulcher's and Moore's be ready cause we are joining you guys whether you like it or not.  

Father's & Son's

So....this blogging this is the best, however it can be neglected so easily.  Right Whit?

Anyways.  Father's and Son's.

I love going each year, annual tradition of fun and freedom for my boys.  Here is how it works.  We get there, I go over the rules:

1. No Fires
2. Set Up Your Own Tent
3. Stay Close
4. When I Whistle, Come and Eat

That is because after the tent goes up, I am not convinced I even have boys anymore, because I never see them after that.  Here are the few pics I did get.  

Yep that is a crawdad on Cote's knife, he thought spearing them and then cooking them was the best thing ever.  I told him he should move somewhere in the south and go on the show Swamp People.  And that, it is Brexton's bridge he and his buddies built.  This is what they love.

Pinewood Derby

Well folks, here it is.  Pinewood Derby.

This year Cote wanted all creative control.  Last year he came up with a Ken Block Subaru Impreza and it was awesome.  This year was the "Brick".  And it was even more awesome.

Contrary to popular belief this was not a lazy fathers attempt to get out of building a car, quit the contrary. I spent more this year on items to smooth the axels, a scale, weights, graphite, etc. then I ever have (we now have a box for future years).

It turned out to be a pretty fast car with Cote finishing always in 2nd or 1st.  3rd only twice.  It was not fast enough to make the top three, but fast enough for my son to be proud of what he made.  That is all I cared about, that he would not be devastated by "his" first car.

Nice work Cote.

Friends + Snowboarding + Birthdays = Spring Riding

Wow, it took me long enough that is for sure.  But here it is.  Cote's birthday was April 1st, and all he wanted was to go snowboarding.  But (and I don't blame him), he did not want to ride in AZ (spoiled and only 11).  Well, then we got a call from Hillary and Alex and they wanted to go on a trip for Hillary's birthday.  So now you know how it started, here is how it went....awesome.

We left at 11:00 pm on Wednesday night, so in case you have never done that it means party time all night, and sleepy time for others.  We stopped in Flag at the Mav "the QT of the mountains" per Hillary so that Alex could get some chap stick.  When asked why three it was because "One was for his jacket, one for extreme, and one cause it says Shaka-Laka!"  Sorry Alex I even asked, now it makes total sense.  However I am still concerned as to why you never once had one on you, just saying.

The other pic was because we got pulled over three times, how many? Three, no big deal.  And yes, Alex is in the front seat of that car.

This trip was fun for multiple reasons, Cote's bday being the best, but the second was because it combined a lot of my good friends together in one spot.  The first day we went to Canyons, and it was HOT.  60 degrees hot, which on the mountain means even in a long sleeve shirt, gloves, and helmet, you are dripping sweat all day long. 

It was a total park day, just insane park laps in some popcorn slushy snow.  Cote decided to become big time while there, he started sending it off the medium size jumps.  Now I shouldn't even call them medium because in Utah like other mountains that actually get snow, and as the season goes on the jumps get bigger and bigger.  These jumps were larger than any seen in AZ, the only reason I point this out is because it is a big deal, and Cote did it. 

 

It pays to ride with a sick crew, and these guys all rock.  We had a sweet amount of talent on the mountain.  

The second day was spent at Brighton, and while we were there it snowed, it snowed a ton.  At least 6 inches.  So this day was a total opposite, cold, snowing, and filled with tree runs.  Cote was super excited about that because he was having the time of his life.  Tree runs are not easy, and they take some skill, because once you get stuck, its tough to get out.  So I was impressed with my little mans skill.  I love it.

Plus this was also a good day Brexton because my little boy was able to ride with what I would consider to be his identical clone from another mother and father: Drake.  He likes Lego's, OK he loves Lego's, and so does Brexton.  And they both like Star Wars, and they both love Wii.  Well they rode together and it was great.  They are only a couple of days apart in age so it makes it a good time.

So here is the line up for your viewing pleasure: Cote, Brexton, and I; Whit and Weav (I mean when are we not together); Brandon and Kelli; Alex and Hillary: Josh and Bri; and Bri's little sis concussion (I will tell that one another day).

This final pic is a shout out to our house warming guests, Hillary's mom spoiled us rotten, and the Eudis's always make it a party.  And for the record, this is how you pack 10 snowboards, gear, clothes and 8 people into a Toyota, and a Scion.  It was awesome.  Until next year, because this will be an annual trip for sure.

 

Happy Third Birthday Drake Weaver!!

Well, if you wondered how close the Colburn's and the Weaver's are this should cast out any doubts.  Drake Weaver wanted to celebrate his birthday down in AZ.  More importantly mom and dad allowed him too, which if you know how close they are with their family that is big time.

I believe these pictures show just how excited my kids are to play with Uncle Weav (A.K.A. Mr. Universe).  It was an all out pillow fight for seriously 20 minutes.  Cote was trying to be funny by doing work on Whitney because she really wasn't participating, boy was he wrong.  Exhibit A is evidence as Whit bounce attacked Cote from the couch.

Then all of the kids pinned her down and attacked, I watched it.  It was pretty entertaining.

On Drake's Birthday we went to see MONSTER JAM!!!  Yep, that's right.  Drake like most boys loves big trucks that are loud.  However Drake does not like them because of preprogrammed gender roles, he loves them because he is like his father who loves all things redneck.  You know all those swamp shows on TV, Catfish, The Whites, all Weaver.  Well Drake is following in his dad's footsteps.

Thank you Weaver's for coming down we had a great time.  We hope to see you guys soon.  I look forward to spoiling your little boy more in the future as he rips the mountain with my kids.  We love you guys.

Trip to Uncle Weaver's and Aunt Whitter's Cabin (yep I went there)!

That is how I feel.  The Weav, mission companion and a best friend, his wife Whit, the most sweet and kind woman you will meet, and their totally rad son Drake invited us to what I would consider an all inclusive trip to their cabin in Brianhead Utah (one of my favorite mountains).  Here is the breakdown, we jumped on a plane and flew to Vegas.  It was the kids first time on a plane (besides being a baby) and they were super stoked about it.

This is them on the way to the airport, that is all we packed for a one week trip.  Right there you will find three snowboards, 3 pairs of bindings, 3 pairs of boots, 3 helmets, 4 pairs of snow clothes (pants, jackets, gloves, etc.).  We only checked two bags, and the kids carried their own bags.  It was so awesome.  Pack mule status.  

Here they are on the plane:

The troll was super pumped, and the window seat was a hot commodity as you can imagine.

Brexton was so good during the whole flight that while we were waiting to unload, he decided to swing.

I let him because honestly I was jealous I couldn't do it during the most annoying and awkward part of flying.  I was asked why everyone gets up and doesn't go anywhere.

I told Cote, I don't know, we are all cattle crammed in the shoot waiting to go, manners, respect, and all human decency go out the window during this time.

Here is the princess in the airport, backpack on and all being an awesome girl.  She loved it.

This is Whitney's parents house.  Basically it is Disneyland and Toys'r'us all in one house.  I am not kidding.

They have the best swing set, sodas, good food, LEGO's which my boys love.

And most importantly they have a toy box that they are allowed to pick one toy out of each time they show up.  Trust me, the troll he knows this is the process and he quickly taught Nixin how neat it was.

Whit's parents are pretty amazing.

We arrived at the Cabin, and now you can see why I considered it an all inclusive vacation.  Look at the place.  Not only was it amazing, but the Weaver's made meals, and snacks based on everything that my kids like to eat.  Who does that honestly.

Nixin and Drake played everyday together while the parents, Cote, and the troll shredded the Chronicles of Gnaria on the mountain.  We were fortunate to have an onsite babysitter (Blue Eyes), and that was an amazing addition to the trip.

As well you will see that a massive tent was created (totally not fun for kids), and they had a hot tub in the house.  Yep, hot tub, in the house.  How else are you suppose to end a long day on the mountain?
#spoiled!!!


Oh snow, how I love you.  It is seriously the most peaceful time of my life.  And I love being on the chairlift with my kids and good friends.
Brexton stepped it up this year and did a great job on the mountain.  It is his second year.  Cote of course slayed the mountain like a viking!!!



What is that, side by side rides at night or down to the lifts, why not!!!  The kids loved going on the snowmobile trails on this bad boy.

Well the trip was awesome, we had a great time.  Nixin got her nails painted, the boys rode in the Raptor, and we had a layover at the airport.  However thanks to Apple products such as the iPad (thanks GMama) it was no problem at all. Here is to the next trip, thank you Weaver's!!

Christmas 2011

Well, what do I say.  Christmas was a little different this year.  It was the first year I did not have the kids on Christmas Eve, which meant I did not get the opportunity to watch them open a gift (which surprisingly is Pajamas every year).  Nor did I get to watch them walk downstairs while it is still dark outside.  But we had fun, and here is how the party went down:

 Cote got a new skateboard, is anyone surprised.  I was just pumped that Santa brought the board in pieces.

And to great surprise it was all the same pieces Cote picked out a few weeks before.  Crazy right, it was a Nyjah Houston deck by Element (the kid rips, if you don't believe me google him, and Cote loves him).

As you can tell in the picture next to me, because it was in pieces he had to put it all together.  Which he did, bearings and wheels, hardware, and he even gripped the board.

It was a proud moment for me, as skating is a true passion and love of mine.

Brexton, he loves gifts, and he LOVES Christmas.  He also has a huge love and fascination for Legos.

He would sit and build them all day if he had the chance.  Right now he is really into Star Wars Lego's, Pirate's of the Caribbean, and Ninjago.

He sat there and built that Lego set all afternoon, he does great with them too.

Oh Nixin, what do I say about her.  If it's pink it's punk and she loves it.  She got new clothes (because that is what girls are supposed to do I think).

Plus she loves to dance so she got an Angelina Ballerina game, and forces the boys to dance with her.  It is awesome.






Though I complained at the top, this is the important part of the holiday for me.  My family always gets together at Papa & Gmama's.  This year that meant 5 boys, 4 spouses, and 11 grandchildren (7 boys, and 4 girls) all 10 and under.  It is so much fun.  The kids are all spoiled and adventure is guaranteed!! After Christmas presents were done, skating commenced at my house with the Crew & Cole (nephews) and Logan Asay.