Springing

The snow didn't last long and the sun came out drawing us outside. Claire touched grass for the first time. She did not like it and wouldn't leave the comfort of the blanket.



Brooke and Ella knew just what to do after a long winter. The swings, slide, balls and chalk were all put to good use. And yes, they colored the entire walkway. I hope to always have colored walkways to my house.

Winterized

We FINALLY got a good snow! YEA!!! The kids ran out at night with Rob and played. We have a wickedly fast slide and the slide is even faster when the kids are wearing their wet snow clothes. They shot right out and flew into the snow pile below.

A few days later Rob took Ella out on a date. They just went over to the river and played outside. He took Brooke out the following week but forgot the camera. The girls love this one-on-one time with their dad:)

Happy Feb!

What better way to start the month than going on a spontaneous trip to Utah? Even Rob was able to come for our niece's blessing. Everything was fabulous. Again, it was too short. Amber did a great job hosting 50+ people in her house! YIKES! My favorites of the trip was having three babies to pass around, seeing Robert and Megan's basement coming to life, and GAMES!! Love the games. So fun. It was really hard to leave, as usual. But it is good to come back home. These girls are going to have so much fun together. What cuties!

I was busy with school and a technical paper. I also played a lot this month! I went up to Missoula with Anya WITHOUT ANY KIDS for an entire day. I love that girl and I loved our girl day. Rob was busy with bishopric business and a bishopric retreat with the youth this month. He didn't take his camera so I don't have any pictures of what he did, but I do have some of what we did:) We had a pizza party with Ashten and Carter while watching a movie. This has become a tradition to have them over when both our husbands are gone. I think Ashten and I look forward to it more than the kids:) Good friends=good times! This time the kids watched THE LAST UNICORN!!! It was mine and Ashten's favorite movie when we were little and now my girls are obsessed. It is a lot weirder than I remember.

And we can't forget the girls' favorite game of the month. I quite like when they play. They just laugh hysterically the entire time.


Valentine's is always a hit around here. The girls had fun with their V-Day gifts for their dad and friends. Rob always spoils me. He brought home an assortment of VERY random ingredients from oysters to fig newtons and we cooked together using all of our ingredients. The oysters were disgusting but everything else was pretty good. We also went over to the Kearns' for a big group date game night. And we can't forget our traditional sushi night. Did I mention that I love V-Day?? Because I do. And can I just say that Bonnie sent the cutest PJ's for Claire with the best use of heart decor I have seen to date.


Ella lost another tooth, but without the tears of joy this time. Brooke is trying to be brave and less shy at school. Last week she even stood on the stool at school by herself without Ms. Nita helping. It may sound small but this is a monumental leap for her. The girls also got a slumber party in their tent.


Now for the big news....Claire is crawling!!! All of my Pinterest projects are going to be put on hold....sigh. But what a cutie. She has gotten so big! Everyday she changes so much faster than I am ready for. I wish they could all stay small.

Bringing in the New Year!

So far our year has been busy. Just like everyone else, after the holidays, life keeps going. I don't know why I expect a lull but I do and every year I end up doing something just for me just because I am tired of living by the schedule. So this year my sense of taking control of my time and not being responsible came in the form of Claire's room. For two days I didn't even check my online class and I am sure my children were neglected (because we ALL need "us" time to be better people).



And this was Claire's reaction. This was by far more for me than for her.

Brooke and Ella did not want their vacation to end. So we let them have a slumber party in their room complete with blowup bed, popcorn, and a movie. So easy to please.


One other highlight of January was that Ella lost her first tooth on the same day that Claire got her first tooth in which also happened to be during our first home game of Fruity Battle! So many great firsts during our first month of the year. This was monumental for Ella because she loves being big and it was a right-of- passage for her. She even had "tears of joy" and went screaming around the house. I'm not kidding. She really cried. I am pretty sure that every relative and friend has been called and she is now making her way through the telephone directory.

A Few of My Favorite Things

This is why I love Christmas Vacation!

Christmas Eve Nativity and Talent Show! This year's talent show may have been one of the best. Almost everyone participated. It is amazing to me how much talent can be in one room:)

Christmas morning! One of my favorite moments was when Brooke and Ella got each other the same present-a mermaid Barbie-and they were both so excited they gave each other a huge hug. Priceless. Another favorite was when Ella was in the kitchen "helping" Grandma and Kristen when she ate a strawberry and said, "There is nothing like a good strawberry on Christmas morning!" Favorite #3 of that day was during Christmas breakfast. Mikelle was telling everyone how she remembers it being so hard to sit and eat Christmas breakfast when all she wanted to do was unwrap her presents. Ella exclaimed,"Oh, come on! This is the BEST!". I think she gets what it is really about. Favorite #4 would be Mikelle freaking out when she found out we are all going to Alaska this summer. Cute. Favorite #5: Russ in his Forever Lazy.

Ice fishing!





CABIN FUN. Games, snow, games, BB gun tournaments, food, games, movies. I think we all learned that we are just as bad at pool as we were afraid of.

See. I told you the Forever Lazy was amazing.

One word needed to explain. Quelf.

Parents-of-the-Year-Award may not be in reach this year. She will be showing these to her counselor some day. Let me explain the box and orange. I asked Rob to take her while I ran outside. I came back in and was greeted with my baby in a box eating an orange while Rob was taking advantage of his vacation time. It's a good thing she really is the best baby ever.


KANGAROO ZOO!!! AKA "My children's happy place".

This is the only part of our vacation that was bittersweet. Rob and Claire were sick and we didn't want to get baby Amelia and Evelyn sick so we decided not to stay with Amber and her family. Robert, Amber and Shanae met up with us for dinner in Salt Lake. Let me just say we definitely put our short amount of time to good use. I will proudly admit that tears came as I had to walk away from everyone. I think that is a good sign.


Temple Square Lights:)


Bringing in the New Year!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, and you, and you, and you!
This was my view on our way home. I'm sure she had a sore neck that night.