Snow day

We had plans I get out and run some errands, do the typical Saturday drill, but soon the snowfall made it impossible and unsafe to travel. After many pleas to help daddy clear the driveway and walk, I gave in. Bundled to brave the windy cold everyone headed out. 

Some of us handle the cold better than others. While children are incredibly resilient I the cold and seem not to notice, a good white-wash (aka snowball in the face) Will cause anyone to realize the numbness in their limbs. 

The girls headed in to warm their cold bodies while Devin stayed out with Cole who has grown to LOVE the snow. 

We all sat in the window watching the boys clear the walk and throw snowballs. As they neared the window Cole decided it best to make his target the ladies in the window! 

Many giggles and laughs filled the following minutes until Cole was ready to come indoors. 

I'm so grateful for the snow and the fun moments we are blessed to share together as a family.

Cute experience

The snow was coming down, Lucy and Cole were standing in the front window watching. A car started to pass in front of our house and started getting slower and slower, it's back wheels spinning as fast as could be. 

Mom: "Uh oh! Guys look!" 

"What's happening?!?!" Lucy inquired.

Mom: "That car can't make it up the hill!! 

It's slipping on the ice." 

Lucy, "oh no! What are we going to do?"

Cole: "oh no, thas nod dood!" 

Lucy, "What happens if he goes backward?" How will he get up?" 

The conversation repeated itself in a variety of ways for a few minutes as we watched the car try to get up the hill, and eventually give up as it slowly backed down again. 

We all sat as watched as a few more cars tried to brave the hill. Some managed better than others. Until eventually Devin went out to spread some salt on the road. Finally the plows showed up and the show ended. 

December: Home Again, Home Again

I knew we would get sick over the holidays, it is pretty much inevitable. So we spent the better part of two weeks at home cuddling, sleeping, and watching a lot of shows. It was mostly Cole and Sadie who got sick. Lucy thankfully stayed healthy and Devin and I both had very mild symptoms. 

I had to take this picture because Sadie has never willingly shared my lap with Cole. It was a special moment and I'm glad I have this picture.

We made a gingerbread house!

I thought they did a pretty good job. Naturally all of the candy was gone within a few minutes :)

We had a relaxing sunday afternoon playing spot it and some other games. 

The kids are really catching onto this game. We haven't tried all the variations yet. We mostly just play I-spy and whoever spies the match gets to add it to their pile.

To keep Sadie away from the cards I pulled out this toy that we hadn't used since Cole was little. Sadie really likes this one.

Because we were still sickly on New Years we partied it up at home. 

Here is our array of delectable-ness. Fresh fruit and veggies with yogurt/whipped cream dip. Lil' smokies and potato chips. Tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole.

This is how good the dip was :)

Lucy LOVES chips!

Cole's favorite were the lil' smokies

Devin loves his guacamole.                  And I just love it all :)

We played bingo, had a dance party, and played with some streamers!

 

We ended the night early and enjoyed some good rest to start the year off right :)

Happy New Year!

December: Part 3

Trip to Utah. 

 Our kids are champs when it comes to traveling! I have been so impressed. And am so proud of how well they handle flying. Everyone played and everyone slept :) I think that is the perfect combination.

Grandma June, Cole and Lucy

We got to go sledding three or four times! The kids had SO much fun.

Lucy and Eve

Oma & Caelyn

 
Me and Sadie
 
                                 Sam                                                  These two ate snow as much as they
                                                                                          possibly could!
  
    Lucy holding baby Cooper (just a little                       Beth-el and Lucy
 jealous since I didn't get to hold him!!)
   

We made a quick trip to Temple Square to see Megan sing!

  

 We took frontrunner up. Here is Lucy and Auntie Camillie waiting for the train

            Party on the train! Party on the train, Patrick, Caelyn, Cole, Devin

Me, Sadie, Whitney

 Everyone watching Megan....and somehow I don't have a pic of her singing!! OOPS!

So we didn't plan very well for the train ride! An hour or so one way, and we had NOTHING for the kids to do....thankfully Patrick had netflix on his phone!

 We Devin chowing down on toffee :) These were the crumbs... :)

One morning everyone went out and made a big snow fort and some snowmen.

                                                                 Sadie and Camillie

                                         Oma & Opa and their snowmen with rather tall hats!

                                              Here is the snowfort and all the kids behind it!

                                                                      Lucy

                                                   Opa throwing snowballs at everyone!

                                                         Ryan and Celecta Rose

                                                       Lucy making some snow angels

                                                                       Me and my man!

 Sadie and Celecta rose chillin'. Love these two! 

 Our Nativity :)

December: Part 2

Lucy is 4 years old!

 

Lucy Mae, 

I am so proud of who you have become so far. You are so sweet kind and loving. You soak up the world around you and are always wanting more. Sometimes it is daunting for me to try to find new things to satisfy your curiosity. You are such a good sport and just love to have fun. Below are some of your most outstanding qualities as you turned four years old.

Kind   - You enjoy doing nice things for others.

Thoughtful   - always wants to make sure everyone gets some of whatever we are having (if its good).

Determined   - You will evoke the powers of persuasion to the fullest of your ability. Even if its just a simple order of events you want slightly different...you will talk, bargin and make 'deals' until you get what you want.

Playful   - LOVE to run crazy with Cole. Making silly faces, playing games, etc. You really feed off of other peoples emotions too. So if I want something to be fun, I just have to be excited about it and pretty soon you'll be right there along with me having a blast.

Social    - crave interaction. If we don't play with kids on a regular basis you will start asking me if we can go visit friends. when you hear they are busy you asks if we can "go make friends!" I wish I was that good at it :)

Intelligent    - You pick up on everything. You like to try new and more advanced words. What impresses me most about it is that it isn't immediate. It could be days or weeks after you've heard the word and you'll put it in the right context and everything.

Becoming more responsible   - You like to be my helper while we're shopping. You have little tasks you get to do when we shop and I think it is helping you feel autonomous. 

Curious   - You really like to try new things. (radishes & lemons) 

Some of my favorite things you have said since your birthday:

On the drive to church the day after your birthday....

Lucy: "Do I still go to sunbeams now that I'm four?" 

Mom: "No, your class has 3 & 4 year olds."  

Lucy: "But Sunbeams is for the three kids.... (says the youngest kid in her class :) 

Dad: "When you turn 5 you will move up to the next class."

"When is my 5th birthday? I just want to be 5!" 

Whenever I reminder you that you don't like something you respond with, "But I'm four now, now that I'm four I like ___. I Didn't when I was three but now I do because I'm four.

 All you wanted for your birthday were these two giraffes! You were so excited when we went to pick them out. And you were crushed when you realized that we had to wrap them and you couldn't play with them until your birthday. 

 They complete your family of giraffes that we have been accumulating over the years.

 It snowed quite a bit on your birthday and you had so much fun getting to sled in it. 

---Working on getting your video downloaded in a way it will upload onto blogger----

We are SO blessed to have you as our daughter. 

We love you Lucy!!!