January and February

A highlight of our Seattle trip was the amazing opportunity we had to go skiing together as a family. The kids went for their first times and they all did so well and they loved it! It all worked out in a very miraculous way- in fact the whole trip was full of what we called "Christmas miracles" including the way things worked out in the first place with the airlines making a random change that made it so both my sister kelsy's family and my family were able to get there sooner and cheaper and in time to do some very important (to us) things like having everyone together for santa pics. There were other little miracles along the way but this ski trip was truly a big one. Ethan spent the whole day before throwing up and sicker than I think I've ever seen him. Andrew had also been super sick. We're so grateful for the priesthood blessings they both received. Daniel had been sick also and we had already paid a lot of money for this ski trip which was all nonrefundable. We didn't know who would catch the sickness next and the night before we were still very uncertain that the sick people would be better but we had faith and planned to go. Everyone woke up well and it was a beautiful day. The workers up on the mountain commented on how we couldn't have picked a better day to come due to the good weather and  snow conditions and the low crowds. I'm so grateful for the huge blessing and for the bonding experience that it was. 

lunch break

We met up with David's family for dinner afterwards

...and then flew home the next day. Ethan took this picture because he wanted to remember how pretty it was.

We're excited for a new year and for the blessing its been to study the Book of Mormon this year. That book is another amazing testimony of our Savior, how he works in our life, and how much he loves each and every one of us.

Andrew and friends

Hannah made herself a belated half birthday cookie cake that was the yummiest cookie cake I've had.

More fun at the skate park

We loved playing the game spoons together 

The kids were "exercising and eating healthy" :)

I'm not sure what they were doing but I assume watching a seahawks game

Ethan loves playing football with the preschool friends.

This is a random picture but I wanted to remember this- we met a member of our church from another ward that is a college football coach and he was so nice to come give Andrew some training to help him with one of his goals- it was also crazy because his brother had played football in 9th grade (?) with Daniel...not only had he lived near Seattle but had gone to the same high school as us.

Daniel took these two to the monster truck show

We're grateful to live near a ski resort even though there are no mountains here- it is manmade snow but it works! We're especially grateful that they have "homeschool Mondays" with super affordable prices! I love that these two have something to bond over.

They are getting really good!

Eliza doesn't like the big hills though and skootches on her bum on the steeper parts.

They would have stayed all night if we'd let them.

Andrew continues to love sports. He is in wrestling right now and plays for the church basketball team also. He also spends a lot of his time playing Madden (a football video game).

We had to try out a new donut shop.

Ethan brought me breakfast!

Enjoying a beautiful day

A big chunk of ice

Crazy weather

Hannah loves dogsitting

Eliza didn't want to go to bed one night because she wanted to be with Ethan...she got a picture to look at of him instead. I love how close they are. They fight a lot but can also be the best of friends.

Most nights I get a sweet note from Eliza. In this one I'm thinking about her, and she's thinking about me. :)

We finished the chronicles of Narnia series and we were sad that it was over but excited about how good this last book was, especially the ending. The kids were doing a happy dance about how much they had loved reading the books. Its been one of our biggest homeschooling highlights.

Homeschool at the library one day when Daniel had an important work call and needed the house to be quiet.

Hannah loves aunt marties puppy.

Its funny skiing at a place that makes their own snow.

I didn't get many ski pics from this day but I had fun hanging out and playing cards with these two while we took a little break. I had a little accident and hurt my arm when Ethan got stuck on the ski lift and I tried to lift him off but the attendant wasn't paying attention and the lift kept moving and pushed us off a little cliff. Anyway, its not too injured but since I use it so much its still hurting over two weeks later! I haven't been on the computer much since then and its weird that while I'm working on this blog, my arm keeps popping when I type...

hmmm...I guess someone needs to teach me how to put videos on here

The kids had fun for a few days writing their own piano songs.

I don't remember why these two were giving my these pouty faces...

...maybe because they wanted to bake cookies. I obviously gave in.

I got a new calling right around Christmas as the young women's president. I felt very unqualified when I started and I'm still trying to figure it all out, but I have really loved it. On this day for one of the activities we did cake decorating and Eliza was lucky enough to have to come with me while Daniel helped out with the young men. She did a beautiful job and it was very tasty.

Hannah used the leftover cakes to decorate her own which also turned out beautiful and delicious.

A super muddy hike

Homeschool has been a roller coaster. We finally got started on US history though which I love and am so excited about teaching. The kids have loved it so far too.

I realized I failed to take any Valentine pictures, but 2 weeks later these flowers from Daniel (although wilting just a little) are still so pretty. I'm grateful for him and all he does for our family! I didn't take a picture of the valentine mailboxes Hannah and Ethan and Eliza set out to give each other treats and cards but it was pretty cute.

So now I'm all caught up from the last 5 months. Life has been good...and busy...and it can be hard to keep up- keeping the house from not being a complete disaster, and the kids from not killing each other, and not losing all of my sanity in the process. I'm looking forward to the spring when we can hopefully get outside more and get warm!