More Snow

The kids have not had enough snow to satisfy them. (I on the other hand have had plenty) The tiniest flurries bring them all outside. Spencer just loves to be outside. He wants shoes in hopes he gets to go outside. 

I love babies in beanies!!!! 

All done outside....not a happy camper.  

So Random, So fun, Saturday

I had a pretty bad fall recently, and I took it easy for a couple days.  A couple Saturday's ago, I didn't do anything but be entertained by my kids.  No chores, just fun. I was laughing all day.  They had a really fun day. 

I made waffles for breakfast, then the kids rode their bikes outside. It started to snow for the first time since Christmas-ish! It wasn't enough to play in yet, so we played in the house.  Built a fort, they put on a magic show for me while I sat, they made a bird's nest out of a torn up newspaper, they had a wrestling match, they did their "Cowabunga Bay" at the bottom of the stairs, they built Legos.  They threw wet cotton balls on the shower walls (not quite sure why this was a game or fun, but it started in Luke's room, I made them move to a non painted wall...I'm a good mom. haha).  They painted and took a long bath together and played forever.  After a decent snow around 5ish they played in it for a bit. 

Isabelle started the magic show and then the other two boys followed.  A facebook status during the intermission of the event..."My kids are putting on a magic show. "close your eyes, mom!" an easy request at 3 in the afternoon. Do I have to open them upon request? And kid magic shows are super entertaining, but not necessarily very magic."

Spencer and hats...he loves helmets too. He wore this most of the day. I put it on him 30 times, at least. 

Pillow cases (still with the pillow in apparently) make great substitutes for magic hats. 

Luke also loves to wear his helmet.  Not sure if this is just because he can't get the buckle off by himself or he actually likes it, but he wears his helmet a lot. 

 Then it started to snow again, and apparently there was a wardrobe change, this is the same day (I actually had to check the dates!), This time there was more to play in so it was super exciting to the kids.  Spencer in general has been difficult to keep in the house lately, by time I made it to the door, he was outside in the snow barefoot. 

Apparently Isabelle was barefoot too...

These really should be marketed as dog AND toddler doors.  He has discovered how to get out.  He's been able to come in through it for a while, but now he likes to go out.  Like I said, I've had a difficult time keeping track of him with appropriate clothing.

(Oh and Michael was barefoot too...Seriously!  Where was their mother?!?!?!)

It was just one of those days that bedtime came around and I realized I was smiling at my kids all day.  Found these couple that Isabelle snapped at some point. Not super flattering, but a good memory, nonetheless.   When you just decide all the chores can wait and you just are going to play with the kids, all the stress goes away and we just have fun. I love getting to play with these kiddos.

Cowabunga Bay

One of the kids favorite things to do is make this pile of all the blankets and pillows they can find and put it at the bottom of the stairs.  They call it Cowabunga Bay (which is actually a water park in the area we have never been do....I have yet to figure out the connection on this one).  Then they take turns jumping and sliding into the pile.  It's a ton of fun (until it's time to put it all away anyway, haha).  They've started making a game out of putting it away too. This happens a couple times a week at my house. I'm glad I'm a cool mom with stuff like this and embrace the creativity.  The kids really really enjoy it. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a super fun Valentine's Day this year.  Mike and I are not romantic people. We are not Valentine's Day type people at all.  My kids were so excited for V Day for their friends and school, and I kinda felt bad that their parent's should show them some extra love. So, while Mike went to work, we planned a family Valentines Day party and cleaned the house in the morning.  I took the kids to Chick Fil A for lunch as a special treat then we went and delivered some sugar cookies and hand made valentines to Mike at the dealership. Each kid had made Mike a valentine and made up a Valentines song.  It was pretty funny.  It was a good way to break up the long lonely Saturday.  On the way home we stopped at a fun park.  I learned I can't do playgrounds until my knee is better.  That bark stuff is a no go on the knee. It was a beautiful no coat afternoon at the part in February, a little windy, but still fun.  Spencer LOVES to swing!  He would scream and throw a fit every time I took him out. Even just suggesting it, he would grunt, scream, and shake his head no.  It was funny. We came home and I started cooking for our family party. I made a "Fancy Dinner" with fancy dishes and yummy salmon. 

Then we did our games.  Isabelle made a cute "Pin the heart on the card." 

Then we did bowling. They made a shape of a heart out of the pins.  This game didn't last long because of our destroyer baby.  As soon as they got set up, Spencer invaded with knocking everything over before the ball could make it to the set.  

Then we played a stacking game with conversation hearts and finished up with Valentine Bingo.  The kids had so much fun.  

We finished the night with valentines I made for the kids, valentines from grandmas and a little trinket. These lip whistles. It was a hoot. 

He's really doing a lot of cheesy faces for the camera. 

And he's learned to fold his arms. Too much cuteness. :)  

It was such a fun family evening and especially because the kids did most of it.  My kids are looking forward to next year. 

No Coat February

This winter has been incredibly warm!  To the point, I'm pretty sure we still live in Florida. We've been outside a ton!  It's getting colder again, but until the last week of February, I'm pretty sure we never wore coats.  One afternoon, I was outside in capris and a t-shirt, Spencer was literally just in a onesie.  There was no wind so it was just sun and warmth.  This day was actually warmer here than our Florida house. It has also been a great winter to own a couple ice cream shops. ;)  I've been soaking this up!!!!!  I'm finding it my little miracle that I got to move back to Utah but keep my Florida weather.  It's the little things. :) 

Video Games

We had some good friends come over for dinner.  Mike and Jason are friends from a mutual friend and our old Spokane job. They live here in the valley and we have gotten together a few times. We have lots of kids between the two of us and Mike and Jason love to play video games together. Our kids wouldn't budge from the TV to play with friends.  They all found remote controls from their cars from Christmas and pretended to play along with Dad.  It was pretty funny. 

 Spencer has realized you smile for cameras.  He was making the cutest smiles, but the flash was too bright.  

Morning Sleepy Look

At the beginning of February, I realized I hadn't been taking many pictures.  This was a silly Sunday morning first breakfast (with 1:00 church, we tend to have a second breakfast around 10:30 involving bacon and Mike.  First breakfast is for kids around 8ish to make it to second breakfast. Haha).  I just love their morning sleepy looks.

Trampoline Up and Knee Down

On Jan 22, I cleared up the spot for the trampoline the boys got for Christmas in the basement and Mike set it up.  It was so exciting!  Everyone tried to be helpful.

Two boys in the trampoline box.  Luke is gaining on Michael in height and weight.

It got to about this point, and I had to leave for a basketball game.

Mike finished it up and took pictures for me. 

It's been a great addition to our house to help little boys get out wiggles in the wintertime.

That night during my game, I fell bad and tore my ACL.  It definitely hurt pretty bad. I couldn't put weight on it for a couple days.  We were showered with service.  Mike and Isabelle took up my slack and my orthopedic surgeon brother in law took a look and told me it was torn...surgery is in my future. In the meantime, I have had good days and bad days.  I can walk mostly normal now.  I can take care of my family basics and walk on flat stable surfaces. I don't do anything quickly. :( And all my exercise involves a bike with little resistance.  My legs are dying or a good run!  I'm grateful for all the help we have gotten and grateful this isn't a permanent situation.  This too shall pass. :)