Why?

 

Life if full of so many ironies...Why does it always rain RIGHT after I wash my car?   Why do the kids get sick in the middle of the night but never during the daytime hours?  And WHY OH WHY can this girl not eat without making a HUGE mess?  Seriously, I know I am biased, but I think she has such a cute little face and it is always such a mess after eating.  This is Kate after ice cream cones for family night.  Can you guess what the flavor was?  Someday she will probably run an etiquette school.  How ironic would that be?!?!? 

Boy Time!

Despite the frigid weather (19 degrees at night!) these boys had a great time backpacking with their Dad and two other families.  This was Davis' first backpacking adventure and he loved it all.  Jed was such a good sport.  I think that he carried 20 pounds more than he would if he went without the boys.  I love him all the more for it.  And yes, Davis went in his pajamas...with a few other layers...

Girl Time!

So what do we do when the boys are off at Snowcapades with the cub scouts or on an over night backpacking trip just two weeks apart?  Lots and lots of girl stuff!!!  I basically let the girls plan it all...We dressed up (Yes, Kate picked out my clothes from head to toe) and went to breakfast, worked on their scrapbooks, watched "Alice in Wonderland" for the first time, read American Girl books and Valentine books, made necklaces, had a tea party, made and mended hair bows and headbands, made valentines banners for our house, ate lots of yummy food, painted our nails and stayed up way too late in my bedroom.  I cherish these days...

The one unifying force in our house right now...

God bless the inventors of  LEGOS!

Happy New Year 2013!

 Our Nana and Papa were in town for New Years, so you know we had to celebrate!

The Girls spent hours creating a feast of savory dishes.  Then it was time to eat and celebrate.  First a late Christmas and then the NEW Year!  Here's hoping this year is full of joy!

Gingerbread Men

For as long as I have known him, Jed has told stories about making and hanging gingerbread men on the Christmas tree when he was growing up.  Okay, let's be honest....the stories are really more about how he and his siblings would sneak bites of the gingerbread men, until eventually only a few heads were left hanging on the tree. For years "make gingerbread men with Grandma" has been on our list of Christmas "Things to Do".  Finally this year we were able to make it happen. 

Christmas Day 2012

 Christmas Day began with a miracle!  Is that Davis hugging Kate? 

Kate loved her Legos from Davis.

 Davis loved his football from Owen.

 We all loved the Lego Friends Advent Calendar.

 Santa was good to all the kids!

 American Girl Doll books!  Loving it.  The girls were not loving having to stop for a photo.

 Gracie and the fabric dolls I made her. 

 GOOOOOO Cougars!  Barbie's a BYU fan. Didn't you know?

 We love having Grandma here.  She is such a good sport.  

I love how she enjoys playing with the kids.  She is very patient and loving. 

 Cute snow hats from our cousins in Colorado! 

Gracie's wore her's from the moment she put it on until the end of the day.

We finished the day....puzzling and still in our pajamas....perfection achieved!