Claires book report

 This month Claire did her book report on Lucky Stars - she is getting to be such a good reader  for her project she decided to decorate a pillowcase.   We knew everyone would want to join in on the fun so I bought extra supplies.  The kids had so much fun and Claire rocked her book report!

While they were coloring I told Sophie what a cute dog she drew and she said "what dog?"  when I pointed to it she said "that's me - I'm wearing ponytails and lipstick".  Oops....sorry kiddo!

Sweet Lincoln

We sure do love cuddling this sweet guy.  I love being an aunt so much!!

Roller Derby

For Jill's birthday we went shopping, to dinner and then to watch roller derby.  I really have no idea how the whole game works but man did we have fun.  All the girls came and it was seriously so much fun!!  

A Visit from Kelly

We finally got to see Kelly!!!  He had an extra day off school for President's Day so he flew out to see all of us and go snowboarding.  Every night was a total party and it was so much fun to see him.  I am so grateful for Kelly and his example to my kids.  They absolutely love him and look up to him.  I'm sure it's crazy to him being cousins with the kids when he is closer in age to Mark than the kids but he can just be an "uncle/cousin".  

Sophie wouldn't leave him alone - I came out and saw her sitting on his shoulders while they watched a movie and she was running her fingers through his hair and she said "why is your hair so curly?"  so I said "Soph - why is your hair brown?" Assuming she would say she was born with brown hair....but I should never assume I'll know what she will say.  So she says "cause I like brown!"  So Kelly said he really likes curly.  Ha ha. 

My Valentine

I love this guy so much!  Luke asked me when I had my first Valentine and I'm pretty sure it was the first Valentine I spent with Todd.  Truly I don't remember ever being asked to be someone's valentine in elementary school and I don't remember ever  having a boyfriend over v-day when I got older.  So I believe I can say Todd is my one and only Valentine.  I am so grateful to have Todd as my husband for time and all eternity.  He is so good for me and loves me so much.  Having him home has been so great.  I didn't realize how much we missed his influence in the home and having an extra set of hands doesn't hurt either. 

Valentines Party

Heidi and I love our annual Valentine's party - it's much easier than trying to go out with our men on V-day.  So we decorate, buy heart shape pizza and eat by candle light.  And of course the kids love any reason to get together. After dinner we decorated sugar cookies and cupcakes too. 

Making Valentines

This is my one and only year to have all 4 kids in the same school and all making Valentines for the class.  I can't believe that next year Tayson will be in Jr. High and won't be doing this.  All of the kids had to make boxes and class cards/treats.  Todd jumped right in and helped the kids tape treats to their cards and do their boxes. 

 

Luke made a special Valentine for his teacher.  He is hilarious.

 

Luke came home about a week ago and told us that he asked Amber to be his Valentine.  He said he had his friend Cody ask her at recess and she said yes.  He was "pretty sure that's how you're supposed to do it".  I asked him what they would be doing together - eating lunch together, playing at recess, kissing, etc.  He said "no I just give her an extra treat after school....the only kiss she will get is a hershey's kiss".  Then a few days later Sophie told me she asked Luke Wiederhold to be her Valentine.  She said she was very scared but knew I would want her to be brave so she asked him and he said yes.  I was dying.  She is the silliest girl.  So when we were at Wal-mart buying stuff they both picked out a little something extra for their special valentines.  Then when we were putting them together Tayson was teasing Luke about having a crush on Amber and Sophie said "I have a crush on Luke.....wait what's a crush?"  She always makes us smile!! 

School

I was on facebook this week and saw my friend post a picture of her son with his Science Fair project.  Interesting I thought....Tayson said it was due next week.  Well, it was due that day and I wasn't a very happy mom about it.  So he and I worked quickly on getting the project put together.  Todd was in Winnipeg and we couldn't get ahold of him which added another dimension of issues since all the pictures were on his phone and the charts on his laptop.  We finally got ahold of him and finished the project.  Tays did a great job on his project and it was only 1 day late :)

Claire is working on Geometry right now - in Portuguese.  The other day I didn't have the patience to re-learn all the concepts (which I can't believe she is doing in 2nd grade) so I asked Luke to come help.  Thank goodness he loves math.  And thank goodness her pages have English on the back so we can figure out what the questions are.  I can't believe I can't do 2nd grade math.  HA HA HA.

My Swimmers

Another weekend.....another swim meet.  I love watching these boys swim.  It makes me happy to see them work so hard.  This meet was a big one for them because Tayson was trying for his last "b time" in order to move from the bronze team to silver in the 200 IM.  He needed 3:38 and he got 3:15 (he did get DQ'd for his arms on his butterfly not coming out at the same time but his time still counted).  He also swam the 500 M free for the first time.  It is such a long race and he pushed so hard and still had just enough guts to push even harder his last 75 meters.  Talk about a proud mama moment!

Luke did the 50 Fly for the first time in a meet and was awesome.  Both boys moved up to the next level in their swimming.  They have only been swimming club for 8 months and they have made huge improvements and both "leveled up" already.  Good job boys!!  I have a feeling I'll be sitting pool side for years and years to come.

My First Pull-up

I missed my goal last year but I can finally do 2 pull-ups!!!

Crossfit Couple

I love working out with Todd - he makes me work harder and do more and give it all he has.  After crossfit today he just laid down on the floor for way too long :) 

Indexing

Last month in Ward Conference our Stake President challenged each family to learn to do indexing and to do 100 names a month.  So for FHE last night my dad came over and got our computers all set up and taught us what indexing is and how to do it.  Tayson, Luke and Claire each got a chance to do a few names.  We have now officially done 14 names....only 86 to go!

Ikea

Todd and I finally had time to go to Ikea and buy a shelf/drawer system for our closet.  Our closet is small and we have too much stuff in it so it was time to organize and declutter. The one we bought fit exactly in the space we had so we had to build it in the closet.  At one point I was behind the wardrobe with inches of space around me trying to hammer the back on.  It was so crazy tight then I had to stand on the side while Todd pushed the wardrobe back and then I could get out the hole on the side.  It was hilarious.  We took everything out of the closet so the room was a crazy mess.  We didn't finish putting it together until after 1:00 am but now that everything is put together and all the drawers are filled I am so happy.  It's perfect. 

My hammer from college - Todd thinks it's hilarious because it's too small to really be called a hammer.  But it did the job just fine :)

The mess

The final product

We also bought a new shelf/drawer for Sophie's room.  She wanted to replace her kitchen for a new "pet shop playground".  Todd had to fly to Winnipeg so Luke got to build the whole thing.  He loved putting everything together and had a blast.