Happy 12th Birthday Zack!

As if we weren't old already, now Zack has gone and turned 12 on us! It is hard to believe how fast they grow! We celebrated by going to the Percy Jackson movie with friends, then Grandma and Grandpa came into town for a week of eating out and basketball games. How thankful we are that they would come share this special time with our family! Our other Grandparents were there too, but for some reason we didn't think to take a picture. Zack received the Priesthood and has now passed the sacrament twice--we are thankful for him being a part of our family.

Otherwise, we are keeping busy with piano lessons, basketball games, and now we are beginning soccer. Our backyard is still heaped with snow, but our front yard is beginning to show signs of spring. We are getting ready to take a trip to Florida to visit my sister and her family next week--I am hoping that it will be spring by the time we get back! A girl can dream...

Valentine party at Preschool

I went to Kade's school yesterday for a little Valentine's Day party. There were songs and sugar cookies. The songs were cute but Kade failed to sing a single word nor did he participate in any of the actions. We are such a "singing" family I thought for sure he'd put on a show. When asked why he didn't sing he came up with lots of excuses: "I don't know the words... My singing voice sounds weird". Oh well, it was fun anyway.

SNOW?

Both my Dad and my Sister asked me yesterday if we had any accumulation of snow. I assured them that once we get snow in December it stays until March (at least the winters I have been through here).

So it's been awhile, but we are still here, alive and kicking--some days more than others. January weather is always depressing for me and this year did not disappoint. We spent a few weeks in a deep inversion with temperatures not rising above 20 degrees. Last week, though, we got a bunch of storms and a break from the fog. They were warm storms so even though it was snowy, 35 degrees felt pretty nice. I am happy that January is almost over! February is the next of my least favorite months. I am all about decent weather.

It seems like we've spent the month watching basketball games--Zack's, Colin's, BYU's. Zack and Colin are both doing really well. Colin has surprised us all on the court with some quick moves and a little bit of aggressiveness (not usually typical of Colin). Colin is sure that he leads the league in blocks. He'll tell you, "Not bad for the shortest guy." We are enjoying watching all the games. Zack is trying snowboarding out and so far he thinks it is great. I only wish we could get him up there more. Maybe John should take it up....

McKena is keeping busy with dance and other girl things. Every day she asks to have a friend over--she is very social. She got her Grandma and Grandpa for her primary teachers this year and she is loving that. As far as sports, she tags along with us to the brothers' games.

Kade was asked to give a talk in primary last Sunday Well, as he is only 3 we kept it really short. Just a few lines--pretty easy, right? He said the first line and for some reason all the other Sunbeams got a case of the giggles. Kade couldn't finish his sentences because he kept giggling. Pretty soon the entire primary had a case of the giggles, even the leaders. Oh well... I guess I like the giggles better than tears.

Happy New Year! Here is what we did....

Karalee made Kade his own little loaf of bread.
We tried our hand at a Gingerbread house--from a kit of course.
Nothing is more fun on a snowy day than sledding behind the 4-wheeler.
Of course I did hit the New Year's Day shopping this morning, that was fun too.

My siblings and their families

Christmas Morning