Once There Was A Snowman...

Yesterday we got about ten inches of snow. Aaron had to fly out to San Francisco so he came home early from work to get ready and clear the driveway before he left. We haven't had a wet snow like this one yet this year. It was perfect for building a snowman. Brian and Julie gave us a snowman kit for Christmas last year so the kids were excited to use it.

Birthday fun

Justin celebrated his ninth birthday on Friday, February 15th. He had a birthday party at our house and had nine very active, very loud boys over. He wanted to do an "Olympic" theme party and play lots of games. They all had so much fun. The events were: paper airplane contest, air hockey, basketball "knockout", Last Man Standing, balloon popping, and an obstacle course. The boys were all totally into the games - I think Aaron lost his voice! Justin was thrilled with the gifts too - lots of Star Wars Lego sets and Bionicles. He was also very happy with the birthday cards from family.

One of Justin's gifts from us was a Star Wars Lego set. We had actually bought it off Ebay last October for him for Christmas. We weren't home when it was delivered and the dog tore into the box. Aaron is the one who found the box and was furious with our dog. He spent the next hour picking up lego pieces from our ground cover and then the boys found a few more that weekend so hopefully we have most of the pieces. We ended up buying him something else for Christmas and saved this for his birthday.

This past year has been difficult for Justin, but we feel like he's adjusting and making some good friends here. Being our first, he's our guinea pig as we try to learn to be better parents. He's such a good son and is (usually) good about helping. Next year he'll be into the double digits - he's growing up too fast!

Madelyn at 10 months

Madelyn turned ten months on February 10th. She has been scooting around for about two months now, but still isn't officially "crawling". I guess she gets to where she wants to go so she is content. It would certainly be a lot less work if she crawled, but she is getting quicker all the time. She can crawl up the step from our family room into the kitchen so she is right at my feet all the time. Her latest achievement is standing up in her crib. She was so proud of herself the first time I walked into get her from nap and she was standing up. She just loves all of the attention she gets from everyone and is the happiest baby! I can't believe her birthday is less than two months away!


Daddy's little girl!

Mommy and Madelyn getaway

I wanted to take Madelyn out to Idaho for two reasons: let everyone see her before she's a toddler next summer and watch some basketball games. Madelyn was sick and not her real self most of the time and most of the basketball games were canceled due to the two feet of snow they got while I was there. I haven't seen so much snow since I was a kid! It made me wish the rest of the kids were with me so they could enjoy it too and play in it with their cousins. Even though we didn't get to do all I had hoped, it was still worth the trip to see everyone!


Madelyn did great on her first plane ride. She had a fever and wasn't feeling well on the way out so she just snuggled with me. On the return trip she was feeling a little better so she was trying to play with anyone who would look at her.


Super Bowl party at Frank and Dolly's house; Grandma and Kaylia with Madelyn.


Frank with Madelyn and Jessika at Kaylia's game.

He's the man!

It's very rare that I have time to go shopping without kids so whenever Aaron is along he is so great about keeping the kids occupied so that I can shop! One Saturday last month we all went to the outlets and Aaron did a great job with thekids! I came out of the dressing room from trying something on and he was sitting like this with all of the kids so I had to take a picture. What a great husband!


Here's a picture of Justin's basketball team. Aaron really didn't want to coach this year because he's in school, but they needed a volunteer so he's doing it and doing a great job! The boy next to Justin is in his third grade class and is one of his good friends. Our lives are so busy now with Aaron in school. I don't think either of us realized how much work it would be. I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end.



Aaron told the kids that if they got all of their Saturday chores done, he would help them make Silly Putty. They found a recipe and demonstration on youtube and were dying to make their own. I've never seen our kids so anxious to help! I was sick with a cold and didn't feel well so he did it all on his own and the kids were thrilled with the results. I'm not so thrilled with all of this silly putty we now have, but I guess it's worth it to have the memories, right??