Fun Inside

It's been kind of a rough winter. It's cold outside but instead of snow we have rain. No matter how I spin it cold rain isn't nearly as much fun to play in as snow. So as a result we've spent some serious time indoors. The kids have had a great time playing with pillows. We all remember playing those games as kids. Laying the couch pillows out and hoping from one the next, or hiding underneath them and popping out with a big "surprise!". The kids have discovered these simply joys and here is the proof.

Even Audrey gets in on this game. But that shouldn't surprise you because she follows the boys around like she's just one of them.

Hiding beneath the pillows with Grandpa, lots and lots of fun. If you can believe it Penn is still hidden in there.

Making my bed has even become a game. Audrey just loves to climb up and snuggle in all of my pillows. Silly girl.

Snow?!?!

We recently got snow! You'd think that wouldn't be news ... but we really haven't gotten much this winter. This was our first big storm. The kids were so excited it was hard to eat breakfast before going out. We bundled them in layers and more layers and met our great friends, the Binghams, for some sledding fun. Even the girls got in on the fun.

We shoveled all our snow in a big pile and played on that too! The boys played outside for nearly 2.5 hours! I love that we were able to bundle them up so well they could stay out that long.

Most of that snow is gone so now we're just praying for another storm.

Christmas

Yep, we had Christmas ... and it was great! The boys are finally old enough to understand. We watched the Polar Express like 100 times in Dec and they begged for more. Every time they hear a bell ring they get a special little smile. We sat on Santa's leg and the boys had no problem asking for excavators and bull dozers. Audrey on the other hand wanted nothing to do with the big jolly man.

We visited Temple Square with all the lights and loved showing the kids all of the different creche's. Every time they'd say "Look another Baby Jesus!" This year we got to talk even more about the true meaning of Christmas. The boys arranged our manager scene so everyone was close and could see the baby. You may not know, but in addition to shepherds and wise men there were also farmers and superheros there to celebrate Jesus' birth.

Christmas Eve we played games and watched "A Wish for Wings That Work", a cute Christmas movie about a penguin. Aunt Becky even stopped by and shared in the fun, how lucky are we!? The boys wrote thank you notes for Santa and arranged cookies just so.

Christmas morning was everything it should be and more. We loved it. But mostly we love that during the holiday we get to see and spend time with so much of our family. We love the special feeling talking about Christ and his birth brings to our home and we love sharing it all with our children.

Just playing with their new construction tractors. They were so thrilled.

Audrey's been "cooking" up a storm. When she saw it Christmas morning she wouldn't open any of her other gifts, she just wanted to play with this.

Have You Seen My Toddlers?

Have you seen my cute little toddlers? All I can find are these handsome little boys. As if I needed proof they are growing up, Logan and Penn just graduated from our church nursery to the Sunbeam class. Our nursery leaders had a graduation ceremony complete with certificates and hats. They even sang "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam". Here's a pic of the boys with their best friend James.

Penn decided he just couldn't sit there in front of all the parents with his shoes and socks on so he removed them in the middle of the ceremony. Logan thought that was a great idea and followed his lead. Only Mom's, not so quite, whispered promptings could convince him to at least leave his socks on. While singing the Sunbeam song Penn jumped out of his seat and danced what can only be described as a zombie dance. Needless to say we'll be praying for our Sunbeam teachers.

Not to be out done by her brothers Audrey can hardly be called a baby anymore. She must be going through a growing spurt because just before nap time she's exhausted. She pulls her blanket and binki out of her crib and curls up in the oddest places. It's acutally very cute and makes me laugh because I used to do the same thing. Even in high school I loved taking a nap right were my Mom needed to be. Fun times....

So Thankful

We've been kind of busy and skipped right over thanksgiving so ... a fast rewind. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and find ourselves thankful for all sorts of things. Penn is thankful for legs so we can walk and Logan is grateful for Audrey esp when she isn't cranky. Spencer and I are just grateful for these crazy kids.

We thought you might enjoy Audrey's new defense. She usually walks like this when she has something she doesn't want her brothers to take.

Buffalo

A few weeks ago, while Aunt Jenny was visiting, we decided to take her out to see what the west really is all about. We visited Antelope Island during the Bison Round Up. Every year they round up all the bison to check the health of the herd and to separate a few to be sold. It was our first time. Did you know they have over 700 bison on the island? They try to keep the numbers around 550. We just had to take our good friends James and Sabrina and their Mom along too.

They let you get very close to the buffalo. We were right next to the shoots while they were vaccinating and checking the animals over. It was loud and little intense. I love that Logan and James are holding hands.
During the round up they are not able to bring in the biggest bulls. They are too large and too dangerous. But they all seem to be hanging out right next to the road. They are huge! You can kind of see some in the back behind this statue. We also saw a coyote and a few antelope.
The kids loved this statue. Who could resist putting their fingers up it's nose?Sabrina and Audrey just loved the museum. I've never seen anyone enjoy the plaques as much as these two.

It was a great trip. They give tours of the operation as well as let you touch old buffalo skins and mountain goat horns. The only cost is the park admission fees which you pay at the cause way. We would recommend it to anyone, although the round up only happens once a year. It was a lot of fun and a great way for the kids to get out and see the world. The best part there are no bugs this time of the year!

As the winter months approach and it's getting colder outside I can't help but wonder what we are going to do indoors all winter. So what are your plans for the winter? Any thoughts on affordable and kid friendly activities?

Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year. The kids liked their costumes and of course they ended up with way too much candy. The boys got to be Thing One and Thing Two from Dr. Suess's "The Cat in the Hat". Grandma enjoyed reading them her copy of the book. The boys loved reading along. Can you believe my local library doesn't have this classic!?

Audrey may not have been "the cat" but certainly the cutest little pink cat you ever did see. She had not idea of what to expect but because the boys were uber excited she was too. Once she realized people put things into the bucket she developed an iron grip and wouldn't let go. Spencer didn't realize it but she even eat candy while trick o treating, wrapper and all.

So here's the question of the day. Do you "sneak" some of your childrens Halloween candy? I'll admit I have. It's not hard, it's truly like taking candy from a baby.