Catching Up....

The last few weeks have been crazy and busy. I've wanted to sit down several times to update this blog, but it just hasn't happened. I hardly know where to start, so I think I'll just post some pictures and the main highlights...

First, we had a HUGE blizzard during the first week of February. It was the biggest storm in these parts since the 70's. School was closed for 2 days and Tod was even home from work. I could not believe how much snow we got in such a short period of time. Digging out was a pain, but it was actually really nice to just chill out.

I got to work on cleaning/organizing the basement. And I did some sewing!!! I made a new blanket for my newest niece, Beth (Chris and Marieta's daughter). I have also been making skirts for the girls since we can't find any church clothes in the stores. It was so nice to have time to create!

Basketball is still going strong...we are having such a good time. It is the perfect indoor activity for this time of year.

Last weekend was big for our family. Tod was called to be the Bishop of our ward (leader of our church congregation). I'm not really sure how to feel about it yet...it will mean lots more time away from us, but also blessings for our family.

Steve and Cindy came up to spend the weekend with us. We loved having them and their support meant a lot. I know they are proud of their boy. I love this good, good man. (This is us before our Valentine's Date)

Valentine's Day seemed to spring up on us this year, especially being on a Monday. We still had a lot of fun with new outfits (thanks Grandma!), treats, class parties,etc.e

We thought a lot about our Valentine angel, Grandma Kim, as it would have been her 61st birthday. I was spoiled with getting flowers from my mother-in-law and my hubby.

Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

For a few years now, we have had a problem...when winter hits, our home is taken over by winter gear- snowpants, boots, coats, gloves....you know what I'm talking about. Most days, our banister post was covered and there were still things everywhere! We have a small entry way and couldn't quite come up with a solution...until....Tod decided to take matters into his own hands. He completely unloaded the coat closet and then installed a new shelf halfway across at a lower level. It was so simple...and has made a huge difference. Hence, the title of the post. Now everything has a place and the kiddos can hang up their own things. It reminded me how sometimes in life, we just need to change a few little things to see some big differences. I think about that each time I open our "new" closet.

In typical January fashion, it is SO cold here. The kids have been spending a lot of time playing with sleeping bags and blankets.

Regan got sick again and Jordan was so nice about playing with her and comforting her. Friday was one of the coldest days we have had this winter. I had seen the news so I knew to really bundle everyone up for school. As we pulled out of our garage, I noticed the temperature (displayed on the van dashboard) dropping rapidly. It started around 20 (in the garage) and slowly plummeted. Each time I would announce the new reading, the girls would shriek and shrill. By the time we got to school, the temp was 5 degress below 0 (add in windchill and you have a pretty cold day!) We were giggling so hard and thought we were pretty funny. I love mornings like that.

Basketball is in full swing and I LOVE it! I need to take pictures soon. Those who know me well know that I have a passion for b-ball. Growing up it was my "main" sport and to this day, I love the sound of the bouncing ball and sqeauky tennis shoes on the gym floor. The girls are doing great- Ashton is on fire this year and even Jordan is getting into the swing of things. They get so excited when they score and it is just so fun!!!

I leave you with the words of a paper Jordan brought home a couple of days ago. Her writing went like this, "I wish it was Spring. I could play out side, plant flowers. Or I can ride my bike. All I want is it to be Spring. In Spring we can look forwd to Ester."

I couldn't agree more...but we are are still managing to enjoy the last couple of weeks of January. (And if you are really bored, perhaps you would like to dress up in your sister's clothing and bee-bop around the house for a while!)

Jordan's Week

Jordan turned 7 on Thursday, and we spent the week preparing, anticipating, enjoying and celebrating. I just can't believe it has been 7 years. I was pregnant with Jordan when we moved to Iowa (the first time!) Jordan is such a neat little gal. She is happy and witty. She is helpful and chatty. She is responsible and caring. She can be stubborn and has a hard time sharing at times. She needs her "alone time" but is a loyal friend. She likes things neat and tidy and in their place. She is such a good sister and would do anything for her siblings, especially her younger ones, even if it means that she goes without. She is a good example to me. We love her so much for what she adds to our family.

Jordan's b-day started with a trip to the hair salon for a haircut (yes, she was a little late to school!) She wanted McDonald's for lunch along with warm fuzzies and M&Ms for a class treat. She had a special plan for dinner- a fancy meal (roast and noodles) served on china dishes with ice cream and cookies for desserts.

We did gifts a little differently this year and sent Jordan on a treasure hunt to the various rooms in the house. It was fun, and she was thrilled with her "treasures". She especially wanted a Nintendo DS- she has been holding out for one ever since Ashton got one for Christmas. She was thrilled with the story we told her about her DS being from Texas (Uncle Nick had gotten a special deal at the store he works at). She also got a surprise from Grandma Cindy (an American Girl) and so many other thoughtful gifts from our loved ones. It means so much to me that our families take the time to send gifts and call on birthdays, though we are far away. My dad is so good to keep on top of everything and make sure he recognizes these special days. Birthdays were always a big deal to my mom and she made sure to make it special for us...the tradition lives on!
Jordan had a pajama party for her friends over the weekend. It was what we call a "late-night" (parent friendly rendition of a slumber party!) We made necklaces, played Wii, enjoyed a chicken nugget dinner and had "star" cupcakes.

The girls also watched some Hannah Montana- we were done by 7 but the parents weren't coming until 7:30, so we got out our big Barbie bin! It was a very fun night with very cute girls....the perfect ending to a birthday week. (In other news, Jordan also scored her first basket at her game on Saturday...to say she was thrilled would be an understatement!)

Welcome 2011!

I love a New Year! It is always such a fresh start and a chance to try to be a little better. We welcomed the new year with bad bout of the stomach flu. Hopefully, that means we have gotten it over for the rest of the year! While Jordan was off playing with friends, Ashton was especially under the weather, so we took the opportunity to make a patchwork quilt together from my material scraps. Ever since Ashton sewed PJ pants for Activity Days, she has been begging me to let her sew more. And she has really picked it up. Her grandmas would be so proud. Regan and I made a little quilt for her baby doll, too. When I do things like this with my kids, it reminds me to slow down, quit trying to accomplish a million things, and just enjoy them!

The girls started back to school on Tuesday (after Christmas break) and they were so excited to wear their new clothes. Tod had encouraged me to be a little less practical and a little more fun in letting them have some more stylish clothes. They were loving it- scarves, ties, sparkles, etc. Incidentally, Tod has complained this week that there are sparkles and sequins ALL over the house...I'm not saying a word! They did look pretty cute though, all dolled up. We have also been experimenting with curling hair with my flat iron. Regan especially likes it because she looks like cousin Maya.

Cole is into absolutely everything. He drags chairs around the house and climbs up to get into drawers and cupboards. He loves his cars and his balls. Favorite words right now include "cuppy", "gink", "more", "yep" and "dammies" (pajamas), and "gils" (girls). We love the fact that he can finally distinguish among all of the girls and knows them by name. He keeps us laughing and actually slept all night a couple of times this week!

Basketball season is upon us! Tod is coaching Jordan's team and I am coaching Ashton's team. I have to say I had no expectations going in...and my team really blew things out of the water yesterday with a GREAT game. Ashton herself had 10 points. Jordan claims that she is still "confused" by the sport. Good thing she has 8 weeks to figure it out!

2011 is off to a great start! This coming week we are celebrating a very important birthday. Stay tuned!

Christmas Day

Our Christmas this year was so special. I know I say that every year, but it was so nice to be in our own home with our family. Everyone was relatively healthy and in good spirits, and there was peace which is priceless. The kids are at the perfect age to really get into the spirit of things. There was so much excitement and anticipation. Even Ashton, who was in on a little secret this year, just couldn't contain herself! We were blessed with the ability to give and receive wonderful gifts. Of course, we missed our families but we enjoyed talking to them on the phone and also being able to be with friends who are so dear to us. I took a lot of pictures but these are some of my favorites. And some of my favorite memories of the day included:

-Watching our children open their presents- Cole's fire truck, Jordans MP3 player and boots, Ashton's Ninetendo and Regan's Leapsters were favorites

-Playing Dance, Dance Revolution on the Wii

-Seeing Cole really get in to opening gifts

-Observing how excited the kids were to watch their siblings (we drew names) open gifts they had picked with much care

-The girls receiving "fancy" new clothes from dad

-Sharing brunch with the missionaries

-Using my mom's china and special dishes from Pat

-Being surprised with a Kindle from Tod

-Cafe Rio dinner tradition with friends

Recipe for a Perfect Christmas Eve

A Snowy Day

Sugar Cookies

Fabulous Friends

4 Excited Kids

Presents

New Pajamas

Family

Peace, Happiness, Health

Snow Bunny

One snowy afternoon a few weeks ago, this darling girly begged me to take her outside to play. Who could resist????