February

Even though I'm slow in posting the past few months, it is fun for me to look back and remember what we did. Hopefully you will enjoy looking back as well.

The beginning of February began with a special shipment. The post office called about 6:00am on a Monday morning to let us know our chicks had arrived. Todd quickly picked them up. Several of them had a hard trip because of the extreme cold that week and we did lose a few the first couple days.
The rest have all done well. It didn't take too many days for them to start losing their puff ball look as they began their awkward transition of getting feathers.


US Synthetic rented Soldier Hollow for a night and the kids and I were able to go. (Todd took the kids last year, so he stayed home with Rebecca this time.) This picture was taken with my phone at night so it isn't very good, but it was super fun. There are several tube runs and I was continually amazed how fast you went. The runs were quite icy so I don't know if they are always that fast or not. The best part may be that you can just sit on your tube and get pulled up the mountain.


The kids made Valentine's boxes for their school parties. They each turned out cute. With Amanda and Megan making theirs and then helping their brothers, Todd and I really had it easy.
We had our traditional family Valentine's dinner complete with candles and music.


Ethan and Joshua did a month of karate. Jared tried it for a week. All the boys loved it and Todd and I were also impressed with the program and emphasis on character building. However, we decided not to continue because it just seemed like too much time and money for the family to commit to. Instead we made arrangements for a neighbor kid, who is a black belt, to come over and hold a little class at the house.


Joshua celebrated day 100 of kindergarten by wearing a shirt with 100 things on it. I've learned over the years that safety pins are the easiest way to go.


Through 4-H, I was able to take the kids ice-skating at the Peaks Arena where they held the Olympics. The kids did have fun, but I'm pretty sure none of them care to take up ice-skating any time soon.


For whatever reason, Rebecca loves to put these toy rings on her wrists.
She also loves to "pancake" Larry. Fortunately, Larry is really good-natured and never scratches or bites. Todd likes to encourage Rebecca to "pet" Larry!
Rebecca is working on becoming a piano virtuoso!
Apparently Joshua is also working on his piano skills. Megan put together a color-coded sticky note system for him to learn songs.


Jared went camping with Uncle Kevin and cousin Nathan's scout troop since they were making and sleeping in snow caves. Except for having to have some of the other scout leaders dig out their opening during the night because of the wind and snow, it was a good experience.
Everything Jared took camping needed to dry when he got home.


Amanda was the volunteer chosen to help demonstrate how to make bread in a school assembly done by a flour company. The company then gave bread making supplies to the kids and asked that they give one of the loaves away. Both Amanda and Megan liked making bread and cinnamon rolls. They also liked having Grandma Ireland here to help. (I love these pictures because you can get an idea of what good friends Amanda and Megan are and how much fun they have together.)


While visiting, Grandpa got in a few games of Carrom with Ethan.
And Grandma got in some cuddles with Rebecca.
We all love having my parents visit!