March Madness

My favorite moments have become the everyday moments.  I didn't always know that they would be my most treasured, but they are, because it's a record of our life.  Here's snippets of our life in March...

This was actually a video I took of Caroline snoring, but had to sneak in a still picture so I could record it here too.  She snores SO loud, it's amazing that it comes from such a small person!

Caroline was very concerned about the rips in my jeans...she wanted to take them to the doctor!

Welcome to my life.  I get this pout almost every day.

Yep, she's sassy.  And totally adorable.

These girls are growing up!!  

I love to see them all play games together--they don't always get along, but they still love to be together.

Some mornings Caroline goes running with me, and this particular morning, she just had to hold my hand.  While I ran.  Yes, it was as awkward as it sounds! But...I loved it.

We've been transitioning from nap to no nap, and that's always a tricky thing.  It's been okay most of the time, but sometimes she just can't make it the whole afternoon without falling asleep!

March brought parent week at ballet, and I was so happy to be able to go and watch Emma in class.  She loves it so much, and has really come a long way in the last few years.  I'm happy that she has found something that's "her".

Henry LOVES the game Battleship.  The last time we played, I warned him that I was kind of a Battleship champion, but he didn't believe me until I had taken out four of his ships.  Then he told me that ladies were the best.  :)

Legos, legos, and more legos. We have no place to keep toys, so a big bin of them stay in my family room pretty much all the time.  I have lego creations on several surfaces, and I'm usually stepping on them throughout the day. But...the kids all love them so much, and they've provided many happy hours playing together!

Oh, Emma.  I keep telling her she is going to love her hair one day, but I don't think she believes me quite yet.  

The kids were in bed...this just goes to show that you're never too old to play with Legos!

Henry is usually on the go, and going about a million miles an hour, so it was so fun to capture this picture of him! He looks so serene, with his cute hands tucked under his chin!

That grin.  This one came after the fact that she locked me out of the house when I walked the kids out to the bus. She went upstairs and left me to fend for myself! I went to the neighbor's house to call Rick to come back and let me in, but she soon got nervous and came and opened the door.  Turkey.

Shopping for tractors?  When did I ever think that would be a part of my life? But it is, and I love it! 

Rick and Ryan have a game they play together on their iPads, and they usually play at night after the kids are in bed.  This time, neither of them could make it long enough to play!  

An Unexpected Easter

Easter was not what we expected this year, and we're all glad for it.  We did the usual Easter Basket Treasure Hunt and other activities on Saturday, and had a great day. Sunday morning we headed to church early, and since the weather was going to be so nice, we planned to go to a huge outdoor park/farm to enjoy it.  We packed a lunch and changes of clothes, and and took them with us so we could go straight from church, since it was just about 10 minute away from our building.

I subbed in Primary as the chorister, and right after church I started talking to a girl I hadn't met yet.  We just started attending this ward the week before, so it was nice to connect with someone so quickly. She ended up inviting us over for Easter dinner, and what she coined as an "Easter Walk".  She said that it would be an adventure, and the kids were all for it.

We had time to go to the park first, so we got changed and had a small egg hunt before heading to their house.  They also have six kids, so it was a full house, but so fun!  We had a yummy ham dinner, then it was time to go on our walk.  They live about 5 minutes from where our new house will be, and their property is gorgeous.  In their backyard is a ravine with waterfall after waterfall, so she outfitted us all with water shoes (I can't believe she had that many extra, and in the right sizes!!), we rolled up our pant legs, and we were off.

We had a list of things were supposed to collect--items that would remind us of Jesus Christ--and we were going to come back and talk about them.  The kids just couldn't wait to go adventuring, and discover everything that was to come.  They showed us all of the trees they were tapping for sap, and told us about how they make their own maple syrup.  Then we started hiking, and soon we were walking along the river next to their house.  The kids were in heaven! Fortunately, despite it being the end of March, it was fairly warm day, and it didn't take long before they were all IN the water.

Rick had Caroline on his back, and Jack kept close to me, but it was a constant battle to keep the other kids close.  We hiked, climbed over trees, had to cross the water several times, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery around us. It felt like we were somewhere else entirely, not in their backyard!  After about an hour or so, we came to the final waterfall, and a small beach.  We built a fire, roasted marshmallows, skipped rocks, and had a fabulous time.  Soon it was time to get back--it was going to be dark soon, and the kids would be getting really cold.  We hiked back a different way, and up three waterfalls to get home!

When we got back, she found enough clothes for all the kids to change into, then we had dessert, and an Easter lesson.  We didn't get home until after 10pm, but it was one of best days (and nights) we'd had in a long time.  Yes, an unconventional Easter, but a wonderful one.

Three.

If I was writing on paper, you would see little watermarks from my tears.  I seriously can't believe my baby is three years old--it's literally flown by.  I've enjoyed every single minute, even the crazy ones, and I wish I could freeze time, or at least slow it down a little.

Caroline is an absolute joy, and she is adored by every single member of our family.  The light she brings is immeasurable, and we are so glad that she came to our family.

She requested "white cake with white frosting and pinky sprinkles", and that's what she got.  She loved blowing out the candles, and ate plenty of cake and ice cream. She was thrilled with her presents--a new Little People house and car, plus a new Supergirl cape--and we all spent the afternoon playing with her and just hanging out.  

For dinner we made "Chicken Chubby Soup", which was named after her when she was just a baby. It was the first food she ate, and she LOVED it. We were actually surprised that such a small baby could eat so much!  It seemed very appropriate that make it on her birthday. 

Happy birthday, darling.  We love you!  xoxo

February Fun

February must have been extra busy, because I don't have quite has many pictures from this month! There was still plenty happening, although mostly just the usual hustle and bustle of school and activities.

I finally found a place for Kate to play volleyball, which she had been wanting to do for a long time. She started playing in Texas at the YMCA, but unfortunately they didn't offer it here at our Y.  I have to drive her about 35-40 minutes away, but it's worth it--she loves it! I wish I had gotten a picture or two, but I'm pretty sure I was busy wrangling the other kids while she was playing!

Here are a few more pictures from our month!

We started...and stopped potty training. She promised me that when she turned three she would be ready.  We'll see. 

Caroline...in her "lady" boots.  Rick insisted that we buy these for her, and she loves them!

This was a cold month.  Not as cold as last February certainly, but we did hit thirty below, and had lots of snow.  Caroline and I stayed inside as much as possible, but we did have to venture out every now and again!

You know...just a little light reading before church.  Never mind that she's only two, and can't read!

We came home from one our dates and found the kids like this---all piled in our bed together.  I absolutely love seeing them like this.  We call them the four musketeers, and they're not usually very far away from each other!

They asked me to take a picture of them...and how could I refuse these cute faces?

We ended up with lots of sickness this month, which is terrible.  But for the kids, the bright side of being sick is that you get to ice cream for your meals. 

We had a pretty low-key Valentine's Day, because Rick was out of the country, but we did have a good day.  Usually we decorate Rick's car, but since he was gone, we couldn't.  Instead we gave a little heart attack to our neighbors, and they were thrilled! It was so fun.  We decorated sugar cookies, had milk with red ice cubes, drank Cherry Vanilla Floats, ate heart shaped food, and ate too many treats.  Just like it should be. :)

Thanks, February...now on to March!

Queen Caroline

Oh, my little Caroline.  She keeps our house full of laughter and sunshine, that is for sure!  I cannot tell you how much she is simply adored, by every single member of our family.  She never wants for anything, because there is always a line of people ready to help her and give her what she needs and wants! She's pretty much the cutest two year old ever.



Yesterday Ryan asked her if she wanted to be President when she grew up, and she responded by saying "No, I want to be queen!!"! That pretty much sums it up, although I'm pretty sure she already is, and everyone in the family supports it. Just the other day, she was in trouble for writing on the wall, and Rick sent her to timeout. Henry felt bad, and volunteered to sit by her so "she wouldn't be bored.". :)

She's been saying and doing such funny and adorable things lately (this is seriously one of my most favorite ages), that I just had to document them.

She eats a bowl of cereal EVERY single night before bed. It doesn't matter if she ate two hours before bed or fifteen minutes before bed, her ritual bowl of Rice Krispies simply must be eaten if she is to go to sleep without complaint.

She LOVES ballet.  She has choreographed her own little routine, and it involved a twirl with her arms above her head, a little kick to the back, and then one leg posed in front of the other one.  She puts on her hand-me-down pink ballet skirt  from Emma, and flits around the house all day long.  I think there are at least 150 twirls in her day.

She is obsessed with Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, and loves to watch it on any device she can get her hands on. She knows ho to navigate Netflix with the best of them, and just how to get to her favorite show.  She has learned lots of things from the show, but especially about loving her family.  She loves to start singing on church about it too, and naming all the members of the family one by one, and that she loves them. It's pretty cute, although I wish she would choose a different place and time to do it!

She has a special bond with Ryan, and I love to watch it grow and develop. They're the oldest and there youngest, the only two that aren't twins, and they get to share a room while we're in our apartment.You'd think a seventeen year old would really hate having his two year old sister in his room, but he actually doesn't mind at all. He goes in every night when she's asleep, covers her up, and makes sure she's okay.  They love each other, and I really love watching it.

Everyone in our family will do anything for her.  For example...Rick holds her hand when she's getting her hair done.  Another time Rick asked Caroline to go and do a small job. She went to Jack, asked him to do it for her, and she did!!!

One evening Rick and I had to run a quick errand, and she was upset that she had to stay at home.  To make her feel better, Rick told her she could be in charge. About twenty minutes later, we got a call from Ryan.  She put him in timeout and sent him to his room...and he went!!  She also sent the kids down to the basement, then sat on the couch and turned on a show.

Things she says...

Itsy bitsy buggy (instead of spider)
GHOST!  (instead of Boo!)
Lig = Lid
Hash brownies = hash browns
Neckflix = Netflix

Batgurr = Batgirl
All of her r's sound like y

She has an accent that sounds like she's from the South, which I suppose comes naturally, since that's where our ancestry is!

She also loves to tell knock knock jokes, which go something like this:

Knock, knock!
Who's there?
PETE! (which is one of her nicknames)

Knock, knock!
Who's there?
Cow.
Cow who?
Mooooooooo!  (she does this with any animal she can think of)

Famous quotes...

She's two going on thirty, and some of the the things she says are so funny.

At the pharmacy drive thru--- "I'll take fries!"

After spilling something on the floor---- "I'm just a kid, mom!"

When Rick told her it was time for bed---- "No, thanks!"

When I told her it was nap time---"but the moon isn't up!"

Nicknames...

This girl has a ton of nicknames, and she responds to all of them, except her favorite is Liney, which is what I call her most of the time.  Here are a few others...

Pete
Petey Pie
Petey Pants
Chubby
Punkin Pie
Bubs

I know, so ladylike. :)

Miss Caroline, we love you, darling girl!!  We're so glad you're a part of our family!

Holiday Valley Tubing Company

We'd been hearing all about a tubing company about an hour from us that was supposed to be really fun, and so this weekend we decided to go check it out on Friday night. Normally we would go on Saturday, but the weather was going to turn bitter cold, with temperatures going down to -30.  So...we left right after school on Friday, and thought it would be fun to go tubing in the dark.

We knew a storm was coming, but didn't realize exactly how much of a storm it would be.  It needed up being a lake effect snowstorm, and we drove right through the middle of it.  Talk about intense--there is so much snow, and it's flying so fast and furious that you can barely see a few feet in front of you.  What's amazing, is that the highway was still packed.  Buffalonians are hard core--they're used to it, know how to drive in it, and unless it's coming down eight feet at a time like the infamous "Snowvember" last year, they all go about their business like normal. Rick and I are used to driving in the snow, and even lots of snow, but was an experience all on its own. It's also why we will always have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, especially now that we will living right smack in the middle of the snow belt.  

When we arrived, we realized we made it all the way there without Caroline's snow coat.  So, Rick took her to the ski store a few miles away to get her one, while I took the rest of the kids to the tubing hill. It was HUGE!  900 feet long with a drop of 100 feet, and I don't even know how many miles per hour you can go on the packed snow.  It's fast.  One of the most fun parts is being pulled up the hill to go again, and at the top there's quick little hill and they spin you down once you get there.  You can go in a group or as singles, and we loved both ways.  We all absolutely loved it!!  It was seriously so fun, although we quickly learned why people were wearing their ski googles. 

It was snowing really hard, but we hardly noticed it until we looked at each other, and saw that your eyelashes were frosted over and pure white, and that our entire bodies were covered in snow. But we didn't care! Up the hill we went again! It was SO fun going in the dark.  I'm so glad we we tried it that way first.

Caroline wasn't big enough to go, so Rick and I took turns taking her on a smaller hill, pulling her around on a tube, and drinking hot chocolate with her in the lodge.  She thought it was all pretty fun, but she really liked the hot chocolate.  :)

It closed at 9pm, and we headed home, hoping that the storm had subsided enough to make the trip a little faster  than on the way down.  Fortunately that was the case, and we made good time.  All the kids fell asleep on the way home, and it was quiet, snowy drive. Perfect ending, perfect day! We can't wait to go back!

January Tidbits

January actually went pretty fast. Usually it drags by a little, after the hustle and bustle (and excitement of the holidays). It's also a long month, and seems long, but not this year.

 It probably has to do a little with the fact that my book deadline was the 15th, and it crept up on me a lot faster than I thought it was going to.  Thanks to the patience of the kids (lots of cereal for dinner!), and Rick's help taking over things at night and on the weekends, I was able to make my deadline and cross off something I'd been working on for nine monte.  I was sad and happy to have it finished, but I'm definitely glad to have more time back in my daily schedule.  With all the craziness, we still managed to have a little fun too!

Here are our tidbits from the month...

Snow  = hat hair!!

Caroline is pretty sure she's Batgirl. (She says it "Batgurr".)  She goes around all the time saying "Batgurr saves the day!", and "Batgurr to the rescue!" She calls Rick Superman, and this is how they say goodbye in the morning before he goes to work. It's seriously the cutest thing.

Trying on Ryan's glasses fascinates her!

My beautiful and smart Kate.

Kate needed a little help on one of her math tests, so Rick took her down the street to our corner cafe for study time and hot chocolate.  She loved, and so did he.

Speaking of hot chocolate...we're kind of obsessed with it around here.  Toasted Coconut is my new personal favorite!

Broadway is calling!!

Thankfully she has a good big brother who helps out during church to keep her occupied and quiet.  And not singing " I love my family" (and naming each one of us by name) so loud that the nearest five rows around us hear her.  

If you have to do your homework, you might as well look cool doing it! 

Just a little ballet lesson before work!

This is what happens when your big brother is in charge!

One Sunday afternoon the kids built a huge fort under our kitchen table, and they actually made it big enough that we all could fit in it! At least for a few minutes.  :)

This girl relishes her alone time with me while the kids are at school. She misses them a lot, but she sure loves being the only one that gets to lick the beaters! 

This is the view out our backyard, which we're super lucky to have, considering we live in an apartment.  The perks of living in the country are awesome!

My cuties...headed to school!

I about fell over when Ryan told me I could take his picture after church.  He usually avoids the camera like a plague!  Isn't he handsome??!!

The girls had a choir concert this month, and Kate wanted to jazz up her black skirt and white shirt with a black tie. I just love her sense of style, and it's been really fun to see both of the girls decide what they love.  They both looked adorable and sang great!

This girl LOVES snuggle time!

Sunday snapshot of my three girls...

One of the girls in Rick's Sunday school class was the lead in her school play (Annie), so he took the girls with him to go see it, and then get ice cream afterward.  Such a fun date night!

January...check!