Ice Skating for Family

 The kids always want at least one ice skating extravaganza each year.  Lucky for us, this year the Snowden cousins wanted to spend some time with us.  It made Nate's job a lot easier. 

 And, when we discovered we could rent these nice little walkers for the younger kids. Those things are a dream.  :)

Fun night.  No one got seriously injured.  Good Times. 

Daddy Daughter Dance

 

Our new elementary school had a DDD.  :)  It was so fun to take the girls out and buy something cute for them to wear at their dance.  The girls were super excited to get to spend a night with Dad.  Nate has not been able to show off his awesome dance moves for a while. The girls loved it.  I was a little jealous that I didn't get to go dance with him too.  :)  These kind of moments as small drops in the bucket of life, but they mean the world.   

Blessed Sunshine

 Sometimes I really wonder how we survive the winter.  The sun came out a bit this week and warmed up the earth.  Everyone of us wanted to get out and enjoy it.  Swinging, climbing, and playing after a winter cooped up in our house was so fun. 

 I love getting these shots of the kids together.   I get teary eyed when I watch my kids nurture and take care of each other.  Ben, Rachel and Emily are truly wonderful when it comes to loving their younger siblings.  I don't know how I would do all that I have to do as a mom without their help.  I feel like Heavenly Father has blessed me with super special kids.  (I know, all mom's think that.)  :)  But I really do.  Thanks to the sun for giving me some great pic opportunities this week.  I needed it.  

My Buddy

 

Dave is getting older and a friendship is starting to bloom between these two.  It is fun to watch.  Sarah is a little unconventional in her friendship making skills.  Sometimes she shuts the door to her room to keep Dave from escaping.  It's a little comical. Occasionally,  I have to jump in and rescue Dave but he is also learning to have fun with Sarah.   Hopefully these are two best buddies in the making. 

How it Really Happens

 Sometimes I just want to document a couple of things about life as it really happens in our home.  Every morning this is what I see.  My four kids lined up, watching a cartoon on the kindle, eating their breakfast.  They are in Zombie like trances and certainly not ready to enjoy the day.  LOL.  They fight over who has to sit on the odd chair unless Sarah is still asleep when the big kids come up.  At some point they do turn on though.  :)

I gave Sarah some water color paints to play with while I taught my class today.  She ate them.  :)  Ah, the life of an almost 3 year old.