Valentines

Our traditional Valentines dinner had it's up's and down's this year. Poor Pierce was sick all day with a fever and just didn't really feel like doing anything. He laid around and watched Mickey and Curious George, sleeping on and off. His fever reached 105 at a point, and he had me really nervous, but thank heaven for ibuprofen, and hour later his temp was around 100.

Allee had a fantastic day at school and I was able to go and help out with her class Valentine party. We played games with balloons, stacked conversation hearts, made a flower craft, and decorated cupcakes. I love going into her classroom and seeing how she acts and interacts with others. She is such a sweet girl.

My adventure this year was trying to make the kids Valentine shirts. Allee's said LOVE with sequins around the heart shaped O, and Pierce's had a big heart and then said BREAKER. They looked adorable and it was SO easy. Now they may need shirts for St. Patrick's Day.

That evening we had a candle light dinner of spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and sparkling cider. I thought it was too easy of a dinner, and not nearly fancy enough, but spaghetti is one of those go to meals that I know the kids will always eat, and that makes dinner much more enjoyable for everyone if I am not bugging them to eat!

Every year I love to see their faces light up when we light the candles and turn off the lights, it never gets old. Derek and I gave the kids each some new Valentine books, Pierce got a new Curious George DVD, and Allee got a Mulan barbie.

I love my family so much, and I love having this time of year to not only celebrate the love Derek and I have for each other, but the love we have as a family.

The Blizzard of 2011

Just as I posted about our lack of snow, we really got some!

February 1st it was a true blizzard. It reminded me so much of a nice big snowfall in Cache Valley, and made me REALLY miss having a fireplace!

The wind and snow was crazy, and kept us inside for a good two days. Schreiber canceled work for two days, people couldn't get out of their driveways and the snow plow (aka John Deer tractor) didn't even make it to our subdivision until the day after the storm. Derek always the trooper made it into work both days, he goes stir crazy sitting at home!

When Derek shoveled our walk that night, the snow was well past his knees and the drifts went up to his waist in some places. He worked pretty hard though, he did manage to break our shovel, and there isn't another one to be found anywhere, so the rest of the snow will have to just melt. All in all we guessed we got over 18 inches.

On Feb. 12th as things were starting to warm up, the snow was finally wet enough to make a snowman. The four of us made this towering monster and the kids were so proud.

Unfortunately all this last week the temps have been from the 50's up to 74 degrees, and alas our snowman only lasted about 4 days. Now we just have a pile of rocks on the lawn. The snow was fun while it lasted.

1st Snow

January 10th marked the first snow in Clinton. Crazy? Yes. Two winters into it and I am still not use to not having snow!

School was canceled for two days, and the kids had a blast sledding all over the yard and down the street.

Notice the amount of snow we received. Four inches and school was canceled. It blows my mind. I only ever remember one or two snow days my ENTIRE time in school. But you have to remember the snow plow around here is a John Deer tractor with a blade rigged to it. Not very effective! Kiah, Allee, and Pierce
Our sweet neighbor, Miss. Lynn. She took on our kids as her own grandkids. They absolutely love her because she will do anything with them.
Like pushing their sled down the road, just to see if it would work.

Yes, this is our monster storm! I don't know how we survived!

I know this is a late post, but when we got back to Missouri from Utah, we opened the presents Santa had left for us here. The kids LOVED having Christmas again. The kids got a new tent. Pierce got a new Curious George movie and a scooter. Allee got the Pixo's maker she had been wanting. Santa also brought our family Super Mario Brothers for the Wii. Derek got a bobble head and Santa brought me some perfume and new clothes. Our second Christmas was very fun, and it was fun to see the kids faces light up when they opened presents they thought Santa had forgotten.

Resolutions

I will admit that I am not the best when it comes to resolutions, nor am I the worst. Usually my wonderful goal oriented husband will sit down with me and we will go over our goals from the previous year, take inventory on ourselves and set new goals were needed. I have definitely made strides in many categories including family prayer, going out to eat less, and adding to our savings account. Completing a goal or two, or just improving on the past year makes you feel such a sense of accomplishment.
In 2010 our family made a very substantial goal. Reading The Book Of Mormon TOGETHER. That means that Derek, myself, Allee (5 at the time), and Pierce (2) all had to sit together at night and read.

I am ecstatic to say WE DID IT!!!

It was amazing for our family! It opened dialogue about who the prophets were, what they taught and all the amazing stories inside from Nephi to Captain Moroni. We pulled out our gospel art pictures and were able to retell the stories for some family home evenings.

Our family could tell such a difference the nights we read. Allee and even Pierce reminded us that we needed to read. Bedtime went smoother most nights (lets be real, they are still kids), there was a closeness between us, and most importantly the Spirit was brought into our home (some nights more than others!). Allee learned to read by taking her turn reading.

Taking this challenge has been one of the most amazing experiences for our family. We were all so proud when we read the final chapter.

So, now what? 2011 has brought our family a new goal: Reading the Doctrine and Covenants. We are ready!