On New Years Day we spent some time playing with our new rockets. Man those things can shoot pretty high. So high, that most of the time I could never see where they went. I spent the whole time panicking that it was going to come falling down on top of me. But it was quite the spectacle watching the kids chase after them.
I had to document this ride to church. After over 4 years of David serving in the bishopric at church, he was released and we ALL rode to church TOGETHER! And then sat on the pew TOGETHER! Dallin was pretty confused by this, because he was just a newborn when David was called. He had no previous remembrance of David ever sitting with us at church. And the fight of who gets to sit by mom has finally come to an end.
Dallin rarely will agree to wear his tie to church. Even after that elaborate promise of going to Legoland last year. But he wore it this day....
...But it looked like this by the end of church.
We just love Koda. Winter time is hard because it's cold and wet outside. No one really wants to play with him or give him the exercise that he needs. But he still loves us! He wants to sit on our laps, but is entirely too big to be a lap dog.
So he mostly just naps in this chair all day long.
We did have some usually warm days in January and took full advantage by playing outside. These swings continue to be the highlight of our yard. It would be so sad to lose this swing tree that is so massive and really is the accent piece to our yard.
Carmen's face in this picture is hilarious as she got caught in the cross hairs of this near swing collision.
I brought home this special cowboy tie from my Grandpa Patton. He heard how much Dallin hates wearing his tie and suggest this one as an alternative. It's less like a noose he said! Dallin knew it was a special gift from his Great Grandpa and takes very good care of it!
Carmen let me curl her hair for the first time ever. I LOVED it, but she felt like it was a little too curly. She is so beautiful no matter what.
Dallin is always begging for a "mother and son date". So when the girls have activity days and mutual on the same nights, we make it a date! It usually involves perusing the toys isles at Target and then Sweet Frogs for some frozen yogurt. He is such a hoot to hang out with. Always making me laugh!
Aliza left me this sweet note on day. I've been driving her to cheer practice, which I'm going to write about in a later post. But it has been a big sacrifice and I'm grateful that she recognizes that.
My dad made me this planter box for Christmas and my mom had made a gorgeous Christmas arrangement in it, but was time to change it out. I was feeling especially ready for Spring and decided to fill this box with Tulips. It was so fresh and springy!
One of the best parts of my morning is watching the gorgeous sunrise out of my kitchen window. What a blessing that my window faces East and this is my view on some mornings as I pack lunches. It's just so gorgeous this time of year... well every time of year I love my yard. But this is what I love about it right now in late winter.
Aliza got to attend New Beginnings! This is a special night in which all the rising 12 year old girls gets introduced to the Young Women's program. This nights theme was from The Greatest Showman, which is our new favorite movie. We've got all the songs on repeat in the car and know all the words. It made for a special theme for the night - The Greatest Beginnings.
Everything was circus themed - the cupcakes had animals jumping through hoops or were topped with cotton candy.
There are 8 girls in Aliza's class that are turning 12 this year. It's such a huge class and sadly she is the last one to turn 12. It's going to be a long year until she finally gets to come to Young Women's. But she's got a good attitude about it.
And all of the girls in Young Women's are amazing!! We've got such a large group that you are sure to find a friend amongst them. This isn't even everyone, but gives you an idea of how big our youth program is. It's the one reason I love our ward so much and never want to leave it. The youth program is thriving and so large! I'm excited for my girls to interact with be surrounded by such great girls.
