January

January flew by so quickly (and my memory is so terrible) that it seemed like maybe nothing noteworthy happened.  It is a good thing we have pictures to record the things we don't want to forget.

 One Sunday the girls dressed up every - single - stuffed animal we own and then put on fashion show complete with commentary and awards.  I am still finding hair bows and other accessories clipped on teddy bear ears and doggy necks.

Our neighbor created a cool ice sculpture in his yard.  It is lit up at night and we can see it from our kitchen window.  Berry calls it Elsa's castle.

 Berry took a tumble and ended up needing to have her chin repaired.  This happened the day after Fisher and I were discussing how fortunate we were to never have had any of our children break a bone or need stitches. 

We knew Paisley would probably be moving when she found a job, so we took advantage of the time she had here to go on outings.   We spent one afternoon at the skating rink.  Berry received a book about an ice skater for Christmas and was disappointed to discover she couldn't spin and twirl like the girl in her book.  She settled for being pushed around on the ice skating trainer.

 

Beautiful frosted snow globe world

Berry decided to give her hair a trim.  It's a good thing she is so cute.

 

After a fun day of skiing, we stopped to see the snow sculptures in Driggs.

We finally finished hanging some family photos.  

We made sure to leave a spot for the new addition joining our family in July.

 Near the end of January, Fisher had a conference in Park City, Utah.  We left the older girls with Grandma and took Berry and Russ to Utah to visit Oma.  We had fun staying with the Willeitners on our way. 

Russ loves a mess!

  Fisher and I enjoyed a few days in Park City.  He attended classes while I read books, exercised and spent some time with nearby family.   We enjoyed lunch with Paul and Michele and I got to visit K-Rae at the school where she works before she and I enjoyed an afternoon of shopping.

With Paul and Michele at The Canyons

K-Rae in her Speech Therapy office

 On our way home, we were able to attend the blessing or our newest nephew, Dallin.  We all think he is just perfect.

A White and Wonderful Christmas

Our first Christmas living in Idaho did not disappoint.  We woke up to a winter wonderland on Christmas morning that provided the perfect backdrop for a wonderful day with family.  The most memorable events of this Christmas season were (in no particular order):

- Having all of my parents, siblings and their families here to celebrate.
- Great Grandpa Lake joining us for Christmas morning breakfast and gifts.
- The family re-enactment of the Nativity.
- Teaching the kids to ski.
- Playing games with the family.
- Taking family pictures.
- Eating lots of really good food because everyone in my family is a really good cook.
- A happening New Years Eve party planned by Kristi and Diego.

Christmas Morning Wonderland

Family  Nativity Play

Spud, the Wise man, holding baby Jesus

Grandma's matching Christmas PJs

Christmas Morning with Great Grandpa Lake

Fun on Grandpa's new toy

Teaching "Grump" to the next generation

One of the many delicious dinners

New Year's Eve obstacle Course

New Year's Eve countdown to "midnight"

Reading stories with Uncle Nathan

The Norm

Between all the Holiday festivities, there were school plays, basketball games, holiday preparations, recitals, and every day life.

Watching football with grandpa

Impressive! She gets her sleeping abilities from her dad

Cook out on the last warmish night of fall

No caption necessary

Sweet Dreams

The coach (me) with Lou's basketball team

Being the coach for Lou's team was very frustrating while at the same time being equally fun and rewarding!  These cute girls worked hard and improved a lot.

Lou as the "Littlest Snowflake"

 As a gift to their parents, Curly's class performed a musical.  Curly sang a solo in her role.  She did great!

Curly and the wonderful Mrs. Erickson

"Helping" mom bake.  One of the many pounds of butter we used!

Gingerbread cookies

Playing "Library"

Some of the happenings, weren't so normal.  Paisley graduated from BYU-Idaho!  She is on to bigger and better things.

Paisley's graduation

Nathan, Kristi and Diego arrived in time to celebrate mom's birthday.   We celebrated with sushi and Pineapple Dream Dessert.  It's a treat to be close enough to celebrate with her.

Mom's birthday

Our sun babies get to learn to ski this year!  All together, at the same time.  We have been a few times since this back yard ski lesson and they are doing great!

The first ski lesson

Thanksgiving with the Lakes

Prepare to be blog bombed!  You would think that with all the technological advances that make life easier, I would be able to keep this blog more up to date.  Maybe that will be a New Years resolution... oh wait, New Year's has passed...

We had wonderful holidays this year.  With Thanksgiving and Christmas combined, we were able to spend time with all of our siblings and their families.

Thanksgiving was spent in Utah with the Lakes.  We took advantage of the free zoo day and joined the rest of Salt Lake Valley for a gorgeous, sunny spring day viewing animals.

Thanksgiving dinner was consumed in the Waters lovely home.  Everyone contributed and everything was delicious!

Kids eat first!

Spud watching football with the guys.

 

After dinner, there was some football playing, visiting the park, crafting, and napping.  In the evening we enjoyed exchanging gifts with each other.

Uncle Steve and the April Fools Twins

Gifts from Oma

The day following Thanksgiving, we visited Thanksgiving Point to play at the Museum of Natural Curiosity.  It was an amazing place and we had a lot of fun!  I managed to get caught on the stretchy spider web (if you've been there, you know what I mean).  I looked ridiculous trying to get through all the layers, but I have not laughed that hard in a long time!

Spud in giant Lego heaven

Saturday, we visited at Grandpa and Grandma Woodbury's home with many of our Woodbury relatives.  It was really fun to see Nikki and her daughter visiting from Virginia.  In the evening we went to see the beautiful lights on Temple Square.

Cousins - Nicole, me, Elyse

It was a wonderful, long holiday weekend!  We are grateful that everyone made the effort to be together.