Winter Wonderland

We’re living in a winter wonderland! We’re loving the snow (12+inches!), the virtual school days (for an entire week!), family game time, yummy comfort food, and a slower pace.   We of course love Seminary, but it was an extra treat getting a week off from early mornings and lesson prep.

Braddock and Bridger tunneled down the huge pile of snow next to the driveway.

Landon worked hard to make a big igloo in the backyard.  It could easily fit most of us at the same time.

Chloe loves/hates this snow.  She wants to love it but it's hard to move in it when the snow's up past your belly.

The fire hydrant in the front yard was completely covered.

We just had to watch "Frozen"

We all played monopoly.  Braddock cracks us all up, this is his sumo wrestler with a top hat for his game piece.

Chicken and waffles were the perfect comfort food on a snowy day.

We don't need to drive all three cars right now, so the Mazda stayed snowed in.  The shoveled snow piled high enough to reach the top of the car!

Landon treated us all to waffle breakfast sandwiches on his lunch break one day. 

Landon and Braddock hanging in their igloo after spending a couple of hours digging it all out.

Bridger made this small igloo for Keaton.  So cute!

 

Brrrrr.....

It’s a whopping 7 degrees, feels like -3, but Bridger insists on doing virtual school from the igloo they built in the backyard! 🤣🥶

 

Bath Boy

Bath time is more fun with new tub toys!  Grandma and Grandpa Nelson got Keaton these color changing fish with a magnetic fishing pole and he loves them!  Heck, so does Mom! 

 

Let's Go Pens

For Christmas I got Dean tickets to a Penguins Game and tonight was the night. Despite a disappointing loss in double overtime, we managed to have a great time sneaking away for the evening. We played Tampa Bay and no points were scored the whole game until the last 3 minutes.  Dean had even just asked if I wanted to leave and get ahead of the crowds.  Glad we decided to stay, and didn't miss the exciting wrap up, even if it didn't go our way in the end.  Shoutout to the boys for all being in bed when we got home and not burning the house down.

 

Big Boy Bed

This past week we decided it was high time to move Keaton into a big boy bed. We packed up the crib and haven’t looked back. He’s sharing the bunk bed with Bridger and done surprisingly well after the first night when he climbed out several times and then ended up dangling from the top bunk, yelling for Bridger to save him when we removed the ladder to keep him in bed! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤣 But that seemed to do the trick. Now he stays put and even calls for me in the morning and won’t get down till I come for him.

 

Mid Terms

Landon is in the middle of mid-terms, so he has testing in the morning and gets out early for a few days.  Friday we took full advantage and went to the lunch of his choosing......El Paso!  Yum!  Keaton always makes things more.......interesting.  We did managed to make it through our meals and snag a few pics while we were at it.  Good luck with the rest of your tests this week Lando!

Called to Serve

The time has finally arrived, Karl and Linda Johnson are leaving for their 18 month mission to Nepal.  They will be the only LDS missionaries in the country and they'll be heading up lots of humanitarian service with other local charities there.  Sounds like an intimidating task but those two would be the ones to pull it off!  We took the whole family to see them speak and of course they had a darling little set up with refreshments afterwards.  I'm grateful for our friendship and all that I've learned serving alongside Linda and Karl over the years.  Now they're off to do great things!  

He's a Mean One...

Keaton insisted on wearing his Grinch sweater from his cousin Luke to run errands today.  Never mind the fact that it's January 9th. 😂  It worked to his advantage when we spied rotating Grinch suckers on Christmas clearance.  I couldn't not snag it for him when it matched his outfit so perfectly! 

I told him to make a Grinch face! Hahahaha!

 

So long.....

The holidays flew by way too fast and now a piece of my heart is off to Utah again! Miss you already Tanner!

I try not to think about how Keaton won't even remember living with Tanner and he misses so much of his growing up.  It's fine, I'm fine.

Growing up with five brothers I taught myself young not to cry or I'd risk being made fun of.  I've even prided myself in being so "tough," but man being a mom throws that all out the window.  Definitely teared up watching this boy into security and off to his gate.  Even when they're doing something you're happy about it's hard to let them grow up and spread their wings!
 

Wrapping up the holidays....

We finished up the holiday break in all the best ways.  We made it to the temple with all the aunts, uncles, and cousins for baptisms.  It was Eliana's first time and it was so awesome to be there together.  Fun watching Tanner and Hyrum do the baptizing too.

We celebrated Janna's birthday and Mom found her a Menorah candle because she loves Jewish culture and traditions.  It was a trick getting the candles all blown out though.

Love when we get to see that bright smile!

And of course more games with family....

The older cousins wrapped up their last night here playing jackbox games at our house....

Grateful for a break from regular life and a chance to build/strengthen family relationships over the holidays.  Not looking forward to going back to school.