Valentine Party

I was realizing that I never post pictures of Emily at preschool events. I don't think about it because I'm always there and most of my pics have all the kids in them. At the valentines party I made sure to get some pictures of just my Emily.
She was so excited about her first Valentines Party. She filled out all the valentines herself (weeks in advance) and was pumped to finally get to wear her red heart dress to school. She loves preschool and just lives for all these little events. It's been so fun!

making a valentine holder

valentine cookies

Passing out the valentines with her friend Lizzie.

All the loot...

Cougar Basketball

Just a glimpse into one of John's very favorite activities...BYU Basketball. He actually enjoys going to basketball games even more than football, and I enjoy the ticket price a lot more. This was on dollar day, so we took the whole family and met up with my sister Kandace and her family for the game.

He's ONE!

I don't know where the year went. Our buddy (aka Carter) is officially one and running all over the place. Here are some pictures from his 1st birthday bash. I have to say that I love 1st birthday parties. It is so fun to see the babies reaction to the presents, the cake, and all that attention. Carter did not dissapoint. He loved all the attention, reacted to his gifts by clapping his hands and throwing his arms up in delight (seriously--he cracks us up), and and was shocked that we really let him have a whole cake and kept waiting for us to snatch it away from him. After a few bites of it, he looked up at us and said "good" (sounded just like it). Grandma Durrant came down to the party, which was the highlight for Carter. He was delighted to have someone new to win over and show off for. He spent the night tossing balloons and playing puzzles with Grandma. It was a good time and we sure love our little buddy boy.

Carter had lots of help opening presents from a very excited sister.

He loved this puzzle from Grandma that makes noises and sings. He goes crazy clapping every time the song starts. He can't get enough of it...even weeks later!



The sports cakes...courtesy of dad

100's Day

Kelsie with her 100's day poster she made with her dad.

Her teacher sent home some "100's day" writing prompts which I thought were pretty fun. Here are her answers...

I wish I had a 100 dogs. I woudn't want 100 cats. I can make 100 treats. I can eat 100 bananas. I could never eat 100 treats. Having 100 cats would be a problem. In 100 years I hope that I can sew. I can lift 100 bag's.

First Steps

It's official. Carter is our earliest walker. The first clip shows his first, shaky steps about a week ago. He was just delighted with himself and got excessive amounts of praise from his parents and two VERY excited big sisters. He spent lots of time practicing his walking. Pretty much that's all he's interested in doing right now. He was walking all over within a couple of days...and bending down and getting back up...and turning himself around in a circle. We are super impressed by his skills, in case you couldn't tell! The last clip is from today. He's pretty steady now, but we already miss watching him march around with his little arms stuck out for balance.

The Nativity

This year was the first time Emily played the role of Mary in our nativity on Christmas Eve. She loved her chance to be in the spotlight and took her role very seriously. It was pretty cute to see her and Ethan and Mary and Joseph (and Chase and the baby). Kelsie was sick, but she mustered up enough strength to be the angel for a few minutes. They look forward to doing the nativity all year.

Carter found some nativity fun of his own. He loved playing with this Little People Nativity. By playing, I mean he loved seeing how quickly he could toss all the pieces on the ground. When he was done he would crawl off to wreak havoc elsewhere. The minute someone set it back on the table he was over there tossing them back on the ground. And he is such a fast little thing that he would have the whole table cleared before we turned around to check on him. This little charade went on all night. My mom and sisters kept setting the nativity up (not realizing who kept knocking it down) and Carter kept clearing it off. I couldn't help but take pictures of him enjoying the festivities in his own little way, on his first Christmas.

Holiday Break

Snow Day

All month I had been longing for a true snow day like I remembered having as a child. You know those magical days when you wake up and look outside and see so much snow that you know school is canceled. Then you lay around the house relaxing all morning and head out in the afternoon to play in the mounds of snow. I am starting to come to terms with the fact that I am never going to get a true "snow" day here. But, this was almost as good. The first day of Christmas break, over a foot of freshly fallen snow, and no where to go and nothing important to do. The kids tromped through the mounds, helped shovel, built forts, and pulled each other on sleds. It was the perfect start to the holidays.


Gingerbread Houses

My mom started a new tradition last year of getting everyone together to decorate Gingerbread houses. It's one of our favorite holiday activities.