January

Usually I'm dreading January, but this year it seemed to zoom by. Perhaps it was that we were just barely getting snow for the first time, rather than having already been in a deep freeze for far too long. Or maybe the fact that between December 1 and January 30 I completed 13 college credits. Either way, it went quickly and we not only survived, we enjoyed it!

On one Sunday Elena got dressed with out oodles of screaming and crying! It was a true modern day miracle!!! She currently hates clothes, shoes, dresses, anything that is touching her really. Socks are too tight, shoes are too tight, under are too tight, pants are too tight, you get the picture. The only thing she puts on without tears... well mostly without tears, is her swimming suit. I've lost all of my fight, so if she does dress herself, we are totally cool with no unders and socks are completely out of the question. She's dressed, after all! We little girls and I went to lunch with Cody a few weeks ago. I left before them to run some errands and then they met me at the restaurant later on. Elena showed up in an obnoxious Hello Kitty dress and pink cowboy boots. But, she was dressed, so we will take it! Just before our food comes she leans over with a huge smile and says, "I not wear any unders!" This girl was the happiest girl alive. 99.3% of the time she is naked and 100% of the time her closet floor is covered in clothes that are inside out that she attempted to wear but just couldn't. It's quite exhausting, really! 

Since we were all dressed and Elena wasn't being bucked into the car in a fit of rage, we wanted to snap a quick couch picture...but Lacey was not down. 

We enjoyed celebrating Lacey at her Grand Lunch. The kids sang a handful of adorable songs and then we all ate together. Her teachers do such a good job and Lacey loved it! A huge change from last year, when her teacher had to hold her the entire time and then she scooted on her bum across the entire length of the stage to accept her certificate.   

Of course our Peter Rabbit got his fair share of snuggles this month, too! Unfortunately he is shedding like crazy so each snuggle session ends with a wardrobe change and vacuuming wherever he was. 

We've gotten a handle on Family Scripture Study and finished the Book of Mormon the first week of January. We are well on our way through the Doctrine and Covenants. The girls love their Book of Mormon that Aunt Tessa personalized for them. 

January was also the month of ice skating and hockey lessons. I was pleasantly surprised to put Lacey and Elena on the ice the first night of lessons and have them start skating. WHAT? Not only were they skating, they were happy and enjoying themselves. Another miracle. Kevin and Julia loved lessons as usual. 

The little girls got to enjoy several day dates with Mom and Dad. Cody stayed close to home 3/4 weeks and so we were able to spend a quantity of quality time together. On this particular day Elena went to lunch in a cinderella dress up, including a wand and high heels. Seriously, if she is clothed, we are pleased!

It wouldn't be January without a nebulizer treatment or two. Kevin is to the point where he can do it all on his own. :( I should be happy about that, but I'm still not sold on this whole growing older business. 

Snow has been limited this year, but the kids did have a chance to build this darling little guy. He made me so happy. Overtime I walked past the window I couldn't help but smile at him. 

The lakes and ponds took forever to freeze over this year, we did get one good evening to ice skate out on the pond. It was super fun, the setting sun with beautiful, and there is just something about skating in front of the lights from the car. It seemed magical. Freezing cold, but magical!

The kids had a day off of school so we went and grabbed lunch at the local, disgusting Chinese restaurant. We keep going back. I think we think it's going to suddenly get better. We had good food there, once, but it's disappointed overtime since. The kids were a hoot though. 

January, I dread you like no other, thank you for being so good to us this year! I'm totally okay with you coming back next year.

XOXO