January

It's been a pretty warm January here which makes me happy! When it was 50 degrees we had to get out and go to the zoo.

Even though it's been warmer we really don't see the sun much. It's kind of depressing how little it shines here in the winter. I kind of feel like we live in Washington again.

The most exciting part of this trip was that Emma was brave enough to go down the slides by herself. She'd always been too scared and wanted to go on someone's lap. She was quite proud of herself!

I signed Kaylee up for basketball. I didn't realize at the time that it was co-ed. We were both a little disappointed about that. There are only 2 girls on her team and the team is really short compared to the others. They've gotten slaughtered their first few games but at least it's been fun (I think).

Jake is the team coach so it's made it easier for Kaylee to be comfortable. It is her first time ever playing on a team.

Emma went on a field trip to the pet store. She thought it was pretty cool she got to hold a lizard.

We also pet the ferrat, saw the fish, hamsters, and birds.

Oma and Papa

We weren't able to be with family for Christmas so we went to Logan the week after to visit Jake's family. The kids got to open their presents from Oma and Papa.

We also got to make gingerbread houses. Oma was kind enough to save everything for us. This is a tradition in Jake's family. Jake's mom makes all the gingerbread and frosting every year for all of us!

Emma was the winner for the most candy on a house.

This one is my house.

This is Jake's.

Jake and I were able to go to the Logan temple while there and I visited my BFF from childhood who lives nearby. 

The kids played and had a good time sledding in the backyard and we played many games of Five Crowns. It was a good trip aside from the fact that Emma decided to pretend she was a newborn and wake up 4 times each night...

Winter Break Fun

I took Austin and Emma ice skating for the first time. It was $2 Tuesday so I figured I wouldn't be out much if it didn't work out. It was really busy that day so we had to wait in line about 15 minutes, then wait for the right skate size. It probably took another 10-15 minutes to get the skates on everyone and then Emma only lasted about 10 minutes on the ice. I think Austin lasted 15. 

At least Kaylee and Brooke enjoyed themselves for longer. Our friends the Polsons were there too.

The best part of the outing for me was running into Bro. Burley. He was one of my favorite professors at BYU-I. He taught my first ever college class- anatomy and physiology. I had that class 4 hours a day 5 days a week for 6-8 weeks (I can't remember how long) and he kept it really entertaining and interesting

. 

We went to Urban Air several times. We love this place. It's so good to get the kids energy out!

We also went swimming and to lunch with our friends the Meyets but I didn't take any pictures. 

New Year

On New Year's Eve we went to the Oto's house for dinner. This is Emma's happy spot at their house. Her cousin Maddie is so sweet to play with her. 

After dinner we played Bean Boozled which is the Harry Potter Jelly bean game. Some of the jelly beans are good and some are disgusting and they all look the same. Some of the nasty ones I ended up eating were dog food, spoiled milk, and barf. Those last two were so gross I was gagging!

When we got home the kids did some sparklers and then some games.

Emma wasn't so sure about the sparkler.

We got the game Pie Face for Christmas from my brother and the kids kept asking to play it so finally we relented. The kids thought it was hilarious.

Austin and Emma went to bed at 9:30 but we let Kaylee and Brooke stay up for another hour to play more games. They really like Five Crowns now.

On New Years Day we had our neighbors the Petersons over for dinner and to play games. They gave us Quibbler for Christmas so we played that and Dominos. We really love the Petersons. Gary was the first one to come visit when we moved in.

After Christmas

Jake had to work Dec. 26 and since it was a slow day with no one calling or coming in we went to visit for lunch. Austin thought it was pretty cool to sit at his desk and the kids loved raising and lowering his desk. 

I love the view from his office.

Since we were already in Boise that day we dropped the laundry detergent off at the Ronald McDonald House. 

Brooke had a gift card and went and bought herself more rubber ducks with it. She's a little obsessed! She had several baths in my big bathtub (AKA her duck pond) with all her ducks.

Family trip to the Boise Aquarium. Last time we went Jake wasn't with us. The kids were happy to show him their favorite spots.

Brooke wanted a picture with her "Smiley" stingray friend.

I really liked the smiley pufferfish...

This fish seemed to like attention and pictures.

The highlights of the trip were feeding the reef fish (we snorkeled with a lot of these fish in Hawaii) and the rays and sharks. 

Christmas

We told the kids they could wake us up at 7:00 Christmas morning. We heard them well before that but they were good and stayed out until exactly 7:00 when they came in singing "we wish you a Merry Christmas".

In addition to filling stockings, Santa brought Brooke and Kaylee a ukulele- so far he hasn't regretted his decision. 

Emma got a new doll. 

Austin got Magformers

Brooke was really excited she got 2 more rubber ducks.

Presents from Grandma and Grandpa

After opening presets we enjoyed cinnamon rolls, eggs, and green smoothies.

The only time I like the mess in the living room is Christmas morning...

It snowed 4 inches during the night so we woke up to a beautiful white Christmas! 

We spent the day playing on the snow, with new toys and watching Elf. It was a fabulous relaxing day.

Jake is a good dad to play dolls with his little girl.