random January happenings according to my phone

Emma and her friends came home from school and played Uno one afternoon. This was a happy day with friends. Unfortunately this month, she also had some bad ones. Some not so nice things were said about her by two different boys in our ward whom she had considered friends. It was hurtful. It was totally uncalled for. It made me very grateful for all the really good friends she does have.

I made five batches of playdough. They get used every day by all the kids and the neighbors too. The favorite activity recently has been cutting out heart cookies for Valentine's Day.

Slade's new iPod nano that he got for Christmas went completely kaput on him. We took it to the Apple Store and they traded it for a new one. Yeah, Apple! I took the five kids with me and they were actually all so good! We went to Target afterwards and bought Slade new pants. He is growing like a weed. At his priesthood preview at church, he was several inches taller than the other incoming deacons. I really wish I had a picture of the 50ish Young Men in our ward lined up to shake their hands. It was really cool.

Dave's parents invited us over for dinner one Sunday. It was really nice to spend time with them without all the chaos of the entire family. We had stir fry and then Jello and cookies for dessert. After dinner, we played games. Nathan and Sawyer wanted to learn how to play checkers so Grandma and Grandpa helped them play. Anne and Ben fell asleep in the van on the way home. I thought their stuffed dogs tucked in with them looked rather cute. If you look closely, you can see Emma and Slade holding their hands up above their hands in the back. They were all fighting and making us crazy so Dave told them they had to hold their hands above their hands the rest of the way home. Of course, they turned it into a competition but it sure made the drive quieter.

A student from the BYU Bean Museum came and did an animal show at Anne's preschool. Her teacher was gracious enough to let the boys come and watch as well.

We received sad news mid-month that one of the directors of the BYU folk dance team had passed away from flu complications. Delynne was a really awesome teacher, mentor and friend and it was hard to believe that such an active, vivacious woman had died at only 62. In honor of her, the folk dancers invited alumni to attend a Rec Night. We aren't so young and skinny anymore, but we still danced. I wish more of our friends had been able to be there but we had a great time. We were able to see more of our folk dance friends at her funeral. It was a sad occasion but folk dance reunions are always a joyful thing. I think Delynne would have appreciated all the hugs and laughter between the many, many lives she touched.

We also went to see BYU Vocal Point in concert. This is such a terrible picture but the concert was lots of fun. And of course, I always like being on a date with Dave.

our little winter ballerina

Anne had her winter dance recital this month. She loves going to ballet class but she especially loves recital time. Recitals mean MAKEUP which is very exciting to a four year old. Her class did a snowflake dance this year. As usual, Anne was a lovely dancer and totally hilarious to watch. She always puts her own spin on things.

Anne is the first one on stage and on the far right in the line.

Emma really wanted to give Anne flowers at the end of her recital so she convinced Dave to take her to the store. Anne was so totally thrilled and thanked Emma repeatedly. Good call, Emma.

Another thing I want to remember is how cute Ben was during the performances. He watched the dancers just mesmerized. At the end of each number, he clapped and said, "Again, Mom." It was so cute. Until he got bored. Then he was a typical two year old, climbing all over, looking for snacks, and being a pain.

our first basketball player

We've been a soccer family so far with just a couple of forays into t-ball on the side. Nathan is our first child to be interested in playing basketball. He started this month. Just like in soccer, he seems to have gotten stuck on a team with very little skill so they are losing a lot. He is still having fun though which is all that matters.

happy new year

So far 2014 has been filled with sickness and not a whole lot of fun. After Christmas, Ben got sick with a bad cold which lasted through the new year celebrations. While Dave took the kids to play laser tag and hang out at Grandma and Grandpa's, I stayed home with Ben. For days, I've been a prisoner on my own bed.

On New Year's Day, Emma babysat for us while we went to a movie and dinner with all the Daniel adults. We went to see The Hobbit and had dinner at Chili's afterwards. Sadly, this is the last time we'll be together for a while since Brett and Heather moved to Texas the next day. They have been living about two minutes away from us so I am so very sad.