Weekend Update

Our Internet was down for a few days and I'm feeling lucky to have survived. Seriously, it about killed me. Fortunately we had a fun filled weekend to help get me through. Our friends, the Beechers, were in town and we had a great time catching up with them Friday night. Saturday night we got to out to eat with some friends. Sunday we woke up to a yard covered in snow. The kids couldn't resist so we spent the better part of the morning finding 4 pairs of mittens, 4 pairs of boots, 4 coats, snowsuits, hats etc. and somehow managed to get them out the door before the snow melted. They came in happy and cold. Later that night the kids and I went to my cousins', Seth and Sam, Eagle Court of Honor with an actual eagle on the program. It was huge and very impressive.

Kelly and Cole

Jackson

Emily and Anna

Hard at work on the first snowman of the season

Yesterday as Anna was getting dressed for Church she asked what shoes she should wear. I suggested her black boots since it was so cold and snowy. She looked at me and said, "Mom, I think that's a little too woo-woo (whistled)." Cracked me up. I'm so glad she's not in a hurry to be all grown up and woo-woo. Oh and she was sent to bed tonight a little after 8:00 so she could read til 9:00. She just came upstairs to confess her awakeness having "accidentally read" for two hours past her bedtime. I'm glad she loves to read and all, but lack of sleep for my kids really stresses me out. We love Anna.

Tonight we played a simplified version of Charades. Basically we just take turns acting out some kind of animal or thing. It's pretty straightforward and basic for everyone but Abigail. This child takes it to a whole new level and I don't think I can even begin to describe it, but you know me, I'll definitely try. We all sat there while she jumped up and let herself drop to the ground where she'd lay for a few seconds then start springing up with purpose and a wild look in her eyes. She would alternate between being really serious and giggling at herself. It turns out she was a seed being dropped into the ground and then sprouting and growing. It was indescribably hilarious to watch her take this game to a whole new interpretive dance kind of level. We love Abby.

Nate played his soccer game in the rain last week and told Brennan, "I love playing in the rain, it makes it intense like when Vince Papale played football in the rain in the movie Invincible." He is loving school and takes everything his teacher says very seriously. I love this phase when all the things I've been telling them since they were born are suddenly the gospel truth because "teacher said." We love Nathan.

I am constantly surprised by how much Ben observes. Tonight we announced we'd be playing a game and he immediately ran into the kitchen and came back with a couple of soup cans saying, "I got our game!" A few weeks ago we played a game involving soup cans and so when he heard game time he was ready to contribute. His newest phrase he's picked up whenever I ask him to do something or come to me, "Pibe (Five) more minits (minutes), Mom?" It's like this child is made of sunshine and whenever you're around him when there are no clouds in the way, you can't help but feel happy and warm. We love Benjamin.