Winter Fun

 We have had a very fun winter. The weather has been so great and we were able to participate in lots of fun activities. 

Katelyn's hamster Aspen died and she was able to use birthday money to buy this cute hamster, which she named nacho. Nacho has been a lot of fun. He is cute and doesn't bite, which means he gets lots of play time. 

We played the starburst game for family home evening. No gymnastics means we can actually have FHE as an entire family. It's been so great.

 We have had lots of time for projects. Here is Justin holding his fleece he got to make a blanket. He did a great job making it.

Justin and Mia were great skiers this year. They loved playing with their skis and boots the nights before we skied.

Justin and Mia took swimming lessons for 2 months this winter. They are great swimmers and loved it. Both of them can swim 50 meters without touching the ground. I am proud of them!

Katelyn has been our project leader. She always has great ideas. She helped all the kids make fleece blankets like this one.

 Mia with her rock star stuff on from a rock star birthday party she went to. We had lots of birthday parties this winter.

 We had lots of sleep overs too. Justin and Mia took turns sleeping in the trundle bed and in Ashley's bed. Lots of fun.

 Justin with another science project. He loves to bring home science experiment books from the library. Here he is making a battery circuit.

 Rock climbing at Life time. We did this a few times a month! The kids are so great at it.

 Mia was excited to be 5 so she could rock climb this year. She made it to the top!

 Hiking in Palmer Park. With the warmer weather we did lots of family hike days. We also discovered red rocks, which was beautiful as well. The kids are great hikers and especially love 'scrambling,' which involves any hiking off the trail. 

I love being outside.

 This is how I found Mia one night before I went to bed. She woke up enough to tell me she was hot. She was too tired to get her shirt all the way off though.

 We played outside in the yard a lot this winter too. We went to the park, walked the dog, rode bikes, and played with the neighbors.

 36 weeks pregnant.

 Justin has asthma. Here he is getting allergy testing to try and figure out what is triggering asthma. Nothing is triggering it, as it turns out. He spends lots of time with his inhalers. Poor guy.

 Katelyn and her friend Annalise at the park. Dressed like it's summer, not winter. Katelyn made good friends this year at school and had time for play dates without gymnastics!

 Ashley and Katelyn took a cupcake decorating class at Michaels. They learned how to use fondant. They had a blast. They both love to bake and there is no shortage of treats around my house.

 Hans taught the kids how to suck helium out of a balloon. It was very funny.

 Hans helping me wind the bobbin on my sewing machine. And by helping, I mean he did it for me. Every time. Justin told Hans that he didn't know men sewed. Hans told him that only real men sew. 

 TCA does lots of "specials" days at school. Here Katelyn is in her Native American costume for a fun day at school.

 Justin had colonial day at school. He just wore his uniform though. 

 Ashley trying to get a few minutes of piano practice in before school. She doesn't like to sit down.

 Mia ready to be dropped off at Hans' office before I go to work. 

 Justin with one tooth hanging on by a thread. He asked the tooth fairy if he could keep his tooth and if he could have 10 dollars. She said no.

 I sewed these skirts for the girls. We had a great time making them.