Olympics Party

 

 When Jeff got home from work last night, he had an idea. Now when Jeff has an idea, you know it's gonna be fun. He decided to have a Olympics Party for Family Night. So we ran to the store and got a bunch of red, white, and blue food, like a flag of jigglers, tropical punch popcorn, marshmellows, chips and dip, and strawberry juice. After our lesson on Free Agency, we set up a bunch of blankets on the floor in our room and the games began. Actually we just watched the Olympics and stuffed our faces and guessed who would win. Jeff made necklaces with candy hanging on them for the kids if USA won anything. So, if they got gold then we each got a gold treasure hanging on a string. If they got silver then we got a York Peppermint Patty hanging on a necklace of yarn. For the bronze we got a vanilla Oreo. Then for each event we could guess who would win. If our team won then we would get a hundred grand. Sadly we all got our York Peppermint Patties this morning, because the Americans won Silver in Ice Dancing, and it was pretty late. Kyle did guess the Canadians for the gold. It was fun, but I'm wishing I had Tevo for the commercials. Since we only won one medal, we are continuing this game through the week. 

One in a Million

Kristen's birthday was Feb. 21. Now you have to know a few things about Kristen. One, she plans her birthday for a year, even agonizing over who she will invite. A long time ago I told her she could not invite or talk to anyone about it until right before, because she planned so far in advance. So on her birthday she had a friend party and invited mostly boys, because that is who she likes to play with(she loves sports) and a few girls that love to play too. After the party, she voiced, "Mom, thank you so much.  That was way more fun than I thought it was going to be." Now for a person that dreams of her party for a whole year, I was surprised that we could even come close to her expectations.

The other thing is she loves to write. Words have always been her gift. She writes stories of course, but she is one of the few letter writers left in America. She loves the mail and has her two cousins, Page and Emma, Grandma and Grandpa Miller, Uncle Sam and Grammy(who lives in town), occasionally, as pen pals. So for Christmas she received a lot of stationary and writing supplies. For her birthday, she asked for a journal and a Journal Jar, you know the slips of paper with ideas for writing in your journal. She was serious and so we had to accommodate her. Annalisa typed the journal jar ideas, I covered the journal jar/container and we found a smaller journal, because she already has a big one.

Then when we had the family dinner/party, we got the same response. " The presents were really awesome!" She loved the journal jar and was about as content and overjoyed as a kid could be. She also received a dress from Grammy and Grandad. It's so refreshing to have a child be so grateful and happy about her birthday. Usually birthdays include some crying. Not this time.

Valentine's Weekend

This week has been sooooo fun! If you have read my blog, you know how crazy I am about Valentine's Day. Luckily my husband understands and goes along with it. Thursday some roses were delivered by my favorite secret admirer.

Thursday night Natalie requested a Valentine's hairdo. I was shocked and jumped right on it by calling my hair expert/friend/neighbor, Amberly and got a few ideas. Natalie and Olivia were willing.

 Half of our family was in Salt Lake at a volleyball tournament or at cousins playing Friday night and Saturday. The other half stayed home and luckily had parties to attend. Natalie went to a Birthday cooking party in which she received this apron and hat that she has not parted with since.

Because the kids were looking for any excuse to make it a party, Kate, Kris and Anna decided at 9:30pm to do a spa night. Kate was the artist and photographer.

 

 On Valentines Day we tried to rustle up some pink and red clothes for Church. We left some treats for our favorite Bishop. Then we planned a dinner with Jeff's parents. It was delicious because we got it at Papa Murphy's the day before. We exchanged Valentines, ate and then revealed who our secret Pals were. We drew names on the first of Feb. Every year most everyone reveals who they have, accidentally. But after all these years only one person guessed it right. It takes a while to get the hang of things around hear. Anna did surprise Jeff and I with our own heart box of chocolates.

Monday was a relaxing lazy day, so I forced a few haircuts. I really wish someone would invent some shears that you could just program the cut and have it done in 2 minutes. Alas, Kyle's worst thing occurred. Did you know that Kyle is an actor?

 So the best, most fun thing to me is the date night for Jeff and I for Valentines Day. We celebrated it  on Monday night for Family Night. I prepare or buy the meal and the kids set up the room, which was in our bedroom this year and they served the meal. I requested entertainment during the meal and this is what we got. Katelyn surprised us with a video of Jeff and I and our kids, to "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift that was written for her parents. It was beautiful and made me cry. It's in the background of this picture. It is her entertainment. 

Then Kristen sang "Can you Feel the Love Tonight," with Pumba and Timone. Don't you love the makeshift music holder? 

 Surprise, surprise, Nat and Olivia did an Apron dance to "Ain't We Got Fun."

 For some strange reason Kyle was not prepared and thought he would get out of it. I suggested "What a Wonderful World." Which is a song he learned in kindergarten. I didn't really think he'd do it, but to our pleasant surprise he did a very shortened lounge singer version. It was funny.

 Then Anna ended it with "A Lovers Waltz" on the violin.

Having big girls is so nice because I asked Kate if they could put the kids to bed so we could continue our date at home and she and Anna not only put them to bed but cleaned the whole upstairs. It was such a sweet gift.

Katelyn's compliment

Katelyn played in a volleyball tournament a few weekends ago and got a great compliment. There is a coach in the I F league that is really well known for her coaching and teams. Katelyn is basically scared of her. Well she came up to our coach Kelly and said your daughter (Kelly's daughter) is good. Then she went on to tell Kelly how impressed she was was that tall blond middle (Katelyn). She's really good! She has great hands and a great snap. She's gonna be unstoppable. It was very exciting that she even noticed Katelyn.

From a mother's perspective she has always had potential and a natural ability. But it's finally happening that she's just plain awesome and so fun to watch.

The Fight!

It was a leisurely, sunny, Saturday afternoon with nothing to do. This is rare.  We were all in need of some excercise, fun and some sun on our pasty white skin.  So we went to Peterson Park to sled/snowboard.

On your mark, get set....

Nice!!

Peace

Natalie was the best on the board, with Kristen right behind and the adults pretty much last place.

This picture gives the illusion that Jeff was actually doing this. Alas, this was before he even went down the hill.

He did not fail to capture my crowning moment. I really thought that I was going to be good at this. I'm sure real snowboarding is much easier.

So innocently plotting

The fight begins.

The retaliation

Oh the joy of a good snowball fight.

The pact

The sneak

The charge

bring it on.

Playing it safe

I got enough good pictures, I think I'll join in the fun. I know this looks lopsided, but I was actually winning until I remembered who the fight was with, Katelyn or should I say "To the death Jones"

The drag

The white wash