January 2016

Well, January came and went, I blinked and now its March. February's update will be coming shortly. Hopefully these pictures can refresh my memory enough to help summarize what we were up to in January. 

The youth in our ward got to go up to Brian Head Ski Resort and go to their tubing hill. They had a few extra tickets so Dan got to take Cason. It was pretty cold but they had tons of fun. 

One of my favorite things to do is read to the kids. 

Twins.

Kami putting her new rain boots to the test while walking Cason home from school. 

Ellie turned ONE on the 12th! We had a fun day celebrating this sweet little girl. My parents came over and we had a little party for her, which consisted of dinner, cake and presents. She is so much fun to have around and we are seeing more and more of her cute little personality every day. We sure love her. 

Here a few fun facts about our one year old: She is super fast, she roams the house all day long. Not only is she fast, she is quiet and that is a dangerous combination for a busy mom. I wish I had a dollar for every time I've said, "Does anyone know where Ellie is?" She can usually be found playing in somebody's room or pulling things out of the cupboards. Because of this she is a lot more prone to being injured than the other two. She loves to eat, dance and snuggle with her blanket. She loves her brother and sister, and they love her! She is an outside baby, I really think she would spend all day outside if we would let her. If anyone opens a door you can bet she is running towards it to try to get outside. She keeps us on our toes but I wouldn't change a thing about her. 

Cason was very excited to help her open her presents. 

Kami was very excited to play with her presents.

This picture was taken at Ellie's one year well check doctor appointment. They were being so cute playing in the waiting room that I had to snap a picture. I can tell they are going to be best friends someday. 

I threw a curve ball at Kami while we were at the doctor and decided to have us all get the flu shot. She was so scared but was trying to be brave. We had to wait FOREVER before they actually came in and it was killing her. She kept saying "I'm not so sure about this". She had her fair share of tears but I was really proud of her. This is her brave face haha! 

Cason jumping for Ellie's balloons. 

There are horses that live in the pasture right next to our house that the kids like to go see (especially Ellie), we stopped to visit them on the way home from church this day.  I love living here, there are lots of wide open spaces. 

The Bronco's (Dan's favorite team and consequently our whole family's favorite team) were in the playoffs so of course we had to have yummy treats while we watch the game. I love this picture of Kami licking the spoon in her Broncos jersey! 

I also had a birthday this month. I turned 29! Dan took me skiing up at Brian Head the day before my birthday while my parents watched the kids. It was SO much fun. I love our kids more than anything but I also love when we get to spend time alone every once and a while. We don't get to go skiing very much anymore so it was really fun to get out on the slopes again. I used to snowboard so I'm still relatively new to skiing but Dan is nice enough to wait for me at the bottom of the runs. It was my first time at Brian Head and it was amazing. The views were gorgeous and the snow was so good. I think it will be a birthday tradition from now on, at least I hope so! 

On my actual birthday we went to Cliffside and had dinner with my parents in the private dining room. It was fabulous as always. Plus, its so nice eating in the private dining so we don't have to worry about the kids disturbing the other guests. 

It was so nice of Dan to plan this for me because I'm pretty sure the last thing he wants to do after working there all day is stay and eat. We had a great time though! Chef Jared made a special dessert for us that was amazing. When they brought it out it just looked like a huge chocolate dome but then they poured a hot chocolate sauce over the dome and it melted and underneath was molten cake and ice cream. It was so cool, not to mention delicious. 

The kids and I decided to take a quick trip to Zion one afternoon. It was fun to get out and enjoy the beauty that right in our back yard. 

I am so happy my kids love to go on adventures. We have a lot of fun when we are outside together. 

We tried to go on the Emerald Pools hike but the trail got too icy for the stroller and Kami who isn't very sure footed. The cliffs on the side of the trail were starting to make me nervous so we turned around early. Not to mention everyone we passed kept telling us that we should turn around haha. Every time I take the kids out by myself (even just to the grocery store) I get comments like "you sure have your hands full" or "you are a brave mom". It makes me laugh because there are only three kids and to me it is just another day. I don't plan on stopping our little adventures any time soon! 

So, I do not like shopping at all. I usually avoid it but I was needing some new clothes and had Christmas and birthday money to shop with so Kami and I went on a girls night shopping trip.  It was so fun to have one on one time with her. She really has the cutest personality ever.  We feel so lucky to be her parents. This picture makes me laugh because I don't think she has ever been in a dressing room before and as soon as she tried on a shirt she started posing. It was pretty cute. 

The circus came to Hurricane the Monday after my birthday and made the perfect family home evening. My parents came too. It was very interesting so say the least. It was a first for everyone in our family. It was pretty fascinating but also a little long for our group. Cason and Kami loved it and have been asking to go back ever since. Dan and I are kind of hoping it doesn't come back for a while:). The ironic thing about the circus coming to town was on my birthday my Dad gave me a decoration that says "Our family is just one tent about from a full-blown Circus!" It really made us laugh when I opened it. Then my dad looked at the kids told them that next time a circus came to town he would take them, obviously not knowing that one would be there is a few days. So we went! 

Kami doing her chores in style. 

My sister, Erin passed this strider bike down to Kami. She LOVES it and rides it everywhere we go! 

When my parents go out of town we get to go over to their house everyday and feed their animals. It is fun for me and the kids to act like farmers for a few days here and there. 

Cason brushing Maggie. 

Kami taking Maggie for a ride. She is the best pony. 

My parents were being good sports and took a lot of rides on Kami's "train". 

Dan got a new gun for Christmas so we went took the family out to go shoot clay pigeons one day. 

Shooting probably isn't a very family friendly activity but Kami and Ellie stayed in the car while we shot and Cason was a good helper, retrieving the clay pigeons we missed that didn't break. It turned out to be a fun time for all. 

Well there you have it! January in a nutshell.