Sledding Day

We left a little apprehensive about the amount of time our kids would actually happily play outside in the cold snow- but they couldn't get enough of it! We currently don't have snow in our neck of the woods, so our plan was- go north until we find it! Just past Idaho City was this fabulous-perfect-for-sledding spot where we spent a good chunk of our day. This was actually a church activity, so we went with several other families (coincidentally with children the same ages as ours) it was perfect. This spot has a large parking lot? - I couldn't actually tell what was under all the snow, maybe it was just a field. Anyway, among all of the steeper sloped mountains surrounding this area, was a very mild slope, just right for sledding. At the base, the flat ground/parking lot/ set up camp to warm the chili was close enough that we could still see Andrew going up and down the mountain over and over again. It was a great day!Raja and Natalia coming down!

Natalia and Raja climbing the slope (it's actually steeper than it looks- I promise!)

Andrew is in the red hat, pulling the blue sled.

Natalia and I tubing down

Raja pulling the kids behind the Andrew's four wheeler

Lunch time!

Natalia and Sammy sampling the falling snow!

Natalia and Addiley trying to make it down on their own- (Eventually- they did!)

Cooking Time!

Lately, the kids have loved helping me cook. So, we have been cooking/baking together a lot! Andrew is now, very efficient at browning ground turkey and gets very excited whenever he gets the chance to 'cook meat'. I love it, because I can just dump in a pound of raw meat, and poof! it's done! They both like to help stir and are learning to patiently wait their turns to pour ingredients into a bowl. We have had a lot of fun baking different things and looking through cookbooks to find what looks the yummiest! (and for what we already have all of the ingredients!)

Valentine's Day

Each year, our Stake has a Valentine's Day dinner and dance. ...oh, so romantic!

Andrew and Natalia

Andrew and Natalia both enjoy playing games on pbskids.org . One day Natalia and I found these crowns that you can put your name on and complete different word/letter recognition tasks to get the 'jewels' in the top. She was so excited! Then, Andrew, seeing that Natalia had something 'so cool' had to make one too!

They were so proud of this puzzle! Not because they had finished it, but because they had finished it together!
(Without fighting!!!)

Nothing beats a Sunday afternoon dog-pile on Dad!

Andrew's Snowman

Andrew built this snowman all by himself! It was perfect timing with great packing snow- a few hours later all of the snow had melted- except Andrew's snowman!

Andrew and I

This is Andrew, just after his entertaining dive- off-bed routine. Natalia is the photographer. She also requested a 'CHEESE'!

Blowing Bubbles

We haven't gotten the bubbles out for such a long time- Andrew and Natalia have seemed so uninterested (either that or they would get really excited, then just dump out all their bubble solution as they dipped their wand!) Today, they had a lot of fun blowing bubbles, without even spilling! ... and yes, their coats are in the washing machine now!

Natalia's first day of gymnastics!

After watching Andrew at gymnastics so many times, Natalia is now old enough to participate! She was so excited! She was jumping up and down with a huge smile on her face though out the time she was there. Andrew had been showing her what to practice for the last couple of weeks - like the handstand to the wall (above).

Natalia walking on the beam

The coach, helping Natalia do a backward somersault

Waiting in line to walk to second beam on their rotation

Running like "cheetahs"

Waiting on a dot for her turn- sorry blurry picture.

Warm ups