Special Effects

 The weather has turned cold again and I am missing the sunshine! Hopefully it comes back sooner than later. We had a good Sunday even though it wasn’t too restful. Tenley had her flute festival and then she and I were invited over for dessert by an older lady in the ward. She also invited another mom my age with three daughters. It felt like we had a little tea party together haha. It was fun. 

We also enjoyed video chatting with grandparents tonight and the kids showed off their piano skills. They also tried to teach Grandpa Hobson how to use special effects on the video call with hand motions. It’s always funny to try and explain electronics to Grandpa Hobson and Judy!

Celebrations

 Tenley and I made it through another long day of club volleyball games. Phew! She loved it but she did still fall asleep on the couch after dinner tonight. The team lost in the first round of tournament play again but Tenley did well. She had several aces in a row and played well at the net. She got to be the up ref for a few of the other games and she enjoyed that as well. She’s learning a lot!

The kids all had their piano festival today! It was Luke’s first one! They all did such a great job. I’m always so proud of them for working so hard. We took them out to celebrate and then Kade left us to go party with his friends! Haha. At least he went to dinner with us!

Last Ski Day

 Our ski hill closes next week so we went up today for what is probably our last day to ski for this year. It was warm, sunny, and slushy. It almost felt more like water skiing. But we still had a lot of fun on the hill. Tenley met up with her friend Olivia to ski and the rest of us stayed together all day. I don’t usually get to ski all day because Luke used to like to hang out in the lodge so my legs were definitely tired by the end. Luke was even brave enough to try a rail in the terrain park! We will miss skiing but I am definitely looking forward to Summer!

Spring

Luke and I heard the birds chirping while we ate breakfast this morning and it was the best. I love this nice weather! Tenley and I also saw a beautiful sunset tonight on our way home from volleyball practice. Spring is a beautiful time of year.

We’ve been loving watching the NCAA tournament with BYU in it. The kids even begged for tator tots (thanks to Richie Saunders) for dinner tonight so we could eat them while we watched BYU play Alabama. Unfortunately the cougars are now out of the tournament after their loss to Alabama. It was such a great season though! And we can’t wait for next season.

Flag Football

 Ryder and Luke both had flag football practice tonight. It was the perfect weather to be playing outside. It was sunny and 72 degrees today! It felt so nice. Tenley got to get out and play volleyball at the park with her homeschool team. She loved that as well. I know more cold weather is coming but it’s been nice to have a little break from it!

Warm Sunshine

 It was warm today! And the sun was shining. Tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer. I’m so excited for this week! The kids played outside a lot. Ryder and Luke are both starting spring flag football so they wanted to practice their football skills in the backyard. Tenley was nice enough to be out there with them. I love these sunny warm days!

Strong Boys

 Have I mentioned how nice it is to have everyone healthy? I’m so grateful for it everyday. I still remember how miserable that was to be sick for so long and to see my kids so sick and not themselves. So to see them climb up the rope at ninja class today just reminded me how amazing our bodies are at recovering and healing. 

Rest

 Travis and Rocky left this morning. Ryder and Luke were really sad. I love that when it comes to cousin you’re somehow just instant close friends no matter how long it’s been since the last time you saw each other. Family is special.

Once Brad finally got home from church it was nice to have relaxing family time. It was a fun but fast paced weekend and we needed some time to rest!

Rocky

 Tenley had her all day volleyball tournament in Helena today so we had to split up. Tenley and I left for Helena at 6 am and all the boys went up skiing again. It was a powder day so they had a lot of fun. Luke stayed with them the whole time and loved it. He never complained or pitched a fit. He just had fun! Having Rocky here has been good for him. He’s been so happy! Rocky is the life of the party, makes everyone laugh and is willing to try anything. I’m so glad Travis and Rocky were able to spend a few days with us. The boys will really miss him when he leaves.

Tenley had a great tournament. Her team didn’t too well, but she was happy and positive and she personally played really well. She enjoyed having so much time with friends. I did not expect to be at the gym from 8am to 5:30pm but I guess that’s how it works when they have five teams for pool play and then five more for a bracket tournament. I will be more prepared next time!

And we couldn’t have asked for a better end to the night than to see BYU basketball make it to the sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament! It was such an exciting game!

Skiing with Rocky

 We took Travis and Rocky up to Showdown to go skiing today. Rocky did such a good job! And because Luke wanted to hang out with Rocky he was willing to go on the blue runs and we didn’t have to hang out on the magic carpet at all. I was so happy about that. It was fun to be on the quieter side of the mountain on more challenging runs. And Luke did such a great job! And he had fun. I’m hoping he’ll be willing to do it again even when Rocky isn’t here.

Tenley, Luke and I had to leave the hill early to get Tenley to volleyball practice. Luke got a good nap on the way home. Cousin time has been so much fun! 

Visitors

 We have visitors! Travis and Rocky came up for a dental visit and skiing. The kids are having so much fun with a cousin here to play with. Travis took us out to dinner after their dental visits and then we discovered it was free ice cream day at Dairy Queen so since we were so close we walked over to get free ice cream after dinner.

I’m not so fun news our wagoneer is in the shop. They’re not sure what is causing the check engine light to stay on so they have to keep the car for a few extra days. The dealer loaned me a Jeep compass while we wait for our wagoneer. It’s a lot different to be in such a small car and to be so close to the ground. I’m really hoping the wagoneer is fixed soon!

Piano Lessons

 The sun was shining bright today! I think we’re getting a fake spring. I can’t let myself think that we’re actually done with snow for the season. I’m sure there is more coming. But I’ll still enjoy these sunny days! 

The kids all had piano lessons today. Festival is next week where another teacher will judge the kids’ playing abilities. It’s meant to be helpful but they still get nervous. But they are all doing such a good job with their songs! Lessons can be hard and overwhelming sometimes. Practicing on their own is even harder and even more overwhelming. But seeing them feel a sense of accomplishment when they perfect a song makes it worth it. I’m proud of them.

Tenley got to decorate a cake and mutual tonight and her group won most creative cake. It looked delicious!

Filipino Food

 We had a guest teacher for co op today. Thelma grew up in the Philippines so she came and shared with us a lot about her country and even made the kids some delicious Filipino food! It was such a fun day!

Luke also learned how to cut his own chicken today. He was pretty excited about it. Haha. He’s growing up!

Kade’s Solo

 Kade had his spring choir concert tonight. His small freshman boys choir sang three songs and the best one was  The Beach Boys “Barbara Ann” song. Kade had a solo and did such a great job! I was surprised he was willing to but I’m glad he did. I loved seeing him do that. 

Brad

 We celebrated Brad’s birthday tonight! We took him out to dinner yesterday and then when he finally made it home from church we had a yummy dinner, he opened his presents, and we had dessert. It was a fun night. The kids were creative with their gifts. Ryder and Luke made really cute cards, Tenley bought him some ties and made him a cute card, and Kade spent hours making a slideshow for him of pictures from his life. It was really thoughtful of him. I loved watching the video as a family. We’re so grateful for Brad!

Ward Temple Trips

 Kade and Tenley were able to go to the Helena Temple today with the ward and Brad was able to be with them. It was Kade’s first opportunity to perform the ordinance of baptism since he is a priest now. He has been looking forward to it and from what I heard he did a great job. Both kids had a great time and enjoyed the trip.

I got to have a little mom’s night out with the ladies I teach at the homeschool co op with. We had fun eating snacks and playing games. And Ryder was my big helper and babysat Luke for a few hours. He was very responsible! 

Good Health

 I’ve been so appreciative of our good health since we were all so sick last month. I think we were taking our good health for granted before but now I appreciate every day that we feel good and that my kids have their normal energy. The kids are all so much happier because they feel good! Luke was even helpful enough to help me make dinner. It’s so refreshing!

Google Docs

 Tenley and her two good friends from homeschool co op have been writing a book together. They share a google doc and they all log on with each other and add things to the story and discuss what they think should happen next. It’s been fun for them and I’m excited to read the book myself someday!

Ryder and Luke aren’t writing books but they’re reading them at least! And twinning while they do it! 

Park Days

 We normally have co op today but the church building we use for it was being painted so instead of normal class we met up with our friends at the park instead! It was cold but the kids did not care. They ran around and played games for hours. And I got a lot of social time in with friends so it was a win win!

Ninja

 Ryder and Luke were back at ninja class today! It has felt so good getting back to our normal life and routine. The boys were so happy after ninja class. They loved running around and doing flips again. They missed it!

Church with the whole Family

 We all made it to church together today for the first time in three weeks! I can’t believe we were sick for so long. I loved having all my kids on the bench with me. Luke drew lots of fun pictures and Kade, Tenley, and Ryder sat quietly the whole time. I have great kids! It was a pretty good Sunday beside having to deal with daylight savings but at least that didn’t put my kids in a bad mood! 

BYU Basketball

 It was cleaning day today! The kids weren’t too happy about it but I did make them crepes for breakfast and that did make them happy. Then Kade and Tenley both left for parties tonight. Tenley was at a friend’s house with her middle school group from co op and Kade went to his friend’s house for a guys night. They both had a lot of fun. Ryder and Luke were initially sad that Kade and Tenley were both leaving but then they decided to have their own little party downstairs watching a movie and eating popcorn. They’re adorable. By the time I got back from picking up Kade and Tenley Luke has fallen asleep on the couch. Ryder stayed up late watching the BYU basketball game with us. It’s been so much fun watching BYU basketball this year!!! I’ve been loving it.

Five Guys Shakes

 Since the restaurant Five Guys came to our little town we have taken the kids several times and almost every time Ryder has asked to get a shake. We’ve never bought him one there though because they’re expensive so we’d come home and make shakes instead. But for his birthday he got a coupon for a shake from Five Guys and he finally cashed it in tonight! He let us all try a little sip and then he drank the rest of the shake all by himself! He was really full afterwards. And the funny thing was that he thinks Kade’s shakes are better than Five Guys shakes! I guess he’ll stop begging for a shake at that restaurant now. 

Dinner Help

 We got through a whole week of school this week! With our trip the end of January and so much sickness in February it has felt like we have not been consistent. It felt good to have so many good school days in a row. 

After school I got to meet up with friends for a belated birthday lunch for me. Again, the trip and sickness pushed it back. But it was so much fun having girl time!

Luke is feeling so much better that he was asking to help me with dinner. And he ate a lot of dinner and asked for cookies for dessert. Luke is back!

Co-op

 We actually all made it to co-op this morning! We figured out that it was the first time Luke had left the house in the car in over two weeks! He was so happy to see his friends and get to play with them. It was good to be with everyone again. We learned about Egypt and had a good review of the planets that we’ve learned about so far. The kids remembered a lot of what we’ve taught them. I’m glad to know they’re actually listening!