The middle of Feb 2015

Just another morning playing together with Magformers from Christmas.

Neil and I played Rat-a-tat-cat together and we both had exactly the same cards face down in front of us. Plus he got to use the remote for the camera to take our picture.

Mark made these three puzzles to give to the preschool classroom at Sage Creek Elementary as part of his high honors project.

Jessie’s fancy quilled flower.

While Ken and the big kids were gone it mutual Abbie and Spencer and I made their Valentine’s to pass out.

Abbie and Spencer both needed boxes to put their Valentines in. This was not made known to their mother until late, so another past midnight project and it turned out great.

Kids love playing in boxes.

Rachel brought down cupid arrows she had made for each of the kids for Valentine's Day.

Emma loves ice. While we were working outside she accidentally tipped over my cup, but that's okay, she could still pick up the ice to enjoy.

It was so nice and warm Valentine’s day that Spencer and Neil use the afternoon to shoot off rockets.

And for dinner that night we had pink heart pancakes.

Spencer and dad played a game of Stratego before bed.

We got a new dishwasher installed because the old one was a dud. The estimated annual energy costs made me laugh. $31 per year based on four loads per week. Yeah right. We average more like 14 each week. So I suspect that it cost us a little more than the estimate, but it's totally worth it!

During scriptures the kids all wanted to be wrapped up burrito style. Not sure how reverant it was, but it sure was fun.

Isaac and I were playing Hiss together and one of our snakes was longer than him.

Another photography session with the smoothie we made.

We received a mystery letter in secret code from the Albertson’s. It turns out it was a thank you note for letting them stay at our house during the summer while the finishing touches were being put on their new house. It included passes to the Provo rec center.

Emma in her new Valentine’s dress, from Grandma Woodward in Missouri, hanging out with dad, her favorite buddy.

More crazy sleepers.

For Neil and Isaac's date with mom and dad from Christmas we took them up to the Museum of Natural Curiosity. It was fun to spend the afternoon together. Isaac especially loved the x-ray machines at the vet shop. And Neil couldn't get enough of making the water splash, showing us how Old Faithful worked.

Jessie spent Saturday drawing in front of the bay window and her ginormous sketchbook from Rachel.

Since Monday was a day off school we decided to have a family barbecue. Delish.

Neil loves to climb in bed with Emma when she wakes up from her nap.

We went over to the school to check out all the science fair projects in Spencer’s class.

Yum. Leftover burger on toasted Ranch bread. Life doesn't get much better than this.

Sometimes Neil totally cracks me up. I went in to check on him and found him looking through The Friend with a bucket on his head.

A little book time with Grandpa after Sunday dinner.

Our horn duo.

Super silly guy.

Wednesday mornings are bath mornings.   And Neil told me he's not really drinking the water just letting it dribble down his chin. I love the silly snowman he made.

Whenever Emma finds an extra blanket laying around, she picks it up and wraps herself in it and walks around the house.

It's still February and warm enough for short sleeves and a day at the park.

Another Saturday drawing in front of the bay window only this time Jessie had a little help.

Mark advanced to the district science fair. So he took the opportunity to redo part of his experiment on hydraulics so he could make a better presentation.

I love it when the kids read to each other.

The first 10 days of Feb 2015

Neil loves to play Quixx with anybody he can convince to play with him.

Mark's band getting ready for their state auditions.

Jessie had another fun afternoon of picture taking.

Playing rummy cube on a Saturday afternoon. I'm pretty sure the rules say for 12 and up but Neil didn't read that part.

Time for science projects again, although I can't remember what Spencer with testing but he had to record the temperature every so many seconds.

For Mark’s Christmas date we went to a BYU volleyball game. Emma did not enjoy it at all and cried most of the time, so I was out walking around the track with her. When Ken finally took her she fell asleep. Lucky him. Afterwards we had ice cream at Sub Zero. I love Christmas dates.

After Sunday dinner at Ken's parents house Mark started playing waterfall and a little dance team developed. Although not in this picture Grandma joined Spencer on the end. Emma just stood staring at the whole thing wondering what in the world was going on.

Mark has been writing letters to Grandma Woodward in Salt Lake and Grandpa Fry on Sunday afternoons. This is his 30th letter. And this is Jessie's #discoverthebook post.

Emma loves it when the kids practice the piano.

These honey cookies turned out perfect.  So Jessie practiced her photography skills with some of the new crystal goblets grandma gave us.

This is how Emma folds her arms for prayer.  Her tiny hands under her chin is just adorable.

Neil drew me some dragons to hang up on my craft room door. Do you love the cool wings and the big eyes?

A warm day in February calls for a picnic at lunch.  Poor Isaac missed out he had already gone down for his nap.

Jessie and another friend taking more pictures on South Main.

Emma loves to be pushed around in this little car. She and Isaac are laughing at each other; it was a great afternoon.

Rachel came down and the kids helped her juice a ton of pomegranates. Then she made pomegranate sauce to top a cheesecake. Delicious!

The little boys were so excited to wake up to her making them special pancakes. Neil picked to have his name. And Isaac picked a swordfish.

A couple of Saturday face paints.

Emma's first bike ride. By the time we got the tires aired up and the bike seat on she didn't have too much time to decide if she actually like riding around or not.

Mark, Neil and I went to the park to ride around a couple of times. We are sure enjoying this nice weather.

Abbie’s science fair project was to see which cleaner would soak up the most oil. I can't remember which one won.

Neil drawing more pictures for me. These ended up on my bedroom door.

Besides pomegranate cheesecake topping, Rachel made a giant glass of pomegranate lemonade.

One creative boy.

Happy birthday to Grandpa. Neil was surprised when Grandpa beat him to blowing out the candle.

A few pictures from a rainy day.

Jessie’s happy soup.

Abbie and I tried making cream puffs for the first time and man they are so easy!!!   We were all excited to get one for our FHE treats!