Family Photos

My friend Lauren, at Lulu Photography, took some pictures for us in December. I think they turned out really nice.

(London, 3)

(Jackson, 5)

(Kennedy, 6 1/2 )

So grateful that families are forever!

El Dia de Amor

Valentine's Day was significant to me for 3 things: 1) helping with Jackson's preschool party, 2) gifts to and from those I love, and 3) getting my glorious walking boot off and clearance from the ortho doctor to walk on my own!

Here's a little from the V-day party. I was in charge of snacks so we made fruit shishkabobs and decorated cookies. Two other moms helped with games and crafts. It was really fun and of course the kids had a great time.

(So proud of the Valentine boxes they made)

(So excited for all the Valentines inside those boxes!!)

Nate did not disappoint when he arrived home with a little something for everyone. I didn't get a picture of the chocolate covered strawberries, but they were delicious!

A Special Someone Turned 5

I got to provide the snack for Jackson's preschool on his birthday and he chose rootbeer floats, pretzels, tomatoes, carrots, and grapes. :) How do you put a candle in that?! Well, his teachers got creative and everyone enjoyed the snacks!

Snow! At least a little bit.

Texas has the best winters! And even adds a little something for the kids once in a while. This is our tiny snowfall in February. :)

Celebrate

We took the kids to Disney World to celebrate Jackson's 5th Birthday (a tradition we started with Kennedy), and also to celebrate Kate by strengthening family bonds. We had such a great time, despite my continued handicap. :/ We were able to rent an electric scooter that was delivered to our hotel and from then on my life got a whole lot easier. I seriously wanted to take my scooter home with us (since I was still on crutches at the time). We were able to go to the front of most lines and had practically zero wait times, plus incredible seating for shows, and quick travel. Our first morning in Magic Kingdom had a lot of rain, but by the afternoon it had stopped and we had the park mostly to ourselves. The second day we met up with my good friend, Nicole (from HS in Albuquerque), who is a DW pro and our new tour guide while we enjoyed Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot.

Magic Kingdom:







Animal Kingdom:

Jeep Safari Ride

The Lion King Show:

Jackson was selected to help out with the show.

Hollywood Studios
Getting ready for the Beauty and the Beast Show:

Wintertime in Utah

We took a little jaunt to Utah in December right before Christmas to enjoy some family and snow (Nate and I are pretty sure we're never going back to snowy weather, but that's for a different day). I talked Nate into letting me go snowboarding with my brother the first full day we were there, even though he said he had a "bad feeling" about me going:

(Old picture. Unfortunately I didn't take any that day.)

And ended up with this:

A broken fibula and tibia, and a nice sled ride down the mountain to the first aid clinic. Here is the fancy, high-tech splint they hooked me up with at the clinic:

(Yes, that is a taped cardboard box and carpet foam)

Talk about throwing a wrench in our trip. I felt so horrible, but we all tried to make the best of it. My mother-in-law found a sweet wheelchair for me to use and I was riding around in style (haha).

(Nate's dad, sisters, and their sons)

We went to the Carl Bloch Exhibit at BYU's Museum of Art (sporting the fashionable wheelchair!). We loved the exhibit and wished there was even more artwork to see. We are actually going to the Frederiksburg Castle in Denmark this summer where more of his art is on display. So excited! These were 4 of my favorite paintings: Amazing!


We did a drive-by of the Temple Square Lights (it was too cold to do it on foot!!):



Enjoyed some snow-play with the cousins:

(I had to laugh at this above picture of my sister and her daughter.
Getting kids in snow gear must be up there with dressing an astronaut!!)

Some gingerbread house making:

Bingo:

And great food and company! Nate was a champ, (even with the threat of selling my snowboard and the "I told you so"), with all the extra hassle of my new handicap, and traveling with 3 kids, luggage, a wife on crutches, and the holiday season. And I have gained a new appreciation for a healthy, whole body!