March 2014

We visited my Grandma and Grandpa Jensen. The kids have so much fun running around their massive yard, playing in the sandbox, and learning new things from Grandpa. Shawn found some quality sticks in the yard and my grandpa is helping him cut off the side twigs to make it into a sword.

I went to help at the school and as I was walking down the hall I saw this kids story about leprechauns. I thought to myself, "I need to work with Shawn on his writing more. He can read well, but needs to improve his writing". I started looking around the hall for Shawn's leprechaun story and ended up back at this one which had Shawn written on the back. Haha! After looking at all the other kids' stories I am not worried about his writing anymore. :)  

I teach a preschool co-op with a few kids from the neighborhood. Tiff came on the last class before St. Patricks Day. A lady from her mission gave her and some other sisters this lovely outfit. She came in the door of my house and sprinkled gold candy on the kids and then taught them a leprechaun dance that she made up on the spot. I think she deserves the best aunt ever award for be willing to do it.

The week after Tiff got home from her mission, my family all headed down to Bryce Canyon. It was nice to go when there wasn't any snow since we usually go in February. We had a fun time and now Evan begs every day to go back.

We just bought a Thanksgiving Point annual pass. I have not been very tempted in the past to get one, but with the new children's museum opening soon and my boys being a little older, I thought it was a good time to get one. We have already gone several times and they are LOVING it! I am sure we are going to spend the entire summer in the farm country, gardens and children's gardens (with splash pad and activities and more). We will spend the winter in the dinosaur museum and children's museum. I am actually pretty excited for this pass. Doesn't hurt that it only takes us 10 minutes to get there. 

Carver has decided that I don't feed him fast enough and wants to take on the responsibility. Look at that proud little face.

Tiff got home at the beginning of March and we are so thrilled to have her back! Yay! Tiff's home! 

I made my first and last turkey this month. I had bought a turkey when they were on sale after Thanksgiving. I finally bit the bullet and made it. It turned out yummy, but I was so grossed out of manhandling a raw turkey that I am not sure I could do it again.

Having 1:00 church is the pits. Carver is always tired and grumpy during church and we get out so late that we don't get to do much after church. One morning we decided to do something before church so we drove to the Oquirrh mountain temple and just walked around. It was a beautiful morning. 

February

Carver's first time driving. He was having a great time.

Evan is obsessed with salad. This is a picture of him sneaking salad before we were ready to eat. I make him salads for lunch and order him salads instead of kids meals when we eat out. I wonder how long this is going to last.

I love this little face

Even when we does stuff like this

Watching a little TV

This is how love notes are written when you have little boys.

Evan and I went out on a date to Kneaders. He gave me a thumbs up in between every bite of his spinach salad. It was cracking me up.

Typical day at our house

The week before Valentines Day we made a paper house for Family Home Evening. During the week we looked for ways to serve the other members of our family. Then we wrote that service on a heart and put it in our house so we could fill our home with love. One day while Shawn was at school, Evan found a box cake and asked if he could surprise Shawn with cupcakes. This is a picture of him doing his best to make them himself.

For our 8th Anniversary we went to a marriage retreat up by Sundance. It was a really nice to get away for the weekend and we had a great time.

 

Feeding the ducks at Wheeler Farm

This baby lamb was born 1 hour before we got to Wheeler Farm. It was pretty amazing so see such a new little life. 

Shawn started asking about multiplication. After a brief lesson he asked for a worksheet. I made one up and he gave it back to me a couple minutes later with every answer correct. He just LOVES math. He didn't get that from me.

Apparently Evan thought he needed a little makeup that day.

 Fun at the park

January 2014

Shoveling the driveway never gets old for these boys

Shawn came in the house and told me to look outside. He had shoveled, "I love you" in the driveway and lawn. Sweet boy. Melted my heart.

Jon's dad sent us a thing called a Jumparoo a few months ago. It was perfect timing because the weather was getting cold and this gave the boys something to jump and climb on. They love it! 

Love this little blue-eyed boy



December: At the festival of trees they were selling these adorable character hats for super cheap. I can't tell you how sad I was that I couldn't find a bigger version of this one. It was squeezing his head too much.

December 2013

Festive boys at the Knab family Christmas program.

 Cute little reindeer.

 We went to the Riverwoods to see the lights. They had a s'more making kit you could buy for a $1. Guess what, marshmallows freeze in the cold. Hence, it was, let's say, difficult to put them on the stick and roast them.

 Riverwoods

 Festival of Trees. Shawn wanted a picture with this awesome gingerbread house.

 Since Evan hates visiting Santa, we decided to try FotoFly's Santa photo shoot where a parent dresses up like Santa so the kids will  be happy.

 

 

This is how Carver checked out the lights the whole time at Temple Square

Zoo lights with my family

 Opening gifts with Jon's family (Sharlene and Grandma West)

We took the kids sledding over Christmas break, but it was pure ice so we only lasted 10 minutes out of fear of injuries. I just found out that a girl in our neighborhood broke her leg right after Christmas on this hill because of the ice. I have no idea why this photo is snowing. Another mystery of the issues, but it looks cool.

 Carver opening his very first Christmas present ever.

 Christmas morning

Jon was forced into wearing a Superman shirt because the boys had super hero jammies and insisted their dad join in.

This boy loved his Back to the Future lego set I bought him for Christmas. And he says he only wants practical/usefull gifts.

Evan and his obsession with puzzles. He does puzzles all the time and he is really good at it.

I asked Evan to wipe off the table. Not sure that being ON the table helps clean it.

Shawn had to get a cavity filled. The dentist told him he had to wait one hour before eating any food. I tried to feed him lunch 55 minutes after his appointment and he refused to eat. He watched the clock until it had been exactly 1 hour before he would eat.

Gingerbread houses

The candy windows downtown when we went to see the Temple Square lights.

Evan's hat was over his face the whole night. He refused to let me fix it.

A couple days after Christmas I was cutting a pear for myself and the boys came running. Looks like we were in serious need of some healthy food instead of the junk.

I made a Buche De Noel (Yule Log) for our Christmas Eve dessert at my house. It was a lot of work and it looked pretty, but definitely not worth the effort.

Oh, they are so cute (and quiet) while they sleep

Santa came to Shawn's school to listen to their Christmas program. Parents were not invited to attend because the school doesn't have room for all the students and parents in one spot. I stayed anyway and just stood in the far back corner. Come on, it is my Kindergartener's first program. He is sitting on the first row in a black, white and blue striped shirt.