Villagers...

These beautiful children of mine were playing villagers on a cold winter day. The village had been invaded and they had to evacuate as quickly as possible. They left the home and the rest of us in there and went next door to our neighbors very snowy pasture land. I guess that was the safest place. I was getting ready to leave for a sisters weekend. Thankfully all of my villagers came back just in time to give me lots of loves and kisses goodbye. 

Evelyn is really enjoying baking. She made this vanilla cake with pink frosting and strawberries. It was yummy and very pretty. You would think it was somebodies birthday but it was just fun to make. 

Evelyn and Hailey went to their book club and learned how to make these cute dolls. They really enjoyed leaning how to make them. They came home and made more and then they played with their younger siblings and making a large village for them. 

We also celebrated Grandma. We took flowers to her grave and eat a yummy treat, Key Lime Pie, on her birthday. We miss her and are trying to remember and honor her. 

 

Puzzle Time...

Puzzle Time 

So we got this puzzle at the Hyrum Library as they have a puzzle exchange station and we worked on it for several weeks, finished it and then put it back in the box and took it back to the library. Its amazing how long it can take to put all the pieces together. It was mostly me but the girls especially liked talking to me while we put it together. Ezra tried to shove just any piece together so it hasn't made since to him yet. 

Dress up and a Valentines Party

So every Friday we have a group of about 25 families that get together and we try to do something great. Well this time we met at our church and had a Valentines party with lunch, freeze dancing, race setting of table blind folded, dress up relay and a Valentine box contest. The winner was a boy who made his box look like Toothless from "How to Train your Dragon". It was a bit of work to plan for, since me and another mom Sarah were in charge but it was a good turnout and I hope that all the kids had fun. 

Fun with baby Silas!!!

 

Stiches

So we went to Little Bear Bottoms to play hockey and sled.  We all had a blast until Evelyn fell on the ice. Thankfully it was at the end and so many people came to help us. Good thing we had a first aid kit and we were able to leave. Dad was at home and we thought that we would let him judge if it was worthy of stiches or not, he thought it was, so half of us went to Insta Care. Ezra came to give her moral support , since he has had stiches himself. Silas came because he goes just about everywhere I go. Evelyn got 3 stiches, half the amount that Ezra got. Evelyn was a champ she didn't cry and was super brave. So proud of her! Now she can say she's a wicked hockey player and that she got stiches due to playing the game. Hopefully she will give it another try. 

(Hope the pictures don't gross you out.)

Baking & Snow Day

Hailey wanted to make a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting for Sunday dessert and this is what we finished with. It is so fancy you would think that it was someone's birthday but is was just an amazing snow day!!! It has frosting in the middle, on top and all over the sides. You would also be surprised that there are vegetables inside, zucchini. 

Evelyn wants all to know that she did the smoothing of the icing on the sides of the cake. It otherwise would not have been done so professionally. 

Evelyn and I made a carrot cake in a Christmas tree pan. We didn't follow any recipe though, so it turned out a little gooey like a cobbler. Still it was yummy and every morsel was eaten by a hungry pack of kids. We love to bake and make yummy thing for the whole family to enjoy. Usually Sunday and Monday are our treat days but lately there have been more.  

Thank goodness for a snow blower. We had over 14 inches of snow when we woke yesterday morning and now today it is -14 degrees. Oh, what a storm!

Train Station & Downtown Ogden

Downtown Ogden

Love the lights and especially the little guy in the picture, Ezra. 

This one shows the reflection of the large downtown buildings in the back ground. 

There were a lot of displays that looked more like tiny houses with a wall of glass that had different themes and fun things to look at inside. The kids loved them all. 

Group photo, my kids!!!

Ezra loves trains so this was especially great for him. Stetson is the videographer. 

Train Museum 

 I would love to have seen this in its glory days. 

There was a model train display that was super fun for the kids. 

The inside of a train so the kids could experience what it would be like to travel in the good old days. Lots of old trains to look at and a classic car exhibit as well. 

I especially love classis cars and feel like they did a better job making cars look appealing then. Now cars are boring but efficient.  We've been meaning to go here for a long time so I am so excited that our homeschool group was able to get here. We have lots of fun adventures! 

Sledding

Oh, how I love these people!!!

                                            Hailey                                                        Ezra 

                    How should we go down this time?                        Is there room for me? 

                     No, okay, I'll just push you down!!!         This time you're making room for me!!!!

          "Baby it cold outside"                 Snuggle time.                

The crazy after reaching the bottom.   

                               

                

             Who needs a sled, I'll just slide down like this.           Tada, we missed the tree!

The best way to go down the hill is two sleds connected by a big brother going backwards. Then everyone can experience the ride together. 

Oh, the fun we have together! 

There is this great hill about 15 minutes away from us that we discovered years ago and now it has become tradition that we have to go there at least once every winter. We have now shared that hill with several friends and it has become rather busy but still the best place that is close to home. I sat on a sled near by holding baby Silas and enjoyed all the adventures and experimenting. Thankfully there was only one injury in the family and one crash over all. 

 

Christmas

The kids all had a great Christmas opening an abundance of gifts. 

We enjoyed lots of family time and extended family gatherings. 

There was also a lot of yummy food. Playing with Legos. Devouring of stockings. A few movies and many other not so memorable activities. 

The kids really enjoyed not doing school for 2 weeks and just playing none stop or so it seemed. 

The reason that the kids stockings are in the tub is that we started a new tradition last year of requesting that Santa do a religious scavenger hunt which he gladly complies with and we start the hunt right after a delicious breakfast at an appropriate time. This year the kids didn't wake us until 8 am, it was glorious. The end of the hunt brought the kids to the upstairs bathroom tub which is where Santa left his loot. 

Ultimately our favorite part of Christmas this year was attending church and partaking if the Lords sacrament. What a blessing to be free to worship how we please. 

 

Stetson's Lego Creations

 This is just a few of the creations that we have seen Stetson create and display in his room. He is currently working on a lighthouse with some new Lego's that he was given at Christmas. He also is pretty excited about a new store in town called "Bricks and Mini Figs." He is able to trade or buy new and used Lego's