Abundant Recompense Copy

Well here it is, the annual "look at our crocuses!" post. I almost didn't do it, but let's face it: year after year, I am completely caught off guard and delighted by them. It starts with one little yellow bloom, and after a week or so, our front planter starts to look like someone got a pitcher full of sunshine and poured it in little clumps here and there. The kids count them diligently day after day and say things like "Mom, there's a yellow surprise for you outside!" Leah even sniffs them very carefully. I am in love with just the idea of them, and with my kids' interactions with them, and yellow is my favorite color, which doesn't hurt either. So take heart, everyone, spring is right around the corner!

Michelle and I have had a trip to Moab on our to-do list for years, and last week I up and decided it was time to cross it off. I took a page out of the kids' playbook and whined and cried until Michelle gave in. Just kidding - they never whine or cry, and Michelle never gives in when they do. But as ever, she was game to go along with my ideas. The family picked me up at work about 3:45. I may have underestimated the length of the trip, but by the time Michelle figured that out, it was too late to turn around.  Wind turbines at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon We stopped in Price and ate at the world's ghettoest Arby's. The paint was coming off the walls, the trash can holders were broken, and there were boxes everywhere. The staff was pleasantly inept, and the container that should have held the ketchup had a homemade sign that read "Arby's Sause." We thought this was the worst restaurant we would eat at during the trip. We were wrong. We pulled into the Sup...

This year we've made it a goal to do a family adventure once a month. For January we needed something indoors and free, so we boldly traveled to a branch of the library we've never been to before! It was really fun. There was a little art gallery and cafe area and lots of fun things for the kids to play with (although they need about ten more tables and signs that tell parents to supervise their children). We did puzzles, read books, and Nate and I even took turns with the kids so we both got to find a book to check out! We were not super impressed with the layout or the kids book selection, but it was fun to explore a new place.  We were itching to find out what was at the top of this staircase, but alas, a chain, security camera, and the eyes and innocence of our children all prevented it. The book return area was the coolest thing ever. You just stick your book in the slot and it slurps it up onto a conveyor belt. I, for one, would've been happy doing only that the whole...

I feel like the last six months have been the craftiest of my life. It is so fun! Spooky Halloween guys. Christmas wreath. Finished the sign for the kitchen. Birthday/Anniversary board Valentine wreath. You change the "o" every month in this one. Here's February's.

Brynny currently has the award for "most mellow child." She's just so easy-going and easy to please. She loves to play with Addison, and has lately become a little more involved with Leah. In the past she'd mainly just try to stay out of Leah's way, but now she's taken to climbing in the crib with her, helping her find toys, and encouraging her to try saying new words, followed by copious amounts of praise. She lives for birds, Wild Kratts, preschool day, Primary, and swimming lessons. Bryn is also very independent, and not much of a complainer. She's had to take iron supplements for a little while because she's anemic. That stuff is sick. It's like licking an iron gate. But she does it every time with no complaints. She's a better woman than her mother! Also, right now she is into figuring out what's "real" and what isn't. Like tv shows and movies and animals she's never seen before or places she's never been. Frequen...

Addison has been a busy boy lately. In fact, he's always busy. Always thinking or talking or imagining up some new battle between Lego Star Wars and Ninjago. He's going a little crazy with this whole winter business. Just too much energy! So every day he looks forward to the time when homework and practicing and jobs are all done and he can just go outside and ride his scooter. We're starting swimming lessons today, and hope that they'll help with all that energy. Addison's doing a great job in school and has just finished his second set of books from his kindergarten teacher. His report cards and test scores look great and he's just really enjoying being a kindergartener. He loves PE, recess, and music. Addison was so excited for our New Year's "tea party" this year. It's one of his very favorite traditions. Remember his Reflections project? The sculpture? Well he got second place in his category. We were so proud. The whole family got to go t...