Michael's ortho conference/snowboarding trip

Michael flew out to Vail, Colorado with Brent Ramsey (an oral surgeon in town and member of the Church) for a week-long orthodontic/oral surgery course. The course conveniently only held class in the morning (or was it evening?), enabling interested attendees to ski/snowboard for the majority of the day. He had an absolute blast, having just taken a few snowboarding lessons at Massanutten here. Vail, obviously, helped him take his skills to the next level.

 He even tried escargot.

Reading with Dad

In honor of my dad's birthday this week, I wanted to share a few favorite memories from my childhood. When I was young, my dad started reading with me at night by my bed. It began with him reading to me, and then as I learned to read more I would take the book and read a bit and we'd switch off. I loved the sound of his voice reading, and I really cherished that special time with him at night. I also appreciate the sacrifice my mom made to let him read with me.

I was trying to think of all the books we read together over the years. Here are some of the books I recall:
A Little Princess
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Black Beauty
A Secret Garden
Roller Skates (? maybe I read that on my own?)
Children of the New Forest

We even read together when I was in high school. I believe A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was the last book we read together. Many of the books that we read together are ones that I requested of my parents, and they now sit on my shelves, ready to be read again.

I think about the time a parent invests in their child without any guarantee that the child is aware of or even appreciates the sacrifice that the parent is making. There are so many things I do as a parent that I am pretty sure my children will not remember, and I know there are thousands of things my Mom and Dad did for me and my siblings that I either cannot remember or don't even know about in the first place.

 Be that as it may, the Lord knows, and I feel so thankful for the small, daily, inconsequential things that my parents did. Some of those things include my dad calling me (and my sister, of course) his "princess," and treating me like one, as well as other endearing habits like his memorable whistle when he arrived home after work and telling me "Duerme con los angeles" each night after he tucked me in bed, "snug as a bug in a rug."

Thank you for these, among many other, beautiful memories, Dad. Happy happy birthday!

Random pics

Thought I'd dump out some other glimpses into our lives these days.

My sister-in-law Emily made me this hat and scarf. They are gorgeous and the color is so lovely. 

 Robbie came out yesterday with them on and apparently thought they were pretty sweet as well.

 When Michael was in Colorado all last week at a CE course, I tried to make the best of things with the kids at home. One afternoon we went to the library and Clara and Henry enjoyed petting a therapy dog visiting there. Afterwards, I took them to Benny's Pizza, which has absolutely enormous slices. All four of us shared two slices.

Here was our "fun list" of things to do in his absence--a few items to do another time. The balloon rocket races were a great example of one of those Pinterest ideas that sounds super amazing but that turns out to be mostly a mom-project where the kids watch and lose interest after one minute. Live and learn.

 We've had some pretty crazy weather here--flurries one day, 60s and 70s a day or two later, etc. But it's been very nice to not be cooped up inside too much.

 A happy selfie from Clara stealing my phone.

 A Magnatile creation Robbie and I made. We got these for Christmas and they are totally awesome. Btw, do you see how Robbie is squinting his left eye? For about six months he has these weird eye episodes most days of the week where he can't see out of one eye (it changes, but it's usually his left) for about 10 to 15 minutes, and then it goes away. We got some dry eye drops, which seem to help, but it's pretty weird.

 A selfie by Spiderman fireman Superman.

A couple of weeks ago, we went to DC and my friend, Karisa, and I attended a temple session while the menfolk watched the kids. It was really fun!

 

 Then when we got back, Karisa and John included us in their "gender reveal" party to find out whether they were having a boy or a girl. The balloons were filled by a friend with pink or blue paint, and even though they didn't explode well, we were all thrilled to find out she's having a girl after having three boys! It was pretty hilarious watching everyone trying to pop the balloons.

 We had a lot of wind one day and a dead tree on the property behind our house fell on our fence. Fortunately, the guy paid for it through his insurance, but he was not happy. Michael had told him about the dead tree back in the fall, but he never went and removed it.

 We had a fun FHE one evening about the armor of God--it was hilarious trying to keep those muffin pans on.

 Krispy Kreme opened here, and it is RIDICULOUS how busy that place is. Of course, if it were ice cream, I'd be more understanding, since doughnuts aren't my favorite thing. We brought two friends along, Jordan and Sierra Flowers.

Valentine's Day fun

I really enjoy Valentine's Day a lot more now that we have kids. Don't get me wrong--I still want and really appreciate flowers and thoughtful gifts from Michael, but I also really enjoy the fun of decorating and doing fun things with the children. I remember my mom decorating the house for Valentine's Day and being in high school informing her that she didn't need to do that anymore and that it just cluttered things up (or some other self-righteous thing to say). Now, however, I do the same thing and wish I had some of those old posters she'd put up on the windows. Funny how times change.

 On Sunday afternoon, we made and decorated (using "we" loosely here--mostly Michael and I) lots of cookies to give out to some families. We had a great time driving around visiting and singing songs in the car to keep Henry happy. I really appreciated Clara and Robbie's good attitudes. Want a cookie with those sprinkles, Robbie?

My friend Susan gave me lots of old vintage valentines, and I love them so much.

So a year or two ago when I saw an old valentine that my mom had saved that Poppy had given to Nonny, I asked her if I could have it. I was so excited--it says "All my Love, Clare."

 Treats on plates in the morning. See Nonny's red glasses? They make me really happy. (They were filled with chocolate milk for dinner, also per tradition.)

When I saw this valentine--filled with beef jerky--I had to get it for Michael. So awesome. I failed to get a pic of the beautiful roses and lunch he brought home that day. He also wrote me two sweet poems while he was gone in Colorado all last week.

 Robbie showing off Daddy's pizza in its glory--crust was cheese-filled balls per tradition. I think this is our fifteenth year of making the heart-shaped pizza. So good!

No family pic this year--bummer--but it was a fun family time celebrating love for each other. Happy Valentine's Day!