Gatlinburg adventure

We had a fun family adventure down to Gatlinburg, TN this past month. Here are a few highlights:

The older boys and Daddy rode a mountain coaster through the trees at a place called "Goats on the Roof." 

While Daddy was waiting in line for tickets, we mined for gems. It was amazing how such large gems were found amidst sand and tiny pebbles. ;-)

I am deeply grateful for sweet moments like this between siblings. Too rare, but still precious. 

We enjoyed an evening at the Island at Pigeon Forge, and it was a win that our whole family went up in the large ferris wheel. Each gondola was enclosed and fit eight people. The view from the top!

We also splurged and paid for the boys do to these fun trampolines. They were pretty expert jumpers and flippers from all their practice on our own tramp. 

Robbie could go forward and then backward right in a row. 

Benjy couldn't go super high but he sure enjoyed being included.

In Dollywood, Benjy got to ride some of the younger rides. He just informed me, "I don't like to be on the duckies. The duckies aren't fun." He was a good sport, but it was tough on this trip since I had Clayton and he couldn't do all the things he wanted to while Daddy went on bigger rides with Robbie and Henry.

I don't know how Clara felt about this trip, but she enjoyed watching K-pop groups and a K-drama while we took the boys to Dollywood for two of the days.

Check out this small man that we saw at Ripley's Believe It or Not. 

Even though we didn't have our traditional St. Patrick's day traditions at home, all the kids dressed in green. We went to the Ripley's Aquarium, where we saw different sharks, cute penguins, an octopus, and jellies, in addition to lots of fish.

Check out this giant chicken (Cornish game hen?) Benjy had to eat at Dolly Parton's Stampede!

The show was really well done and everyone (except maybe Clayton) enjoyed it. 

More Gatlinburg fun.

Clara in the eye of a needle.

Future astronaut.

We were pretty pooped with Clayton sleeping in our room and waking up a couple of times a night. Daddy also had to catch up on work at night, so he enjoyed a few minutes of rest in the play place at Dollywood when it was raining.

A favorite ride for Benjy in Dollywood was this cute Bear trail one. He was so big to go by himself!

The trip was fun and tiring. Benjy just asked me, "Why can't we go to the wooden house [the cabin]? When can we go there again?" That's a good sign that it was worth it.

Life lately

Winter is holding on but spring is pushing through.  Daffodils are so happy (wish I had some at my house--maybe I'll plant some in the fall). Here are few things happening 'round these parts of late.

Benjy caught a stomach bug, and then two weeks later we all got Covid. It took about two weeks to get energy back up. The kids bounced back pretty quickly, but I am so glad we didn't have the earlier delta variant. A wonderful man (mid-fifties age) in our ward, Jeff Huffman, passed away from Covid-pneumonia in February, which rocked our ward and definitely gives me greater empathy for so many who have lost loved ones.

Henry and I had a date at a do-your-own pottery place. Here he is painting his pencil cup before it was fired.

For Valentine's day, Michael hid these Riesens around the house, giving me ten reasons why he loves me. They made me feel so loved. Despite having Covid that week, we managed to make our heart-shaped pizza still.

Seven months old and a smile that lights up the room!

Robbie made us this thoughtful Valentine's Day card. 

I love how it rotates on the brad--so creative.

Henry made us these sweet cards as well, all on his own. These boys know how to help us feel loved.

Henry is growing more confident in his reading. Here he is starting off with required reading in the Dunford+Weiler household.

Sunday naps. It's a sweet day when they all coincide. (Not this day, unfortunately.)

Clayton was not interested in solids, at least any purees, for the first few weeks of my attempts, but he is getting much better and particularly likes them in the squeezer pouch form where he doesn't have to get dirty. But this photo above  (eating prunes) shows that he is getting better at that too. He loves eating little teeny pieces of chicken and sucking on pizza crusts. Applesauce is very tart to him, but he'll eat it with other fruits or veggies.

We took the family up to visit Nana and Bapa and watched the kids while Michael and I did a sealing session in the temple. It was a sweet time in the temple, especially because we got to be in a session with Ruth and Lee Robertson and President and Staci England Schill. The sealer spoke with us afterwards, teaching us, and we felt the Spirit.

We enjoyed a visit to the Franklin Institute--here the boys are climbing on an artery.

I am so glad my kids can meet their grandparents--I hope they remember these sweet times. 

Six months old!

 Clayton is growing into such a sweet, smiley, fun baby. I love it when he kicks his legs excitedly before being picked up or when he's getting his diaper changed. His smile lights up the room. He is pretty mild and petite, so it will be interesting to see if that pattern continues as he gets older. 

We enjoyed a beautiful hike up in Shenandoah on New Year's Eve. The downside is that it was about a mile down to see the waterfalls (I carried Clayton in the front pack and Benjy walked), but then a mile back up. Michael carried both boys back up. 

All of the boys have loved being swaddled, and so we've owned many iterations of swaddle blankets and zip-ups, etc. This one makes Clayton look like he has little chicken wings, which he enjoys sucking on.

He doesn't look like it here, but Clayton loves kicking in the big bath.

Clayton snuggles are so sweet.

So far, Clayton is not a fan of solid foods, especially purees--he purses his lips together and refuses to let any in. He does enjoy sucking on pizza crusts, though.

He also enjoys being up and looking around at all the big people, who all adore him and argue over who can hold him and make him smile or laugh next.

Clara turns 17

It's hard to believe we have a seventeen-year-old.

Clara got her birthday wish--school was cancelled due to weather, so she got to sleep in. Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast!

Heavy hang over. She was excited for her new Crocs, and she also got some jaw hair clips, a heating pad, and some new film for her Instax camera. Lucky girl!

The birthday girl has the best smile.

Everyone was happy with her choice of no-bake cheesecake with raspberries on top. Yum!

We love you, Sweetpea!
 

Snow storms

 This month we have had several snows. In fact, I can't remember when we've had snow stay on the ground for this long (almost the whole month). It's the first time I can remember my kids complaining, "I wish the snow would melt." Still, we've enjoyed some fun times outside.

Clayton got to experience the snow for the first time.

He tolerated it well.

Prepping the hot tub.

Living on the edge.

I think Benjy feels tired of all the snow gear. Minimalism is the way to go.

Robbie and his friend Helaman made this sweet snow cave with a tunnel going through.

And check out these giant icicles the boys found hanging from our neighbor's porch!

6th Family Awards Dinner

 It's hard to believe this was our sixth family awards dinner.

Clara had a hard time coming this year, but I am really glad she joined us. This year we mixed things up and had dinner by Vito's, and it was lovely not feeling stressed about cooking as well as doing the awards, etc. We enjoyed some slices of delicious black mousse cake from Olive Garden as dessert.

This year, Benjy received the award for Loving--accepting his new younger brother, forgiving his older siblings when they tease him, and giving wide-open hugs.

Clara received the award for Grit--not giving up through a rainy girl's camp, a tough week at PERT, or frustrating days at school.

Robbie received the award for Helpfulness--raking leaves, helping with Clayton, serving his younger siblings, mowing the lawn, and helping his teachers.

Henry received the award for Friendship--being a good friend to his brothers, to his classmates at school, and to his neighbor friends.

I am thankful for each member of our family--for their strengths and weaknesses and for who they are as individuals. Truly, each soul is precious to us and to Heavenly Father.