This is Not a Post About Carrigan

Despite what the pictures will suggest, this is not really a post about Carrigan.  Yesterday we were able to take the kids to OMSI.  Jeremy's parent were so thoughtful so get us a membership there for Christmas and the kids have really been itching to go.  Yesterday we had planned to go with my long time BFF, Shaunell and her family, but unfortunately they had to cancel.  My kids were not going to let that stop them though so we still went as a family.

The first half of the time we stayed together and I never thought to take any pictures.  It wasn't until the kids decided they wanted to split up and it was just Carrigan and I that it occurred to me.  Rest assured though, we were all there and Merrick had as good of a time as anyone.  The biggest hits of this visit were the sand exhibits, the kitchen area, the dark room, and "Robot Connect 4".

We were able to get together with Shaunell and her family that evening.  They moved to Salem about 3 months ago and I am so sad to say this is the first time we have been able to get together.  We had a blast eating, watching a movie, playing, and mostly just talking.  I am over the moon to have them move closer to us.  I was having WAY to much fun to remember pictures, so none to add here.

Also this week was my mom's birthday.  I am so thankful for her and all she does for my family.  It is so good to have a day to celebrate her!  For her special day Carrigan drew a picture of her, her first picture of a person ever.  Pretty much adorable.

I Love to See the Temple

Not a whole lot to report this week.  The snow finally melted enough for us to get back to school and work on Wednesday and the rest of the week was mainly just trying to get back into the routine and catch up on the the things we missed while we were hibernating.

Today we had stake conference and we weren't able to make it so we decided to get a little dose of the spirit by going to the temple.  Thankfully it was not raining and the sun was even out so we were able to not only go to the visitor's center, but we were also able to walk the grounds.  While we were there we watched a video on the family and why the temple is so important for families.  It was really special to me to watch that video with my family and then to walk the grounds together and know that we can be together forever.  I sure love them and am so glad I get to keep them forever.

Snow Days...Again

I never thought this Arizona girl would say this, but I a getting a little tired of snow days.  We have had a surprisingly snowy winter which has lead to 7 snow days and counting.  What I have learned about snow days is that they are fun for the first day and a half and then you just really want to get back to normal life.

This past week we did the snow day thing again and this storm caught everyone off guard.  On Tuesday night they started saying that we would likely get an inch of snow and by midday Wednesday we had 9 inches at our house with some places getting well over a foot.  In a place that doesn't salt their roads and only has one snow plow per city, that is a big deal.  Combine that with the fact that ever since Wednesday we have barely gotten over freezing during the day and then dropped into the teens and twenties at night, and you have a combination for lots of snow days.

At this point we have been out of school since Tuesday, and Monday is a holiday, so we have had a nice 6 day weekend.  It is time for us to put these snow days behind us and get back to real life.  Otherwise, by the time we make all these days up, we will have no summer vacation left.  Nobody wants that!  But until that happens, I am going to try really hard to focus on the sledding fun and snowmen and not the disruption to life.

Carrigan Starts Ballet

This year for Christmas we wanted to give our kids something other than just toys.  Merrick got a nice keyboard and piano lessons (which he starts on Tuesday) and Carrigan got ballet clothes and lessons (which she started on Thursday).  Carrigan has been asking for ballet lessons for a long time and she was over the moon about finally getting to go.

In the days leading up to her first class, all we talked about was the class, when it was going to be,  what she was going to learn, who was going to be there, etc. Those of you who really know C.C. know that she is extremely strong willed.  We struggle with how to discipline her as she is not fazed by any sort of punishment.  Thankfully the approaching ballet class gave us a little leverage to help get her go to bed at night, get ready for school in the morning, and just generally listen a little better.

The day of class finally arrived.  She didn't want to do anything else that day because she was afraid it would cause her to miss ballet (at 3pm) but we were able to get a few things done and eventually it was time to get ready for class.  I got her dressed in her tights, leotard, and shoes and put her hair up in a bun and I almost died of cuteness.

At class the cuteness level just amplified.  The class is crazy with probably 25 little 3 and 4-year-old girls, but Carrigan was all business. She listened to her teacher and followed all directions to a T.  Why doesn't she do that for me at preschool???

After all the buildup, class was over in a blink of an eye and she was so excited to tell Daddy, Nana, and everyone else all about it.  I think ballet class will be the highlight of our week for many weeks to come.  Let's hope Merrick's piano lessons go as well.

Christmas to New Years 2016

Wow!  So much has happened over the last two weeks.  I almost don't even know where to start.  I guess the beginning...

After the snow melted, family started to arrive.  Emily, Kai, and Tala came on the 20th and the fun began.  I honestly can't even remember what we did those first few days.  Mostly we hung out and enjoyed each other's company.  And ATE.  We definitely ate.

On Christmas eve Nana and Papa surprised us all with a family trip to Wings and Wave Water Park.  Since most of you are probably not familiar with Wings and Waves let me just sum up by saying that it is a airplane themed water park with an airplane on the roof and actual water slides coming out of the plane and into the building.  It is craziness!  Is if that wasn't enough, we capped of the day with a pj, pizza, and present party and Nana and Papa's house.

The next day was Christmas.  They day started with a visit from Santa and lots and lots of presents.  After all the presents were open we headed to church.  We only had Sacrament meeting, but it was really nice to go listen to the music, feel the spirit, and have a reminder of what the day was really about.

That night the next wave of visitors arrived.  Grandpa, Lollie, and Grammy Bunker arrived around dinner time and were with us until New Years Day.  Over the days they were here we saw some sights, went to OMSI, saw a movie, and ate. AND ATE.

Basically the last two weeks have been one big party.  It has been so great and exhausting.  Tomorrow is back to school, work, and reality.  In some ways I am really sad, but it also will be nice to get back to the routine.