I am trying to work out a few blogging glitches -- the kids are alive and thriving but until I solve some issues, I don't have a way to post pics! I will figure it out--

Will made this cool bionicle today. I think it ended up with 15 arms - so creative!

Kids making play dough at Auntie Kate's!

Jonah rock in the obstacle course!

These four (that's Liza and Will in the background) sat at this tar together for over an hour after school listening to Mozart and doing homework; dream come true!

Parent Teacher Conference was an absolute delight with these three little scholars! Of course they have their individual strengths, but as a general rule, their teachers told us very similar things about all of them....All three score literally off the charts in reading speed, accuracy and retell. They all have straight As and they all are great leaders in class and stay on task. I was so impressed with all of that feedback, but then the teachers both told me the best part of their school report - they said that even though these boys could be snobby about how smart they are, that they are kind to everyone. I am so proud of them! To celebrate, they each got to choose a book (and one for Liza) from the book fair.

We got to finish out the crazy day today watching Liza and her young Women's group sing a beautiful song at the church tonight. It was called Come Unto Christ and was so pretty. We heard Ardeth Kapp speak, who very powerfully talked about being a young woman today and how important it is to know who you are, what to do here on earth and why (answers are all in the YW theme). She was so funny - we loved listening to her. Afterward there were a bunch of desserts served, and Ann Fox brought nuts just for Liza to eat since she doesn't eat sweets anymore!! So nice!

Will and I got to go on a special date with Jameson and Janalynne to Brighton for a ski day!! We had a great time and especially loved the hot chocolate when we were finished:)

Love 💜 This 💜 Girl 💜

Sophie and Dane ❤️

Grammy made a special visit to Jonah tonight to bring him some crutches for his aching leg. Even though he can walk alright without them, it really bolstered his spirits to have them to lean on! So nice!

I took Liza and Sarah to Farmington Station to do a little shopping and eating. They are getting so grown up - it's fun to watch them growing into such beautiful, capable teens.

We got to spend a night at Auger's
Cabin just over the border of Idaho! Liza got to hang out with long-time friend Ivie, and the boys got to be with Bennett, Brennan and Braxton the while time and had a riot. We played cards, played murderer in the dark, decorated cookies, snowmobiled and talked and laughed. The only bummer was when Kev was pulling the boys inn their sled behind his snowmobile and they flipped upside down -- they each had different minor injuries but we are so thankful that none of them were hurt worse than they were. Great weekend!

Boys just wanna have fun

Liza being silly

I got to volunteer at the boys' school Valentines parties! What cute kids-

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Cake crumbles mixed with frosting made for some sweet moldable fun for these two!

Valentines morning complete with pink cream of wheat!

Snuggle time turned into a marathon last night - when I was in one room, kids from another room would invariable get out of their beds and come find me. At one point I was laying on Danes bed with a twin on each arm, Will at my head and Liza smack on top of me belly to belly! I had so much to do for Vday, but decided this is what it's made of and stayed until they were all almost asleep - that's way better than chocolates or candy!

Making Valentines!

The kids are all doing so well in school. I miss volunteering with Liza, but still get to work in the boys' classrooms every week. I gave a 'write the letters' assessment to each individual kindergartner this week and was so impressed with Will's handwriting, memory and motor skills compared to other kids his age. Jonah and Dane are working hard on learning cursive and it shows. Their letters look great! Their teachers often tell me how well-behaved these boys are in school too, and how kind to others. It is a total pleasure to get to claim them as my own :)

Snuggling with the kids at night is the best reward for a long days work with them. Dane is always up for a tickle fight :)

Jonah likes the Broncos and the 49ers this year - I found him this library book and he gobbled it up in about 20 minutes!

Jonah and Dane's first pack meeting! Dane tripped over a sidewalk crack riding his wheelie shoes over to it and was so sad in the beginning, but he toughened up quickly and made it to the meeting.

Love this creation from Will's very bright mind. He is attempting to sound out some very big words -"dead as a zombie. You are the most annoying - as a horse saying nay (something) times." Love it!

Big Easy was hilarious and it was fascinating to watch the 9th ever female Globetrotter strut her stuff around the court. The kids didn't want to go home when it was time - great night!

Family night was the best at CPK and The Harlem Globetrotters show!

Will, Liza and I had some fun in the kitchen today making Step 1 of Cake Pops (to be continued tomorrow) and cinnamon rolls with apple filling. Sweet kids and sweet treats:)

Here we are during our daily bedtime homework session/talk/giggle-fest-- I love this sweet girl. After we get the giggles out, we usually end our days with a prayer and then a backrub for Liza.

Yes, this is Will coming home from church and yes, he wore that purple zebra hat on the way and in and out of the building!

I took Liza and about 12 friends (we had already dropped some off before this pic) around various neighborhoods crashing doorsteps for Saturday Singers last night! They were amazing singing Bieber's "Baby" at every house and got applauded for at almost every stop! We kept accruing kids as we went -- they were so polite and are a fantastic group of teens who know how to have fun.

8 years of this and counting --never gets old....

Check out this kindergarteners AmazInG handwriting! He copied this off the computer - it took him almost an hour and is a treasure now. Go Will!

Lovin my Saturday morning hill (pant, pant)!

While Liza was at a friends house tonight, I took these 5 little cuties to see The Lego Movie! We are so lucky to have our neighbors be such amazing friends!

Will and I went on a lunchtime date to chuckArama and Costco--he was such a willing helper with the groceries. For a few minutes we sat on a couch in the middle of Costco and talked and laughed - wished I could freeze time....

Mindy and I took the dogs snowshoeing allllll over the golf course this morning! Sophie was so tired she didn't even want to get out if the car when we got home...

My dad once told me that he wished he had taken more pictures/video of the everyday scenes of our young lives as opposed to holidays/parties/special occasions. This is a shot of our everyday dinner/homework time - and I'm thankful to have it documented now because it is a substantial (and sweet) part of our day almost every day!

This is how life in the escalade often looks with these 4 little monkies in tow!