Snowshoeing

Yesterday my parents went snowshoeing up at Bogus Basin and, Casey said he'd watch our kiddos so I could go along... it was such a beautiful day to be outside and in the mountains! We had a fun afternoon hiking up and down the mountain.  

Reading

These last couple of weeks Tys' reading skills have increased by leaps and bounds! It's so awesome to see him sounding out words and reading!  Last night he read the family the popular Dr Seuss Green Eggs and Ham... way to go buddy! We love you!

Cooking

One of our goals for 2013 is to involve Katie in more cooking.  All of our kids love to help me bake or cook but, I decided that Katie was old enough to actually start doing a majority of the work! She received a new kid's cook book for Christmas so, I had her sit down and decide one meal a week that she'd like to cook (something easy enough that she can do most of the prep and I just needed to be around to help) For her first night of cooking she made a Southwest Tuna Casserole.  I'm not a huge tuna fish casserole fan but, with the southwest seasonings to it... it was actually pretty good!!! She did a great job and her family loved it! 

Our "helper" :)

Happy 7th Birthday Katie!

On Sunday, the 6th, we celebrated Katie's 7th birthday!  I'm really not sure where these last 7 years went as, it all went by so fast! But, I do know that Katie is growing up to be such a vibrant, fun, caring and sweet girl! I love how, as she gets older, she is learning so many new things. And it's so great to see her love for God grow (also, her friends and family... she truly cares deeply for the people in her life) 

 Per tradition, her birthday breakfast included donuts... her brothers also loved this... but, as parents, we paid for it later after we had filled our kids up on sugar then made them sit still in church! ha ha Oh well, it doesn't happen very often.

 After church we went to my parents house for Katie's birthday lunch... she spent the afternoon surrounded by her family, Auntie Ri, Uncle Jake & Aunt Krystal and our friends, Jere, Kamber and their two girls (Kamber is Krystal's twin sister) The girls always have a great time playing together!

 Group hug with Uncle Jake

Katie, JC and Makenzie

Sledding

Last Saturday, Casey and I took the kids and my mom up to the Idaho City area for an afternoon of sledding and having fun in the snow. It was a beautiful day to be outside, soak up the glorious sun (I say this because the Treasure Valley has been covered in an inversion for the last couple of weeks) play in the snow and see the amazing winter scenes of Idaho! We found the perfect, remote sledding hill where we enjoyed hours of fun sliding down.. I'm sure you could hear the kid's laughter for miles!  

 Trenton... "I got snow in my eye"

 My mom and I did a little snowshoeing in the mountains... the view from the top was amazing.. too bad I didn't bring the camera with me!  This was my first time to experience snowshoeing and, I have to say it was lots of fun and I'm already looking forward to going again in the near future!

Katie's birthday party

Katie turns the big "7" years old tomorrow!  She is super excited to be turning 7 and has informed us that she's "growing up"!  I am happy to see my baby girl growing up but, also a bit sad.  She is such a blessing to me! We love her laughter, sweet & gentle spirit and her adventurous personality.  This last year she has begun doing new fun things: dance class, cooking and sewing/crafts. She loves them!  She has also excelled in reading and music at school.  And, she continues to go to piano lessons every week.. she loves playing the piano and has greatly improved these last few months! 

We love you, Sis!

 Instead of a home party this year, Katie decided to have a bowling party at Big Al's.  She got to invite her close friends: Raina, Janelia, Eleana, Angie and Emma.. along with her family, Papa & Nana and, Katie D.  It was a fun afternoon!

 Emma and Katie

 Katie and Janelie

 Time for cupcakes!  Katie and Angie