Hallie

 Feb phone photo download of Hallie! So grateful she is my oldest and that I can depend on her so much. In fact, she memorizes (not on purpose but her memory is just that good) my calendar/planner so I can ask her about certain dates/times if I forget about something. It definitely comes in handy at times. She is so athletic and just too smart for her own good. She was the hardest baby but man she is one of the best 8 year olds!

We had parent teacher conferences this month. Her teachers described her as "something else." She was 1 out of 2 people to get 100% on their last math test. She is so helpful in class and someone they can always count on. Her Spanish teacher said she was impressed that she can actually hold a conversation with her in Spanish. They said she is "way above grade level" and that her "mind is a gift and talent of hers." Although none of this is a surprise to Russ and I, we are both so proud of Hallie and all that she is and becoming.  

Note she wrote to her cousin Xander on his baptism day

Baby Shower

My next door neighbor, who is now one of my good friends (Dani) is having her 2nd baby. We threw her a little baby shower at a restaurant called Sunday's Best. I didn't know most of the people she invited but it was still fun.  

Brooks

Brooks has waited about a year to be old enough to have friends invite him over for play dates and birthday parties. He was jealous of Hallie being invited to places. That was one thing I told him when he was nervous to start preschool is that he will gain friends there and then we will have more play dates. Welp, mom was right. Cute Brooks loves his friends he has gained at preschool and it is so fun to watch his confidence and personality grow!

Romney, Cooper, Brooks at Cooper's bday party

Note from his preschool teachers

We have had SO much sickness in our household this winter. Brooks has thrown up several different times. I have thrown up at least 5 different times, which is odd because I used to only throw up when pregnant. Russ has been sick times. The list could go on. We have been hit hard this year. I feel like we are sick half of the month every month. We are ready for warmer weather and less sick days!

As for another big step for Brooks, going to the dentist and participating in everything they asked him to do. 6 months ago he could not do this. Proud of this boy and the strides he is making!

Holy paper towels, Brooks!

Rosie

Rosie takes such good care of me. She gives me all the snuggles my heart desires and is just so loyal to me. I LOVE having Rosie and am so grateful we lucked out in getting such a good dog!

Ward Talent Show

It was the ward talent show tonight. Brooks, Hallie, Jack and Flora awkwardly danced to "Sunday Best" by Surfaces on stage. Haha!

Snow Day

We have had SO much snow this winter! Russ and the older kids built a "snow slide" out of our slide on the play set and the kids played on it for hours!!

Stockton going through the doggie door like "Oh! This is a perfect size door for me!" Haha!

Kids

All of these pictures were taken (by either my mom or my sister) while we were in Mexico. They said my kids were SO good while we were away. It definitely allowed me to have such a great vacation knowing they were doing well and well taken care of. I had a "gift" for them to pick out every day we were gone. Most of these pics are of some of the gifts they got. Sure love my kiddies!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to my 4 loves! Along with their heart attack doors, Hallie got new slides and a heart necklace and Brooks and Taco got new monster trucks. I gave Russ some accessories for his griddle he got for Christmas. Russ gave me a handmade card, which is always one of my favorites.

We had our annual candlelight spaghetti dinner and watched a movie as a family. It was a perfect night!

Hallie's Door all written by Russ. "I love your beautiful smile," "I love your determination," "I love your crazy good memory," "I love how creative you are," "I love that you like to snuggle," "I love how thoughtful you are." 

Brooks' door. Written by Russ and I. "I love how much you like McDonalds," "I love your cute little dimple," "I love that you like to do everything with Dad," "I love how sweet and kind you are," "I love that you like to snuggle," "I love your raspy voice," "I love your love for Nike's," "I love when you laugh really hard," "I love your love for hats."

Taco's door. Written by me. "I love your dimples," "I love how particular you are," "I love that you love your shoes," "I love how badly you want to be a big kid," "I love how you know what you want."

Brooks' valentine box for school. Don't be too impressed. It was a kit we bought from Costco. Haha!