Not so winter

This winter has been the mildest one I can ever remember. Chloe was disappointed there were no snow days as the 3rd graders always do a snow building competition. We didn't get to build anything the one day we got snow in December and then it never returned. We did get the flu instead
:(  The biggest highlight was having the Devries over for the Christmas break and celebrating the New Years with them and the Remsnyders.  It was so much fun being a family of eight again under one roof and all the kiddos enjoyed playing together as usual.  Dave and Hannah surprised us with a thoughtful and memorable couples date at Bar Taco (Yum!) followed by a couples challenge at Dave & Busters. (Dad probably would want you to know that we won :) We always love being with them and loved having them all back here. The only hard part was saying goodbye.

Noah and Chloe had a great basketball season with much improvement and dad enjoyed coaching every minute he could. We also had our annual trip to Great Wolf Lodge. I was so excited for Eli to finally go down the Twirling Tornado and hyped him up for it, only to find he was half an inch to short. He was so disappointed but dad worked his magic and he was permitted to go down one time with dad. We came home just in time for the dreaded month of February. Sure enough, Feb 1st the flu hit our home and we went down one by one.  Noah dodged all the germs somehow and I was sick only for a night between caring for everyone. I was so grateful to God for the strength and grace he provided during that time. But around the misery we've just been enjoying life as we know it. Grace is thoroughly enjoying preschool, and wishes she went more frequently. She loves to sing all the new songs and pretends to be Mrs. Ellis on the guitar. I'm enjoying these days at home with her before she's gone full time...

Christmas part 2

Happy New Year!

besties making breakfast for 12

Hanhui and Ying took us to and awesome Chinese restaurant. I wish I could say I was more adventurous, but the flank steak looked more appetizing than the whole octopus! Overall, it was Yum!

#1 Coach

Dad had a well deserved weekend away

A valentine from Noah. I prefer this acrostic of my name over the real definition :)

These 2 exhausted themselves going down the slides non stop.

'

Has anyone seen Grace?!

the more bakers, the merrier

seizing any day above 50 to be outside or hiking

first flu :(

much better:)

I love reading Harry Potter with this guy

and listening to her play

Gracie's favorite "hide and go seek" spot

And last but certainly not least, my favorite "thing" (Happy birthday Dr. Suess)