In two months of skating..

We went from this...


To this!


It truly is amazing how fast they learned. I'm grateful because this experience didn't start out at the top of my list of fav's.

Here's my top ten list of all the things intimidating about taking your kids to ice skating lessons in Minnesota:

10. Dressing them in full winter gear while at least one of them whines, complains, and refuses to wear snow pants because they "don't feel comfortable."

9. Carrying two pairs of skates, two helmets, a diaper bag, and a 20-month old on the long walk into the ice rink (of course a stroller is not an option due to the unplowed parking lot and the several inches of fresh snow).

8. Trying to shove four feet into skates while your toddler is running off and the class is about to start.

7. Making friendly conversation with the mom sitting next to you, only to be embarrassed because of the skating terminology she uses that is not in your vocabulary.

6. Realizing you just put your babies on ice with sharp blades attached to two of their limbs, and then watching them fall, and fall, and fall...

5. Trying to skate with them (as expected by the teacher) and straining to simultaneously hold both of them upright when you barely know how to skate yourself.

4. Watching the other parents literally skate impressive circles around you.

3. Realizing you were the only parent to rent skates because all the other parents seem to have well-worn hockey skates.

2. Listening to your 5-year-old complain that she is by far the oldest and tallest in the beginner class.

1. Not being able to feel warm again until the next day because you freeze in the whipping winds and sub-zero temps on the way into the ice arena, freeze for 60 minutes in the ice arena, freeze on the walk back to the car, freeze on the drive home, and at that point, you officially become an icicle.

I suppose the intimidation, drama, and stress were worth it because look at them go!


And I'll throw in a picture of the mascot for good measure.

Dear Valentine,

I am the luckiest girl in all the world that you chose me to be your valentine!


Nine years ago today, you asked me to marry you!


Our wedding was amazing and I was in love.


But I had no idea that I could love you more and more each day. Through the joys and sorrows of each day of our marriage, our love has been strengthened!


We shared our college graduation day!


You encouraged me to go on adventures that I wasn't sure I wanted. But I grew as a person and we grew as a couple.


You encouraged me to try new foods that I never thought I would enjoy.


We laughed about the "simple" things.


Our faith has grown together, and you have always been a great example to me.


We have spent hours traveling the world and making lasting memories.



And have seen cities I never dreamed of seeing.


Your sense of humor has helped make it joyful-- even in the face of adversity. Facing what life might be like without you, strengthened my love for you, and has made me NEVER take even a day for granted.


I prayed for an extension of your life so I could see you be a silly Daddy. I knew you would be great!


Even though you have yet to have any sons, our girls adore you as much as I do!


You work so hard to advance your education and to support our family. You have kept your smile through your trials.

Together we have seen God's beautiful creations.


And welcomed three of them into our home!


You are my go-to guy. My anchor. My stable force.


My best friend! I love you forever and am so happy to be married to you!! Happy Valentine's Day!

Life with little girls

Music Videos in front of the TV....screaming contests....what's not to love?

Enjoy!

Birthday of all Birthdays

This pretty little girl turned 6 while we were in Disney World, and she had one impressive birthday week. I try to leave spoiling my kids for Birthday and Christmas, but I'm a little worried this b-day went too far!


We wrapped her presents in newspaper, so she could have something to unwrap in the hotel.


When you go to Disney World on your birthday, they give you a button saying it's your birthday and then all the workers tell you "Happy Birthday" all day. Disney also gave her a gift card to spend on merchandise -- totaling the price of admission ($63)!


That would have been plenty of birthday, but because Aubrie's birthday parties mean the world to her (because she LOVES to get together with her friends), and she had already planned this one immediately following her last birthday, I figured I probably better let her carry it out. We did try to keep it low-key, and it's amazing how much fun little girls can have with just a little home-made fun.


Half the group played a basketball game, while the other half were the cheerleaders (then we switched). The girls also had a backpack relay, played mini golf, and freeze dance. They also dressed up and put on glitter makeup and glitter nail polish in preparation for the grand finale.


At the grand finale, they danced and sang to High School Musical songs while watching themselves on TV (with a dance cam that Aubrie has).


And then it was pizza, decorated cupcakes and an impromptu screaming contest! I was laughing so hard! I'm sure our entire neighborhood heard it!


All her friends knew just what she loves.


It's no wonder Aubrie loves her friends so much! They are so fun, cute, and good to Aubrie!

A birthday tribute to Aubrie:
*I am amazed by your talents: You hear a song once, and you remember it. You have a beautiful singing voice. You are a wonderful dancer.
*You are a wonderful student! Your teacher's only concern was your perfectionism! Your reading skills blow me away, and your nose is ALWAYS in a book.
*You are perceptive to other peoples' emotions.
*You LOVE your friends and are energized by being with them. And, when you are away from them for a long time, you are sad.
*I think it's cute that you think math is too easy and you are in Kindergarten! (Who complains about math being too easy? And especially in Kindergarten!).
*You are a great sister and I could never ask for a better daughter

I love you little Aubrie! Happy Birthday!

Magical

The World of Disney

Our plan to get a break from the MN winter, worked perfectly! It was amazing how refreshing it was to touchdown in Orlando and see unfrozen lakes, green grass, and green trees! Yeah! We were euphoric!


We spent one night at the Pop Century hotel at Disney World, and the rest of the time at a Marriott Timeshare Condo. But with a seven-day Disney pass, we didn't do much other than Disney. The amazing part to me is that we still didn't see it all!


We met up with Dave's Aunt Debbie and cousins Jenny and Kelly and hit all four parks in the first four days. It was so nice having them there. We enjoyed their company and their extra hands! Five adults to three kids was a great ratio! After they left, we realized how much more work it was for us!


Aubrie said her favorite part was meeting the princesses. Ellie says hers was meeting "Cinderllella" and also talking to Crush from 'Finding Nemo.'


My favorite part was the many Broadway-style performances in the parks ('Nemo the Musical,' 'Lion King,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' and also 'American Idol Experience').


Dave's favorite part was the rides: Kilamanjaro Safari, Tower of Terror, Everest, etc.


Teyah enjoyed it all except being in the stroller.


Disney was so fun because there was something fun for everyone!


One cool thing is that Aubrie ended up only missing one day because her four-day weekend turned into a six-day weekend because school was canceled twice due to the -20 temps and -37 wind chill at home!


This picture cracks me up because Ellie did not like the 4D movies where things "popped out" at her. So, on everything we went on after the 4D show, she put her hand up protecting herself from anything that might possibly invade her space!


Dave and I both enjoyed watching the kids enjoy the magic of Disney for the first time.


Even though it definitely wore us all out!

Ketchup

For those of you keeping close track of our blog, we did indeed celebrate Christmas this year! I realize it was a month ago, but for the purposes of my own records, I'm posting a couple pics. The above picture was the only thing Teyah took the least bit of interest: her blankie made by Grandma T. She didn't want to open presents until she got to this one. It surged her interest in the next few until she realized they were not also blankets. It was pretty cute to see her cuddling and holding it all morning.


Well, I guess she did also like the remnants of food that Santa left!


On Christmas day, all my family began to join us. Eventually, we had 15 people staying at our house! The kids had great fun with their cousins.


I had fun playing host.


Grandpa joined us and even gave us each a special, memorable present.


The girls worked hard to earn a movie with Grandma (by being obedient and earning coins for the jar).


Grandma treated the cousins to a special trip to the American Girl Doll store where they all got to choose a new outfit.


And we welcomed the news that my brother Spencer will be adding a baby boy to our family! This is good news to my nephew Spencer, so he won't be the lone boy cousin!

It was fun. Way fun. Well, until the stomach flu hit. And, I mean hit! I think very few of the 15 people escaped the horrible bug. Hopefully, the memories of being so sick won't cloud the memories of such a fun week.