Cousins Go To Children's Museum

On Saturday we took our two "Young" (a pun because their last

name is Young ) -niece and nephew-Lucy and Zeke, 

to the Children's Museum. Of course it was lots of fun!

A dream come true for any kid (and parent haha)

 because you can touch everything!

Family Was Here!

The family arrived last Monday evening and we had a yummy barbecue chicken dinner and then went off to church. Our Dad, Pastor Rob, preached an amazing message on coveting. He continued talking about it for the next few messages at church, too. It was so good!

Tuesday morning we went up to the mountain to ski and snowboard.

Allie and her Grandpa Fish

My brother, Josh, and his son Zeke

Allie, Zeke and Josh

Lucy and Josh going on the bunny hill chair lift

Two Cute Cousins

Lovely Lucy...I was able to help her go down the bunny hill on skis. I did what Jessy did-put her between my legs and held her as tight as I could. I think she had a great time, and I did too. It was special Auntie Kathy & Lucy time :)

The next day we decided to rest! Pancake breakfast for everyone!

Check it out...we used THREE griddles to cook the pancakes

Uncle Nate and Rob

Allie, Lucy, and Zeke

Nurse Jessy found 2 blackheads in Marcus' ear and went to work...

I think Marcus was a little nervous. Thanks for taking care of us, Aunt Jessy!

Thursday was another day of skiing...

Zeke was all tuckered out from skiing &
fell asleep at the table in the lodge after lunch

What an amazing group of guys!

Valentine's Day 2013

Yesterday was a wonderful Valentine's Day. 

It began the night before, on Wednesday night, when the kids made Valentine's cookies for us in class at church and homemade cards. Aren't they cute? They wrote such sweet things to us. I felt the love and put them on our kitchen table.

I think what made Valentine's Day so great was that Josh was able

to come home in the morning from work and be with us the 

whole day. Nothing makes me and the kids happier 

than having Daddy at home!

He brought home a sweet candy bouquet, card and gift for Allie.

He spoiled me and gave me beautiful roses, candy, a smoothie, a

stack of conversation cards, and a poem he wrote me.

I'm going to have the poem framed and

hung in our bedroom. It is amazing!

Then, he went to work in the kitchen making

pink Valentine's Day heart pancakes for us.

The kids were so happy to get Valentine cards in the mail from all their grandpas and grandmas. The kids love getting mail . It made their day.

Later on, Zack blessed us and watched the kids so we could go out to dinner. Josh took me to this incredible Greek restaurant that I've been anxious to try. It was so good.

I loved it and can't wait to go back again.

...our 18th Valentine's Day together

Pretty Crafty

Valentine's Day Crafts...

I had to make this because its one of our special songs

I made this at our ladies church craft night 

Door Hanger...I actually hung it over our kitchen pantry door

Allie made her own little heart craft!

Oh...and my kitchen table centerpiece

Daddy & His Baby Girl

Lately

*We have been working on remodeling/decorating our church

*Going to the last of the season basketball games for our boys (Marcus' is this Saturday except for a tournament they are playing in)

*Spending time together as a family around the kitchen table, laughing and reminiscing

*I have been going to the gym and training with Josh

*Marcus has gone to work at the gym with Josh and enjoyed talking to the people that work out there…he also wants to work out to get ready for football in July!

*Rob came down with a cough last night

*We are getting ready for our annual married's overnight this weekend with a revival following the next week…with a family visit and revival following that week

*We have rejoiced in the last few days of warm weather…we never knew how wonderful 40 degree weather was :)

*I continue to homeschool Rob and Allie, while Josh takes care of Marcus' homeschool education

*I finally cleaned out a closet by our garage that was a chaotic mess of random items…uh humm I even found some things I bought to decorate our church classrooms a few years ago

*Josh went to IKEA for the 1st time ever to get some things for our church and could only think about Tim Hawkins comedy act on how everything there has a Swedish name and was pronouncing them all out loud in the store (like Tim Hawkins)

*Allie is asking Daddy for earrings

*I have really been enjoying getting into the Word and studying the fruit of the Holy Spirit

*The kids take turns praying for our day

*Marcus now wears elastic bands on his braces
*Rob and Allie had their yearly well-child check ups

*I realize I have adopted the tradition of a candy bowl with m&ms (for Valentine's Day) from my mom and everyone in the house is happy…and they are already gone! Thanks Mom :)

*I have been happily crafting away again for Valentine's Day…photos to follow!

*We have been going on outreach together and the kids race to see who can talk to people first about Jesus

*Josh is reading The Harbinger

Rob the Basketball Player

This past Saturday was Rob's final basketball game for the season. I am so impressed with how well he played. He was aggressive, focused, passed the ball, went for some shots and had a great attitude. He is amazing on defense! The highlight of the last game was that Rob made 2 baskets! His team was struggling to score points, so it was awesome to see him make some baskets. In the final seconds of the game Rob had the ball, passed it to his friend, Noah, and he scored the final points at the buzzer! 

It was an incredible grand finale. 

My Little Gymnast

Yesterday after we went skiing and snowboarding,
we headed to Allie's first gymnastics class!
She was beyond excited. It was so cute to see her serious
expressions as she did her exercises. 

I must say she really is a natural. 
But, it doesn't come from me! I actually did gymnastics 
for a short time when I was young, but chickened 
out & quit when I had to learn to do a 
headstand over the vault.

Allie can thank her very talented Aunts for 
her natural gymnastics ability. Josh's sisters, Beth 
and Jessica, as well as my sister, Susan, all took 
gymnastics and were extremely good at it. 

I have a feeling Allie will be practicing headstands, somersaults,   
and cartwheels non-stop around the house from now on!

Balance beam 

Jumping across the floor

Doing somersaults