Black Lightning!

Pine Wood Derby Time!

This was Josh's first pine wood derby and he had a great time! He got 2nd place overall and 1st place in his Bear Den!

Don't worry, Black Lightning looks behind here but he caught up and won the race! Go JOSH!

3 boys and a girl

Not many of my kids liked laying down in the bathtub at this age. Marissa loves it!

Cuties!

Yes - I caught her with a whole bag of m&ms she got out of my purse. Stinker!

Good brothers! Josh reading to Tanner.

At the new Draper temple. As you can see, Tanner did not want his picture taken. Grump!

Dawson and Rissy - my two blond hair and blue eyed babies.

Every kid needs a DOG!

We got to dogsit Fudge (my parent's dog) for 2 weeks! And it was so fun. Marissa LOVED him. Fudge was probably pretty sick of her but he was always very patient. She loved getting his toy from him and throwing it so he would chase it.

Tanner is a big dog lover too. Fudge slept with him everynight and cuddled at his feet. When Fudge would wake up in the morning, Tanner was usually still asleep. But if I left his door open Fudge would go back in there and jump up right next to his face and paw at him and lick him till he woke up. There were several mornings where I would hear Tanner wake up laughing because Fudge wanted him to wake up and play!


The funniest thing that happened was one day we were throwing his toy and he got Marissa blue nose suction thingy instead of his toy. I tried to get a picture of this but it didn't work. Anyway - he went and laid down with it between his paws so the skinny end was sticking up right. It totally looked like he was suctioning his own nose. It was so funny! He is a good dog! We miss Fudge!

The Mystery of the Salt and Pepper!

Sunday was the last time we saw them at the table. The nice little salt and pepper shakers were right where they were supposed to be in the middle of the table. Well after dinner the person who cleared the table didn't get those little guys put away - so there they stayed all night long and the next morning. I remember, vaguely, seeing them the next morning amid the clutter of breakfast cereals. And then it all became a blur. The table setter couldn't find them anywhere. So the hero "finder", ME, took on the challenge. But to everyone's surprise even I couldn't find them. I was seriously so confused. We looked everywhere - fridge, freezer, pantry, cupboards. There just isn't very many places that those things could go. So after a couple of nights of using the pour a little of salt in my hand and sprinkle it, I decided to buy some of the cheap kind at the store.
Now that you are all dying to know what happened next - I'll tell you. This morning as I was making JD's lunch, he was getting some breakfast. All of the sudden he makes a funny noise and I look over and he is pulling the salt and pepper out of the empty Golden Grahams box. What? We had a good laugh about it. I thought Dawson or Tanner had been playing a trick on us but as I asked them about it at breakfast this morning they were as surprised as me. Then it donned on me - our little table climber -Marissa! She had been on the table that Monday morning and I guess she does like putting things in other things! So mystery solved - who knew that a 15 month old could create such a mystery!

Just so I will remember

Saturday night, JD and I got to bed about 11:30. As soon as we got comfortable, Marissa starts crying (not totally unusual) but usually she will just fuss for a few minutes and then find a binky and go back to sleep. Anyway she was crying pretty hard so I went in there and got her thinking if she laid down with us she would go back to sleep. No such luck. She was still crying and carrying on and kept trying to get off of our bed. So after struggling with her for a few minutes, I let her get down. She left the room and walked down the dark hall. She was only gone for a few seconds and then came back. I picked her up and she relaxed for a bit but then wanted to get down again. So I let her and off she went down the hall again. This time she didn't come back and I wondered if she went downstairs or something. So I got up and found her in the dark kitchen standing by her chair. I picked her up and asked her if she was hungry. She shook her head yes. So I set her on the counter and gave her some milk and toast. She downed the milk and ate most of the toast. Then we headed back to her room - read one book with the lights out and she went right back to bed. JD and I just laughed at how she really communicated with us what she needed even though she couldn't talk. What better way to tell someone you are hungry then go to your chair and wait! Precious!

Prayers
-So Marissa is finally getting the prayer thing. She knows when we do it and that we bow our heads and fold our arms. So the other night I went to put her down early and she just started freaking out - not normal - usually she likes going to bed. Well I didn't fight her - an idea just came to me. Since she was pointing out down the hall I thought we haven't had family prayer yet - that must be it. So I said to everyone to come for prayers and we all kneeled down and prayed and then she went right down to bed without another fuss.
-It was just Marissa and I for lunch the other day. I put her in her chair and then took her food to her. She made a grunt and then put her head on the table with her arms folded. I said to her " do you want to say a prayer" - and her cute little head bobbing yes confirmed it. So we said a prayer before her lunch.
-Out to dinner at a restaurant the other night. Before the food gets there she makes her noise and then puts her head down on the table - time for prayers! (although we are too prideful to pray in the restaurant, at least out loud!)

My Stars

Tanner rocking out!

Dawson's dribbling skills with his best assister Josh behind him.

Josh scoring a basket! (It's hard to take pictures at basketball games - I need some tips or a better camera!)

Marissa's new thing - climbing on the table! This is before she fell off backward and landed on her head - but no injuries to report! Thank goodness!

Cheeseball.

Can't let go - she loves all balls!

45 degrees and LOVING it!

Just had to say that I loved the weather today. Marissa, Tanner and I were out in the front yard for over 2 hours today. I even got a little warm! It was so nice to play in the sunshine and let Marissa run around. Too bad the backyard is still totally full of snow or we could play on the swing set. Patience Stacy - spring will come! But horray for today - it was great! I love the sun!