January 16 to 22

01.16.12 A day off from school.  We spent the morning sledding at Ebersold Park.  Even Esther was able to go for a handful of rides.  She loved it.  I loved that when I pulled her back up the hill she laid down in the sled and was just there for the ride.  She was really good and kept her boots and gloves on for most of the time we were there.  Kirsten and Peter went up and down the hill at least 20 to 30 times.  I think I went about 8 times and that made me really tired. 
It really didn't make them all that tired because after lunch they went out and started to build a snowman.  I figured they would need some help so I got my gloves on and helped push the first ball up the hill toward our house and then lifted the 2nd ball on top of that one.  Kirsten was able to get the head on.  Then we gathered odd and end scarves and mittens and put those on the snowman.  I was pretty proud of Kirsten as she figured out how to put the hat on so it would stay.

01.20.12 Friday afternoon brought us a pretty mean storm.  So we decided to spend a little time inside crafting.  I had cut wood for our craft group on Wednesday and had lots of left overs.  We painted and applied vinyl to our wood.  But when we were done the kids insisted on going outside.

 I think we received at least 6 inches of snow.  The kids were building a snow fort in the snow pile at the end of the driveway.  The snow kept coming down from about 10 am to around 6 pm.  The main problem with the snow was that dad had to change his flight and add an extra day on to his already long trip.  Of course he wasn't complaining as he strolled to dinner tonight in his shorts in the 75 degree weather in Jacksonville Florida.  Gee, I think the high today here in Chicago was about 18 degrees.  (We really wanted him home - especially when I had to shovel the driveway, and we know he wanted to be home too.)

January 1 - 15, 2012

Monday, January 2nd -
It finally snowed.  Okay maybe it was a light dusting.  The kids were so excited, they ran out with their shovels and scooped up all the snow on the sidewalks with their snow shovels.  They had to go down the bike path a little ways to get enough snow to use the snow ball makers they got from Grandma Hall.  I think they were able to get about 2 1/2 snowballs out of the snow they gathered from the sidewalks and bike path.  Sorry kids I wish there was more snow for your sakes but I am glad it hasn't snowed all that much this year.  It looks like there won't be snow for a little while.

For our family home evening treat tonight we dipped pretzels into both white and chocolate chips.  Then, of course, we had to get the sprinkles out to decorate them.  As you can see Esther totally enjoyed her chocolate covered pretzel.  She seems to like anything that has chocolate in or on it.  The pretzel was still intact - she just sucked all the chocolate off.  Yum! Yum!

Tuesday, January 3rd -
Dave flew out to Utah for his brother Ben's wedding.  They were sealed in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.  They had a beautiful spring like day in January.  Welcome Chelsea to the crazy Anderson family.  You looked beautiful and it looks like everything was really nice.  They had a nice reception the night before and a nice lunch after the ceremony.  The car was decorated with cookies, balloons and other paraphernalia.  Hope they have fun on their honeymoon.  I'm sad we missed it but glad that Dave was able to go and spend a nice weekend with his family.

Saturday, January 7th
Today was Kirsten's friend birthday party.  She invited her friends to come and enjoy a fun filled afternoon playing.  We started off the party with a couple of craft activities.  First we made some princess dolls from paper and then we decorated foam hearts with glitter glue, bling and stickers.  It was a hit.  Most of the girls were having so much fun.  Kirsten had a wonderful plan for her birthday party and so after that we started the cake walk game for prizes.  Next we had cake and ice cream which was gobbled up quickly.  Kirsten opened up presents and received many wonderful presents from her friends.  Lastly she sent her friends on a treasure hunt to find the gift bags we were sending home.  Kirsten had a wonderful time and her friends loved the party.

I decorated Kirsten's cake this year under her direction.  She set up where things went and what needed to be on the cake.  I attempted a couple of "roses" with the frosting.  They were okay but Kirsten loved them and that is what counts.

Wednesday, January 11th


The last couple of days have been BEAUTIFUL!!  We have been hovering around 45 to 50 degrees and loving it.  I think I saw our thermometer say it was 55 degrees.  I'm not sure it was that warm but it was so beautiful.  We figured we better enjoy the nice spring like weather while we can.  Esther saw the tricycle and wanted to try it out.  She got right on it and started pushing herself with her feet.  She was moving pretty fast and totally enjoying herself.  Peter and Kirsten were able to ride their scooters, draw with chalk on the bike path and do things that were not something you do in January.  I kind of half hope that we will be able to continue on this way until spring.

Thursday, January 12th
It started pretty slowly this morning, but it continued most of the day.  SNOW!  The kids were ecstatic and wanted to play out in it the whole afternoon.  The kids built snow forts and slid down the neighbors hill over and over again.  Esther thought it was pretty cool (and cold) too.  I guess I am going to have to get her some snow boots.  The funny thing was she wanted to get her tricycle out rather then anything else.  She was a little frustrated that it was so cold for her.  She kept touching the snow and then her hands would be freezing.  I think this is her first experience with snow since she is now more mobile.  I tried to carry her to school and she wanted to get down into the snow.  She is just so curious about it all.

To the end of 2011

Christmas eve and Day.  The kids got a lot of stuff and so did the mama and papa.  It was fun to go to church on Sunday and remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas. 

Kirsten's 7th Birthday.  We made Ande's mint cupcakes and opened presents.  Kirsten loved being the star of the show.

While we were enjoying cool temperatures - around 10 or 11 degrees.  Dad was off "working" in Jacksonville, Florida.  It was around 65 degrees most of the time he was there.  Of course they were talking about how it was going to get down to 30 degrees one night there.  Brrrr, almost freezing.

To end the year off with a fun activity.  Mom and the kids built gingerbread houses together.  Peter needed help but Kirsten worked on her own house and did a wonderful job.

This year has been interesting and fun and we hope that 2012 will be just as fun!