February already?

Wow, where has the time gone? After downloading all these pictures, it was nice to see that we actually did do a lot in the last month and a half, and that is why it has blown by so fast. It is a good thing my camera has a good memory.
With the start of the new year we swapped up jobs in the house to start including Jacob on the action. He is a good helper, but a two year old, none the less, and loves to do things his own way. His favorite job is helping to set the table and he likes to put out all the silverware in the drawer. This is often the result...

Love his independence, but am glad when I am on top of it and take out of the drawer what we don't need on the table to begin with.
Aunt Amy and uncle Rob sent us this awesome popcorn popper for Christmas this year. It has been a hit for our Friday night movies and no one loves it more than Jacob. He tells me "more ah orn eeze" over and over again, and then sits and watches it from start to finish with this gaze on his face.
Both boys go to play at a friends house on Tuesday mornings while I help in Maren's classroom. They love playing with Hannah, and her mom has been a saint to do this for me every week. She always goes out of her way to make sure they have a good time. A few weeks ago we got enough snow here in the valley to make a snowman, and it was actually packable. The boys had so much fun making this at their house. This was just a few hours later and the rest of the snow had melted by then.


Spencer has a lot to say lately, and with him still struggling to stay in his bed it can be interesting. We have had a lot of funny conversations, trying to understand his dislike of his bed and room. Spencer "I have a lot to talk about guys" Dave "Like what" Spencer "I am practicing to be a grown up". Obviously we are good at talking lots in our house. He also recently learned to write his name all by himself.
He is so excited to show me on his name tag every week when we go to story time at the library.

Maren had a music production called wiggles and giggles with the other 2nd and 1st graders at her school. It was full of colorful parachutes, balls, and ribbons, and Maren's class used hula hoops. It was a fun show and she did great trying to sing along with the songs while doing the actions at the same time.

Maren's class also took a field trip up to the Mesa for a winter ecology and snow shoe trip. I am still in awe that they pull this off every year with all these kiddo's. It is quite a feat to get all these kids ready for a romp in the woods in several feet of snow.
I was obviously not thinking straight and decided to tag along with the boys. It was crazy to try and keep up, especially when Jacobs boot decided to break on me. But we all did learn a few things. Did you know that Aspens have a natural sunscreen on their bark and leaves, and that you can borrow it if your forget to apply your own (it is also an anti-fungal as well)? The best was watching the kids all trying not to trip all over one another on the trail with all that gear. and the 2nd grade teacher that served as a guide who let them all pummel him with snow balls at once. In the end I am glad I went, and Maren was happy too.

Amanda has had several swim meets in last few months to wrap up the long course season. Today is actually her last one. Hora-ah! Luckily they have all been local, which has been nice. She is still cutting seconds off her time and trying to get that tricky back stoke flip turn down. She really wants to qualify for state, not going to happen, but she is getting close. So proud of her and hard work. Her coach offered cupcakes to anyone on her team who could swim 50 m without taking a breath with fins on. She tried for weeks to get it knowing she was close, and kept falling short, but just last week did it...wahoo!

She is also rockin' it up on the Wii lately with her Dance dance revolution moves. Go Amanda, and my favorite part is that finally someone can beat Dave! Who knew my two left footed hubby could dance?