Yellowstone= Winter Wonderland

For Christmas, my mom gave her kids a trip to Yellowstone!  It was so much fun- we stayed in West Yellowstone.

Bears roam freely through the town.

Grandma Ellie with Whitney, Maggie, Kate, and Elise

My mom and me.

This was the night of Valentine's: a romantic evening with my brothers.
Just kidding- that was really fun too.

The day after Valentine's we took a snowcoach ride into Yellowstone Park.

Deluxe accommodations.

These two are looking like grown-ups.
This must stop.

The wildlife.

Whitney loves Uncle Dan more than any of us.
Probably more than her own mom and dad.

Theo had his birthday party in a yurt.
It was so exciting!

We saw a lot of wildlife:bison, elk, and eagles.
My favorite was this fox, though.  I really want a fox to be my pet.

Early February

It makes me laugh when her ears do this.
She's not amused.

Forget wheat.  I stockpile candy.

 February was so unseasonably warm that we took a long walk outside one Sunday.  It was even warm enough to wade in the creek.

She's Baptized!

Maggie was so excited to turn 8 and get baptized the very next day.
A celebration was planned.

She was so excited about her dress.  I had been unable to find one at local stores, so I took a chance and ordered this one off of Amazon.  She was beyond thrilled!

Prior to the baptism.

Cousins.

Maggie and her sweet friends Elle and Eden.

Grown ups have cousins too.

After the baptism, Liza went to stay with mom.  We talked a few hours later and decided to meet up for a walk.
We took this picture because we dressed like twins.

After the days events, I laid down for a little rest and was promptly joined by dober-one and dober-two.

A cute note from Elle.
I hope these two are friends forever.

In January

These two are champion beggars.  Look at the desperation in their eyes.

On one end of the racing spectrum are those who meticulously plan every run, take supplements, and have conversations about "fuel."  On the other end of the spectrum is moi.  This is my entire training plan for the Ogden marathon next month.  I eat candy for mid-run calories, don't even take a multi-vitamin, and just figure things will fall into place.

Again with the begging!
They stick close in case a mistake is made.

Lily has learned a trick.  We call it the "zombie" and she sits up on her back legs and  moves her arms up and down.

We finally finished "Where the Red Fern Grows."
There were tears.  Copious amounts.

This is a typical piano lesson scene: One dog resting in my lap, one lurking under the piano.

Somewhat unsettled after her first visit to the vet.

I took this picture just prior to Maggie's birthday- I told her I was throwing her a reverse party where all of her friends come and I give them all her toys.

Fun at the Dino Museum.

Add to my extensive resume: bearded dragon nail trimmer.

Another world.  Also, a ball.

The girls.

Pad Thai might be her favorite, favorite, favorite meal.

Lately there's been an ongoing conversation about whether or not leggings are appropriate or equivalent to pants.  Clearly, I fall firmly in the pro-leggings camp.  

Attention must be paid.

Curly church hair.

You'd think I had 19 kids and counting but really I just have two kids who never ever throw a toothbrush away.

Our neighbor had a baby!
This is very exciting for Kate who is ready to be a babysitter.

Maggie and her giant stuffed dino from Grandma Ellie.