Snow Days

 

We finally got a little snow! The bike ramp made the best "sled hill."

 

And takes them all the way down! Fortunately the leaves before the wall made so we didn't have any crash landing.

 

We shoveled every last inch of snow to make our "Hi Dad" snowman.

 

We had 4 snow days and spent time celebrating President's Day as well as all the snow fun.

 

The dry weather or something makes static magic on Diana's hair.

 

Elder D Todd Christofferson came last Thursday and we went to Raleigh to hear him speak. We got there 1 1/2 hours early and got to sit in the chapel. It was so nice that it was a couples devotional so Jim and I could really listen! The building was overflowing, with people parked double in the parking lot aisles and someone estimated 2500 in this very old school-style stake center (think brick walls in the chapel). The weather was below zero degrees, but they had to turn on the air conditioning it was so hot. Elder Christofferson came with Elder Soares and Elder Parker. Such a spiritually uplifting experience. I'm posting some notes here, if you'd like to skip them just scroll down for the rest of the pics.

Elder Soares- Everything we do in this church is done by faith. Encouraged us to study proclamation on family for FHE and often.
Sister Soares- Consistency is key to building faith and home.
Sister Christofferson- "Read the Book of Mormon to eliminate contention in the home." ...."You don't have to lecture them (kids). Let Nephi and the other prophets do it."
Elder Christofferson- D&C18 consistent scripture study. Kids reading scriptures helps them become spiritually independent. Speaking of his kids- "I don't know if I've done anything better for them than consistent scripture study." Consistent over time, and the fruits will appear.
Purpose of counseling is not to reach consensus but to receive revelation (speaking of counseling with spouse)
Q&A time- someone asked about how to pray to receive revelation in prayer. Elder Christofferson- express gratitude for SPECIFIC blessings, this brings the Spirit, and the Spirit can take over prayer. Desire to know what the Lord wants you to pray about. This is praying by the Spirit. Spirit directs and answers prayer. Leave time to listen.
Another question about how to prioritize with young family. Elder Christofferson listed priorities
1. Marriage and children- Decide what time you and spouse have together and treat it as an earned reward for your service.
2. Employment- foundation that provides resources
3. Church service- Consecrated but careful and delegating
4. Personal development- Learn. We're practicing here. Get up again and try practicing longer. Counsel together with spouse.
Those were some of my notes. Elder Christofferson and his wife had excellent humor. Elder Christofferson offered very powerful and personal testimony of the Savior. Elder Christofferson offered a sacred apostolic blessing at then end which is a humbling and heart strengthening experience. We were very blessed to attend .

 

Nicole showing off some static electricity.

 

Diana has had a tough time with so many snow days because my attention is not on her as much. So I took one night with just me and her making train sets. She is so very precious and fun.

 

Slowly melting in the rain....but stay tuned for his prolonged existence.

 

Monday baking. Just because. We are still in love with sourdough bread.

 

Katy loves to grab Michael's hair like a teddy bear and pull and snuggle it, it's pretty cute. He is patient and sweet about it.

 

This morning we woke up to totally not-forecasted SNOW! So here's to another day (hopefully not week) of no school!

 

You can see our snowman presiding at the top of the driveway! He is more like a mountain now, we'll see if we can't help his shape return but it's a little tricky since the body is solid ice now.

 

Sledding down the driveway is a ton of fun!

 

Nicole was kind to take Diana down with her a bunch.

 

Michael too.

 

I took a turn and I have to say it's pretty fun to play with the kids- I'm usually inside pregnant or with a newborn, but Katy was taking her morning nap so we were all out having a blast together.

 

Nicole tried sledding on the grass. Fail.

 

Snow angels.

 

Nicole wants to be a baker when she grows up. She made up a name "Sweety's Tweetys" and a slogan "Come enjoy our delicious treats!" She made a menu complete with prices and is learning how to make everything all by herself from scratch. Today she's making monkey bread. She is planning a bake sale at the end of spring break and has a guest list of 30+ people she wants to invite. I love watching her ideas grow and inspire her to learn more.

100 Day, Family Valentine's Day

 

Totally in love with the colors on this guy. He had his first shed since we've owned him and the oranges, reds, dreamsicle blue and lemony-lime colors are incredible!

 

 

100th day of school wear.

 

 

Nicole cracks me up. I have no idea where she gets these ideas.

 

 

I've never seen these for sale here before (and they weren't here this week) but last week I saw these for sale at our local grocery store.

 

 

We had some beautiful weather one day this week so the kids and I walked to the park and played.

 

 

Katy was filthy with mud and bark but I loved watching her explore and enjoy the park!

 

Jake happy as can be in his Wild Kratt shirt!

 

Jake and I made a space shuttle and watched a replay of a shuttle takeoff at full volume at least 5 times. It was a pretty epic playtime together!

 

 

For Valentine's Day, I made heart shaped meatballs. I was happy that it actually worked!

 

I made some garlic breadsticks too. We watched Lady and the Tramp as part of our party night so the meal had to match ;)

 

Jello Jigglers are the symbol of a real party around here. The kids LOVE these!

 

 

Jacob's heart is apparently near his appendix.

 

 

I made a whole bunch of chocolate strawberries and let the kids go to town!

 

Diana just wanted to eat the chocolate and go on to the next strawberries.

 

Katy loved the meal, she has 3 teeth now so she's starting to enjoy our food a lot more!

 

We read a bunch of valentine books then Jim put D and Katy down. After the little girls were in bed, we played valentine bingo, taking turns being the one to hold the cards.

 

We also did our valentine trees. Earlier I traced each of the kids hands and arm on construction paper. I put their name on the arm, cut it out and taped it on the door. The kids were all super curious about why we did it. Then for Valentine's Day we each wrote on the hearts things we love about each person and taped it by their hand. The more kind feelings they have towards each other the better! It is fun to see them light up when they read sweet things about themselves too.

 

For Valentine's Day I gave Jim this fish. Because Jim is a great catch :)  This solid chocolate fish is one of those gifts that you give someone that you wish you could have had. If you weren't allergic to it.

 

Jim brought me flowers way ahead of Valentine's Day. For some reason it makes me feel like I'm not a last minute thought or duty. I love the smell of these roses too.

 

Katy is pulling herself up on things, climbing stairs, and getting geared up for walking soon. She is 10 months old now!

Little Update

 

I took Mike and Nicole out to eat to celebrate their report cards. I am so grateful for such wonderful kids that work so hard every day at school. I feel very blessed!

Katy is really moving around! She is also increasing her vocals. I've had to leave class on Sunday several times now because she is just too loud with her squeals of joy, tongue clicking (her hilarious version of a kiss), and various Tarzan-like sounds. Although our church has a lot of little ones, for some reason in my classes she is the only baby not big enough for nursery so her sounds make an extra-obvious impact :) I'm glad she is so cheerful though, I am more than happy with having to leave for happy reasons!
Katy had her 9 month checkup and is 16.5lbs (10th%) and 28.25in tall (74th%). Another long and lean Del Bianco!
Not much going on here, it's been pretty cold (30s-40s!) so we are just doing the day in and day out of school. Days like these are when I start planning all of our summer vacations :) We are healthy and doing well.