January 2017

Happy New Year 2017!  We rang in the new year at home except for JJ, who wouldn't miss a church dance for anything or anyone.  We stayed up long enough to watch the ball drop on TV . . . well most of us did.

Asher

We've had some extreme cold this month which means that it takes quite a while for Asher to put on all his layers before school.  The other kids don't have recess so it has become less important for them to layer up.  Asher however has his regular clothes and then snow pants and boot and hoodies and hats and gloves and coat. Apparently Jax enjoys watching the whole process.

Asher decided on his own to make a new years goal to read his scriptures every night.  For the first few weeks I had no idea he was even doing it.  I'm so proud of the young man he is becoming.  He is such a good example to me and his siblings!  That thing on his head, in case you are wondering, is a head lamp.

Asher is usually too cool to participate in some of the different spirit days at school but he decided to do crazy hair day this month.  He wanted a crazy hair style . . . just not too crazy.

Spirit decided that he needed to help Asher practice his piano.  He isn't the most helpful but it was kinda cute.

Band Bash

Hannah is still participating in band at Willowcreek.  This month she took part in the Lehi Band Bash held at Lehi High School with bands from Willowcreek, Lehi High, Lehi Elementary and a combined elementary band.  It was really a fun concert to attend.  

Basketball

This month we spent lots of time going to basketball games because all three kids are doing Jr. Jazz.  Lance was Asher's coach and they had a great team with several of Asher's good friends.  Asher has really improved his game and made several baskets.

 Hannah wasn't able to attend the tryouts this season so she was just placed on a random team.  She did have Annabelle on her team which really helped.  She got very little playing time and the coach held very few practices.  All in all we were not super happy with her experience this year but she loves basketball enough she still wants to do it next season.  We were really spoiled having Teresa and Missy as her coaches in the past.

 JJ worked hard on his game and it paid off when he didn't over think it too much.  It really is a mental game for him.  If he feels intimidated by more aggressive players on his team he struggles but when he feels confident he can do amazing things on the court.  He had a female coach this year which was a first.  He liked his team but some of the players struggled with "anger issues" so his team experienced several technical fouls over the course of the season. It was a good learning experience for JJ.

Hannah

Hannah is growing up so fast.  She has been waiting excitedly and fearfully for the day that she got her braces on.  She knew by watching her brothers and friends that they are painful but her teeth are so crooked she really wanted to get the process started to straighter teeth.  This month she started that journey.

 Hannah has really enjoyed her art class this year.  She drew and colored this picture.  I just love it! I'm going to frame it so we can use it as part of our Fall decor.

Pets!

Our silly puppy is so much fun and is so sweet.  He loves sitting with me any time I sit down. He also loves his toys.  He has to carry them around with him and often makes a pile of them to snuggle with.

 The doggies love Asher and will often sit at his feet where ever he may be. In this case they are under the kitchen table with Spirit's pile of toys.

 This puppy is a mud puddle magnet.  With the wet weather we end up giving him a bath sometimes more than once a day.  He is not impressed.

Pinewood Derby

This month was Asher's last pinewood derby.  He worked hard on his "cheese car" and was pretty bummed when it didn't do better in the races but tried hard to have a good attitude.

Snow

We've had a very cold and snowy winter.  JJ has been helpful to occasionally shovel the driveway and walks.  On this day his buddy Josh helped out.  The piled up snow became a fun snow cave and sled ramp for the kids to play on.

We've had quite a lot of days of inversion which isn't great for the lungs but makes for some pretty sunsets.