Blue & Gold

This year for the theme for our Blue and Gold was the Olympics. Trevor wanted to do a cake with one of the Olympic events. He harnessed some of his grandma's love, and chose to do a hockey cake. This was by far the easiest cake in our Blue & Gold history. Trevor did the whole thing except put the cake in the oven and take it out. He did great.
On top of the cake decorating, he earned 3 more silver arrows (for a total of 7 arrows that I now have to sew---insert sad face). Pretty soon he gets to move up to Weblos (and I'm excited for that because then that means for the whole year there is only ONE patch that I will have to sew!!).

Tests

The last time Trevor tested for TKD was just before he went to the hospital last year. It was at that time that I started to realize that he wasn't feeling well. So this was a bitter sweet test to go watch. He was pretty nervous going into it. Okay, and during it too.
He was the only yellow belt testing, and there was only one boy who was ranked above him testing. That did not calm his fears at all.
But he did great. Grant got to come and watch too, and we were just proud of him. He's gone through a lot this last year. If you are familiar with any karate test, they don't tell you right away if you pass--you have to wait to find out the results. Luckily at this age, it is within a week. And he passed!

BFF's

Lydia loves Raider. Can you tell? And I think he is smitten by her.

Skiing

For scouts, Ben's age group is working on their snow sports merit badge. To prepare for it, a family in our ward was kind enough to invite Ben up to ski with them. We bought him a package that he got to go 3 times, and each time he also had a lesson. He had a lot of fun, and skiing is now his new favorite sport. Ben talked Grant into going with him on his final day. Grant didn't have to think too long about going! They both had a lot of fun together, and Grant even got Ben to do black diamonds.

Love is in the Air

Today was a great Valentine's Day!
Grant had the day off, so we went to the temple in the morning. That was a wonderful way to start the day. I love the temple. I love being there. I love feeling the warmth of the Spirit.
We made the kids a Candygram for our Valentine's gift to them.
Then for dinner, we had a candlelit dinner of fondue. We had meat and veggies, and then a cheddar fondue with a bunch of things to dip in it. Then for dessert we had chocolate fondue. We used Grant's mom's fudge topping recipe, and it was so good. It was fun to just enjoy dinner and experience it, rather than hurrying through with the kids.

Tickeling the Ivories

Miss Karmin started piano lessons a few months ago. She was trying so hard to learn how to play a hymn, and so we decided to take advantage of it, and get her going with lessons. She is doing so well with it, and loves it. I love hearing her play.
I didn't realize how much joy it would bring me to have the house full of music. But it makes my heart happy! The boys are taking lessons through their school too--so they also have to practice the piano. Add in Ben's guitar lessons from school and the result is there usually is someone playing something. I know that I really enjoy the music because I don't even mind if they are playing "Chopsticks." And to me, that is a true test of enjoyment.
Karmin got in on these classes just in time to be able to play at the recital here in January. She was excited. They had to dress in "fancy dresses" and I even talked her into doing her hair all fancy to match. A ponytail is a fancy hairstyle for Karmin, so I got so excited when we found a hairstyle that would be conservative enough for her, but something a little bit more than just a ponytail.
Well, the day came and I was in bed all day with a fever and a stomach bug. It was awful. I couldn't get out of bed to even put her hair in a ponytail. So much for being fancy. BUT because I wasn't able to do it, Karmin figured out how to do it herself. She put her hair in a ponytail and put some clips in and was really proud of doing it all herself. (And honestly, she probably did a better job than what I would have been able to do--part of me thinks I was fooling myself thinking I could do something fancy!)
Right before her recital, Piper joined me in being sick. Lydia was already sick too--so Grant talked the boys into babysitting (that took a lot of persuasion--wink, wink) the girls so I could just stay in bed. Add to it that I told Nana and Papa the wrong time, so they weren't able to go--and I was feeling pretty small as far as mothering went.
Grant recorded her songs, so at least I got to enjoy it later, and it was so cute. She bops while she plays. She just oozes with happiness. I love it. After her first song, she turned to the audience with this great big grin like she was thinking "See what I did? Wasn't that the greatest? Aren't you all as happy as I am?"

Cuties

Grant stayed home with the kids while I took Trevor to the hospital today. Grant sent me this picture while we were gone. These 2 are both super cute. And they just make me happy!

Exhausted

It's hard to work to be a mommy, but to be a mommy to 2...that's exhausting!

A Girl and Her Dog

Lydia adores Raider. And bless his heart, he is so patient and good to her. He lets her lay on him, tug on his ears, lay next to him, maul him, etc.
We are always finding Lydia loving on Raider. We lucked out with a great dog!