SNOW!

The best thing about winter in Arizona, is that it snows one day each year, and the entire community shuts down.  We awakened to snow and so began the "snow challenges."  Trampline time in bare feet was the first challenge, and the tallest snowman was the second.

Molly's snowman

We are still writing to Andy each week; this is Molly's letter.  The the best part about his mission is the ease of domestic mail.

Austin coached Ryan's flag football game.  Ryan ran for two touchdowns, scored the extra point, and pulled 11 flags!

Grandma B. came to spectate, along with the five siblings.  No one has a voice that carries like Maisie's, except for Nick, Maddie and me.  Ergo, we were a very vibrant and encouraging cheering section.

Melijah went skiing the weekend in Boise, I'm sure their runs look a little different than ours.  I wouldn't trade the -15* for 49* for anything.

Andy began his weekly call with, "We had the best week!  15 people came to church!  Our zone is GOATED!"  I love that big boy of mine that I built.  I asked him, "Do you want me to send you valentines candy?"  He replied, "Nah, I won't eat it, I'd probably give it away."  At least he's honest, and to be real, as least he's not selling his food like he did in K-3rd grade.

San Diego

 Austin had a CE sedation course in San Diego, so he invited us to go along.  We spent the long weekend casually relaxing.  (These pictures are in reversed chronological order.)

Sunday morning church was not until 10:30am, so we slept in and were 20 minutes early.  The ward choir sang, and one of the members was a temple worker that had helped me the previous day. What a little miracle.

Saturday we spent at the temple, the beach and Target.  The water was not warm, the air was bright and crisp, so long walks and naps felt like vacation.

I made a 30 minute appointment, they just walked into the baptistry.

My little ones were kind and nice waiting in the car.

Friday we spent the day at Sea World.  This mother navigate the traffic and the amusment park almost as well as the father.  

The dolphin show was exciting.

This Walrus weighed like 4,000 pounds.  He was HUGE.

My children were crazy in the exhibits and screamers on the ride.  I'm sure we were a spectical.

Eddie and Ryan were tall enough to ride the big coasters and short enough to ride with Molly.  

The Orca show was our favorite.  We were caught on the big screen with our hands up and smiles on.  We did not sit in the soak zone, but the poor children who did left crying.

Together.

(Molly's little cashmere sweater used to be mine, but I washed it, so now it is hers.  "Oooh!' she crooned, "cashmere is so soft and warm," she gloated.  That was the first and last time I'll buy an expensive sweater that can't be washed at home.)

Of course we took advantage of the adjacent park in the evenings.  Kickball gets us excited and running.  I play on the boys' team, and Austin plays with the girls.  Somehow the teams are actually very fair.

It got cold.  Molly quit long before we took this.

My children are so happy just being together.  Austin and I went to bed early and awakened rested. I packed all our food, so the $10.31 churro was a real treat at $.50/bite.  I know why people live in California, but I don't know why they are bringing their politics to Arizona.  Boo.

A Brand New Year

Karen gave me a balloon machine, so Ryan tried it.  I think we're pretty clever.

Nine hours of wrestling tournament with Eddie proved rewarding.

Eddie, Ryan and Molly gave the primary parts.

I love watching Austin in the primary room.

Nick was ordained to the office of a priest in the Aaronic priesthood.

Eddie took a panorama at Grandma's house.

Some days school look like an engineering experiment.  This one lasted two hours.

"Baby hearts."

The second hour of my day I spend in a "solitary place."  I study, read and reflect upon yesterday and make plans for the day.  My goal is to be guided to those who need me.

Melijah gave me a gift card for a mani and pedi.  I spent over an hour at the nail salon and came home with polish that was my color.

Ryan's braids, thanks to Maddie.

We lift weights as a team.  We're trying to get stronger, but the gains are small.

Austin was sworn in as a board member today.  We made it just in time to hear him take the oath.

There he is!

We stopped for a second to watch Eddie at wresting practice. 

It's intense.

Friday we skiied!  Molly actually navigates the bunny hill, Ryan navigates the green lifts, and Maddie and Eddie navigate the blues.  I will go to my grave convinced that OUTDOOR wholesome family recreaction is the best for us.

Saturday I was I charge of "BRAND NEW YEAR," for the stake youth.  For five months we planned and made the event happen.  The youth spent an hour in the temple (Nick's first time to baptize as a priest), then the rest of the day in the stake center adjacent learning about the new theme, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Simple promptings made the idea, organization and execution really happen.  All good things come from heaven.

After a full day of youth, I stopped at the outlets and found a dress in my color.  I convinced the Ann Taylor lady to give me a discount because it had just been my birthday.  She did.