Winter Time

Seems like I just haven't had the same motivation to blog as times in the past. But I don't want to give up since it's the best way for me to journal all that happens in our family. I've been keeping busy with watching Lucy grow. She is getting big way too fast. She is such a joyful baby, though. She experiences a little stranger anxiety sometimes. She cries when she sees Aunt Lacey because she knows that I must be leaving. But then she warms up. She'll be 8 months soon and that makes my heart ache. One of the most common sayings in our home is, "Lucy, stop growing!"
We took Nolan to a folk dance show at the Conference Center theater. It was fun to remember all the fun that Justin and I had dancing back in our glory days! Nolan liked the show, but decided that he'd most like to be a technician so that he can run the sound and lights.
I'm just realizing that I didn't ever finish telling about the holidays (so this post isn't really in proper order). After Christmas, we had planned to go to the cabin for New Year's and then on to St. George. But it turns out that Lucy came down with croup. We would bundle up and drive her around with the windows rolled down. She was all snuggled in her seat while the cold air helped the swelling in her airway. She would go right to sleep. And at night we'd open her window a crack. She slept so well! It must have been around 50 degrees in there when I went in to nurse her! She looked so cute all bundled up! Soon after getting sick, I had to stop swaddling her at night. She now rolls over too much.

Luckily she got over it quickly (with the help of some steroids from the doctor), but Justin and I came down with a cold/cough. So we headed to St. George when we were well, instead of going to the cabin. It was nice to have everyone feeling better and enjoy the warmer weather. We had a good time with Keeley's family and we visited the new children's museum. The boys loved visiting parks and going swimming.

Grandpa John had a great time with the squirt gun. He was like a kid again!

We finally exchanged gifts on New Year's Eve. Ezra had gotten into the dress-ups! My family was at the cabin but came home a day early to join us in St. George. We had our yummy New Year's food for lunch on New Year's Day.  

Lucy was so darling in her outfit that Grandma gave her for Christmas.

The boys were so excited to see leaves to play in, instead of snow.

Daddy snuggles!

In January, the big excitement was using the new Bosch that Justin got me for Christmas. We had a lot more baked goods than normal. We even pulled out our hand grinder to grind some wheat for fresh bread (the first I've ever made). It wasn't all that beautiful but it tasted so good. And I think the grinder will be strictly for emergencies. Nolan and I thought our arms would fall off we were so tired after grinding only two cups of flour! Also, Lucy began eating baby food better and it was fun to introduce her to puffs and even some soft bits of popcorn. She went crazy for popcorn!

 Puffs!!! She wasn't sure at first, but now they're her favorite snack.

Popcorn!

Last month Nolan tried out basketball for the first time. It was just a skills program; no games. He was not impressed, and neither was I. There were way too many kids and there was nothing particularly fun about it... just a lot of the same drills over and over. Half the time Nolan's coaches (high school team members) were unsure what to do! But he was generally a good sport. It was worth it when he got his own basketball!

Here are some other pictures from January:
I keep thinking these boys might lose a little interest in Lucy, but they can't stop loving on her. Nolan enjoys carrying Lucy around (he feels so old and responsible!) and Ezra wishes that he could.

Looking pretty for church.

 She discovered her tongue! For about a week she couldn't smile without it sneaking out.

This provided some fun for a while.

 Ezra doesn't love homework. He finally agreed to practice writing his letters and then fell asleep!

 We borrowed Grandma's awesome sled for a month. What fun!

 She couldn't be a more joyful baby!

 Ez likes to sneak into Lucy's crib when she wakes up.

 For family home evening one night, we visited Scales and Tails. It's basically a large storage unit with lots of animals. They typically just do events, but open up the place a couple times a week for people to come see. We had a blast! The kids couldn't stop stroking the huge snakes and they loved the big parrot. It was very exciting when they pulled a 4 ft. crocodile out of a big box and wrestled it into the water cage. Seriously... what if that thing had gotten free. Scary! In hindsight, I'm pretty sure they shouldn't have pulled that thing out in front of rows of children.

Lucy turned 7 months. She is a darling little Valentine's girl!

As for Justin, he was glad to have his first tithing settlement season done. He is loving his calling as a finance clerk. And I love my primary class. The kids that are getting baptized are at such a fun age! I can't believe that next year I might have Nolan in my class.