Van Natter - February 2015

Another winter month without any winter weather! It was the mildest winter. One day it rained, and it just reminded me of a California winter!

John has waited more than a year for Neil to finally be big enough to get on and off his little bike, a gift from Grandpa his first Christmas (2013), and make it 'go!'

Annette and I got together to replan Grammy's birthday party since we switched from sub sandwiches to pizza. She had lots of fun ideas, which I was glad for! And it's worth it to get some yummy tomato soup from Paradise Bakery & Cafe!

We don't make a big deal out of Valentines Day. John got me these gorgeous flowers that of course, lasted through my birthday(the 19th).

Had a really nice birthday. Heidi picked up food from Twig, a very cool bistro nearby, and we ate at Emily's, rather than try to find another day when childcare wasn't an issue. Great food, great company! John brought home Indian food for dinner, as well as Coconut Cream Pie from Marie Callender's! So I was very pleased! Lots of lovely well-wishes from family and friends. Some friends took me for Greek food the next day, so I celebrated around the globe.But I'm always glad when it's over frankly. Too much pressure!

I finished a 2 year study of the Book of Mormon on my birthday morning, which felt like perfect timing. I had printed it out with wide margins for lots of notes (none on this page) and studied with the 3-volume series - The Book of Mormon Made Easier by David Ridges. So worthwhile. But since it took so long, I wanted something fast for my next time through, so now I am listening to 3 chapters every morning on my phone as I get ready for the day. It's interesting how I pick up on things when spoken that haven't stood out as I've read it before. Highly recommend this method on occasion.

John was working on the cold air returns in the hallway, when he found this old record from the Fisher Price record player our kids had when they were really little - in the mid-80's at latest. I sent the photo to the kids via text and laughed at their responses:

Hope you all had a lovely Month of Love!!
Sending our love to all- John and Kathi

Greg and Family

After a very mild winter. We finally got some good snow storms, making for SNOW DAYS and NO SCHOOL. We got together with some friends one of the day for a “pizza party,” sledding fun, and hot chocolate and donuts afterwards.

This picture is hilarious. Adam had the idea going sledding on his belly and going off the little jump they made. He got a mouth full of snow.

Isaac loves to borrow the Grigg’s boys cheap snowboard. He has pretty good balance and looks legit. I wonder how he would do on a really “hill”.

I just loved the lighting on this one and had to include it.

Our tunnel building.

We had such a fun time at CoCo Keys with the Cottrell Clan.  It's nice that the cousins are at that age where they can play with each other.

I love that the dentist office we go to can work on all three kids at the same time. It makes it so much faster.

 

Valentines day boxes for classroom parties: Sarah made an Owl and Isaac made the Nebraska football stadium.

I have always wanted to take pictures of the kids in the snow.

Greg needed some new pictures for his frame at work so….. 

we did  a little photo-shoot (on their day off from school) for him for Valentines Day….

IT WAS FREEZING!!!! But I LOVE this pictures.

THROWBACK-What difference 7 years makes.

For Valentines Day  Breakfast I made eggs, sausage, and heart shaped cinnamon rolls. I love the lunch trays I picked up at Target. Dinner included make your own heart shaped pizzas, red jello and red fruits. Overall, it was a good day.

 

During the winter break we headed to the the zoo. This penguin was very friendly.

Here’s most of our zoo crew, the Thompson’s, Neely's and Cottrell’s

The Show What You Know Fair and Art Expo. All three kids worked together and made a display about volcanoes. Isaac and Sarah drew 3 pictures and Adam put in some Lego designs in the art expo.

Greg and Family-January

The kids had this "wonderful" idea of making cookies every Sunday and deliver them to friends. In fact it's one Isaac's goals for the year. 

Adam turned 11. Still not sure how I feel about having a son in the double digits. It makes me feel old. He is pretty  perfect and a great helper to me. 

Adam got this AWESOME temple kit for Christmas. It was pretty amazing to see how goes together.

We finally got around to painting our bathrooms. The color is called Wet Pavement and is more grey than it looks in the pictures. I am pretty happy with way it turned out. 

Greg took Isaac and Sarah to see the Omaha Symphony and young pianist. 

It has been unseasonable warm, and we are taking advantage of the nice days. 

Adam earned his Super Achiever for Webelos and his Arrow of Light, graduating from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.