Long Winter

Winters in Wyoming are long. Sometimes it feels like it will never end (and by now, I am more than ready for some warmer weather).  The first part of winter isn't bad, with Thanksgiving followed by Christmas and all the fun that comes with those celebrations.  But then it's January, and February, and March (and sometimes even April), and it's still winter.  If it wasn't for basketball, I might go crazy.  But as I sit and think about these past two months, I am grateful for all that I have and the things we have been able to do.  Here's a quick run-down:

I spent most of January going through my entire house, room by room, sorting through every single item deciding whether it was a keeper or not.  If so, where should it go?  If not, should I sell it, give it to DI, or just throw it in the trash?  A lot of decisions.  Although this task became discouraging at times, by the end of January, I had gotten rid of loads of trash, sent an entire van-load of stuff to the DI, and made $300 cash selling items I didn't want anymore.  And I have spaces that look like this now:

(I don't know about all of you, but I get some major satisfaction out of this kind of organization!) 

To help beat the winter blues, we hit the pool a couple of times.  The kids love swimming!

One good thing about winter: SKIING!  Although I didn't go this year (the whole nursing baby thing), Tony, Connor, and Mylie were able to hit the slopes one Saturday, and then Tony and Connor got another chance to go skiing on a school trip.  Connor loves it!

 We've also been able to spend quite a bit of time with extended family.  Besides our trip to Laramie, we spent two days in Cokeville, two days in Star Valley, an evening in Cokeville with all my family except Olivia, and plenty of time with our Micheli family here on the ranch.  We also had Sullivan and Michelle over one Sunday afternoon and evening.  And in all that fun family time, I managed to take two pictures. That's right. Two. This cute one of Owen loving on Brady,

and a picture of the chocolate roll we ate when Sulli and Michelle were here. YUM!

We've had fun this winter watching Brady grow, learn, and change so much.  He met Molly one morning through the sliding door, and also learned about windows as he repeatedly tried unsuccessfully to touch her.

He also learned that it's rough having big sisters.

We all love these chubby cheeks! As Mylie often says, "He's just so kissable!"

Valentine's Day was really fun here.  The kids all had their school Valentine's parties as well as one with cousins hosted by Grandma Patty.  At home, we had a Valentine's breakfast with heart-shaped french toast with strawberries and whipped cream.  Mariah dressed up so cute for her preschool party.

 And finally, Mylie lost her two front teeth.  "Now I look like all the other first graders!"

(Technically, the dentist pulled her two front teeth.  To make a long story short, she had an infection in her upper gums that made her sick for days, with a fever going up over 106 degrees. Yikes! After a visit to the local clinic--couldn't figure out what was wrong since she tested negative to strep, influenza, urinary tract infection, and had no signs of meningitis--we ended up in the ER.  They couldn't find the problem either and sent us home, telling us to just control the fever.  The following night, I finally took a look at this tooth she kept crying about, and found the root of the whole problem.  The next morning, the teeth were pulled, we got her on an antibiotic, and she is now feeling much better, thank heavens. Whew!)