Goodbye, February

Oh, February.  Here's a little about what we've been up to. 

Scarlet

She can often be found  running around in my heels.  She always wants to pose for me when other people are getting their picture taken.  She loves going to the childcare at the gym.  However, I'm not loving all the viruses and flus she is bringing home with her.  She constantly has a runny nose and cough since starting there four weeks ago.  Maybe this is good for her immune system?  She is into wearing skirts and going for walks to the park.  She randomly will say "Don't do it Kimber" from that Geico commercial.  She will also say really loud in Target "Mom, that girl is naked" and point to the ladies modeling underwear.  Embarrassing every time. 

Madelyn

Madeyn has been raising butterflies.  So far the first batch is in the cocoon phase, and the second is still in caterpillar phase.  Fascinating and disgusting all at the same time.  Have you ever watched a caterpillar transform into a cocoon?  You will never look at a caterpillar the same again.  She plans on letting them go free outside once they transform into butterflies.  We went to a "Great to be 8" party, and Maddy is so excited to be baptized in May.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn has been our little babysitting queen.  She begged John and I to go on an overnight trip during president's day weekend and she would stay home and take care of everyone.  After much begging from her, and a lot of considering from us, we decided to do it.  We stayed at a hotel right here in Las Vegas so we would be really close if we needed to come home.  We had a blast relaxing, and Brooklyn did great!  She cooked dinner, did the dishes, and got everybody to bed on time.  The next morning when we came home, everybody was taken care of. She is quite the little momma!

Samuel

Sam was lucky enough to be invited along on a trip to LEGOLAND with a friend.  He loved it, and also visited the foggy California beach.  He is working really hard in his classes at school, and trying to find a balance between video games and real life.  (Actually, I am trying to help him find that balance.  I'm not so sure he desires that right now.)  He is about to start spring soccer, and he was put on a really great team, with some really great kids.  I'm so excited for him, and to go cheer him on! He is growing like a weed.  His feet are about 2-3 sizes from catching up with John's feet.

Sam always rolls his eyes when we take a pictures...

John

John is enjoying his indoor soccer team.  On the very first game, he dislocated his left pinky finger.  It was pretty nasty, and it wasn't fun going with him to the ER at 10:30 at night.  It's very unusual to see him in a hospital setting.  He doesn't get sick or hurt very often. He did earn the nickname "pinky" by one fan, so I guess that's a plus! ;)  I came to watch him without the kids one game, and then the whole family came this week.  I really love attending the games, so I hope he keeps playing each season.  In other news, he has decided to separate from the military which means a new adventure for us!  He started applying for jobs left and right. Then, he was offered a really great job...in Las Vegas. I guess we won't get much of a new exciting adventure.  I am feeling like I could be stuck here forever, but I guess there could be worse things in life, right?

 The ball always disappears too fast in soccer pictures.

Chelsea

I started getting back to the gym this month.  Man, it feels great.  I forgot how much energy you have when you exercise.  I also got to fill in for someone in a skit for the ward talent show.  This is the skit we performed: http://vimeo.com/m/27566548  It was hilarious!  I also redecorated our master bedroom.  I finally just finished repainting it.  I always forget how much I hate painting walls, until I start a project that just has to be finished. 

In January, I had to have four "sunspots" removed because of pre-melanoma cells.  Two on my legs and two on my face.  The face spots were not fun.  The cheek wasn't so bad, but the one on my eye swelled and bruised and hurt so bad. The picture below is right after I had it done, so it wasn't too bad.  I had no idea how bad it would actually get. The bruise took forever to go away too. I had to have it covered in public for about two weeks because of the stitches, and I'm sure I looked like I was being abused at home.  I got so many second looks.  Now the incisions are healing, and I am amazed at how the human body was made to heal wounds.