Dinosaur Event

The Convention Center had a dinosaur event last week which we were able to get tickets for(we felt fortunate since they sold for like $25 each). We had a lot of fun, but we were so happy that we had the free tickets because we didn't think it was worth the price of the ticket. They had this area full of dinosaur models. They roared and moved a bit.

Then there was a more interactive section where they had bounce houses, games, and different activities that you could pay money for. Things like face painting, riding on top of a moving dinosaur, and a virtual reality ride.

The rides were way overpriced, so we didn't do any of those things, but they had fun going in the bounce houses and playing the games.

Youth Murder Mystery Party

Danny put together a murder mystery dinner for the young men and young women for Valentine's Day this year. It was a Totally 80's Prom Night and both of them got to dress up. Alyssa's part was one of the lunch ladies. Danny just dressed up 80's style.

They had a lot of fun with it. The youth made comments afterwards how they hoped he would do it again soon. I think that means it was a success.

Alyssa's Basketball Season

Alyssa participated in her first basketball season this year. She did really well considering it is the first time she has ever played. Her team didn't do so well, but they had fun. They lost every game but one.

She knew 3 of the girls on the team before the season started, but enjoyed getting to know the other girls, too.

This was the final score of the 1 game that they won. Alyssa scored 10 of the 26 points that game. She really had a good game, as did most of the other players on her team.

She is already making plans to play again next year. She really enjoyed playing and was sad when the season ended.

Another Preschool Field Trip

Tyler had a preschool field trip to the bowling alley this month. He had a lot of fun. Camden was still sick, so I held him in my lap for the entire game and just instructed Tyler from my seat on the couch. He bowled with 3 other little boys and I don't even remember his score in the end.

The only down side to the field trip(besides Camden being sick and not being able to play, too) was that neither of his friends from our neighborhood were at the field trip. So he didn't even know the boys he was playing the game with.

Fun with the Kids

I had to return a Christmas gift in Sandy so I stopped at Scheel's on the way back so the boys could ride the Ferris Wheel(that is always Tyler's favorite ride at Lagoon and any carnival) We also walked around the store and took a picture with the bear and the monster truck.

Ashley got this 100 piece puzzle for her birthday and sat down and put the whole thing together all by herself(she did let Camden put the last piece in for her)

We have had an unusually warm winter. So I've taken the kids to the park a few times. This picture was taken on the day when Tyler was finally better after having the flu. Camden was just starting to show signs of being sick. Danny was out of town and we were all feeling the need to get out of the house.

 And then 5 days later we got our 2nd significant snowstorm of the season. It came on a Saturday so the kids went out to play in it as soon as we let them in the morning. Danny also took them sledding later that day. Camden missed out because he was still sick.

 Ashley helped the boys climb to the top of the web at her school.

 It made me nervous to see them up there, but they were so proud of themselves for getting there.

I signed up for a mini triathalon that will take place the end of March. As a result, I have been spending a lot more time at our rec center training. The boys have benefited because I've been more willing to take them swimming on my swim training days since I'm already wet. It usually takes most of the day when I let them swim, too, but they sure have fun.

Ashley's 10th Birthday

 We celebrated Ashely's 10th birthday a few weeks ago. Her birthday happened to fall on a Wednesday this year which left very little time for us to actually celebrate(between school and piano lessons and youth activities, we had about an hour). That hour was just enough time to eat a quick dinner, open some presents

 and eat her cake. She requested a "Casey" cake. After scanning through pinterest, this is what Alyssa and I came up with. We were pretty proud of our fondant dog.

 

Because her birthday celebration was cut a bit short, we celebrated a little bit more 2 days later by going swimming and out to lunch at Golden Corral(the kids love the chocolate fountain and the cotton candy there).  Ashley's favorite things are dogs, super mario brothers, swimming, friends, and playing with her siblings. She is currently learning piano and participating in a children's choir. She does well in school, even if she thinks it is a bit boring. She is our talker and can go on for hours about her dreams or the games she plays with her friends. She can even carry on a conversation with complete strangers. We love having her as part of our family.

Random Christmas Fun

December is always a busy month and it is always Danny's busiest time of year at work so I tend to have to get to the girls end of year activities on my own. We did a school choir concert, a piano recital, Ashley's after school choir concert, 4 different parties for Alyss, and a Marie Osmond Concert for me. Not to mention Young Men's activities and a Relief Society activity. Most of it, I didn't get pictures of, but I did get a picture Ashley's choir concert(one of the things Danny actually got to attend).

After the girls were out of school, I took them to the mall to check out the Harry Potter event they had going on all month. It was crowded and more of a Harry Potter themed shopping area, but we did do some other fun things at the mall like ride the train.

On Christmas Eve, we went over to Gawbie and Grandpa's for a family party. We had a delicious ham and tamales dinner. Then we got to decorate the men like Christmas trees.

We had a nice program and then enjoyed some Christmas goodies and hot chocolate. Then we opened presents. It was a fun afternoon.
Back at home, we let the kids open their one gift, Christmas jammies. This year I made jammie bottoms with Labrador retrievers on them in honor of Casey.

 On Christmas, they were excited to see that Santa visited.

And it isn't Christmas, for me, without a picture of the kids on the stairs. Miner traditions are engraved into my heart.

We had a nice Christmas season and a happy new year. We were happy for the time that Danny took off around the holidays, especially after the busy season at work.

Alyssa turns 12

Alyssa had a great birthday. She wanted a rice crispy cake for her cake this year. She even requested to decorate it herself.

She got to have a friend birthday party, but we limited the number she could invite to her closest school and neighborhood friends. She wanted to do a baking theme, so after researching a little and talking with her about some of the things she wanted to do at the party, we decided to do a mini version of Cupcake Wars. They started with decorating aprons so that they wouldn't dirty their clothes.

Then we split them into two teams and let them choose from 5 different cupcake recipes(vanilla, coconut, gingerbread, funfetti, and lemon). We gave them 15 minutes to get their cupcakes into the oven. One team chose coconut and the other chose funfetti. I thought both team's cupcakes turned out delicious. 

 While the cupcakes were baking, we took a break for some games and then presents.

When the cupcakes were ready, we gave the teams 15 minutes to design 3 different cupcakes representing things that describe Alyssa. The first one was an artist theme, the second an author theme, and the third a Christmas theme. They had 15 minutes to design their cupcakes and get them on a plate for the judges. They were provided with about 6 colors of frosting, a huge selection of sprinkles, and fondant. I thought they created some fun cupcakes.

The judges chose their favorite from each category and the team that got 2 out of 3 took home the prize. I think the girls had fun. Our only snag was running out of time at the end because we got started late due to traffic delaying a few of the girls. The cupcakes also took a lot longer to bake than expected. But Alyssa thought it was fun and that is what was important.
On her birthday, we went out to the Japanese Steakhouse again this year. She has chosen that for her birthday dinner probably 4 out of the last 5 years.