School Spelling Bee

Alyssa was in her school spelling bee again this year. She knew the list pretty well, but got out in about the 5th round on a word that we hadn't reviewed a lot with her. I think she was a little disappointed with her finish, but we still think it is amazing that she has qualified for the spelling bee every year. We keep telling her 2 more years to make it to the national level(not that we really ever expect her to go that far).

Danny

We also celebrated Danny's birthday last month. Alyssa is super into baking lately and wanted to make him the treat of his choice. He chose cookie ice cream sandwiches. We decided to make our own ice cream for them. So it ended up being 2 chocolate chip cookies with a cookie dough vanilla ice cream in the middle. They were really, really good and we enjoyed eating them for the next couple of weeks because she made like 24 sandwiches.

Danny was also sustained as the 2nd counselor in our bishopric yesterday. We have so many mixed emotions with the calling, but most of all, we are just grateful for the opportunity he has to serve and learn from the experience.

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.