Snowmobiling Adventure

 We had the opportunity to head up to Island Park to go snowmobiling with 4 other couples. We headed up early Friday morning with the Barfusses. We arrived just after lunch so we threw on our snow gear and hit the machines.

 The snow was pretty much ice but it worked quite well for our purposes. That afternoon we mostly played in "the bowl". 

 We rode around, practiced jumping (very conservatively...haha) and just enjoyed the 40 degree temperatures.

 The guys had the most fun. They were getting quite brave and it was hard not to be worried as watched them gun up this hill.

 Us ladies took our turns but mostly sat on the edge and watch our husbands turn into boys again.

 Friday we spent playing games, eating delicious food, soaking in the hot tub, and trying not to die from Sam eating kippered herring...sick!!! Man did it smell absolutely awful :(

Saturday we ate a hot cooked delicious breakfast and then hit the trails. The plan was to go about 70 miles round trip through the back country.

 It was gorgeous and absolutely breath taking, plus much colder than the day before. We took a lunch break at Mesa Falls and to warm up.

 After exploring and eating our picnic we went to leave and one couple's sled had completely broke. So we had to wait another hour while the company came in to tow them back to the town. 

 So we decided keep ourselves busy by playing reverse charades. It was a blast!!

 The caretaker of the lodge was hilarious and quite helpful. The boys won once and we won once. What a fun group to be with. That afternoon we went back to the cabin to get warm. The women decided to chill while the men went to go play some more and to get their full money/time out of the sleds. We visited, ate snacks, chilled by the fireplace, and took naps. So awesome!!

That night we took off with the Barfusses to head home. And besides it costing almost double than what we expected (something about us tipping the snowmobile 4 times...hmmmm...) we had a blast!!

 My sister Natalie was a gem and came up to watch the kids. She ended having to take them up to the farm while she went to see a doctor but the kids didn't mind at all.

 She introduced them to gopher trapping and they thought it was pretty awesome. Luke got to hang out with Heston the entire day, plus they got spoiled rotten. Grandpa got them candy bars and Grandma sent them with money plus fed them a steak dinner for Luke's birthday.

Saturday she ran them all over town and was an awesome aunt!! So thankful for great family members :(

The Big 8

Warning...long post...but don't worry it's about this awesome guy.

 He has been so excited to finally have this special day (really time) come around. The kids get friend birthday parties when they are 8, 12, and 16. These are their special years and they sure look forward to them.

 Luke decided to invite all friends from school and have a lego party with banana splits for his friend party. This month has been super crazy so he got to celebrate a week early, which he didn't mind at all!!

Braden trying to blow out Luke's candles before he could...haha...good thing Luke didn't mind. 

 We played several games with the kids... a lego relay,

 pinata, and lego bingo. The kids had a blast and Luke loved having everyone over. 

 The morning of his actual birthday Sam and I were taking off so we made his favorite breakfast, strawberry crepes with cream cheese filling,

 let him blow out candles again,

 and open his presents. He is way into jokes and we found an awesome one that doesn't make us too sick of them.

 His sisters got him a book also and he loved it.

 Aunt Natalie was here to watch the kids for the weekend so she got to be part of the festivities and so grateful that she was able to be with the kids so we could go.

 Luke with his book from last year. Love that smile of his!!

 Sunday we had his birthday dinner, this kid sure loved having so many parties all spread out. We made him alfredo with homemade french bread and carrot sticks. He want a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting with army guys on top. Super simple...just my style! Plus he got to blow out candles again.

That afternoon is sort of was warm so Sam and the kids broke out the croquet set from Christmas and played for awhile. Luke said he had a great birthday plus now he is 8, which is so crazy!!

Here are 8 things we love about Luke:

1. His curiosity about everything and I mean everything.

2. He is very fun loving.

3. He finds great joy in super simple things like playing outside all day long.

4. His desire to live the gospel for the right reasons.

5. He loves to read his scriptures every night and is so good about always remembering to say his prayers.

6. His sense of justice and what is fair and right.

7. His love for his brother and sisters, he completely adores them.

8. His ability to be creative and make the most amazing creations.

We love you Luke!!

February Happenings

 It's been quite the busy month at our house so far. We got to babysit my two nieces for several days. It was fun to have little ones around, we are definitely not use to that!

As soon as they left, Sam's brother Chris and his family came to visit for the long weekend. We love having visitors and the days were quite warm. We were loving it.

The kids were in heaven. They would play for hours in Luke's bedroom with the legos...totally not joking. Even Sarah and Kathryn were back with them having a fantastic time.

 Sam and his brother are like two peas in a pod. They have the same sense of humor and are even both attorneys. It is fun to see them together and having such a great time.

 We also got to see and hold baby Esther. That was a lot of fun. So nice to get baby snuggles in and be around such cute kids!!

 The room got so crowded with Lego creations that they started lining them up in the hall. The entire length of the hall had creations from one end to the other. 

 January and February has also been filled with watching Luke play 2nd grade basketball.

 He improves so much every year and it is fun to see how much more he gets into it every year.

 Practicing shooting. His goal was to make at least one basket and he did it. YEAH!!!! He was so excited and so proud of himself. That basket is a long ways away for such a shorty but he did it!

 He takes after his dad and is quite the runner. He is quick to run up and down the court and get to his player. It is so fun to watch him grow up and learn so many wonderful things. So proud of him!

We have also had the wierdest weather this month. The temperature for a solid week was in the high 60s and we were in love. The kids had a Friday off so we work outside the entire morning. We moved everything around in the backyard so we could start prepping everything to plant grass.

 And even did the trimming of the fruit trees and other trees in the yard. It was wonderful to be out in the sun and working in the dirt. Definitely solace to my soul. Love Spring (even though it's not really but hey I was trying to enjoying the weirdness of it!!).

Jessica's Baby Shower

 Last weekend I hit the road with my parents and Natalie and headed to Utah County to party for a couple days.

 If a baby shower counts as a baby shower then heck yes it was a party!! We sure had a great time driving in the car.

 We spent Friday afternoon making delicious treats for the shower. Like Oreo Pops, rice krispies, popcorn, etc. 

 Then of course we had to reward ourselves so headed to one of our favorite spots!!

 SWIG!!!!!

 I tried the "Big Al" this time and it was delicious!! Man do we love our pop and I am not ashamed to admit it--I don't think these guys do either!

 We got checked into our hotel room and as soon as Zac got off work we headed out to the bowling alley. We played skittles bowling and had a blast. We were all terrible at it but that's the beauty of it!!

 All of us looking awesome, especially that lady on the right with her eyes closed! Sweet!!

 Afterwards we ate dinner at the Wild Zucchini. Oh my! That was amazing. A great place to go in American Fork, you should totally do it!!

 Then these two yahoos wanted to end the night by hanging out in the bowl and doing very weird things. Haha...Zac was nice enough to join in but me and my parents were very content to sit on the edge and watch.

 Saturday morning we up early to get ready for the shower. It was at a cousin's house in Lehi and man did we have a great time.

 Think Nat and I look like twins? Seriously everywhere we would go in Twin Falls, people either thought she was my daughter (super sad face!!) or that we were Twins. Silly people!!

 The pregnant lady visiting.

 All the girl cousins on my mom's side that came plus my mom. What fun we have with them!!

Trying out all the tasty things we made. And boy was it great!! She got lots of cute things for little Rose and we can't wait until she gets here!!

Afterwards we hit the road. Many miles to make it home but what a great time it was.