Laughter, the best medicine...

The past couple of years at about this time of year, I've seemed to get a little melancholy. I think the weather's partly to blame. That late winter, early spring gloomy, grayness can be so depressing. Our house is surrounded by mud and dirty snow, and it's too cold to be pleasant, but too warm for the snow to stick around. Also, with Chris and the kids in the middle of a semester, we're hitting that point of the midway doldrums. At any rate, in an attempt to get some laughs wherever I can, I took these pictures of the kids being silly. Another funny story: Today at church during Sacrament meeting, the bishop's wife and son performed a musical number. Just as they finished and there was a nice, quiet reverence in the chapel, Nicolas gave his seal of approval with a gleeful shriek at the top of his lungs. Ahh, so much for the quiet...

A (somewhat) lazy day!

Just thought I'd post these cute pics I took of Chris and the kids. Nicolas LOVES to be carried around in the baby backpack, although he's getting so big...

I spent most of the day trying to recover from a late, late night with Sophie having the stomach flu. I've gotten very familiar with my carpet and upholstery steam cleaner today. Let's hope tomorrow is a better day, although, I anticipate more "flu" in our future.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I remember when this day was all about the "romantic" love with your significant other. Nowadays it seems like it's all about the kids! I have to say, as a mom, that I appreciate any excuse to give my little ones some extra love and attention, oh yeah, and treats!! The boys are having their Valentine's Day parties at school today, so it's just Sophie and Nicolas at home with me today. I made pink frosted sugar cookies yesterday for the boys to take to school, and Chris and I gave each of the kids a helium balloon and stuffed animal. It's amazing how much entertainment value a $1 mylar balloon can have, even for the older kids!

As for me and Chris, not much excitement today. Chris had to work yesterday, he went in at about 3:30 in the afternoon and didn't get home until 6:30 this morning, so he'll be sleeping until it's time to go to work again this afternoon. We knew it would be this way, though. With his job being what it is, we always plan special things when we can. I surprised him with an early Valentine's Day present on Feb. 1st. We went to a Glenn Beck show in Idaho Falls. It was so great; a real experience to hear him speak in person. For those of you who may not be familiar with Glenn Beck, he's a conservative talk radio host and author, who also has a cable news show. Chris has been a fan of his for a while, and has gotten me listening to him. He has a great story, as a convert to the church after a battle with addiction. Anyway, Chris loved the show, and I loved going on a date with my husband, and even got to go to dinner that night!

Starting a new chapter.

This is my first experience with blogging, but I've been recently inspired by a friend of mine (thanks Linds, and you know I'll be checking yours frequently for ideas on how to set up my blog!). If she can find time with her busy life, I can certainly start recording and sharing some of our family's activities and insights! I hope you all enjoying what we may post, and feel free to add comments!