January 2013

After Christmas is a bit of a blur.  You know how sometimes when you are driving and suddenly you can't remember even driving the last few miles?  That was me for a few weeks after Christmas.

- Ryan's older sister Rachel came into town the day after Christmas which is always a treat.  We spent a lot of time at the Melzer's and Lucy and Elsa spent a lot of time wandering around outside with cousins.  I told Ryan he should be really proud of me that I let our girls be so independent and I didn't check on them every 10 seconds.  At one point I walked outside to check on all the girls and realized they had walked around the entire block and I didn't know it - but I was calm and still let them enjoy their freedom like we were living in a small town.  It was good for all of us :)  Besides - I got to sit and visit and be carefree.

A picture with Emma

This picture is of Lucy and I after my father-in-law treated all of us Melzers to lunch with his coin jar and then we had a fantastic game of indoor soccer at our church.  A very fun day.  (I only wish Ryan wasn't sick and could have joined us...more on that later).

Swimming in our neighbors heated Jacuzzi. 

- I had my friends from high school over for dinner.  Of course we were missing some that had to work or were sick or were out of town, but it was a great night of just sitting and visiting and a little Wii.  Everyone left their kids at home and our girls went to spend the night at the Melzer's.  We figured that having one kid-less night was the only way we were going to be able to catch-up.  We enjoyed chicken street tacos and chocolate peppermint ice-cream from Cold Stone.  I will forever be thankful for the great friends I had while growing up.

(Ryan was there, but taking the picture)

- Then Ryan got sick.  Stomach flu sick.  That meant no more New Year's Eve party at our house or Sunday dinner or being with dad.  I went and hung out with the Melzers for about 3 days and checked in with him in the evenings.

- New Year's Eve was actually a lot of fun this year.  I have often teased Ryan that for some reason I'm usually ticked off at him on New Years Eve (usually because he would prefer to just be asleep instead of celebrating with people), but this year he was sick and I didn't even get to hang out with him - so there was no time to get ticked at him - imagine that.  Lucy and Elsa had been talking about how excited they were to go get fireworks - so I caved and did the unpractical (but really it's practical when you are making kids happy) thing and bought the $50 box of Costco fireworks.  I'm glad I did.  The night was filled with eating, cousins playing together, visiting, Lucy finally letting me pull out her tooth, Lucas finally letting me pull out his tooth, and lots and lots of fireworks.  The girls and I all stayed up past midnight at the Melzer's and enjoyed ourselves.  I even taught Emma (though I'm sure she already knew) and Lucy and Elsa how to light their own fireworks.  Fun Fun.

A snaggle toothed excited smile

Leta likes to always have something to hold in her hand - hence the orange.

The missing teeth club.  White bloody shirts and all.  

- Ryan got better and then within a day I was sick and out of commission.  It took me a week to be able to stand without being dizzy.  I think I watched half of Netflix while my family and Ryan watched the girls. The ironic thing was that Ryan was sick when his family was in town and I was sick while mine was. But thankfully I was sick on my preschool break and I was able to rearrange my other obligations.  

- Our 11th anniversary happened during my sick days so we spend the evening watching a documentary on mountain climbing.  Ryan even let me hold his hand even though I was still sick :) We hoped to have a redo date sometime....but it never quite happened.  Oh well.

This was my gift: a flower


- Ryan and I and my dad got to be Karyn and Justin's guests on the opening session day of the State Legislature.  My favorite parts were:  hanging out with Karyn, eating free Mexican food, getting a picture with Governor Jan Brewer, and maybe just maybe, having a few moments to be kid free and out doing adult things.  The first picture, the lady taking the picture totally cropped me out.  Justin and Karyn made me go back for a redo. (Justin joked that he shouldn't have handed the camera to a democrat :)
It was also nice for those that took care of our kiddos so we could attend.

- I let Lucy and Elsa play hooky from school and we went on a day trip with Grandpa Papa to the Snowflake property to take down Christmas decor, the snow, and then fishing.  My girls woke up just as excited for the snow as they did for Christmas.  Grandpa made sure it was one fantastic day, sure do go down in the memory books.  The only thing I need to do differently next time is to get my girls snow gloves that fit them good.

- Mallory got baptized.  I made the invites and took her pictures.  It makes me happy to do that.

These girls love each other.

These three love each other.  

- I'm still loving my Blendtec!  Use it everyday.  Green smoothies everyday.

- We had a week of freezing temperatures here.  I should have been more proactive and picked all my lemons.  Our crop froze and I only got some of them before the freeze.

- Ryan went skiing.  It was his early birthday present.  He hasn't been able to ski in powder in years.

- All 4 girls got sick with long lasting fevers.  My sister Katie babysat the kiddos I usually watch and my girls were quarantined while I taught preschool.  Leta and Annie even went to work with Ryan one day so I could teach preschool. I'm very thankful for a husband that helps me when situations arise with the kids.  The rest of the time we just basically watched movies and rested.  I must say...I kinda enjoyed the lazy time with just my kiddos.  Aside from being worried about the health of my children, I thought Monday was great having them all home and being able to doctor them up.

And Leta actually fell asleep on Ryan.  That never happens.  We had to capture the moment.

- The month ended with a funeral.  Andy, a friend of my family's, passed away.  The really sad thing was - it was an unnecessary death, one that has left many wondering the if only's and what ifs.  I hate thinking about his last days being so dark and sad.  When I was younger, he came around because he dated my oldest sister for a bit.  Then he would repair my parent's AC and would stay and chat for hours.  Sometimes he just stopped by because he was in the neighborhood and wanted to chat.  My parents knew Andy since he was a baby during their Clay Springs days and I think Andy felt at home around my parents.  Andy came to mine and Ryan's reception.  He worked on our AC a few times too when we first moved in.  He was a genuinely nice guy who loved to help others and loved to talk.  I've been reminded again of Heavenly Father's mercy and love, and the fact that here on earth, we need to judge less and love more.  And....once again, I cried more than the grieving family at the funeral. At least I had some of my sisters there to be a baby with.