January updates

January photo dump!

Since the University of Wyoming takes the entire month of January off (with the exception of a certain business professor), Elise spent the month of January in Minnesota, dancing with friends and former teachers. It was not fun to have her gone--for any of us--but she loved seeing all of her friends and being able to dance. A

Normally when I go for a walk, Sable (the dog) and Heidi (the cat) join me, but one fine (12 degree w/o wind chill) morning, Lincoln decided to come along for the ride. 

For the longest time Ruth would scream and cry when I gave her a bath. The entire. Time. Somehow or other we discovered that when she has a bath with her brothers she loves it more than pretty much anything. A brother having a bath without her is not okay. Her having a bath without a brother (or 3) is also not okay. (Sammy is squeezing a little dolphin squirt toy...really, he is...)

 Each of the kids does math with Stephen once a week. Mason worked on matrix math in January. Sometimes he asks me for help...I give him my phone and have him call Dad. :)

From November to February Mason and Sammy participated in recording a CD for Mason's piano teacher (she writes children's musicals--pretty cool!). Mason had some solos, so I snuck in on a recording session to see how he was doing. We'll get the CDs pretty soon--can't wait!

 Ruthie loves Trevor's play kitchen. She also loves the I-give-it-to-you-you-give-it-back game. And everyone in the family adores Ruth, so will play it over and over and over and over with her.

We have started singing at a local care center once or twice a month. We go room to room and sing to those who can't get out to other activities. After we sing we always take a second to shake hands and talk to the residents. Care centers make me sad--I don't cry after every visit now, but I simply can't imagine putting a loved one in a home like that. I've told my aunts and dad and grandpa that I'll take care of them when they get can't care for themselves anymore. (Unless, of course, you find a really nice place and you decide not to take me up on the offer, Dad, Grandpa, Aunt Lisa and Aunt Lori!). I can't imagine my grandpa wasting away in some care center away from his family. Just lying on a bed with no one around. :( Not on my watch!!!!!

Trevor takes his coloring very, very seriously. We wrote thank you notes to family who sent Christmas gifts (just found yours behind my night stand, Grandma & pa Jones!! Oops!), and Trevor drew each person a unique picture. Each one had a story and, much to Elise's chagrin, took up most of the card. 

 Eggs!! We got the first one January 21st--our pullets were 5 1/2 months old.

Pre-haircut static electricity. Our winter home was quite shocking. 

Peek-a-boo!

Sammy's reading has taken off in the last few months, much to the delight of his younger brothers. He is so patient with, well, everyone, and is always willing to take time to read to the boys.