The Magic House

On President's day we went to the Magic House in St. Louis. It is very similar to the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. some of the favorite rooms and things to do were the market, the hospital, the fishing (Garrett's favorite and it was always so crowded), the water area, the library and the sand box. Mechanic Sterling:

Dr. Maelie.

Future president of the United States. He's a happy one and he won't lead our country astray.

Judge Debbie and my courtroom. They had working microphones, but no gavel.
The library. Look at that smile!

The musical chairs. Each chair represented an instrument family. When you sit on the chair, that instrument family plays music from their unique instruments. All the kids are occupying a chair so you can imagine how all the instrument families sound together.

2 options: Take the stairs or take the beanstalk.

The trains!

Bob the builder room with lots of trucks, tractors, tools and many other things little boys love to play with. This might have been Sterling's favorite. He cried when we left this room.

The shortest month and the longest month

February is the shortest month of the year, but often times feels like the longest month of the year. Lucky for us, the sun has shone for a week in a row. That's not normal here for this month, so we're told. We even had a warm few days where I didn't have to wear a huge coat!

I was able to go with Maelie on her field trip. A lady in our ward (her youngest is on his mission) watched the 2 boys for me so I could go. It was so much fun. We went to the St. Louis Symphony and heard "Peter and the Wolf". After the great performance, we went to The Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. Eating lunch in a restaurant with a bunch of 2nd graders is definitely a new experience. My table of kids that I was with (Maelie included) kept yelling at the top of their lungs (at least that what it seemed like in the restaurant setting) "1, 2, 3 NOT IT!" It was so much fun. It was fun to be with Maelie on that fun field trip. I didn't take my camera, so no pictures

Valentine's day spoils! The kids came home from school with loads of v-day cards and candy. We went on the AFB and decorated daddy's car while he was busy with teeth.

Denver and I went out for dinner the Saturday before Valentine's day. We weren't going to, but we called a babysitter a few hours before and they were able to babysit, so we went out. The wait at one of the restaurant was 1 hr. 20 min at 5pm. I expected it to be bad, but not that bad and not so early! We found another one with no wait and had a good time together.

Sterling falls asleep on the couch alot these days. We don't allow him to take a nap because if he gets one, he wakes up 3 or 4 times in the night. When he doesn't get a nap, he sleeps the night through, with only 1 time getting up to use the bathroom. When he does fall asleep, I allow him a 15 minute power nap and then I wake him up. It's hard sometimes because it's so nice when both boys are asleep at the same time. Reading time!

A beautiful February sunset.

Winter

OOOOEEEEE! It's been a cold winter. We're finally in a meltdown so most of the snow/ice is gone, but for awhile there...

We had a big winter storm in the beginning of February. We were forecasted to get an inch or 2 of ice followed by 8 inches of snow. Power outtages were a threat so we had to be prepared with firewood and food. Thankfully, we didn't get hit as badly as other surrounding areas, but we ended up with about 3/4 inch of ice and 4 inches of snow and NO power outtage. The ice was too dangerous to drive on so Denver got 2 1/2 days off from work! The kids ended up with 3 days off from school. It was nice for all the family to be stuck inside together, even though we did go a little stir crazy the first day.

The individual grass straws were coated with ice.

While plowing and playing outside, my hair turned to ice (it was misting and the mist on my hair froze.) It was fun to touch. It was much stronger than an extra hold hair spray.

During these cold, winter days, we've found much to do around the house. Taking cute pictures was one of them. He's growing so fast!

Legos are our friends. This tower is as tall as Sterling!

And another tower...

We are definitely ready for Spring. The ice is beautiful coated on all the trees, but we're ready for some outside play time!

Uncle John

In January, uncle John had a business trip to St. Louis so we got to spend a day with him. The kids think uncle John is the 'greatest uncle ever!' I don't know what he did to brainwash him... J/k John. He played some just dance 2 on the wii and played with the kids and they had a ball.

Next time you come John, you can stay longer :D We had a good time with Uncle John.