Mid Feb happenings

The kids celebrated the 100th day of school on Tuesday the 11th. They got to dress up like superheros that day for school. Peter wanted to wear a cape and be Super Peter. Kendal didn't care either way so I made her a symbol with a unicorn that she happily wore.

Peter got to go to his Primary activity that week. His group made Valentines cookies and talked about goals. I had to ditch the kids for YW's that night while Casey was at Districts.

As a family we finished the Book of Mormon earlier this month!! We've been reading since just before Alice was born. We started out with only a few verses a day and eventually grew to one page a day this past year. We wanted to celebrate so we took the kids out to Blaze pizza on the 13th! The kids got to create their own pizza's and were thrilled with a night out! We ended the evening with some delicious Gelato ice cream! (that Casey had bought me for Valentines day, but I gave it up to the family.)
I heart attacked the kids' doors for Valentines day and made some treats for them! Casey and I exchanged our gifts and cards in the morning as well. That afternoon Alice and I went to help at the school. First we helped in the Library. Alice spent the whole hour on the couch "reading" Clifford books. After the Library we went over to Peter's class to help with his class party. I played the valentines version of 'don't eat Pete' with the kids. Alice kept stealing hand fulls of M&M's while the kids enjoyed the game. The kids devoured endless treats when we got home.

This past Thursday I took the kids and our little neighbor to CSI for a basketball game. The kids reached their reading goals and got to go to a game and be recognized with their school before the Men's basketball game. The kids were so excited and beaming with pride with their buddies. Alice was a bit of a handful and didn't want to stay put. Since the game was later we only stayed till half time. CSI played USU eastern (They beat them pretty badly, booo).

The High School girls finished second in Districts the second week of February. It was our districts turn to let two teams go to state so Casey left on Thursday for a few days up to Boise for State this past week. The team played their best but came up short in both of their Thursday and Friday games so they were out. Casey would've happily stayed for more games Saturday, however he was stuck riding the bus home and had to go when the bus driver wanted on Saturday morning. So basketball is officially over for this season!! Casey starts track in a few weeks, but I'm just going to not think about that right now ; )

A couple of my friends and I decided to do a babysitting rotation so that we could go to the Temple once a week. I've gotten to go the last two weeks. While I was only able to do inititories it's been nice to have intention and go to the Temple!

Kendal has been part of a little youth ward choir this past month. She loves going and is enjoying singing and learning with her buddies. Yesterday they sang a beautiful song called the Tree of Life. She'll sing another in a couple of weeks when we have our ward conference.

Can't forget little Alice. This girl cracks me up everyday, yet she's getting a strong stubborn side with a bit of attitude (such is toddler hood). She dresses up all day everyday, loves to play with her little characters and have endless books read to her. She's picking up on her ABC's and loves to sing it (along with other songs) all the time.

Busy but Good!

The last week of January was packed! Tuesday after school we had parent teachers for the kids. Kendal is getting all A's and good marks in her school work. Her teacher had nothing but praises for her as a Student! Peter had great marks (they don't give letter grades till 4th -5th)! His teacher is very happy with his progress in school this year. Her only minus was he could focus a bit better and try a bit more to add to his writing and work on penmanship. Peter's teacher often posts pictures of the kids!

Tuesday night I needed to help the youth at the Bishops store house and Casey had his last season game in Declo. So the kids were on their own. With me in YW's and Casey a coach, we've decided this season to let Kendal take on some more responsibility and watch the other two while we're gone. (Having them join youth activities was a disaster.) We've left a phone or tablet every time and the kids do great (aka - they watch tv). That Tuesday night however they'd lost TV privileges. I was happy to find toys picked up, kids ready for bed, and Kendal reading to them when I got home I had to be gone again the next night for Stake Standards night. (Thankfully Casey was home then.)
Thanks to parent teacher conferences the kids had Friday off of school. Kendal had an orthodontist check up early in the afternoon. No braces for a while, just checking on her progress after her teeth were pulled last summer. Afterwards I took the kids to get their ice cream rewards that we've saved since their Dec. dentist visits. From there it was a back and forth in and out of Twin for Peter's and Kendal's basketball practices.
Saturday Feb. 1st was basketball day! Peter had his game at 9! Kenny and Cheryl came up to support grandkids that day! Peter played hard and got in their well, however his team was out-rebounded and ended up loosing.

Kendal's tournament was also that day. Her team played Filer; It was a tough loss, but the team just couldn't pull through in the end so they were out. Kendal's team didn't dominate by any means this year, but they had some good wins and many learning experiences. She had a fun season and grew so much in her skills (now to work on confidence with it!)

That afternoon we played away at home while Casey went to games at the High School.

This past week was another packed week. Monday Casey was gone to his District games, and he was gone again Wednesday when I had YW's so the kids were on their own again. Peter had his reading group Tuesday and Thursday. Peter had his last practice Monday and had to skip his second because it overlapped reading group on Thursday. Kendal's new piano lessons are on Wednesday's as well as the kids primary activities. So she went to piano, then awhile later off to primary. Her group got to go heart attack ward members! Afterwards I had to run her home and run myself off to Young Women's. Thursday evening Kendal had her end of the year basketball party. The team met up at Pizza Pie cafe and then went to Gemstone climbing. Kendal had a great time! Casey had a work conference Friday after school and all of Saturday. Saturday was Peter's last game of the season. He got in there and did his best. They had a high scoring game, but still came out short of a win.

We came home form basketball to an early Valentines package from Grandma and Grandpa Loosle. The kids were in no mood to wait and tore into the package. They loved their package - thank you Mom and Dad! Kendal and Peter got to run off that afternoon to play with friends in Ballards way while Alice napped and played with me at home.  That night Casey and I got to go to the adult session of Stake Conference - thanks to Kendal watching (the TV babysitting ; ) the kids again.

Yesterday we went out to Raft River for a family dinner. It's nice see everyone more often and the kids love the extra cousin time!

I can't forget Alice, while her days aren't full of things to do and places to be we still do our thing. We play, read, sing, watch / play with Jemma, etc. She's a trooper going to all of brother and sisters happenings and going with the flow. I love how her humor and knowledge is growing every day. She's also getting a bit of sass to her but that comes with toddler hood!

Now that the kids are done with basketball our schedule has relaxed a little bit (only two more weeks till Casey is done - districts this week - state next week). We still seem to have full days, but that's how life is right now. Busy but good.

and it goes on and on my friends. . .

Well if I don't sound like a broken record yet I'll continue to share about our continuing basketball season.
Kendal has had games the past three Saturday's. The first two were in Twin. She won one and lost one. The second week she was in Buhl where they lost one and won one. This last Saturday put them back in Buhl with two losses. She has practices a couple of times a week (2 hr each) and is working hard. She's grown so much this year and we're proud of her efforts and work. She still needs work on her confidence in her abilities, but she does her best when she's able to get in there. Her tournament is this next weekend!
Between all this basketball Kendal is still keeping up with her piano; realizing practicing can be a chore, but worth it in the end. Her teacher decided to continue this month, and she'll start with her new teacher in February. She also brings home her recorder regularly plays and toots around on it. (Not my favorite, or the neighbors probably). The kids are one week into their new semester and Kendal has already passed her AR goal her teacher set. (She's not thrilled with the low goal, I told her to crush it and keep on going to show her teacher how awesome she is!)

Peter started practicing right after the Christmas break and has had games the past two Saturdays. Last week he had two games. His team lost their first, and won their second. He scored a couple of baskets in the second game as well! (He was definitely on cloud nine : ) Yesterday his team won their game. He's quite the defender bouncing around and waving his arms, it's fun to watch. Peter is enjoying playing so far, and has a great team with some ward buddies on it! He's got two more weeks left.
Peter is still his stubborn / awesome self. He can be an amazing helper, brother, etc. one minute and the next be upset over sisters, homework, or how life is unfair. (Apparently life is unfair to my kids a lot.)  (The last two pictures, - The week peter had two games we came home for a lunch break before heading to Buhl for Kendal's last game. Alice fell asleep and Peter claims he didn't either, but I have proof ; ) - Peter's teacher regularly posts photos of the kids doing things in her class; most of peter's are things he's built during class free time!)

Casey is also in the depths of his season. His team only has one more game this week, however the high school girls aren't done for a few more weeks. His team has had a rough year with only a couple of wins and a few close games. He's had to work really hard with his scrappy team and make do with what he's had, but he's a great coach and is doing great work! The kids and I have only made it to a few games this season. Between kids practices, watching Jemma, other to do's, and lack of desire to have keep an eye on runaway Alice or snack attack kids I don't have a lot of drive to be at games as much this season.

We went out to Raft River and had a family dinner last Sunday. They're hoping to do more family dinners this year. The kids were everywhere as always and we had an enjoyable afternoon with everyone (Minus Cody and crew).

Kendal got to go skiing with her class on Thursday. She was intimidated going into the day, but came home all smiles! She passed her lessons and got to move on from the bunny hill to the big slopes. She went down a few different hills and loved it!

Peter got to have his AR party this past week. He crushed his reading goal for the first half of the year and was able to go to the high school and have some fun!

Alice is enjoying life with me. She keeps us entertained with her silly / sweet attitude and is so fun to be around (When she's not giving the occasional attitude ; ).
 Alice had a nice birthday. She got to open her gifts before everyone left for school. She got a set of princesses and a unicorn outfit from us. A bunny set and house things from Grandma and Grandpa with some Jammies from them and Katherine along with some books. Jemma came for the day. We took some muffins to library story time. Grandma D came to deliver a fun new towel and bath unicorn that Alice was happy about and bathed with since. After practices that day we went out for noodles at Tomatoes Jr and then home for cake. She's played with her bunnies and princesses every day since. She dresses up pretty much every day and often wears her outfits out (sometimes you've got to pick your battles ; ).
Alice had her well check this past week. She's 29 lbs (50%) and 38.58 in tall (80%) So if she stays on this path she'll be our tallest kid - time will tell. She had a good report and is doing great health wise.
We've had Jemma quite a bit this month. I can't complain because it's some extra money for life, but sometimes it makes for a long day. She has her moments of sweet and fun, mostly she's an active toddler with needs to be met and attention to give.

Found out my Dad has cancer this past week. He's had such a hard few months and the end isn't near, but I feel in my heart and soul he'll conquer this devil and come out on top! I wish I could do more for my parents - they mean the world to me, but the best I can give is my faith, prayers, fasts, temple names, silly toddler texts, and positive thoughts. One day at a time Mom and Dad, I promise you'll get through this one step / day at a time.

I've set out for a family goal of reading 100 chapter books this year. This goal is mostly for Casey, Kendal, Peter, and I because: A- Alice doesn't read, and B - I read her 100 picture books easily in a matter of weeks. I've already read 5 books, Casey 3, Kendal 1 (a big one - near 800 pages) and Peter's almost done with his second! Out of many goals I hope to make happen this year this is one I'm pretty sure we'll make!

I'm sure I've missed other happenings this month, but these are the highlights at the very least.
Here's a few more pictures to end on a good note!

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