Anniversary

Were do you go on your anniversary when your husband loves elk?  The Jackson Hole Elk Refuge, of course!

Matt and I went to Jackson Hole for our anniversary.  The kids spent a couple of days at Grandma and Grandpa Washburns' house.  Then met us back in Jackson to go on a freezing cold sleigh ride and watch the bored elk.  The hardest part of the experience for my children was not the cold but the fact  they were forbidden to make elk calls to the elk. It was a rule. It was really, really hard for them to refrain, but they managed.  Good job kids, good job.

Flooded!

The weather has been warming up quite fast.  That did not bode well for the preschool.  We walked into a down pour...inside the building.  Saturday night I went to the school to get something.  I found a drip over the computer area, and the ceiling had collapsed over the computers.  We moved the computers and put a bucket under the drip and left.  Sunday after church I went back to check on the leak and the whole building was flooded.  2 inches of standing water covered the floor from the front of the building to the back.  And the ceiling had collapsed over the computers again!  There was no way we were going to be able to get all the water out and the ceiling repaired by Monday for school.

We ended up having much more damage and time away from school than we thought.  The dry wall had to be torn down.  The ceiling completely done away with.  And the carpet torn out and replaced.  We closed school for the entire month of March.  The end of March started Spring Break so we decided to open back up immediately after break was over.  Luckily our parents were supportive and stayed with us over the closure.

On the bright side.  We got new carpet, new walls, new flooring up front and in the bathroom, and the computers still worked!

Work in Progress

Matt completed the fireplace.  It looks just as I envisioned!  He did such a great job! 

We also got the banister done.  It looks so much better than a big ole' piece of plywood.

Next step, stair kick plate, carpet, and railing, no problem!

Muddy, Muddy Mess!

I specifically remember saying NOT to get into the mud.  The mud must have already been clogging their ears. 
On the bright side, yay for warmer weather!

Crazy Clothes

Oh, school spirit!  Those are some pretty crazy boys in those clothes!

President's Day

We spent our weekend in Logan at the dentist getting our bi-annual teeth cleaning.  It's usually a dreaded appointment... Listening to all the cavities Bennett has acquired between visits is quite frustrating.  This time however, he was cavity free!!!  He did have 2 teeth that were ready to abscess...boo! 

While at the dentist office, I noticed how unruly Jacks luscious locks had become.  Time for a hair cut!  Jemma needed a trim also, so off to Cookie Cutters we headed!  Jemma and Jacks thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  I did not thoroughly enjoy the prices.  They tricked us.  A cut is reasonably priced.  But the cost of drying, gelling, curling, braiding, glittering, etc. adds up quickly (and before you can even say, "No! That's not necessary!") 

Jemma was quite happy to leave with her sucker, balloon, tiera, braids, and glitter. 
We have not been back to partake of that particular mini vacation.

Birthdays and a Blessing

This beautiful girl was blessed the first weekend in February in Idaho. I previously neglected to mention that there was a new addition to this clan. Kinzlee Sutton Nulph was born November 28th. We headed to Idaho to see her blessing on Saturday morning.

While we were in Idaho we celebrated Jemma and Jacks birthdays!

Jemma turned 4!  My baby is growing up!  And is such a girl!  She wanted a tea party...an all girl party...a popstar party...an IJump party...so indecisive!

We ended up taking everyone to IJump to bounce to their hearts content.  Then we came back for some cake and presents.

This hansome dude turned 5.  Wait! 6!!!  I cannot believe it! Jacks is the kid who seems like he has been with me forever, yet I can't believe he's already 6.  He's my baby too! (Just don't tell him that.  He might be offended at being called a baby).
 

Just to toot my own horn for a moment.  I have to give myself a pat on the back. 

This cake was the first one I ever attempted to make myself.  I'm more of the buy it perfect type. 

I ordered the rectangle cake and then baked and frosted the skirt cake.

 Jemma finally decided she is destined to be a popstar, so I thought a popstar doll cake was just the thing for her.  I thought it turned out pretty nice.  Jemma thought so too, and that's all that matters.

Our First Night

We moved into our house on Friday, January 25th! This was the first night sleeping in the house. There is obviously some rearranging to do!

A Few House Pictures

We are getting close! Just a few pictures of how things are coming along.

 

The Number King

Bennett is apparently the Number King of the 1st grade!

The classes have been working on writing their numbers. Bennett reach 2000 first. He and another boy from a different class reach the milestone together. They were treated to a lunch and ice cream from McDonald's by their teachers.

Bennett is doing so well in school. Not only has he taken off in his reading and math, his teach is always commenting on what a great boy he is. He is nice, kind, and courteous to all his classmates. He often gets the citizenship reward in his class. We are pretty proud parent of such a great kid!

 

Bennett is also the proud loser of a tooth!