January and February 2016

We are ending February with some gorgeous weather.  This weekend has been spent soaking up sunshine and warmth and we are excited for the flowers to start blooming and longer days.

The year of 2016 began with everyone in the family (except for Ben) getting the stomach bug.  It was a very rough New Year's Day but luckily Ben was able to take off and help take care of everyone.

I began teaching at Missouri State in the classroom again for the first time since we had children.  I am teaching a school psych examiners practicum class and so far I am really enjoying it.

We also finally took Margaret out on her birthday outing...it was only a couple of months late.  We all had fun going swimming and playing at Chuck E Cheese.

We had a little bit of snow and some ice in January.  We had three days off of school and took the kids ice skating for the first time.  Kathryn was great and is starting lessons this week with her cousins.

Ben volunteered at the school's weight lifting meet and I spent a day with the kids riding horses and jumping on the trampoline on a beautiful 60 degree January day.

We also started being social again and have enjoyed having company over and hanging out with friends on the weekends.

February flew by.  We celebrated Amelia and papa's birthday.  Jack moved out of his crib so both kids got to pick out new sheets.  We had a wonderful Valentines date while the kids played with Emily.  Kathryn did her first Jr. Cheer camp.  Ben took a CCW class while I went on a fun hike with some friends and their kids.  The month ended with me going to Kansas City for a couple of days for a conference.

It was rough trying to get all the kids and happy faces!

Enjoying the views

Jack and Abby with Kathleen

Cooper, Kathryn, and Kathleen out on the rock bluff.

Fun times with this crew!

John Deer for my farm boy

I really pushed for ladybug but she insisted on Frozen :)