January

January has been weird for us in terms of weather! One day it is 40 degrees and we are out playing in the driveway on our bikes and scooters and then next day....we are home with a snow day! YIKES! It has been fun, for the most part. The last two weeks, we have been battling the stomach flu. Just when we thought we were over it...it HIT again. Scott spent the better part of last week in Florida {unfortunately...he had the stomach flu while he was there!}. The kids and I stayed busy like usual.
On Wednesday nights Ella and Christian are busy taking swimming lessons.

Ella is learning some impressive strokes and flip turns!
Our Saturday mornings are also spent at the gym. Carter is playing basketball. He has good hustle and is learning how to dribble, shoot, and pass. It is pretty fun to see him so excited about this team sport.

One of my students from school is also on the same team so it's fun to see them play together.
Carter has just blossomed as a reader in the last few weeks. He has read two different "chapter" books and is VERY excited! We are so tickled to see him enjoying this life-long skill.

It is snowing like crazy here today so it sounds like we are headed to the hills...to get some sledding in! Coffee and hot chocolate to follow! How is it that February is just around the corner?

Note to self: {read this daily}

Saw this today and it is SO true-all.of.it! This is for my reference and yours if you have boys!

Hugs!
http://studerteam.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-rules-for-mothers-of-sons.html?m=1

Fredrick Meijer Gardens {Cont'd catch up}

We were busy soaking up all the festivitiness of the season prior to Christmas. We hit the FMG Christmas Around the World. There were beautiful trees upon trees. We happened to run into one of the families from school. They have 4 boys almost the exact ages of our kids (minus the baby). We kids had fun exploring together. Ella, Christian, Carter, Corbin, and Camden.

Ella's favorite tree decorated with spiderwebs

A colorful tree- Christian's favorite

I couldn't take my eyes of this little "elf" what a stinker!

So many beautiful trees both inside and OUTside

The train was a huge hit

Some of the beautiful lights outside

We would have liked a little snow to go with the lights but it was nice to be outside without freezing.

A visit from the Indy Moorlags

This free slideshow made with Smilebox

We had a housefull for the past two days! It sure was fun to see {and hear} the cousins play together! What fun stages they are in! Love these kids.