ICE storm

When we heard an ice storm was coming we were ready...or so we thought. Three inches of ice is something I don't recall ever having experienced. Our yard, sidewalk and driveway became an ice rink. We had to literally chisel our drive way clear...piece by piece. (the worst job ever) The kids were home from school for 4 days and enjoyed their time outside sledding on almost flat surfaces, watching movies, and playing the wii. As annoying as it was to clear the drive way, it really was beautiful. Ice coated each branch of my bushes and tree branches. When the sun would shine they would glisten. I'd be alright if we didn't ever get that much ice again though.

Mess and domino-like

We aren't exactly sure how Mackenzie managed to do this with her breakfast but she did. Her bowl was full of granola and milk and she flipped it completely over. SO she ate her breakfast off of the table.

Dayton decided to build a domino-like track. We don't have any dominoes so the blocks were the best option.
I love that he created the course and arranged all the parts just right.

Braces

Nathan was asked to work the first full week of January so we took advantage of the FSA money and put Mackenzie in braces. We still had insurance and the FSA money was available on the first of January so we only had to pay $200 for braces. Amidst a job loss, I'm grateful for free money for Mackenzie's braces. She has adjusted a little slower than Alexa did but she's doing well. She's been eating applesauce and soft foods and takes her time brushing. She was nervous to get them. When we went for her appointment I thought they were only going to take molds so when she came out with her braces I was a little surprised. She looks cute and I'm excited for the changes they will bring to her bite and teeth grinding. Mackenzie is a night tooth grinder. It sounds like she is chewing on rocks so having braces and adjusting her bite will help with the wear she's been giving her teeth.

Tara

Tara Denkers is one of my favorite people. She was a laurel when I was called as the Young Women's president in our ward several years ago and she quickly became one of my favorites. She was our resident babysitter, house sitter, dog watcher and for a summer, piano student. We LOVE Tara. She is kind, humorous, thoughtful, outgoing, unique ( in the best way possible), charming, beautiful, talented,dependable, loving, strong, a good example, and a great friend. She was home for Christmas and we got to spend some time with her while she was here. We played the Wii and had a blast. Just Dance, Dance, Dance Revolution, and Wii Fit Plus. She made us all laugh and everyone had fun participating. She headed back to BYUI and we will miss having her around but look forward to the next time she's back. We love you Tara!

New Year 2011

We ate some yummy Chinese food and played tons of games for New Year's Eve. After counting down to midnight we drank some sparkly lemonade and then I was ready for bed but Dayton wanted to play another game because "when we have friends over for New Year's we play more games after midnight." This is not how it really plays out but we played one more game to appease him. The kids slept in until 11am on New Year's Day. Amazing. I have to write it down so I remember this momentous occasion. We packed up the car and headed back to Indiana. It was a great week in Ohio.