Cole is crawling!

This first video is one of many unsuccessful takes.  Those with weak constitutions, look away! :)

This video is a bit better.  He's been able to get around pretty well by rolling to his destinations so the only thing that has really changed is his speed.  He's going to keep me busy!

Happy Valentine's Day

Drew and I started our Valentine's Day on Friday night.  About 1+ hour away is the small mining town of Idaho City.  It is small and old and has little to offer.  Then recently this beautiful resort was built and it is luxurious!  (Way too fancy for this small town.)  Drew and I got a babysitter and headed up the mountain to a soak in the natural hot water with my sister and bro-in-law and some of my cousins and their spouses.  We had a great time and I highly recommend it!

The next morning I prepared a special breakfast for my family.  I hope they liked it as much as I did - I think this will be a new tradition in our family!  The table was set and the food was delicious!  (if I do say so myself!)  

I made sticky-buns and the cutest little breakfast casseroles in a muffin pan!  Sooooo good!

These kids deserve the very best!  

After breakfast - these kids were super silly!  Carter found some extra whip cream and Ava and Brycen found some silly faces!  We have so much fun together!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love notes from Jacob

Love this kid:)

Building Forts

These guys go the extra mile when building forts at our house. None of this broom handle and blanket stuff. We tip the whole couch over! Haha! 

Love how these guys play together. 

Happy Valentine's!

Just wanted to say Happy Valentine's Day to all of the people I LOVE!!

At school the boys had some Valentine fun and had to make a valentines box. Jett's had colorful hearts all over it with a joke written in each heart. And this is Tucker's! I was so proud - he did this ALL by himself! He's so creative and knew exactly what he wanted to do. The heart says "join the heart side".  We all had a great holiday full o'love! 

Feeling Loved . . .

For Valentines this year, the MacKay men were in charge. In the past they've cooked us a lovely dinner and perhaps done an activity. But this year they changed things up a little. First we went out to dinner at Geisha!  Yum!  It's a fam favorite with fun and delicious food cooked right in front of you. Then the men surprised us with pedicures!!!  It was so awesome!  They had all looked up YouTube tutorials and Jason did a great job!  One of the funniest moments was listening to Shannon squeal-- she loves pedicures, but her feet are very ticklish!  Haha!  I felt very pampered and loved this year-- Jason is such a good man. 

An Update on us...

Well, life is busy - but that's what makes it so much fun!  Drew has just about finished his first 2 weeks at Star Fire and he loves it.  The guys have welcomed him in as one of their own and he has proven himself on the few calls they have already responded to.  Plus, the station is undergoing a little remodeling and Drew has become quite the asset.  It seems he has a tool for everything + the knowledge to back it up.  When they want to take a hammer to it, Drew shows up with a better tool and does it right!  His stories about it are pretty funny!

 I...went...snow...skiing!!!  I haven't been skiing since I was 16 so this was a little scary, but a lot of fun too!  I fell on my butt a few times but I was really surprised how well I remembered what to do.  I actually wasn't terrible!  Yay for me!

 Ava is Awesome!  She is my creative artist.  Recently she has been getting the crafty bug and here are a few of her creations:  a LEGO house, a snowman made out of one of Drew's old socks and some rice, and a tee-pee made out bamboo skewers and paper towels.  I swear she can make anything! 

She has also been painting and here she sewed a purse for her best friend Clara.  I LOVE that she is so creative!

 Brycen is Mr. Popular at school.  I don't think he really know it, but he is.  Almost everyday he has a play date with a different friend either at our house or theirs!  This morning he decided he wanted to "do his own hair".  I think he looks pretty cool, don't you?  Brycen is still the sweetest boy.  He still loves to snuggle with his mom and I love that.  However, I'm starting to learn that certain comments I make can be "so embarrassing".  I'm trying to learn and be more careful!  :)

 Carter is hilarious!  He says the funniest things everyday and Drew and I often quote him.  After a tantrum full of weeping and wailing, he will suddenly stop, wipe his tears and say, "I not cwying!" hoping this announcement will make up for the fit he just had.  He still wakes up at night crying.  He says "I scaowed of the fire cwuck".  (I'm scared of the fire truck)  Still hoping we can get past this one someday! 

Yeah - we have an awesome family!  I feel so blessed!

We're down to ONE child in diapers people!!

Yes, it's true. I can hardly believe it. After years of three-- then two, then three again-- kids in diapers.... We are down to ONE folks!! Woohoo!  The final breakthrough came with #2 and Ethan's proud report of "two blops!"  Hahaha!  I just about died laughing!  Gotta take the hilarity of potty training when it comes. As we all all know, it ain't all fun and games!  Anyhow, CONGRATULATIONS ETHAN!!!