Wow. I thought it had been a long time since I last posted, but I just looked and it's only been a year and a half! Not bad. Lets face it, I'm terrible at this! However, I am going to be better. You see, my parents are on an LDS mission in Nauvoo and are sick and tired of not seeing us (at least that's what I think) and so I really need to do this so we can stay better connected. I could use facebook. But. . . my problem with facebook is that every time I go on it--I get sucked into the vortex and before I know it--hours have gone by. That's the way I feel about the computer in general--(no, I am not a cell phone owner and so I still consider the computer to be my only access to the internet). Yes, yes, I know it has so many time saving abilities too, so I can't completely discredit it.

It may seem a bit selfish--to go on my own blog where I really only talk about my little family and myself (as apposed to going on facebook where I could check out what other people are up to)--but I say, I'm going to do it--for my parent's sake (at least for now). Who knows?--maybe I'll actually get in some sort of habit and do this every 6 MONTHS or even better--every MONTH!! Wouldn't that be something?!!

Well, to start the year off, the word is. . SNOW.  And more SNOW and, yes, you guessed it---MORE SNOW!!  We have had so much snow this year. . it's almost convinced Matt to buy a snowblower.  But alas, he hasn't pulled the trigger.  That's okay though.  It gets us out, borrowing our neighbor's snowblower!  Mostly kidding, but it has happened once this winter. 

We have loved it.  We've gone sledding, mountain sledding, had snowball fights, built an igloo, shoveled, shoveled some more, knocked icesicles off our roof, knocked snow off our roof, and more--all thanks to the snow.  But now, especially tonight (we just received another 5 inches at least) we are ready for SPRING!!

Here are some pictures (a few from Christmas) to enjoy.








Christmas morning--everyone's excited exept Clara.  She's in shock.


 

Here's Craigers and his cousin Sven at their Joy School nativity party.

 

Owen and his Dad--mountain sledding up Millcreek Canyon. 

This is all the same sledding trip on New Years day.  It was bitter cold but the kids were great sports.




This is how we do it.  We hike up the Salt Lake Overlook trail up Millcreek Canyon until we can go no further and then we all connect our sleds together.  We then brace ourselves and hope for no serious injuries as our snake slides down the trail.  We've been blessed so far. 



Cute Owen and Craigers below in snow heaven.




Here's a look at our house after one of the good storms.  Note the huge snowflakes on the window made by Clara.




Owen and Neighbor friend, Gabe battle it out with icesicles.



Here is the present I made for Matt's birthday--the chess board quilt.  (He got the chess set for Christmas but it didn't come with a very good board.  So I put my newly aquired quilting skills to use).



Speaking of quilting. . here's some starts of my quilt this year.  I tried to upload a few other blocks that I've finished, but the computer for some reason wouldn't do it.  It has become a pretty darn fun hobby I have to say.  I quite enjoy it.  Especially while the weather is cold, dark and sometimes a bit gloomy.  Quilting brings fun, bright color into my life and I feel so satisfied to see my creations!!  I've almost finished my quilt from last year.  I just need to bind it.  I'll post it soon hopefully, as I'm trying to have it done by March.




And more snow pictures!  Here are Ella and Clara with their creation--and mine.  This was about a two hour project.  A great workout too!!



We call it our cone-shaped igloo.  It is still standing because it's been such a cold winter.  This picture was taken the day we built it--sometime in December and it is now Feb. 9th!!  Of course it doesn't look exactly like this anymore--more like a bridge.