February

Wow... February has flown by.

Tomorrow is Jeremy's birthday. He has been dreading turning "30" for the last year... and tomorrow it will happen. We will celebrate his birthday by setting up a book fair... definitely not the funnest way to celebrate, but at least it is profitable.

We had tons of Snow if February. Jeremy took this picture of the cow on the farm:

It isn't very clear because he took it during a blizzard. He and the kids had a great time making snow forts using the TALL mounds of snow the snow plow left behind.

Katie and Jeremy had fun at a Daddy-Daughter Valentines Day Dance at Katie's school. They played musical chairs and apparently Katie was the champion. She made SURE she won every round and came home with some great prizes.

This week William had his first haircut. We were kind of sad to see is auburn mullet go and now that his baby hair is gone he looks like a strawberry blonde. We think his new haircut makes him look very grown up and more like Katie.

Ashton had his tonsils and adenoids out, tubes put in his ear and his tongue clipped on Thursday. He is still in some pain, but he has been so good about everything. The nurses all thought his hair and love of back hoes were adorable. We were worried he would be scared when it was time for him to leave us, but they gave him an oral sedative before surgery and let's just say... it worked. He was a little loopy. Jeremy got him excited about going for a ride on the gourney and that was that!

The great news is the surgery seemed to work! Friday night he turned to Jeremy with a very surprised look on his face and said, "This ear works!" He has been talking more quietly and when we whisper something he can hear it! Yeah!!

The kids had a lot of fun at their school Valentine's Day Parties. They brought home so much candy! Will was thrilled. He has been finding and eating candy ever since.

How we saw the hand of the Lord in our lives lately... Ashton's bedtime prayer thanking Heavenly Father for "couches; temples; Matthew, Katie, and Will; blessings; and Jesus."

January

January has been a little bit busy, but a very fun month.

Two weeks ago I went to Usborne Books Advanced Leadership Retreat in Oklahoma. Jeremy did an awesome job of coordinating the kid's schedules.

Last Sunday, we celebrated Grandma Cox's birthday with all the cousins. The kids LOVED getting to spend time with their cousins.

This week Ashton started tumbling. He is in Katie's class. He was kind of nervous at first, but QUICKLY warmed up to the gym and his teacher. Katie was very good about helping him feel comfortable and welcome.

Matthew also started karate. Last week we tried it out and at his first official class this week he had lots of fun when they actually learned some "fighting moves."

Will has had rotovirus for the last couple of weeks, but has been in a good mood inspite of it all. He is learning so much! He has started to say even more words... like sticker and thank you. Yesterday Stacie was leaving our house and he started screaming "Go Stacie! Go Stacie" because he wanted to go too.

First Sunday of the New Year

Today is the first Sunday of the 2008 and Will has a stomach bug, of course.

The kids were really excited for Primary today because they were going to sing "Happy Birthday" to Matthew and Katie and today is Ashton's first day as a Sunbeam. He wasn't sure he wanted to leave the nursery where he has Mom, Grandma, Willy, green tractors, and snacks! I can't believe he is so grown up!

Last Monday, for Family Home Evening we talked about goals and had a New Year's Eve Party. Our family decided we would read the Book of Mormon two times this year. Matthew wants to learn to read better and Katie wants to learn to ride her bike. I want to get healthy and grow my business and Jeremy said he just wants to make a million dollars. Ashton and Will were pushing around trucks during this discussion and couldn't be bothered with resolutions.

After we set our News Resolutions, we ate yummy pizza, cheeseball made by Great-Grandma Cragun, and dessert. The kids LOVED drinking sparkling cranberry-apple cider and making toasts with each other. We watched Ratatouille and then they went to bed. Jeremy and I stayed up to welcome the New Year.

Wednesday, was a BIG day at our house... Matthew turned 6 years old and Katie turned 5 years old. They both were honored at the schools. Matthew was thrilled to have Jeremy come and show a poster about his life and talk about him. I went to Katie's Montessori preschool for her Celebration of Life. Katie walked around a "sun," while carrying a globe five times while I shared things that she did each year of her life.... pretty deep for preschool.


After school, the kids had fun decorating sugar cookies.

Stacie took the day off and made a yummy birthday dinner (macaroni and cheese w/ hotdogs and lasagna) and two delicious cakes. Right after the dinner the Craguns all went to see Grandpa get sworn in for his third term on the City Council, but Grandma and Grandpa Cox came over so we could sing "Happy Birthday" to the kids and have some cake and ice cream.

This week, Matthew and Katie had a lot of fun reading the books Matthew brought home from school. They are both doing great!

We've gotten lots of snow this week and Matthew and Ashton have been excellent helpers. They love to help Jeremy shovel the walks and driveway.

Another exciting thing that happened this week... Steve graduated from the Central Utah Corrections Academy and Monday starts his first day as an officer. The kids have been telling people they have two uncles who are great cops.

Tomorrow, Ashton goes to the ENT specialist to find out what (if anything) can be done about his hearing. And on Wednesday I leave for Oklahoma to attend Usborne Advanced Leadership Retreat.