January: Birthdays, Snow, Shoulder Separation, and Sickness

A Kate/Owen outing to Sipn.  Owen has paid for many of her drinks just for the grown up feeling of buying something without a parent present.

I loved the 4 sessions Kate had her hair in braid piggies.  She stopped after that because it was "killing off" her hair.

Powder!  Paths through trees!  Magic.

I wait exactly 5 min through their favorite songs in the car and then turn on my book since they are both sound asleep.

Making a poster to celebrate Owen's birthday at school, with Kate and her new cello in the background.

Brady took the kids to a basketball game.

Zachary played on a basketball rec team, so we had a game a week for about 2 months.  So fun to watch him be vulnerable and try a new sport!

This was a breakout game for Owen:

A trip to the BYU bookstore:

Sledding up the canyon.  The snow was rock hard and I lasted 4 runs before deciding I didn't want an injury.  Owen and his friends lasted 25 more.

Snowboarder Owen!

Brady traveling so much was hard on Owen and he was super clingy and cute with him.

I was prepared to hate winter but I loved it.  Once I got the right coats/gear, it was perfectly lovely and a change of scenary.

Brady skied with us one Saturday and I saw him right after a run.  "I'm hurt."  I thought he twisted his knee but he was gingerly (haha...ginger...ly) holding his shoulder.  We skied down to medical and he was seen at the mountain clinic--right next to a lady with double ACL and MCL tears and a man with complex fractures.  Brady was diagnosed with shoulder separation and told that it would heal in a few weeks.  While it is nothing like his knee issues, it is months later and still painful.

Meanwhile, Walker hit a jump and went flying into a tree.  He is a teenager and bounced right back up.  

Happy 18th Birthday, Elise!  Love that we got to meet you on your first days of life and your first days of adulthood.  You are full of goodness, you know what you want, and you are willing to do what it takes.  We all love you so much!  (I can talk directly to you because you are the only person who reads this blog!)

I thought kids sports filled my game quote but attending basketball games has been a highlight of my winter.

I am loving spring--the crisp air with green grass, lavender blossoms, and snow-capped mountains, but I see these ski photos and want to go back.  

Zachary goes to preference!  He cleans up so nicely and despite his complaints that there are "too many rules" for dances--flowers, asking, the suit, the tie, coordination, etc.--he comes home lit up.

Happy Birthday, Mom Edwards!  Her sincerity and empathy cannot be beat!  We love you!

Saturday morning snowfall skiff!  A rare moment for this past winter.

Kate became desperately ill with enormous lymph nodes, fevers lasting over a week, and sores all over her mouth and lips.  She lost 10 pounds and could barely get out of bed.  It was oral herpes and with rest and treatment, she started to heal.  It was an ordeal and she was not fully better for weeks afterward.

Zachary's basketball game.  There were 3 Zachary's on their team!  I enjoyed seeing his friends come to cheer and support.