Happy Valentine's Day

Decorating sugar cookies

"Love bugs"- Taryn's class carpool buddies: Audrey, Melody, and Paige

Reed was pretty proud of his new creation: a toilet Valentine's box.  It turns out that all 8 year old boys are the same. ;)  

Ice Skating Date

Kevin does not like to skate at all (though he humored me when we were dating), so I was thrilled when Taryn excitedly agreed to go on an ice skating date with me.  

I was really rusty (not that I was great before), but Taryn was a rockstar!

I was a little worried at first, because she spent a lot of time on the ice.  But she kept picking herself up.

And she really got pretty speedy!

She lasted almost 2 hours, with short breaks interspersed.

I think I am safe to say we both had an awesome time!

MJ

MJ has given us a run for our money when it comes to toddlerhood.  This girl was the easiest, most pleasant baby (pre-movement) but being a toddler has proved something else.  She is our busiest, (naughtiest) toddler by far, and she knows it!  But she's always ready with a cheesy grin.

Always getting pampered by her older siblings.  The girl loves shoes!

Makeover

She and Corbin are as thick as thieves.  The got into the box of drywall dust without my knowledge and had a grand 'ole time.

Another pantry dweller

She has a soft side too....

I took her to the Puppy Barn.  She loved looking at the puppies from a distance. :)

She can be a little high maintenance (she had 4 different breakfast options that morning).

Daredevil!

I caught her in the act and she thought it was fun sitting on the toilet- and she pooped!  Just a one time thing, but it was still cool.

A sugar-holic like the rest of them.

She loves being silly with her siblings.  Supergirl!

We love our little MJ!

This happened

It wasn't the best timing to start potty training when Corbin was having some stomach issues, but it certainly gave him a lot of practice. ;)

And he came off conqueror!

SNOW much fun!

December and January brought a ton of snow this winter.  And every time it snows, the kids hope there is enough to cover our small hill so they can go sledding.  Luckily, it did a few times and we made the most of it.

Taryn and her friend, Melody (who I could claim as our extra child)

Corby the penguin

Alex (my other "extra child"), Reed, and MJ

Our playset is even fun in the snow.

Extra hands make light work

Taryn turned 6!!!

Taryn turned 6 in January!  This girl is a lover of life, all things food (especially treats), taking care of people, stuffed animals, and her best friend Melody.

We decided to keep birthday parties going around here (I'm a softie), but I told Taryn she needed to plan all her games and help with the food prep and decorations.  Since that girl would throw a party every day if I let her, she was more than happy to take the rein.

Whenever I bake, Taryn is first in line to help.  She has been known to produce her very own recipes as of late (she just guesstimates measurements, and sees what sort of dessert turns out). :)

Taryn loves some attention

Always loves to take care of and dress up her kid sister.

We went swimming for her family birthday activity and had brownies and ice cream for dessert.

Thanks Oma for the HUGE stuffed animal!  

We had a Frozen themed birthday party.  I refuse to buy a pinata, so we made our own out of a balloon and paper mache.  Since it has to take on the shape of a balloon, we made it into a snowball. (haha, how ghetto can we be?)

Helping out with her cake.

Taryn with her sidekick, Corbin, and her finished Frozen cake.  It's funny that she always wants a cake on her birthday, because she only eats a few bites.  She doesn't love frosting.

Birthday friends making their own Olaf marshmallow treat.

Taryn and her BFF, Melody.

Melody and Taryn = scary cheetahs (they like to use their makeup as face paint)

And they love giving a makeover to MJ too.

Taryn is so full of spunk and life and we love her so much!  

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Hey, if it's going to be cold, it may as well snow!  We have the perfect backyard hill for sledding that the kids just love!  We also had some fun snow days while their cousins, Link, Jett, and Nona were staying with us.

MJ and Link

Link and Taryn

They somehow convinced Grandma to pull them (Corbin and Jett) on the icey driveway.

Corbin, Taryn, Jett

Lincoln = weirdo

Taryn = weirdo

We've got ourselves another sledder!

Cutest picture ever. (Reed and MJ)