February

 Ella and Cooper had to dress up fancy for school.  It was kindness week and there was a something cute to go with the day, but I can't remember.  "Fancy for Kindness," or something like that.

 You just never know how this one might enter a room! 

 Or, how you might find her when you enter a room! 

 Nothing is better than this!!!!! This has become a favorite book of Addie's and we all read it to her over and over.  She can read it to you too because she has it memorized!

 Ella got some new bedding because she could NOT make her bed!!!! This bedding is like one big sleeping bag and all she has to do is zip it up. Ta-da! It is made! Her bed has never looked so good! 

 This is Addie on her way home from school one day.  Benji was asking her about the note that was left for us from her teacher....she did not want to talk about it.  To sum it up, she was not using her manners.  She told her teacher that her parents said she does not have to say excuse me and it was alright to push through groups of friends.  This one is going to be trouble! Her big sister and brother helped her put on a play teaching and modeling manners.

 Cooper had a field trip to the Morrison Center to see the Philharmonic. Parents are not invited on this field trip, but look who was already there working..... they even got to sit next to each other. Benji had the MC, who is one of his teachers, say over the microphone, "Hi, Cooper Simmonds. I hope you are being a good kid to your teacher." Everyone from his school turned to look at him.  He was embarrassed but loved telling me all about it! 

This is what happens when mom leaves the house before Cooper does! He has nice, I would even say cool, dress shoes but he will only put on his Nikes.  Grrrr! 

 Ella recorded her audition to send in for the talent show and Addie also wanted in on the fun.

Okay, this does not play.  After messing with it, I gave up the fight! I will figure out how to upload her performance at the talent show.

 The two of us went to Salt Lake for the weekend to see Brandi Carlile.  We had so much fun and enjoyed our freedom.  This was only the third time we have gone somewhere without children. That is three times in eleven years if you are counting.  They stayed with Marshall and Tabatha and loved every minute of it as well.  Thank you to them for loving our kids enough to take them for a few days!

 We had great seats, right in front and in the middle, we could even hear what they were saying on stage.

 Tanya Tucker opened for her so we were introduced to her music as well.

 Everyone did their Valentines and valentine boxes all by themselves this year.

 After visiting Papa Tony, these three have new, large roommates!

 Valentine's morning! She was excited and ready to go.

This one came home with a special valentine from a BOY. Let the fun begin! Oh boy!

 We went skiing with everyone. Cousins, aunt, uncle, and this was the only picture "we" took.  Good thing it is a good one!

Apparently, Cooper was a little sick in February... after seeing this pic, I vaguely remember a little stomach issue. How can it be that February seems like it was a year ago?