Gabe's Violin Concert

Gabe had his violin/recorder/xylophone concert yesterday, and it was so cute! Every third grader at his school gets violin lessons (free!), so he has been working hard. I was really impressed, because I was expecting a painfully squeaky performance and instead, there was actual music:) I was also impressed when I noticed, on song 9 out of 10, that they were doing all of the songs (and rotating between three different instruments) by memory, not looking at music. He was all business, very serious and focused...lol.

Josie's Crazy Video

Josie decided she wanted to make a few home videos...I'll spare you all of them and just show this one. She is talking complete nonsense (purposely) a lot of the time, so don't worry about trying to understand what she is saying. I almost didn't post this, due to my brief and undesired appearance in the video. Glasses, no makeup, pajamas...please don't judge:) Oh well, the scooter wipeout makes it all worth it in the end.

Baking, Playing, Visiting...What We've Been Up To

The kids have been huge helpers in the kitchen lately. They love making homemade granola bars, soft pretzels, and any type of dessert, such as Valentine's Day cupcakes. We've also been doing lots of sledding, wrestling (Seth wouldn't let me post any of those pics, as they were all in their undies:) ), reading, playing games, drawing, having playdates, and anything else we can think of to keep winter boredom away! Last weekend, we went to Iowa to watch my brother coach the Pella High School Girls basketball team. They won by almost 20 points that night, so thanks for not making me sweat it out, Jer:) They lost their next game (probably b/c we weren't able to be there...that's what the kids think anyway...ha) that would have put them at the state tourney. And my mom planned an early b'day party for me, so I was able to see some of my extended family while visiting. Thanks, mom!

Starting to roll out the dough for pretzels...pardon my messy kitchen in the background...we'd already made granola bars and just kept going:)

They tasted way better than this pic shows...I could never have a food blog:)

Seth and his teacher, Ms. Phelan, at his Writer's Workshop Sharing Day (the kids had earned pajama day, which is why her pants look a bit funky...of course, Seth thinks PJ day is babyish, which is why he's in plain clothes:))

Me, Josie and my dad

My SIL Leah and niece Cayla

My mom and step-dad

Take two

My aunt Cindy and cousin Sonny

My grandparents

Cayla and Josie...Josie was in her undies because she was sweating after playing a jumping game with the boys...she definitely takes after Gabe in this regard.

Things were going well until some hair pulling took place:) I love how Josie is heartbroken and Cayla is chill...they quickly made up, tho!

City Museum

Jim and Shirley came to visit a few weeks ago, and took us to the City Museum. It was amazing, and I don't think we even got to a lot of things it had to offer. The kids loved it, especially the outdoor part that was made up of all kinds of things to climb. And WAY up high! You can tell Josie has two big brothers, she was game for almost everything the boys tried, except the very highest wire tunnel that was 8 or 9 stories high. Thanks, Jim and Shirley, for taking us! I have more pics on my FB album, so these are just some of the favorites...didn't want to bore you, but still probably did:)

Outside at City Museum

Seth climbing 7 or 8 stories up high

I was looking straight up at Gabe for this one

See both boys in this one? They had so much fun!

Nile and Josie climbing down to the airplane

The awesome slide