FATIGUING AND JUBILANT

This week has been one of pure exhaustion and a lot of joy. We bought our home on Valentine's Day. It was a great way to celebrate! And we spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday moving in. We are still amongst tons of boxes and in a state of flux, but Scott and I are enjoying making this house our home. I promise to post pictures later.

Before Valentine's Day, we celebrated the Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon. My youngest daughter and her husband were also in the year of the dragon, and their little munchkin will also be born as a dragon! 

I was born in the year of the rat.
Scott was born in the year of ox.

These two dragons enjoyed their Panda Express on the holiday.

Aren't they adorable dragons?!

Then my family got to go to the temple together to do Aunt Jeanine's temple work. It was so wonderful to be there with my entire family. Aunt Jeanine was a favorite of all of us. She made us laugh. She taught us how to smack our lips properly and loudly say "ahhhh" after drinking water. She claimed that smacking and "ahhhh"ing makes water taste better. She is also the reason my sister and I love jabbing our brothers with our elbows when taking a family picture. She did the same thing to her brothers.

This is my dad's favorite picture of his sister and his dad.

Aunt Jeanine was determined!

I did manage to troll my husband on Valentine's Day. While he was in Kentucky the week before the 14th, I decorated his workspace. It was a huge surprise to him.

Scott and I had to say goodbye to our primary children. It was bitter-sweet. We will really miss these amazing kids! But we are excited to make new friends in our new ward.

I love these kids sooooooo much!

Katia and Skylar went snow shoeing with the Browns this President's Day weekend. They had so much fun! And they sent me pictures.

They even took Jude... who liked it, but was cold.

And a few more fun pictures of my Red Skittle:

Reuniting with his friend, Peanut Butter.

Kiara forgot her son was supposed to dress up as a king for preschool....
So at the last minute she through this outfit together, claiming it was pretty tacky.

Red Skittle quickly declared that he was "King Tacky the Lillywhite!"

Yes! My 4 1/2 year old grandson is doing math!

Falling asleep in a music practice room....

I wish I could fall asleep this easily.

I'M NOT BLUE...

Life is REALLY good! And getting better!

Scott and I are signing for our new home on Valentine's Day! We'll be home-owners again! I can hardly wait! We are so blessed.  The house was made for us. It even comes with a "game room." 

We had our annual Post Holiday Blues Party with my family! It was so fun! Everything was delicious! And we loved hanging out with my family. Scott even made a new recipe for the occasion: blue cheese macaroni and cheese. It was absolutely delicious!

Dad's house was the event destination!

Everyone was a great sport with my crazy blue theme!

Soooo much fun!

Scott has had to go to Kentucky twice in the past month. While he was away, he got to see Paige and Jonathan's little, sweet girl:

And while he was gone, I was able to do some painting:

I've been exercising for the past month and a half. GJ has been encouraging me! I walk almost 3 miles EVERY day except Friday and Sunday. We even joined a gym together. And I did something I've never done before... I shoveled snow. That was truly difficult and GREAT exercise! GJ and I shoveled dad's driveway.

Katia and Skylar's dog, Jude, had surgery this week. The cone of shame:

And Kiara and Cody have been going on lots of fun dates:

Temple Dates are the Best Dates!

A Flautist Concert

And Kiwi Loco Yorgurt!

And then there is my adorable grandson, Red Skittle! Look!

Doing dishes... without being asked!

Drawing flowers!

He still needs some naps!

Putting together a puzzle from his preschool teacher - discovering his own face!

Apparently, Red Skittle loves practicing writing his numbers.

And a few more pictures:

We love our monthly date nights with the Browns.

One night, Scott and Ian had on similarly colored grey coats.

It made me laugh... so I took a picture.

Then when we left, later that evening, Scott accidentally took the wrong coat as his own.

I laughed so hard.

Katia has been suffering with morning sickness for the past 12 weeks.

Her sister has been helping by supplying red icees which she is able to keep down.

I really adore my two, beautiful and kind daughters!

SHOUTING FROM THE ROOT TOPS!

I'm soooooo excited!

Katia and Skylar are expecting!

She (or he) is supposed to make her appearance on August 4th!

Being a grandma is AWESOME!!!!!!!