Bowling With Friends

The kids get out of school an hour early each Wednesday.  In an attempt to lift the cold, winter gloom from our lives, Anna and I met at the bowling alley after school.  Marshall also invited two friends.  Thankfully, Richard was post-call so he stayed home with a sleeping Rachel, which made the outing quite a bit easier!  

Marshall and his two friends bowled on one lane and got two games in while Max, Fitz, and Bridget shared a lane and played one game.  It really was quite fun and my kids won all games...they do not get this talent from me!

Caleb was the only one who actually released the bowling ball correctly.  I was quite impressed!

A sweet photo.  :)

Marshall rocked it.  

Marshall dances around the entire time the ball is rolling down the lane.  I love it.

Hard to see.  A close game for the younger three, but Bridget pulled out the win!

I love Marshall's friends here.  I hope he finds some good ones in Utah.

I treated the kids to cheese curds and custard after bowling.  Some of our favorite foods.  :)

What Am I Going To Do Without Her?

Anna and I joke all the time that we should be sister-wives.  Our lives are so intertwined and I love it.

A couple of weeks ago we had an entire day that we spent the evening before trying to coordinate and we spent a huge chunk of the day together.  It was a wonderful day.  

The girls and I were ready and out the door at 8:30 to pick up the baby-sitter.  

We picked up Ashley, and drove to the Hassell's.  We left Fitz and Rachel with the baby-sitter and Anna and Max hopped in our van and we were off to art class.  

After that stimulating hour, we went back to the Hassell's where I made lunch for all four kids while Anna took the baby-sitter home.  

Next up was school for Max and Bridget.  I left Rachel with Anna and she put Rachel and Fitz down for their afternoon naps.  I took Max and Bridget to school, ran a couple errands, then went back to the school to help with the 100 Days of School party.

When school was done, Anna met me at the school with Fitz and Rachel.  We exchanged kids:  Rachel and Max-and we parted our separate ways for a bit.  

Three hours later Anna came and picked me up and we went to dinner with three other women we used to go to church with.  We spent two hours at dinner catching up with wonderful friends and exceptional women.  We pulled into my driveway at 9:20, but talked in her van until 10:40.  We laughed, we cried, we talked about happy things, and we talked about really hard things.  At 10:40 I forced myself to get out of her car and head to bed, we could have kept talking for hours.

I don't know how I am going to manage life without Anna, but unfortunately, I am going to be forced to find out in a matter of months.  When we are out with each other, we are frequently asked if we are sisters.  We always smile and say no, but for me, it is as close as I'm going to get.  Anna is one of the best people I know.  I will forever be grateful that the Hassells moved into the same apartment complex exactly one week after we did.  We became fast friends.  Moving away from her is going to leave a huge hole in my heart.

Visit From Good Friends

Last weekend we were lucky enough to get a visit from our good friends, Corey and Bekky, who live in MN.  Richard and Corey go way back to days in the BYU Marching Band.  Corey and Bekky got married in May 2004 and we got married in May 2005.  From that time on we became best of friends.  We did a lot of miniature golfing at Trafalga, went to a Homecoming dance together, and played a whole lot of board games.  We all graduated at the same time and they moved to MN and we moved to WI.  Our first few years here we were all good about visiting each other, but then we all got busy, we all had kids, and life became hectic.  We knew we wanted to see them again before we moved, and they were kind enough to make the four hour drive to Milwaukee.  It had been three years since we had seen each other and it was wonderful to be together again.  

We picked up right where we left off:  talking, laughing, and staying up entirely too late.  But it was just the best weekend and we are so glad they came for a visit.  

We started off with Fun Timez on Saturday morning.  Bridget was at a birthday party, so she missed out, but the rest of the kids had a ball.  

Look closely and you will see Rachel sandwiched in between five boys who all had to be at least 10 years old.  These boys did not deter her though and she held her own.  

After Fun Timez we had a late lunch at Kopps complete with Red Raspberry custard.  Man, I am going to miss that stuff.  Corey loved the onion rings.  Marshall agrees, they are delicious.

That night we got a baby-sitter for the four oldest kids and had a dinner out to Bel Air Cantina.  Those tacos, delicious, but the company was even better.  

In an attempt to wind the kids down that night we had story time before bed.  Marshall and Bridget played well with Tyler and it was fun to see them all running around together.  And Rachel did adore baby Emma.  

After the kids were in bed we played two rousing games of Settlers of Catan.  Corey and Bekky each won a game, which is impressive, because Richard rarely loses at these types of games.  A momentous occasion!  

I felt like a zombie by Sunday morning, but we sure had a great time with some of our dearest friends!  Thanks for the visit Kunz Family!  We love you!

January In Pictures

The random moments from the first days of 2016.  I don't really like January...so long, grey, and blah.  Glad it is behind me, but we definitely had many good moments.

I grew up with this book and was delighted to find it at the library for my kids.  

Two very energetic boys spending a quiet moment together.  

Fun in the snow.  

Lunch with friends.  

Besties.  

A maple syrup lover, takes after her dad.  

This picture captures 40 minutes of pure bliss.  Popcorn after school.  We talked, laughed, and snuggled.  The rest of the day was a disaster, but at least we have good moments.  

Trip To Michigan

The last weekend in January we all packed up and hit the road, bound for Michigan for one last visit.  

We left our house at 6:50 pm and made it to South Haven in 3 1/2 hours, including a stop.  Incredible!  It took me 8 1/2 years to figure out the best time to make that drive.  The kids did great.  They were all in pajamas, watched one movie, fell asleep, and transferred perfectly to the hotel bed.  

Saturday was spent at my Grandparent's house, talking, coloring, eating, playing soccer, watching movies, and eating delicious popcorn that I am still thinking about.  

After church on Sunday, we had the traditional Sunday gathering at the Toney Home.  I have wonderful memories of these Sunday dinners as a child, and I love being in Michigan on Sundays with my own family.  So much good food, lots of family, and of course, the missionaries.

I am the first to admit that Chicago traffic has really decreased my desire to make the drive to South Haven.  However, in our nine years of living here, I have gone to visit eight times, not too shabby.  Even though the driving to and from Michigan stresses me out, and I honestly dread it, my time in Michigan with my incredible Toney Family always makes me so happy I made the drive.  This time was no different.  I am always welcomed with open arms.  My kids are cared for in such loving ways.  Watching my cousins, of all ages, scoop up my kids and play with them touches my heart in such a special way.  I hope Marshall and Bridget always remember these trips.  Marshall actually did not want to leave this time, and that made me happy.  

Living in Wisconsin has strengthened my relationship with my Grandma Toney.  Growing up, I typically only saw her every other year.  But since moving here I see her at least once a year, and we talk on the phone every couple of months.  She is one remarkable lady and I love her dearly.  Her outlook on life is positive, but realistic.  She is wise, but funny.  I am so glad I have her in my life.  

Saying good-bye this time pulled on my heart strings.  I don't anticipate any trips to Michigan during our two years in Utah.  It was odd to drive away from their house, knowing that it would be quite some time before I find my way back there.  So thankful for family.  

My Oldest And Youngest

Rachel and Marshall are growing up before my eyes.  They seem to have changed in leaps and bounds in just the last few weeks, so I want to document it.  Poor Bridget, the middle child, she'll get a post all her own in the near future, but for now, my youngest and oldest.

Marshall

He loves non-fiction books.  This kid is a sponge for information.  He is currently devouring books on deadly animals, the human body, robots, and the state of Utah.  And his most recent interest as of this morning is the presidential election.  Richard and I have answered about 100 questions today.  

About 90% of the time Marshall is a great big brother to Bridget.  They love to play together in the morning and they have developed quite the bedtime routine.  Each night we put them in their bedroom and tell Marshall what time they need to turn off the light.  We listen to them play together, we listen to them clean up, and then they hop into the same bed and have a "meeting".  This usually involves Marshall reading books to Bridget and talking about their school day.  It is just the sweetest.  

Marshall also has his first crush, which I have suspected for some time.  :)  Several weeks ago he stopped his friend from spilling the beans to me, and he has silenced Bridget on multiple occasions.  I am dying of curiosity!  

Two weeks ago he started doing multiplication.  I am blown away.  This stuff blew my mind in the third grade!

He tries my patience pretty much every single day, but he is also an absolute delight to be around.  We love this boy!

Rachel

This girl's vocabulary has gone through the roof.  She is incredibly animated and she can make us all giggle just by listening to her talk.  

She remains our most affectionate child.  She still gives the best hugs.  Throughout the day I hear, "Snuggle me, mom."  In just the last couple of weeks she has started grabbing my face and planting a big, wet kiss right on my lips.  I love it.

She will not let Richard near me.  She yells at him when he tries to hug me, kiss me, rub my back...anything!  Tonight she pretty much full on karate chopped him.  Poor guy.  

Rachel has pretty much shunned the majority of her toys and now sneaks into Bridget's room any chance she gets.  She loves all of Bridget's princesses and palace pets, much to Bridget's chagrin.  Heaven help us when they start sharing a room this summer.  

Some of her current favorites:

Song: "Prayer Song", otherwise known as A Child's Prayer

Princesses:  Elsa and Anna

Food:  Peanut butter and jam sandwiches

Nighttime ritual:  "Rub by hair."  I hope I never forget the way she says this each night when I put her in her crib.  

Favorite shows:  Little Einsteins and Sofia the First.  She recounts multiple episodes to me each day.  

Love this girl!