February

So I didn't post in February. I know we were busy! But didn't take pictures with the camera only my phone. So this is what I have!

lots of Saturday ball games. Jack had a fun team mixed with friends from school and coached by his friend's dads. This year they kept score, I forget the % but I think it was probably 50-50. Some of the kids they played against were so good!

Coach Day, Hayden, Ryan, Mason, Coach Ben

Jack, Drew, Wes, Payten

This one goes everywhere we go! And never complains about it! As long as she has snacks in tow she is great.

 Maddy and her team are still going strong with a tournament game this week. They also have improved so much over the year and are a lot of fun to watch from the sidelines. I am "coaching" but I use the term lightly--I really am just the secretary and Jake coaches!

Coach Mak Adrienee, Charity, Lauren, Maddy, Grace, Coach Jake

Ava, Jayda, Alli, Macey, MaKaylee 

We also had our first Pine Wood Derby. MIKE worked and worked Jack's car. Jack choose the design and helped cut a little bit. I've decided this is a Dad assignment anyway--most of the Dad's were busy with the boys car. Jack was a good sport--he didn't take last--the boy who did take last only had 3 wheels and it wouldn't go--he was also a good sport! He had fun and that's all that counts!

 Lilly and her friend Maddy or Little Maddy as we call her dressed up as Anna and Elsa. Lilly loves play dates and is always asking for Maddy or Owen to come play.

 Lilly went through a phase of coloring makeup on herself with markers. This was the 3rd time in one week.

 Valentine's Day came and we had to make boxes. I talked Jack into a shark because it was easy.

 Lexi made a heart bag on her own. I found cute matching heart shirts for the little girls on Target clearance and bought them big so they'll have them for next year. Heart shirts are always easy to come by and are perfect for February!

 Alli and Maddy whipped there's up one afternoon after school. Maddy apparently needs to be taught how to wrap a box--she practically used a whole roll of tape! BUT it was fun.  They made a monster and a hippo. I loved this part of Elementary school. I also remember making sure my valentines did not say lovey things when I gave them to a boy. My kids didn't care this year--thank goodness!

Mike and I had a Valentine's Day dinner we attended with friends. We ate delish food. We brought asparagus, had salmon, fruit salad, cabbage salad, amazing augraten potatoes, rolls, and yummy dessert! On the spot, we were given the assignment to tell the other people in the room, what we loved about them. There were 18 of us, this "game" took over 2 hours to play! Poor Maddy was terrified being my late night babysitter.  It was a challenge because some of the people esp their husbands I didn't know well. BUT we all participated and I came away with a greater appreciation for those around me that I live by and am learning to LOVE.

Sunday, we had another  (late) Valentine's Day Loveridge party. Julie made lasagna, we ate more asparagus and salad and fruit and bread and cookies and then Valentines from Grandma and Great Grandma. I didn't take any pictures--Grandma did--when she posts some I'll add them to this post.

We left the kids at Bill & Steph's for the night because we were leaving at 5am very early to go to Kauai the next morning. Super big thanks again to Stephanie and Julie and Bill and Brent for helping with my crew the first part of our vacation--It was President's Day and the kids didn't have school. Steph offered to take them. Bless you! Thanks for cleaning up after my 2 year old who decided to go poop in her pants in addition to the other 7 kids you were watching after. Kids had tons of fun including having a cousin sleepover, watching Big Hero 6, Fire House Subs all of which didn't really involve much sleep so I hear! I'm up next when you go to Puerto Vallarta!!

Special thanks to Chelsea, Tyler and Blakelee for helping with my crew during school. This was the busiest time--lots of early morning school activities, school drop off's/pick ups, kindergarten pick ups, extra kids, piano lessons, scouts, a child getting sick and throwing up, in addition to cooking dinner, homework, baths, and whatever you needed to do! I appreciate your help so much. This was a picture I got from Chelsea. Looks like they had a blast also. Special thanks to Jamie for driving home from school. Oh boy do I miss the bus some days!

And last but not least, thank you to my parents Steve and Tif for taking the kids for a long weekend. They also got to hang out with Chad and Anna and celebrate Anna's birthday. They rode horses, 4 wheelers, swam in the hot tub in addition to church and meals and all the messes they make. They shipped off the big kids to school Monday morning and Lilly to a friend waiting and hoping Mom and Dad arrived back from their trip! We did. Much more to come about our trip. We took over 500 pictures and the best time ever! I've only been back one week and am still dreaming of the ocean and the sunshine! Today my wrists are peeling--its time to go back! Not sure my kids will let me go without them next time!