Rewind Back to August

August was a busy month of unexpected turns.  Ben got news that he was to be transferred to Montana.  He went to work while we went to packing.  Thanks for all the family help.  We packed up  the house and cleaned.  My sister, Mary, helped us load our stuff and we went to stay at her house for a couple of day. She lives south of Denver in Canon City.  The kids had a fun time playing together.

From her house we left for Star Valley, Wyoming.  All my brothers and sisters gathered for a family reunion.  Nicolina and Scott were in charge this year. They created a strict itinerary. We didn't follow it to the T but it was so nice to have.  We played minute to win it, had great food.  Devotionals and talents.  We also had a ping pong tournament and a hike. It was fun to see everyone.  All of our family is growing up and getting big.

Great Grandpa and Grandpa.

Cora, Nicolina's little girl.

Lydia getting in the water

Playing Minute to Win It.

From the reunion we went to Chrystal's house and played and relaxed.
The kids played in the sprinkler.

Ben came an picked us up and  we all went to Helena. We stayed at a motel and the kids were recovering from sickness. Grandma and Papa came down and picked us up and we spent four day at their house. We went swimming, got to go to the cabin, and ate great food. We also celebrated Eli's birthday while we were there.

Eli

Well I don't have stats like I wish that I did.  I know that Eli has grown up so much and he is growing fast.  Some of the things that he loves are strawberries and grapes.  He actually loves to eat almost any fruit, even mangos.  He really loves balls any type, but I think his favorite is basketball.  He knows that you should dribble the ball  with one hand and can actually do it for a few seconds.  He knows that once he stops dribbling he needs to pass it.  He attempts to shoot it. He loves to score.
This week when we went to library Ben found him a book called Cattle Kids. It all about horses.  He calls them Giddy ups.  He doesn't quite know how to say horse.  He does know what sound a horse makes. He loves that book and doesn't mind reading it over and over and over.
He wears a size eight shoe.  He wears 2T pants but 3T shirts.  He will be in the same size as Lydia soon. Although he is tall and long, he is so active that he seems to me to be solid muscle and he definitely has the Dalton calve muscles.
Lately he was to see everything I am cooking. He will continue to say, "Let me see, Let me see!" until I show him what is in the oven. After he see it he will say, "Wow!"
He has discovered that pants and shorts have pockets.  He will walk around with his hands in his pockets and he will try to put things in his pocket.
He is potty training. It is now day four.

Its Raining, Its Pouring

It rained!! Rain is a much needed in Colorado, and to those you that don't know that is where we moved.  We are slowly getting used to it here and the kids are calling it home.  They have had their ups and downs since we have moved them yet again but they are wonderful kids.  Tonight we had a great family night.  We went out to eat, for french fries, Eli's favorite, and Philly cheese steak sandwiches.This was something that I never had tried.  It was pretty tasty. Ben and I agreed that they need more meat.  Eli also went potty twice at the sandwich shop.  He gave up diapers this week.  He only wears them at night. I am determined to stick with potty training since he completely understands.  He just needs consistency and   Afterword we stopped at Walmart for a few basic things.  I noticed the rain boots were on sale and picked them up for Lydia.  It has been a dream of hers to have rain boots and be able to jump through puddles.  It seemed to be the prefect day to  get them since there was puddles outside.  The only mistake was I should have grabbed some for Eli. I will next week and not a moment later. Lydia jumped through the puddles and ran through the water.  The look on her face was priceless and I wish I had captured it on camera.  As she was running through the puddles she said, " I love this!!!"  We took our time walking back to the house and every little spot of water became a puddle.  Her face and expression brought back the memories when it was just me and her.  What an amazing and optimistic girl!  She is such an example for me. On the way home she wanted to get the mail and I told her that dad already got it.  She said, "Oh I was hoping for a package for my birthday."  I said, "Why!"  She said, "It feels like my birthday!"
We got the kids in pajamas and we were tucking them in bed and it started to rain really hard.  We all gathered by the window and watched it come down.  The farmers in this are sure glad for the rain as well as the firefighters and pretty much everyone.  Lighting lit up the sky.  Eli was standing right near the window. Then a few seconds later there was a huge crash of thunder.  Eli jumped, completely terrified. Lydia started laughing then Eli let out a fake laugh.  It was loud and pretty convincing of him not being scared, but it didn't last long and he came over whimpering to me.  We were all laughing at his reaction and it took a minute before I could muster a sympathetic, "Your okay."
We love our family.  Our children are amazing.  They bring and teach us of great happiness.

Family Snowman Fun!!!

It snowed!! It was the perfect snowman snow. Ben was home so we built a huge snowman.  Lydia donated her hat and scarf and couldn't let us forget the carrot nose.  Eli was a bit tired so and didn't seem to care much about the snow. He just want to be on the swing.

Love her face here. 

We had a snow ball fight. Which Lydia loved.  She doesn't mind the cold or the wet.  The trees were filled with snow.  Ben would shake the branches and it would pile down on her and she would just laugh and say, "Lets do it again."  

Snow is coming down

Covered but happy. Wish I had captured more of her face.  

We couldn't let the snowman melt!  Lydia and Ben had fun knocking it down anyway.

Here is some of the snowball fight fun.

Robot Zot

Robot Zot

There is a children's book called Robot Zot.  The kids love it and it is very comical.  We bought a pack and play a while back. It always seems like we need one when we go places.  After a few days of play of the kids playing with it, we came up with the idea to cut holes in it for the eyes and hands.  Lydia loves it.  Eli warmed up to it slowly.  One day he wanted me to try it on him over and over again.  Watching him was so much fun because he would fall down flat on his face so he could slide out of it.  Then he would drag the box so I could put it on him again and again.  Funny kid.  I love how only his feet stick out and the eye holes don't quite work on him.

Lesley and Aubrey came and visited us at the beginning of February.  She came down for a day and we made a hair bow holder.  It was fun to chat.   Aubrey and Lydia have so much fun getting together.  We went outside and played in our "backyard" park. That is what Lydia calls it. When we  came in from outside Lydia started doing Aubrey's hair.  It was so adorable.  Thanks  Les for getting pictures.

In January my aunt, Veralyn, went  on a cruise.  A much deserved trip being a widowed mom of three.  I watched her kids for a week.  Ben was in Logan so it helped break up the monotony of having him gone. Her kids behaved well and our kids loved all the new toys  and company.  The all adopted each other.
Keyan, Tailyn and Lauren played with Eli and Lydia so much that I know my kids went through withdrawals.

Lydia and Tailyn

Lauren and Eli

Kenyan with Lydia and Eli