Valentine's Man

Growing up, the Valentine's Man came every Valentine's night. Coincidentally it was always the same time my Dad came home from work at night, Viola there was something on the door step for each of my siblings. (but it still took me way too long to connect the two)

This year the Valentine's Man came early. What good are Valentine pillows if you can't have them the whole month? So here are the pillow cases I made, I mean *cough* the Valentine's Man brought last night to James and Lynnlee.

Lynnlee's pillow

James's pillow

Tubing

On Saturday my family went to Soldier Hollow's tubing hill to celebrate the January birthdays-- my Dad and Bro-in-law Dan. Too bad Dan couldn't be there because he was on a business trip to Thailand.

We weren't sure if James would like it but he loved every part of it. After he went up the rope tow for the first time he said, "more" and we told him that's not even the best part!

He looks like a big boy on the kid tube.

Marshall and James

We had lunch at the lodge after.

Lynnlee in my Dad's lap.

James was so hungry after. Here he is waiting patiently.

Thanks Mom and Dad for the fun day!

Us

I started this blog about 2 1/2 years ago so I could update my parents and in laws while they were on their missions. Now they are home and I get to update them in person which is way better. I still want to keep the blog going for other long distant family members and anyone else who cares so here is what we've been up to.

Lynnlee had a doctor's appointment with her cardiologist two weeks ago. She is now off all medications except aspirin! (she will be on that for life) She doesn't have to see the cardiologist until May! Lynnlee has been a little behind with her gross motor skills....rolling, crawling, standing, clapping, etc. She had a developmental specialist evaluate her last week. The specialist showed me what Lynnlee should be doing at this age and told me some things to do with her to help get her caught up. Then a physical therapist will work with her in the next few weeks. It is truly amazing how fast Lynnlee has picked up on everything. I've been working with Lynnlee since Wednesday afternoon and in just a few days she is rolling across the floor, standing for more than 5 minutes at a time and clapping. She did all of those things today. She is such a strong little girl! At this rate she won't even need to see the physical therapist.

James has been reminding us that he is a terrible 2 year old :) Thank goodness for the fun times but definitely don't love the melt downs, saying "no" to everything, and short attention spans. As for the fun stuff, I love when he says, "Mommy, I need more tickles," "I love you," helps me in the kitchen and sings songs with us at bedtime.


I'm mostly a stay at home mom but starting in February I will work one night a week at the hospital. I think it will be fun for Marshall to have a night with the kids :) I did apply for a job that would allow me to work from home which is near impossible to find as a nurse. It would be awesome if I got the position!

Marshall is busy starting up a business and working at Lowry Doors. He is always on the go and hopefully it will all pay off in the end!

Missing Person

We received this missing persons notification in the mail a few days ago, and as I looked at it, I couldn't help but think, "No wonder they haven't found this poor person.... the photo-age progression is all wrong!"

It should look more like this:

Homecoming

Cameron (Marshall's brother) returned home about a week ago from serving a mission in Argentina. It's been fun to have him home and especially fun for Marshall since Cam is his only brother.
We really slacked with taking pictures. We went to the airport when he flew in but forgot our camera. We made sure we remembered the camera at his homecoming but only took this picture.


After the luncheon we took a couple of family pictures so I guess that makes up for it, right?

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas weekend. I love living close to both families because we were able to spend time with each. Christmas Eve started out with bowling which has been a tradition started long before I was born.



We made bowling shirts a few years ago but after wearing them for 3 years they are getting kind of gross. (No surprise since I bought the shirts at DI and then ironed on the logos) I'm hoping to make new ones next year, plus Lynnlee needs one for next year. We didn't make her one this year since she's too little to bowl.

We were at the bowling alley for a few hours so Lynnlee got a little nap in while we were there. You know she's tired when she'll sleep on some coats piled up on hard chairs.

We spent Christmas Eve night at Grandma and Grandpa Lowry's party. James got a Tigger stuffed animal which he loves and sleeps with every night now.

We slept at my in-law's Christmas Eve. James and Lynnlee woke up at 8 Christmas morning. James loved opening presents. After he finished opening them he kept asking for more presents. We told him, "You opened all of them, go play with your toys." Then I realized I brought the wrong batteries for all of the toys they got. They all needed D batteries and I brought every battery BUT D size. Thank goodness Walgreens was opened. They saved the day.

Christmas afternoon we enjoyed a yummy smorgesbord with my family. There was way too much yummy food and I think I ate more than I eat at Thanksgiving. Then we played some games afterward. Usually we play basketball at a local church but there weren't enough of us to play. Hopefully next year will be better. It has become a tradition that I like just as much as everything else.

Marshall's parents spoke in church Sunday. It was a very nice meeting. Here are the kids in their Christmas outfits.

(I have no problem getting them dressed everyday, if only I was better at making sure their hair was done too!)

I love Christmas time. It has been an exciting time with Marshall's parents home, and Lynnlee pretty much back to normal.

In other exciting news, Lynnlee is now bearing weight and will stand with minimal help for about a minute. It is so exciting because she has never wanted to stand or bear her own weight. James was completely opposite. As soon as he had head control he would stand in my lap for hours. I remember thinking at times that I wish he would just be content sitting in my lap. Well that's how Lynnlee is and with her I'm always wishing she would stand and be more mobile :) The grass is always greener on the other side I guess. She also just started to roll from back to front so she's closer to crawling. Hopefully she'll be crawling before she turns one!

Welcome Home

Marshall's parents returned home late Tuesday night after serving a two year mission in Russia. It was too late for all of the family to meet them at the airport so Marshall and Anthony picked them up.

We stayed at their house that night. The kids got to see them Wednesday morning. James had no problem giving them hugs but Lynnlee was a tough egg to crack. After a few days of being around them she has warmed up.

We are so excited to have them home!

Snowman

I'm so glad we finally have some snow! James and I had fun making a snowman this morning.