It has already started!

Most people know by now and as Matt is telling everyone - that I have prayed my way to Utah.  It is true that I had a lot of faith that we would not be buying a house here in Vancouver this summer, but in Utah.  I guess I have a lot of faith because it came true.  I want to explain that I do not want to be in Utah because it is Utah, I just really, really miss my family and close friends - which have all migrated back. So Mikaela has been begging me to start packing.  She has also been lying awake at night wondering how we are going to get it all done. :)  So today we officially packed our first box - all the stuffed animals.  As I threw them from the top Mikaela, Kai and Karsten tried to catch them. (Koby was still at school.) We had to take a picture of it all to mark the first step. Karsten was the biggest help.  He was putting those animals in at lightening speed.  Let me assure you that we will not be taking pictures of each box we pack, and I am sure by the 100th box I will not have as much happy help. :)

Did I mention that it snowed?  Unfortunately it was not enough to keep the kids out of school. :)

My Valentines Gift

Matt was sick on Valentines Day and we had Mikaela's end of the year soccer party that night so it wasn't your normal romantic Valentines Day.  Matt always feels bad when we don't do something big and grand for Valentines Day, Birthdays, or Anniversaries - but I don't.  I figure that some years will be better then others.  But I need to let it be known that he did give me a wonderful gift.  I have wanted this picture for over a year.  He even got it engraved.  Along with these beautiful flowers from Trader Joe's - I think I got the best Valentine ever!   Thanks Honey! :) 

Happy V-Day

Every year the kids get excited to see what I have made them. I made cookies again this year. Matt wondered where his was - but I told him that Karsten was most likely not going to eat all of his so he could share. I still got him his favorite Dove Chocolates. :)
The kids all had such a fun day. Valentines Day gets busier every year. The two older kids who are off of candy - not sugar - just candy did very well at giving all their treats to Kai when they got home. (Man they really want $100 bucks.:)) Of course I got rid of most of it due to recent dentist office visits with Kai. :)
(I got a really good cookie recipe that tastes exactly like the pink cookies you get in the store.
Let me know if you want it and I will email you.)

Monster Trucks

Matt Surprised the two older boys and took them to monster trucks.
They got to ride the train into Portland and go and see it. They had a really fun time!

Handsome Boys

What can I say? These pictures express themselves.
(FYI - Karsten is not crying in any of the pictures, he just has a really great smile. :))
You really need to double click on this collage to make it bigger because his smiles are priceless!!

Matt's B-day

I actually took a picture of Matt on his B-day!  He had a pretty good attitude this year about turning another year older.  I attempted to make a mock version of Tiramisu.  Turned out pretty good.  He got  breakfast in bed, taken out to lunch, homemade dinner, ward B-Ball and then we came home to open gifts and eat cake.  (I got him tickets to Brian Regan the following Friday.)  Then we had a party for him on Saturday.  I tried everything to keep his mind off of turning another year older. :) 

New Pics

My Two cute PJ / same drinks / crazy smile / have to have the same blanket boys! :)

Get use to it - this is little reds new smile! :)

 
Karsten thinks he is already five.  Luckily Kai is nice to share his bike!

Karsten wanting the camera and Mikaela loving taking this picture!  Why do we think it is cute to see our kids cry?

Because it rains so much here, we pull our cars out of the garage and let the boys play.

And last but not least we had the kids piano recital at our house.  Turned out really good!

SOCCER

What can I say about my Soccer Girl?  Her season just ended and she and her team did amazing.  They made it to the quarter finals in the state cup where they lost.  I thought Mikaela would be sad, but she was relieved because the next week would have been the semi-finals and then the final game - which was to be played on Sunday.  She said she would never play on Sunday and so this was a relief because now she wouldn't have to let her team down.  (She makes me so proud.)  Her last game was a pretty rough game.  She got pushed and shoved a lot.  We had a bruised shoulder and a huge bone/blister on her foot at the end of the game, but she played through and was one tough girl.  As for me on the side lines, well when she got plowed over in the box and didn't get a foul - I was a mean mama bear!  I guess it is good I don't go to all of the games because I get way too competitive - especially when it involves the safety of my one and only daughter!  (Who I love more then she will ever know!!)  So till next year... wherever we may be. :)