First movie theater experience

Some great friends of ours, Noah and Heather, recently inspired us to be fun parents!  ;)  They had a fun time with their kiddos in Spokane and we were encouraged to do something fun too.  So yesterday we packed up and headed to Spokane.  We took the girls to the movie theater to see Frozen.  It was a first for both of them and they did great!  Vivian sat in Josh's lap the whole movie and only moved when she wanted to get more popcorn or a drink of Sprite.  Shelby sat next to me and enjoyed the whole experience.  Then we did some shopping, had a nice dinner out and stayed in a hotel - which the girls love!  This morning we did a little more shopping then headed to a gymnastics place for open gym.  The girls ran around the place jumping, rolling and balancing.  It was a lot of fun for all of us!  (I didn't take any pictures ...sorry!)

Our ride home was eventful, but I am glad to say we are home and safe.  It rained and/or snowed the whole way home!  Driving up Boulder was a bit of a challenge, but Josh did a great job!  Then we hit a big rock, which bent the rim so we had to drive over the snowy pass on a donut spare.  After no time at all we were back on the road and made it home.  We are very thankful that the Lord allowed for things when and where He did - no vehicles in the wrong place at the wrong time, and there was a place to pull off when we needed to change the tire.  Thank you, Lord!!!

Speaking of our friends, Noah and Heather, they put on a super fun Valentine's Day dinner!  There were three families there and we had a blast!  I laughed so hard that my poor baby belly was sore.  :)  The kids played great and had a fun time together (5 girls and 1 boy - poor guy!).  The adults played a few games, one that required us to write a poem using some crazy words they had come up with.  All six poems were soooo good!  Josh's won the prize for being the funniest.  It's a poem I'll never forget!  :)

Hope you are enjoying the winter season!

Moo!

First things first...congratulations to Russel and Zoey on their new baby girl!!!  Nasya Mikel Griffin, weighed in at 5lb 2oz and is 18.25" long. (Nasya is pronounced "Nah see ah")  They now have 5 girls and 1 boy.  

This makes for 10 granddaughters and 3 (almost 4) grandsons for my parents.  Jared will be grandbaby #14 - the 4th grandson.  :)  So excited for the end of April to get here.  But I am very much enjoying this stage of feeling him move all around inside of me.  Wow!

We had quite the animal day today!  While heading up to mail a letter we decided to extend our walk to go see the cows down the road.  The farmer, Dan, happened to be in his tractor getting hay for his animals and he invited us up to see their baby calves.  Vivian and I did pet the calf, but Shelby wasn't too interested...she claims she doesn't like black.  Ha ha.  Dan also has a pot-belly pig, so we got to see him, too.  And of course their dog, Buck.  Then we made the trek back home for a late lunch and then naptime for Vivian!

But our day didn't end there!  This evening we got to go feed the baby calves at our neighbors!!  The girls have been looking forward to this for a week or two now and tonight was the night!  The girls loved the dogs and were excited to see the cats, but they really loved the calves, especially Vivian.  Both girls helped carry the bottles and then feed the calves.

Josh and Vivian fed the darker calf

Shelby and I fed the lighter brown calf.

The girls walked the calves up and down the barn to get some exercise for the calves.

Vivian liked to pet and hug the calves!  They are pretty soft and ohhh so sweet.

Thank you, Bowe and Katie for showing us around the farm, letting us feed the calves and having us in your home!  We hope you get some good sleep. (Turns out baby calves are just about as needy as a newborn baby.)

I remember going to the Anderson's dairy farm growing up and feeding the calves, letting them suck our fingers - so I was glad that the girls enjoyed this so much.  They both asked if we can go and do it again tomorrow.

On the river

In the snow yesterday the girls and Josh had fun playing outside.  They played on the swing set, they played tackle football / chase, and they walked on the frozen river.  I have the coolest husband...can you see what is written in the snow on the river?

(I was inside making bread.  I'm excited for winter next year when I can get out and play, too!)

This morning Shelby had Vivian pick some books and she "read" them to Vivian.  It was so sweet!  Shelby is actually doing very well in her schooling and she is learning to read!  It is very fun and exciting to see her figure things out.  She is a precious girl.

Freezing fun!

It's cold outside!  Eaton, Richland, Curlew and I'm sure in MN, too!  Here's some fun we've had ~

 Curlers!  

This morning we took boiling water and threw it up into the air to watch it turn to steam.  It was -16 when we woke up and around -12 degrees when we did this.


The girls also did bubbles outside with Daddy, but I didn't get that filmed as I didn't have a coat on.


And who doesn't love a good "toss"?  If you've known me very long you know that I always say I'd love to have a giant!  A giant would be so great!  Then I could be tossed around and all sorts of great, fun stuff.  Anywho...enjoy Shelby being tossed!


Stay warm!

Snow plowing

We are so glad to have Daddy back!  After being gone for a week, at a training in Idaho, Thursday evening was a relief.  :)  The girls and I missed Daddy a lot!  Wednesday afternoon Shelby got sick and it hasn't let up yet.  She has a cough, congestion and high fevers.  Vivian is starting to show some of those same signs.  When you think of us please lift us up in prayer - for the Ultimate Healer to heal our sweet girls.


While Josh was gone we got snow!  It was so nice to watch the beautiful snow fall and cover our land once again.  Friday morning our landlord showed Josh all about the tractor and how to use it to plow the drive.  The girls and I played outside for a bit while Josh got to work.

He did great and I think he likes it.  :)