Valentine's Day

Last weekend was Valentine's Day (but it seems as if we celebrated all weekend, well sort of). David got these daisies on the Friday before Valentine's day after work and gave them to me. Daisies are one of my favorite flower, I know they are simple, but I like them a lot. They might not look that good, but I just took a picture today, so they are over a week old, but still look good to me. Friday night we watched my niece and nephew so my brother-in-law and sister-in-law could go out. Saturday morning we had our sort of date, to the cannery while the kids played at my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's. That evening was the ward dance/social for couples only. It was fun to be among friends and socialize. We had a good time. Sunday was just a normal Sunday we enjoyed as a family (which was actual Valentine's Day). We don't usually like to go out Valentine's Day weekend because of the crowds but we have been going on dates a lot lately so it isn't a big deal to me. In fact we have almost been going out every weekend since the first of the year, I guess 3 kids really motivate us to get some time away. Not that we don't love our children, but we feel the need to get out more and more. It is also nice to not have a baby that we either have to take with us or worry about nursing or anything. The kids are all very good for babysitters so that is nice. I guess we are just taking advantage of it!

Some of our friends that were at the dance being goofy.

More serious

Not the best picture but not the photographers fault, just ours.

Writing and more

This is what Porter looks like way to often since he is feeling good, I think it is just teething and he had a cold for a little while, but now he just gnaws away at his fingers. He needs to stop this habit though, he is getting too big to be having a binky and walking around with a blankie. David reminds me he isn't a baby anymore so I need to stop babying him, but I can't help it, he is my baby.

Kenzie is learning to write her name. I wrote the top and she did the bottom name. She is very proud of herself. She had to have a little guidance, but I didn't touch the pen, just told her which way the lines went.

The other night Eliana wouldn't go to bed before she wrote everyone's names in our family. She sounded out most of the names and didn't require much help with spelling. Kenzie was the only one she really needed help spelling, the rest she could sound out most of it. I am very proud of her. As you can see though she isn't very good writing her n's though.

Outside Fun

We finally have been able to go outside more and more as the weather warms up. I try to make/let the kids play outside for a half hour at least a day if not more. The more the better. The kids love to ride bikes/scooters. Here are a couple of pictures I took today as we were outside today. It is hard to get them outside sometimes even though we have a swing set and lots of other toys. Since their scooters and bikes need to be ridden out front it makes it hard because I have to make time for me to go with them. Today I sat in the garage and read while they rode up and down the sidewalk. Any suggestions to get them more motivated to be active and play in the backyard.

Books, Books, Books

Porter has finally started looking at books. He loves to point to things and say words like dog, or kitty, or something else. His newest word is book and "Dora". We have a couple Dora the Explorer books that he looks at and says Dora and we have a few puzzles that have Dora that he has pointed her out then too. He also loves to name people in pictures as he points. He knows, Siosi, Kalo, Kenzie, Eliana, Mom, Dad, Porter, Grandpa, Grandma, Owen and baby for any baby.

Just wanted to throw in a picture of Eliana.

Classic that it is upside down.

Was looking at a Dora book, but of course put it down when I got out the camera.

Kenzie fell asleep looking at a book.