Since we've been in Utah...

... we have visited Temple Square.
It was very cold. Joseph and I switched coats so I could wear the Baby Bjorn inside his big coat. My coat didn't work so well for him, but he was easy for me to find in the crowds! Emily cried the whole time because she hates being cold. I thought she fit in well with this Asian nativity though. It was so nice to visit Temple Square and see all the beautiful lights. That is definitely something I have missed since moving to Austin.


... a hand-made dragon has attacked a 1000-piece puzzle of the Taj Mahal.
Joseph and I have always really enjoyed doing puzzles together. We have never attempted a 3-d one before, but it wasn't as difficult as we were afraid it would be. Grandma spent many hours sewing this impressive dragon for one of the grandkids. Between the puzzle and the dragon, this photograph represents many hours of work.


... Elinor has been dressed up and cooed over as the Little Mermaid.
Joseph really hates the Little Mermaid movie. He figures it has little good to offer our children - scantily clad mermaids and a dangerous message: disobey your father (because at 16 you know better than him) and do what you want because in the end everything will work out for you. Its only redeeming feature is the music.


... Caleb has discovered and embraced his inner cowboy.

... Emily and Elinor have discovered and embraced their inner Cooperness.
What better way to spend time as a family than playing Rampage together? Destroying buildings and devouring pedestrians has always fostered family togetherness in my experience.


... Elinor has decided that she wants to be a smiley, talky baby.
She has so much to say. We love it.


... Caleb has helped out a lot with shoveling snow.
See? He's cleared the whole yard of snow! And he's always happy to help.


... We've had a winter cookout in the freezing cold.
Elinor stayed toasty warm in this snow suit I found for her (for $8!!). The kids had a blast playing in the snow and mud while I yelled at them to stay clean. Emily learned that fires are good for warming hands that have been frozen by playing in snow without mittens. After we went inside Emily could not stop gushing about how much she loves to have a fire and eat outside at Grandma's house.


...We have preserved our bedtime ritual of singing songs together.
Emily and Caleb will know all the songs when they move up into Primary! We are trying to foster a love of music in these guys. I think it is working.