March 2018

March was pretty routine. 
Just a few minor events include Parent/Teacher conferences (the kids are doing great), book club for Sheri, book club for me (To Kill A Mockingbird), taking the girls to a local ballet show, ice cream with friends (to say goodbye to my friend Jen Kaufman who moved), and the Relief Society birthday dinner.  We really live in a great area and I feel strengthened by all the great women in my ward and community!
We celebrated Matthew's birthday, the big 40, by heading out of town.  We had a week off for spring break.  We decided to head for warmer weather - Miami!

So off we drove after the kids got out of school.  We drove 4 -5 hours and then stayed in a hotel.  The kids swam a bit the next day (24th) and then we continued on our way.  We stopped in the Smokey Mountains to take a little hike and appreciate the views.  We crossed the Appalachian Trail.  Then we drove to Georgia to sleep for the night.

This was an old mill that we found in the area.

Sunday we drove from Georgia to Miami.  We had a great gospel discussion on the way.  When we reached Miami it was dark and we spent a few moments on the beach as darkness fell.  Then we went to check out our accommodations which weren't the greatest, but that is a story for another time.  We sure were glad to have a place to sleep!

On Monday morning we hit the beach.  It was a perfect day, clear, beautiful, and warm.  Just the balm we needed after such a cold, wet, grey spring!

It was so nice to have time with Matt!  He has been working so hard that we really enjoyed relaxing together!

On Tuesday we headed to Everglades National Park.  It was very cool to see so many animals including alligators, crocodiles, manatees, turtles, and lots of fish and birds!

While we were there we also got to see the Nike Missile Site HM-69 that was used during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  This was so interesting to me.  It was so cool to learn the history behind this!

On Wednesday we went to the Seaquarium!  This was great fun!  We got to see so many animals!
We got to watch dolphin and killer whale shows, touch the sting rays, and even got to pet a dolphin.

 Christian is being goofy here.

 Sometimes you just feel grumpy.  Christian wanted to control the spray guns at the park area and didn't want to share or leave.

 Proof of sibling love.

This was such a cool day, even if Sheri didn't get to swim with the dolphins. :)

On Thursday we rented a boat to go snorkeling off the Florida Keys.  We thought about a glass bottomed boat tour, but that wasn't adventurous enough for Matthew.

Let's just say it was very adventurous because their was plenty of wind and high waves!  By the time we made it out to the reef Matt and I were even a bit sea sick, and all of us were wet.  I'm just grateful that Matt knew enough about driving a boat to keep us from cap sizing.  

Sterling was the first to brave the water, but didn't stay in long.  Eve and Matthew got in next and swam around for a bit.  They saw some of cool fish, a lobster, and coral. 

  

 On our way back to the main land we saw a shark not too far from our boat.  I'm glad we didn't swim with him!  After that we explored the mangroves and saw sting rays, fish, and birds.

On Friday we decided to enjoy one more beach day, this time at Lauderdale by the Sea.  This beach had more waves and we had a great time playing in them!

In the evening Matt and I wanted to try take out from a well know Peruvian restaurant, Ceviche 105.  When we were picking it up we found this giant slide that Eve and Sterling got to slide down.

The food was pretty tasty and fun to try.  We look a little wind blown in this picture. :)

On Saturday we headed back.  We enjoyed listening to General Conference in the car along the way.  It was an excellent way to pass the driving time.  The Solemn Assembly was pretty awesome even in the car!  What an historic conference!  I loved it and felt the spirit confirming to me that the prophet and new apostles were called and prepared by God!  I love the gospel and love the direction we receive! 
We loved our time together as well as the time to rest, relax, and renew!  We feel so blessed!  Now we are really ready for some WARMER spring days!

January/February 2018

2018 has begun and we are looking forward to a great year!
As I mentioned in my last update, we drove up to Michigan to celebrate the new year.  Here are a few more pics.  We had a great time and are so grateful to Mar and Kelly for hosting us!  We feel blessed to be so close to them!

January was a great month for getting back into the routine and for spending time on things that we usually don't have as much time for.  I was able to read, exercise, organize and clean.

Here is my Crossfit exercise group on one of our cold January workout days.  We were just missing Jen and Kira in this photo!  These girls are inspirational!

Here are some other fun things that we did:
Sibling time to play and be together

Sledding with the Foreman family

Going to see BYU vs. OSU Volleyball with the Whitneys and the Kleins.  We were happy that BYU won!

Roller skating on Martin Luther King day with church friends.

Days off of school - Get Air Trampoline park

Christian and I went with Nassim and Darius to see Little Red Riding Hood.  Then we went to the North Market afterward.

In February we visited Cosi Children's museum with Megan and Tanner Little.

Eve had a Winter Band Concert and performed a solo in one of the pieces.  She is really thriving in flute and has grown a lot!  She has had at least 3 opportunities to perform at church as well.

For Valentine's Day I had fun creating special valentines for each person.

Eve was nominated and accepted into the Ohio State Middle School Honors band.  She was able to rehearse and perform with other top students in Ohio.  It was a great experience!

After a few very wet, grey, cold months, we were so grateful for a beautiful, sunny and warm day -and the kids had the day off of school.  We decided to enjoy it at the zoo.  Happily we ran into Jen Kauffman and her kids!  I have enjoyed serving in the Primary with Jen and getting to know her better.  She is a fun, diligent, and caring friend.  I will be sad to see her move in March!

We enjoyed a family inside picnic afterwards.

Another highlight for February is that Sheri got to perform for Jump Rope for Heart.  She has been practicing for months on the routine at home and at school.  She has absolutely LOVED it!  I was so happy to see her working so hard and doing something so healthy!

Sterling wrapped up his basketball season along with his buddy, Syrus.  The team had ups and downs, but it was a positive experience for them and I think Sterling learned a lot this season.

Here are the little brothers hanging out at the game. :)

Some other noteworthy events this month include a Father/Daughter activity/dance for Sheri and Matt, some long nights of working for Matt (as well as some big audits), water leaking into our basement from so much rain, some sick days for me, and the Blue and Gold Banquet in Cub Scouts.

We are grateful for all the good things we have enjoyed over the last 2 months and look forward to Spring!