Melissa, Andy and the kids' Blog

December started with helping Ellie decorate a tree in her yard. Then a nighttime science class with dad so mom could go exercise.  Kiwi Crates keep their attention pretty well.  Friday the 3rd Hannah went out for her mom and dad date. Lunch and hiking at White Rocks. The kids wanted to send a photo to the Lego magazine, but Finn and Lilian wouldn't smile, so I don't think anything ever got sent in.  Finley has been having a lot of belly trouble and accidents.  So we started a physical therapy program with a pediatric PT from Primary Children's. We had a face to face visit, then did weekly remote sessions with daily exercise and stretching. As of the end of January, it seems to be helping some.  Melissa and the kids went to the ward party, Grandma and Grandpa Aurich were here for a couple of days, so they went too.  Chili and dancing! I have to say, while I was sad to miss the ward party, I wasn't sad to miss the dancing.  Playing Lego with grandpa....

We went to Lindon for basically a full week of family time.  Sunday the 21st was James' birthday celebration. Chevon's mom, Sally, passed away a couple of weeks earlier, so they took some time to focus on Chevon's family.  Sally had pneumonia and just couldn't get better.  Hannah and Colt enjoying birthday party dessert... I might have given Colt his own ice cream pot to eat from when he asked for seconds.  I swear it only had 1 scoop left.  UNHS was putting on a Turkey trot 5k challenge to walk 3 miles between Thanksgiving and the following Sunday.  I signed the whole family up, because the kids think my other Turkey Trot t-shirts are funny and I thought they might like to have their own.  To prepare the kids and I went for a full 3 mile walk around Lindon (with an hour long break at Pheasant Brook park).  Everyone did really well, I carried Lilian for a few minutes about 3/4 through but the twins walked the whole time.  Art time!  Finl...

With the celebration of Thanksgiving coming up Melissa decided that Pioneers and pilgrims are the same thing so she did a pioneer unit for homeschool. Here the kids are making yarn dolls while wearing old timey hats. The town school marm getting ready for learning some kids.  Visiting one of Melissa's friends who has a mini farm to learn about daily chores.  Hand embroidery/sewing buttons.  Some were more proud of their handiwork than others.  Nothing quite like wooden toys for old timey kids.  A crane truck.  Panning for gold at Bluff fort.  The interior was shut and all the cabins were closed, so we just wandered the exterior exhibits.  Then we went to San Juan Hill.   Melissa and Lilian waited at the bottom, Finn made it halfway then went back down.  Hannah and I climbed to the top and enjoyed the view.  Old timey family activity... bowling! Hannah tried pushing it without the ramp once. The ball made it all the way to the p...