Free trip to the Gateway

Public Transportation was free on February 12th so we decided to try it out. We took the kids to the Gateway in Salt Lake. We rode frontrunner to Salt Lake and then got on trax to the Gateway. It was quite the adventure. The kids thought it was great fun.



They loved looking out the window on the frontrunner. Everyone did great on the ride and I learned that I still get carsick when I sit backwards in a moving vehicle (Not to worry - I was fine after a little seat swapping).



Trax was the most scary-making part of the trip. We had to stand up and squeeze in because it was so busy and we definitely saw some interesting folks. Once at the Gateway we tried to check out the Planetarium but unfortunately it was closed to the public, so we hung out at the Apple store, and then browsed a few other stores before heading back. I think we would definitely try it again - for free of course :)

What a Big Boy!!

(In case you're wondering, there are 4 candles on his lemon squares that he requested. 4 candles for a 1 and a 3 which makes 13 - hey, it works at our house)

Ethan is 13 and I can't believe it. He has turned into a wonderful young man. When he was little there were times that I thought we would never be able to tame this crazy kid. Now I see a mature, responsible, tall young man. He is doing great in school. He loves being in the band and playing the tuba. He still doesn't like basketball (I guess no sprained ankles for him), but he continues to love video games. He loves BYU and will hardly wear anything but blue. He can write and give a talk without breaking a sweat and he gets straight A's a little too easily. I am thankful for him and his willingness to make good choices and be a good example to his brother and sisters.

Ouch!!

Nearly 6 weeks ago I sprained my ankle. I sprained it pretty bad and I still hobble on it a bit. I was playing basketball and was going to move to my left but I guess my ankle wasn't ready and it rolled to the outside. I knew immediately that I hurt it badly. Luckily, AJ is a physical therapist and was able to look at it for me. He said I have a high ankle sprain which takes longer to heal. He said I also probably tore or strained ligaments. Too bad for me. I'm out for a while. It is getting better but not fast enough. I guess I'll have to leave the basketball playing to Kristy for now :0)



Here it is shortly after the injury with lots of swelling.





Here it is with the bruising.



Thankfully I've some angels to help me. The kids were great helpers, especially initially. Even though Paige looks the cutest with the wings on, Ethan was my best helper. He would offer help. I think he felt bad when he saw me hobbling around and he wanted to be able to help me even walk around. I'll get better eventually, the sooner the better.

It's great to be 8!

My beautiful Hayley turned 8. She is such a special girl. She is always considerate. She does great in school. She is a great friend and sister, and is always willing to lend a hand. She loves art, dancing (if not too many people are watching), and is the strongest little girl we know. We are so blessed to have her in our family. This year Hayley had a very eventful birthday.



Hayley got her ears pierced.



She had a little birthday party with some friends.



Then Hayley was baptized. It was a wonderful baptism and we were so happy to have family with us.

Sledding!!

Shortly after Christmas some neighbors called and invited us sledding. I have never taken the kids sledding before and they had a blast. They thought it was so fun and if it snows enough again we will have to go. I even went down the hill once. I am so glad we went.

Christmas Celebrations

We had a fun December full of Christmas activities. It started off with our Ward Christmas Party. The highlight of the night was watching the primary sing a few songs.



The kids loved telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Even Brock was up to it (I doubt he will next year).



We also got to attend a couple concerts. First, Ethan's Holiday band concert (sorry no pictures, I was a bad mom and forgot my camera). Ethan is loving band this year and does a great job on the tuba.
Second, we attended Paige's concert. It was so fun to watch her sing (maybe this will be Paige's thing).



The kids enjoyed the concert too.




We love going to Temple Square as a family to look at the lights and feel of the spirit there.



Christmas Eve was wonderful and the kids loved acting out the nativity with their cousins.





I think one of Brock's favorite things was holding his baby cousins.



Here is the Ludlow traditional Christmas morning train down to their presents (youngest to oldest of course).





We are very grateful this Christmas. We have been blessed in many ways, but I think we are most thankful for our family and the love we share with them, and for our Savior, Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made for us, so that we can always be together.

All I want for Christmas ........

A few weeks ago Paige lost one of her two front teeth.


Today she lost her other front tooth.

Snowman!

Brock, Hayley and Paige spent hours in the snow the other day. On their own they rolled some huge snowballs and then decided to build a snowman. Using all their muscles they got the snowman built. Hayley and Paige then artfully put on the chocolate chip face and carrot nose. I had the girls stand by their masterpiece so I could take a picture. I was inside taking the picture out the window and this was the result.
When I tried to take another one right after their snowman came tumbling down.

The first snow day of the year.

The kids had a blast playing in the snow for the first time. Believe it or not, that tall masked guy in the back is Ethan. Paige was the first one in. I think she just wanted some hot chocolate.

Hayley gets a haircut

Hayley has been asking for a while to cut her hair, so recently we took the plunge and did it. Since her haircut is very similar to mine the boys say that now I have a mini-me. I am just happy that Hayley likes her hair. Now Paige says she wants to cut hers short too, but I think it would be too much if we all had the same haircut.

Shotgun Merit Badge

Ethan got a chance to work on his shotgun merit badge on Saturday. It was a great experience for him. Ethan didn't hit a thing at first but by the end he got the hang of it and shot about 7 in a row. In the end they couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He had a blast, literally.

Halloween

I know I am way late posting this, but we had a great Halloween this year. The kids got loads of candy trick or treating and we were able to have a fun family party. We managed to get them to all sit down for a quick minute too.

Fall means Football time!!

At our house we love BYU Football. Grandpa bought season tickets and on Jeff's birthday we were lucky enough to be able to go to a game. We took the boys and they had a great time.

Gooooaaaalllll!!!

Brock and Paige had a great soccer season this fall. However, Paige is not going to be signing up for soccer again anytime soon. While she did great, she didn't have a real big interest in the game. She didn't care if her team won and after a few games didn't care to go to those anymore either. On the flip side, Brock loved soccer. His team never had a loss. He will play again this spring.

Paige turns 6!!

My baby is growing up!! I can't believe that Paige is 6 now. It seems like she was born yesterday. Now that all the kids are in school, our family is shifting to a new phase of life. No more little ones in our house with diapers. We all get to be big now, whether we like it or not. Paige is enjoying being older, but she still likes to be the baby of the house. We are thankful to have her in our family.



Paige had a fun little party with some cute friends.