Wasn't It Just Christmas?

Like I said, this is a BORING blog.  It's February.  Did anyone else notice that?  Because I didn't really blog a thing in January.  Not that January wasn't interesting.  Okay, fine, I lied in my last post.  I said January had been excellent.  Now that January is over, I can't remember what was so excellent about it.  What I do know is that it was the most stress-filled month we've had in a long time.  Not only did we reach the bottom of our barrel and live off our food storage for a month, but Braden also took the GMAT and wasn't exactly thrilled with his score.  Now with the waiting game, the stress is taking its toll and the girls are feeling it.  So they've been acting up a lot.  Bedtime became a nightmare.  I had to remind myself of the scripture "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning" because I didn't know how I'd make it thru another day.  But, make it we did and now it is February.  To be honest, the bad month spilled over into February and it wasn't until Thursday that things started getting better.  I'm feeling less like I'm drowning and more like we're starting to sail again. 

Now that that's out in the open, it doesn't mean that January was all bad, so here are the good parts of January in picture:

That silly Monchichi doll from Christmas became a quick favorite for Avery

Avery spent a lot of her time reading

While Taryn and Keara found ample entertainment jumping on my bed.  I really liked these two pics.

I love action shots. 

Keara offered to put lotion on a dry spot on Avery.  Who knew the dry spot was her ENTIRE BODY!?

Avery looking like such a big girl

Grandma and Grandpa Moore came to visit.  The girls had a great time!

We went to the Science Museum which was SO fun!

Seriously, she is getting so grown up.  I can't believe she'll be 5 in just 7 weeks!

Climbing on the geometric playground

Peek A Boo!

Avery just chillaxing while the other girls played

A little out of order--Avery and Braden at the Children's Museum

More climbing

Avery and Grandma

Queen of the hill

Making crafts at the Children's Museum

Playing restaurant

Bubbles with Grandpa

Beautiful girl

Celebrating Braden's birthday!  No, he isn't this thrilled about an atlas, but I made him pose like he did for all his birthday pictures growing up. 

This was the third attempt at a good picture, which Braden decided would be our LAST attempt.

Happy Birthday!

Avery and Grandma

Celebrating Braden's birthday AGAIN with my brother's family

Keara's magna-doodle garden

Playing playdough

Playing with beads

All three girls happily entertained for an hour

Free day at Mall of America! 

Avery's first real carousel ride

Taryn loved every minute

Keara had been dying to come back to MOA for months.  This was a dream come true for her.

Avery wasn't too keen on standing in line

Their favorite ride: Swiper's Sweeper.  Talk about whiplash

Riding the swings.  Mommy's favorite!

I just have to say, this is an awesome picture...

"What ride do you want to go on now?"  Of course, Swiper's Sweeper again! 

Poor Susan got dragged onto this one.  Thanks Sus!

These pictures didn't upload the first time, so they're out of order.  And blogger isn't very user friendly when it comes to moving pictures around.  Sorry!

The girls having a ball in the laundry



We had to say goodbye to Avery's best friend...my dear, dear nephew Joseph.  Off to college already!?!



Taryn trying to give me a good smile on the train ride at MOA. 

Almost as much fun as the rides at MOA...the escalator.  The girls LOVE it.

Another staple in our house...melty (perler) beads. 



Avery LOVES the bunny Keara made for her for Christmas!  And I just love that smile.

 So there's January.