Basketball Academy

This winter we decided to sign Jacob up for a basketball class at the Basketball Academy.  He's started to show interest in playing basketball so we thought this would be a good place to start.  I only wish I would have thought of it a couple years ago.  Jacob had a lot of fun.  He really enjoyed learning more about basketball.  We plan to sign him up again in the fall and hopefully he can play on a team next winter.

Jacob shooting a lay-up.

Swish!

More snow!

The end of February we got more snow.  Our winter this year was a bit unusual.  It was a warmer winter, which was nice, and not a lot of snow.  When it did snow the kids were thrilled to get outside and play.  Lane and I weren't as thrilled! I do have to say it was a little strange not having any snow on Christmas but I'm not complaining.  We had fun playing in the snow while we had it.

MaKena helping daddy shovel the driveway

MaKena thought it was funny when daddy blew the snow at her!

Making snowballs with Jacob's snowball maker.

Daddy pulling MaKena on the sled.

Bowling

On February 18th Lane and I took the kids bowling.  We've done this before with Jacob but not with MaKena.  When we got to West Acres Bowl we had to wait a good half hour to bowl.  MaKena was getting a little crabby with the wait but realized once we started bowling that it was worth the wait.  She had so much fun.  Of course we had to put the bumpers up, which is to my advantage too!  I'm not a good bowler!  Jacob kicked but at bowling too.  It was a fun family outing!

Mommy helping MaKena bowl.

Lane trying to get a strike!

Looks good Jacob! 

MaKena picking out her ball.

MaKena saying cheese to daddy!

Jacob trowing the ball down the lane.

Daddy helping MaKena bowl.

Trying to pick the best ball.

MaKena really liked the pink ball!!

Swimming Lessons

I finally got on the ball and signed the kids up for swimming lessons this winter/spring.  Jacob's has done several sessions of swimming lessons the past few years but this was MaKena's first time.  She was excited.  Jacob, he wasn't too thrilled.  At the beginning of the first session Jacob was a little nervous about jumping off the diving board but by the end of the session he had mastered that fear.  I was so proud of him.  Unfortunately the kids didn't pass their level during the first session so we signed up for the next session.  I am happy to report that Jacob passed but MaKena didn't.  But I'm not too worried about that, she's still little!

Can you tell MaKena is just a little excited.  Check out that cheesy smile!

Jacob swimming.

MaKena doing the back float.

Another shot of MaKena.  It was hard to get good pictures in the pool area as we had to sit further down from where the kids were swimming.

Visiting Grandma Vivian

Back in February, mom picked up Emma and Gunnar at their other grandparent's house and brought them up to visit Grandma Vivian.  MaKena and I decided it would be a good time to visit Grandam too.  Grandma loves seeing her great grandchildren!  We spent a good hour or so with grandma.  The kids played with the puzzles and toys outside grandma's room while mom, grandma and I visited.  The kids played so well together it was fun to watch.  I know grandma Vivian was tickled to see them play.  It was a fun little visit. 

MaKena and Emma playing with one of the many puzzles.

Gunnar, MaKena and Emma relaxing at grandma Vivian's.

Gunnar and Emma playing under the table.

Gunnar was getting a little tired so he snuggled up with grandma Kathy.

Emma, Grandma Vivian, Gunnar and MaKena.

A visit with Brynlee

The middle of February we were invited over to Lonnie and Ardis's for a fish fry with Bryan, Beth and Brynlee.  I'm not a big fish eater and I have to say it was pretty good fish!  It was a lot of fun visiting with Beth and Bryan.  MaKena had fun playing with Brynlee.  She's getting to be such a big girl.  She certainly was on the move that night.  Alexis and Brandon stopped by too.

Brynlee loved playing with the cat toys!

Papa with his youngest granddaughter and his only great granddaughter.  He was in 7th heaven! Brynlee didn't want to sit too long for a good picture!

Playing with the toys.

MaKena dug out the game Headbands and Beth and Brandon played with her.  She loves this game.

Papa drawing on MaKena's back.  She loves having Papa draw names and cars.

Alexis helping Brynlee walk.

Happy Birthday Mallorie!!

Happy 8th Birthday Mallorie!  We hope you have a great day.  Can't believe you are 8 already!!  We love you and look forward to helping you celebrate you big day!!  

A good day to build a fort

On Super Bowl Sunday we came home from Sunday school and visiting Grandma Vivian and decided to build a fort in the living room. I thought it was a good day to build a fort! The kids had fun helping me set it up. Once we finished the fort the kids crawled inside and watched a movie. It was a fun, relaxing afternoon.

The fort.

Jacob and MaKena posing in front of the fort.

Hanging out inside the fort.

MaKena's 2nd haircut

Back in February (the 4th to be exact) MaKena got her 2nd official hair cut. (She's taken the scissor to her hair once at home but you couldn't tell.) I took her to MJ Capelli in Fargo to get the ends trimmed. The last hair cut she had was in April of 2011 so it had been awhile. She really wants to grow her hair like Rapunzel but I doubt we'll let it get past her waist. I guess we'll see! She likes to get her hair cut and she does such a good job sitting for the hair stylist. The hair stylist was impressed at the length of her hair. Within a few minutes we were finished and on our way out the door.

A sleepover with cousin Mallorie

On Friday, February 3rd, Uncle Jason invited Jacob to the Fargo Force Hockey game with him and the girls. Jacob loves going to the Force games with his uncle and cousins. Once Mallorie and Jacob got together they started working up a plan to have a sleepover. And before I knew it we had an extra guest at our house and it was a blast! Jacob and Mallorie set up the air mattress in the basement and when I got home they were still up watching TV. After I went to bed I heard them get the UNO cards out and they played a few hands of UNO. I have no clue what time they went to bed. We got up in the morning and headed to Hornbacher's to get donuts and orange juice for breakfast. The kids played for awhile and then uncle Jason came over to pick up Mallorie. It was a lot of fun and I sure hope we can do it again!

The kids eating their donuts and drinking their juice while watching a little Sponge Bob!




Pretending to sleep!

MaKena joined in on the fun.

Sledding!

After we finished cleaning the driveway I took the kids to the sledding hill in West Fargo. The kids got new sleds for Christmas and with the lack of snow this year the kids haven't been able to use their new gifts. I guess MaKena did put hers to use when she went sledding down the couch and her bed. The hill was busy on Sunday. The kids had a blast and I did too! Hopefully next year we can use our sleds more than once!

Down the hill they go!
I wasn't able to take too many pictures because the hill was so busy and it was snowing.