Winter Weather

We had a rare Sunday in which our church was cancelled because of temple dedication, so we decided to take advantage of the recent snowfall and take Trace sledding at a nearby park. We took Raven too and ended up having a very nice time.

Raven got to ride too!

He decided to go off a "jump". He landed backwards and decided not to repeat the action.

Raven catching some air

Ah....snow angels....Well, more like snow nap.

Even got to slide on the way to the car!

Basketball

As a way to keep Trace entertained and busy during the winter months, we enrolled him in basketball at the same time he was playing indoor soccer. He said he liked soccer better, but by the end of the basketball season he understood the rules pretty good and even got to be pretty good at shooting and rebounding the ball. They did a cool thing wherein they gave each kid a colored wristband and that was their clue to match up and defend the kid on the opposing team with the same wristband color. I thought it was a really smart way to teach the kids one-on-one defense. He got the jersey #33 since he was a little bigger than some other kids on the team. After the season was over, each kid got a medal for their accomplishments. Trace was thrilled to have another to add to his collection.

Indoor Soccer

On a complete and total whim, we decided in December to sign Trace up for an indoor soccer league in our neighborhood. It turned out to be a great decision! He had a great time! He was part of the "Team Lemon" but Trace decided that name was "lame", so he convinced the entire team and even the coach, that they should be called the "Timberwolves". I laughed every time I heard the coach call for the Timberwolves to gather for a team cheer etc. Trace mostly played defense on the team, but they played with no goalie, so he did a great job stopping a lot of shots. Kevin and I went to every game, Grandma and Grandpa came to one game and Nana and Papa came to more than one but not all. The team pictures were hilarious, Trace kept trying to pull a funny face and the photographer was not having it. Finally, he settled down and they got a cute shot. I think this won't be the last time Trace participates in an indoor soccer team.

Trace was given the #3 jersey, he and I thought it was so cool!

The buzzer that indicated the end of the game was so loud in the tiny gym, so lots of kids took to covering their ears as the clock counted down

Hop on Pop

A normal ritual at bedtime is for Kevin and I to trade off each night putting Trace to bed. He brushes his teeth with prompting from Mom and Dad, changes into his pajamas (and leaves his clothes on the floor) and then, lately, we've been reading a book TO him and having him read a book to US. Tonight he read the Dr. Seuss classic, "Hop on Pop" all by himself!! I was so impressed and excited at how far his reading has progressed this year. He was set to be tested for a disability or special needs, but when I ran into his teacher (Ms. Martin) at the Christmas concert, she said she was going to take him off the list, she didn't think he would qualify as a "special education" student any longer. She said he still wasn't up to where he should be, but he was making great strides and she doesn't think he has a learning disability. I was so thrilled to see him not give up and read the entire 64 pages of the book and really think as he read each word. After he had fallen asleep, I grabbed a quick photo of him as a reminder that when I start to realize just how fast he's growing up, he snuggles in with his tiny bear and reminds me he's still my little boy.

Follow the Prophet

Saw this beautiful photo the other day and thought I would include it here so I'll always have it. Our sweet prophet and President, Thomas S. Monson passed away this week. He he will sorely be missed but I imagine, is doing much needed work on the other side of the veil. The church appointed our new church presidency, President Russell M. Nelson, (age 93), First counselor, Dallin H. Oaks (age 85) and Second counselor, Henry B. Eyring (age 84). May the Lord bless and guide these men in their new found responsibilities.