January/February Happenings

January and February seemed to fly by. We had a lot of fun those two months. We really made it a point to do things together as a family, and enjoy each others company. We were also busy and going almost every weekend. We celebrated New Year's Eve at my cousin Jared, and his wife Ruth's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, very festive, and the couple was radiant, and so in love. After the wedding and reception we went back to Kim and Rosann's house played a few games, and were asleep before midnight. New Year's Day Zack and Warren got up and left before 6 am to go ice fishing with Zack's best friends and their boys. It was extremely cold, well below zero, before Zack and Warren got there the propane turned to liquid and exploded. It warmed up and they had some fun catching fish. One the way home our Tahoe broke down, and luckily Zack was able to fix it on the side of the road. During all this fun, I was sleeping, and in Draper at Ikea with Rosann. It was quite the start to 2016.

Wiberg Girls Weekend & Desert Star Playhouse

I also had a girls weekend with the ladies on Zack's side of the family. His mom's sisters, and their daughters had a sleepover at Rosann's house, and then went to a play at Desert Star Playhouse. And, I didn't get any pictures. We had so much fun staying up late playing Nerds, planning business ventures together, and becoming so tired we were slap happy. The play was My Valley Fair Lady. It was pretty good. I was a little  disappointed with some of the jokes, but I still enjoyed myself. Overall it was a great weekend, and so fun to connect with the girls again.

Merlin Olsen Ice Skating

We also spent time taking Warren ice skating for the first time at Merlin Olsen Park. It was a magical evening that I wrote about back here.

Crystal Hot Springs

The last weekend in January it snowed about 6 1/2 inches over night. The valley was quiet and looked so beautiful, so naturally we decided to go do something fun. We thought it was the perfect opportunity to head over to Crystal Hot Springs in Honeyville and enjoy ourselves. It was a really fun day. Warren loved the cold pool and wanted to spend most of his time there. Zack and I took turns taking him in there while the other person soaked in a warmer pool. Warren also loved getting snow from the pool's edge and throwing it into the pool and watching it disappear, or putting it on his or Zack's head, or throwing snowballs at us. I am so glad we took the time to head over the mountain and enjoy this beautiful area we live in, and the amazing snow we had received.

Crystal Hot Springs was where we had our first kiss all those years ago.

My  happy boys.

Add caption

brrrrrr

 Valentine's Day in Preschool

February brought Valentine's Day, Warren's first with a school party. I wanted to have a theme for his box and cards. I found some cute Star Wars card so we had those printed and put a glow stick in each to represent a light saber, then we made a Chewbacca Valentine's box. It turned out so great, and I was so happy with it, and even more importantly Warren loved his valentines.

Midway Ice Castles

Valentine's Day weekend , we treated ourselves to a trip to the Midway Ice Castles. They were amazing. We loved being there, even if we had to wait and go at 8:30 pm. We stayed about 2 hours, and got home around midnight, then finally went to bed sometime after 1. It made for a long day, and a very tired and cranky Warren but it was great fun. There were slides that Warren loved, tunnels for him to try and crawl through, fire twirlers, and amazing ice structures. They looked like we were inside a cave. I hope the weather cooperates next year so we can go again. I loved seeing the ice castles all lit up.
*These pictures are blurry because my camera does not work well in low light, but it was all I had and I wanted pictures to help me remember. Rosann has some images on her phone that I will have to get from her and add them. They are much better than most of mine, and she has some that I don't have.

It may not look like much from the outside but it was really cool inside.

Blurry family picture.

Grandpa and Paula

Warren and Paula had so much fun playing together.

Warren loved crawling through the tunnels, and finding places that he could fit into.

Liz and Scott

Grandma and Grandpa Ludlow

Warren and Zack exploring the ice castle.

The castles were like being inside a cave. It was cool, and different than I thought it would be. I loved that it was like being inside a cave.

The roof of the dome. It was so awesome. The picture does not do it justice.

Me and my hubby.

Waiting in line to go down the slide.

Paula on the slide.

This chair was extremely slick. The picture before this Warren was sliding halfway off the chair. Even though he looks unhappy here he really did have a great time. It was just late and way past bedtime.

The flame twirlers were also really cool.

Provo City Center Temple Open House

That same weekend we got tickets to the Provo City Temple open house. The temple is beautiful! The woodwork is gorgeous, and the staircases were breathtaking, especially the grand staircase. I loved that temple, and can't wait to go back after it  is dedicated to do work in it. The temple was originally the Provo Tabernacle but it caught on fire, and the Church restored it and made it into a temple. I am amazed and what they were able to preserve and how they kept so much of the original decor and architecture. We enjoyed sharing this day with Jessie, and Clark, Kim and Rosann, and Mike and Amy, and their kids.


We had so much fun these few winter months. It was full of fun, winter activities, where we made lots of memories. Each of these could have their own post but in trying to save time, I condensed them. It was also leap year this year. I had high hopes to do something fun because we had an extra day, but it just ended up being another Monday. Our "regular" days are so nice. Filled with moments that make them special. Playing together, cooking together, working and learning together. Our lives really are made of small moments when put together that make something magical. The good days, the bad days, the big days and the small ones, they all create a beautiful life.

Christmas 2015

The past three years we have spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning with one of our parents. It has been so fun to experience Christmas with them and  build memories to last a lifetime. Family is so important to us, and we want Warren to understand where he comes from, and that he will always have people who love him and are willing to support him. I really believe that if you  know where you come from you will have a better understanding of where you want to go, and where you don't want to go in life. I also feel that having a knowledge of our ancestors and extended family, and their history can help us overcome trials in our lives. 

BUT anyway back to Christmas. This year we spent Christmas with my dad at his home in south western Idaho. It was so much fun, we were off the grid, and were just able to spend time with one another and enjoy each other. My stepsister Jessica and her family were there as well and Warren loved playing with his cousins and building stronger relationships with them. My dad lives in a tiny town, in an old, brick farmhouse in a beautiful setting. His home is nestled in trees and you have to drive down a decent sized hill  to get to his house. That hill naturally leads to plenty of fun, especially in the winter. Christmas Eve and Christmas day were spent sledding down the hill and playing in the snow. We even took a canoe down the hill.

Warren was just the perfect age for Christmas, everything was magical and he was so excited. He loved everything he got and exclaimed that he received everything he ever wanted. I hope to never forget how he gasped, and had a huge smile on his face when he saw his stocking, remote control car, and Santa's footprints. I loved that when he opened his gifts he would jump  up and down with a HUGE smile on his face and show everyone what he got, then proceed to play with it right away, (at least until we got home, then he just wanted to open everything then play.) It was just what I was hoping for. Warren  was also so excited to talk about the true meaning of Christmas and was a cowboy for the nativity. We had a few cowboys present during this year's production, but it warmed our hearts. 

Christmas 2015 you were good to us, we loved the Christmas joy and spirit we felt that Christmas morning.Warren you made Christmas so amazing this year. We love you. 

Sledding Christmas Eve, a tradition

Oh the joys of childhood. He would only go down in  Dad's jet sled.

What Santa left Christmas Eve

Santa always leaves a note for Warren

And this year we got to see his footprints

This was a few days before Christmas. My mom and Kyle came down to celebrate Christmas with us since we would be gone. My mom made this tepee for Warren.  He loved it, if you cannot tell. Such awesome grandparents.

Christmas morning about 6:45 am

playing with a set of Legos he received

Ben Christmas morning. I sure am going to miss that boy  next year. My dad was reading the gifts he requested, letters describing acts of service we have performed this year. They were very heartfelt and it really made for some special memories.

A blurry picture of Warren's first attempt at operating his new car early Christmas morning.

This was how so much of Christmas Day and Christmas Eve were spend, holding and loving on animals. I wish we could get him a pet .

More sledding

Just playing Christmas morning

Christmas at home, Warren loved his toolbox from Grandma and Grandpa Ludlow, it now holds his Legos.

This is how we spent Christmas evening and most of the days since then, playing  with Legos. Our journey with those is just beginning.

Another First, Ice Fishing

One Saturday afternoon in December we were looking for something to do. We had, had a week or so of really cold days and Zack suggested we go ice fishing. I had never been before and was extremely nervous All I kept thinking was the ice is going to break, we are all going to die. Dramatic I know, but those were my feelings. We made a quick trip to Sportsman's to get some mil-worms, stopped at home for some fishing gear and headed out the door. I am not sure what I was thinking because silly me I forgot to grab Warren's snow pants. He had on several layers and we had to convince him that he needed to wear a coat when the sun started to go down, so I think he stayed pretty warm. Warren was super excited and just wanted to run around. I was overly nervous and did not want him to venture  off very far, or run at all because I was so scared, the ice was about 5 inches thick and Zack kept reassuring me we were safe, but like the great husband he is, he kept Warren close to calm my nerves. After we had been on the ice about a half hour I realized the ice was not going to break and enjoyed my book and watching Zack teach Warren about ice fishing. It was so fun to have this family time together, out in nature, even if it was cold, especially when the sun started to set.

Warren couldn't wait to try out dad's scoop. You would have thought it was the best toy EVER!

My two fishermen, such handsome boys.

Warren told Dad. "I'm to tired to walk back." Good thing he is still small enough to pull in the sled.

Even though I enjoyed myself, when they went New Year's Day at 5:30 am I opted to stay in my nice warm bed. Good thing too, the adventures that day were a bit crazy. This momma might not have ever agreed to go back had I been there.