We have just been trying to survive the winter and all of the snow. 

I shouldn't say "we" though because the kids love it and would be outside all day if I let them!

All the snow in our front yard

 Jay is so happy to be outside in the cold (unlike his mom) Now the trick is how to keep those boots on!

I really should take more pictures of the other kids, but can you blame me?

 SERIOUS cuteness right here!

 We know he's getting taller because now he can reach my makeup drawer and he was walking around the other day smelling like old spice for getting into his Dad's deodorant. He's into everything! Kevin calls him a little terror :)

 Last night Scott had his pinewood derby for Scouts.

His car did great! It was a fun night

I should have gotten a close up, but here's his car complete with 2 lightening bolts he painted on the hood. Fun fun! :)

Jay can go down stairs now safely....in his own way- which is pretty darn cute! :) Here's a short clip 

Jay and the Stairs from Nicole on Vimeo.

After 2 birthdays, Christmas, a visit to Las Vegas and a baptism all in one month, we are just taking it easy! (And taking a break from pictures) :)

So I go into Hailey's class on Fridays to help with their centers. Today Hailey snuck over to my center and passed me a note and ran back to her desk. The note said, "Der Mom, I love you! Love Hailey"

I just thought that was sweet that she snuck me a note in class- made my day. 

Hailey is so kind and thoughtful. She has a really big heart, but she doesn't want people to know it...she puts on that smug exterior and I'm not sure why. We are working on it :)

Also last Sunday Scott spoke at a stake fireside for all the children turning 8 and getting baptized in 2014. When the stake primary asked me I laughed and told them that he was not that kind of kid and HATES getting up in front of people. But I asked him and he was excited, so that was a shocker! He got up to that podium and actually spoke to a chapel full of people! He did a fantastic job! I was so proud of him!!! Secretly I am trying to get him over his public speaking fear before he hits college so that he doesn't turn into his mother and hyper-ventilate in front of his public speaking class and have to breathe into a bag!

Can't wait for Sunday football! Go Broncos!!! 

Before Christmas Jay was still favoring crawling over walking. Ever since we came back from Grandma's house, Jay is walking everywhere! In fact I have knocked him over a few times because he follows me all around the house and will be standing right behind me. So adorable! Here's a little video. Oh and the funny thing is when he needs to change directions, he plants one foot down and pivots with the other lol

Jay Cruisin Jan2014 from Nicole on Vimeo.

Scott got baptized on Saturday the 4th of January!

And he had lots of family and friends to support him. 

Grandma and Grandpa Blaser and Aunt Brooke came from my side.

Grammy Riggs, Aunt Kelli and Uncle Jess and their family came

and also some family friends Jeff and Bonnie Jorgensen (hiding in the back). Jeff was actually Kevin's scout master and bishop in Germany when Kevin was a kid. 

Not in this picture, but his best friend David and his parents came, his primary president and his primary teacher.

Check out the new suit too- looking pretty sharp!

Grammy Riggs

Grandpa and Grandma Blaser

Melin Family

It was a really special day for sure. Scott was just beaming!

I asked him to write down how he felt and his testimony and he said, "Why do I have to write it down? It's just going to grow." lol

But even still he went into his room and wrote some things down. Here is his testimony on his baptism day

The day after Christmas we decided to head down to Las Vegas to spend some time with my family. We stopped by Temple Square on our way.

So beautiful in the winter

 

 But sooooo sooooo frigid cold! We didn't stay for long before we were ready to head south! 

Then onto Vegas! It was a terrible drive- I'm not gonna lie. Jay is impossible now in the car....absolutely hates it!

But it was all worth it too see their cousins! (Poor Marlee wasn't feeling good)

New church slicks from Grandma and Grandpa :)

We pretty much spent the week eating way too much food, lounging around, oh and of course dancing to the xbox! So much fun!

 The girls

My parents got some of those plasma cars, and we all had so much fun racing them down the driveway!

Kellan...always has that serious thinking face!

Jay and Marlee

Driving Mia's new toy from Santa

 

Love this picture! So cute!

Even Grandpa got in on the action!

Hilarious! Look at Hailey's face- cheater!

My Dad, Kevin and Chris got to go ride dirt bikes one of the days too, and the kids got to pitch in on the washing side of things

Arianna looks way too natural on a dirt bike- so cute

Oh and Grandma gave lots of rides to the kids on the razor. Looks like trouble huh?

 Jay throroughly enjoyed Dad taking off 2 weeks of work. He never left his side, not once. He had a tight grip the entire time and if I even came near him, he would climb ontop of Kevin's head in fear that I was going to take him away! So funny!

Jay wasn't the only one....Kellan took a MAJOR liking to Kevin. It was super cute

 We also got to celebrate Kellan's 1st birthday while we were there too!

 There's that concerned look again

 This picture cracked me up. They are almost making the same face. Hailey and Jay- like two peas in a pod these two!

 Yummy Birthday Cake!

 The last day was the funnest because we just helped take down the Christmas stuff and Grandpa didn't have to work so he played with the kids

 The weather was AMAZING and so we had to bring Scott's bow and arrow so he could practice

 Grandpa even dug out the one he made long ago. I know Scott really really enjoyed shooting with Grandpa...so much fun

 And the last night before we had to go home. Look at Mia. She loves her cousin Scott- he's like the brother she never had! :)