A Dobbins' Day

Our first winter in Iowa has been quite a change from Las Vegas!  We are learning about layering and getting bundled up.  Most of the time we love the snow, but the cold blowing wind we could definately do without!

 My kids like to pose by statues and Coral is no exception.  This pig was just her size and too irristable! Even Maggie posed with the piggie!

Uh oh, it looks like Maggie likes her thumb!  YIKES!  Yes, it looks adorable, but we thought the same thing with Hunter and now that he's 9 and still sucking his thumb it is definately NOT cute!  What are we going to do with this girl?  She doesn't like a binky and will gag when I put it in her mouth.  For now we just keep pulling the thumb out!  Grrrr!

Audrey helped me make cookies and got a big surprise when she turned on the mixer and flour flew everywhere!  After she cleaned up, we had some delicious chocolate chip cookies.

When Russ was out in Vegas visiting Isaac he got to see him driving by himself as a licensed driver!  He said that he does a really good job and that he's cautious. (OK Dad, enough with the pictures!) Hee hee!

We went to another fun activity at the library for Valentines Day.  The librarians had set up a "restraunt" for us.  We got to pick 3 items from the menu and then they served us.  We didn't know what we were getting because the menu had items like: The Cat's Meow (milk), Frosty's Delight (icecream) and Mouse's Treat (a cookie: like the book If you give a Mouse a Cookie).  Hunter chose ice cream but didn't choose a spoon!  It was a lot of fun!

The kids started their Valentine morning with cards and treats from Grandpa Mike and Grandma Rebecca.  After dinner they got a box of chocolates from Mom and Dad.  It was so hard to capture a picture of all of them!  Either somebody wasn't looking at me or else they were being silly and it ruined the picture! Audrey and Hunter made valentine boxes for their class parties.  Hunter made and i-pod and Audrey made this robot.  Cannon also had a party at school, but didn't need to bring a decorated box.  They all said that they had fun and way too much sugar!  We made cards that said "I hope your Valentines is colorful"  We made colorful crayons by taking our old crayons and chopping them up and remelting them in a mini muffin tin.  So their friends would have a fun crayon to color with and I didn't have to buy candy (which they obviously got too much of anyway!) My Sweetheart was in Las Vegas visting with Isaac, but I had a fun day wi...

We went to storytime at the library one afternoon because the kids were out of school.  They were celebrating Clifford's birthday.  I couldn't believe that he is 50!  Crazy!  They read some Clifford books, played some games and had some cupcakes.

I found Coral asleep on my bed like this.  I'm not sure why she had the light saber, but it sure looks like it will protect her from any bad dreams!  Sleep tight sweet girl!

 Hunter was chosen as the star student this month at school.  His Kid of Character Award says: Hunter Dobbins for chosing such great books to read! I love hearing all of the adventures you go on during reading. Keep up the good work! from Mrs. Stephenson Congratulations Hunter!  We love you!

When Hunter turned 9 it was time to move from the Wolf Den to the Bear Den.  He worked really hard to finish all of the requirements for the Wolves and he earned his wolf badge and some arrow points. We are really proud of him and look forwaed to our year as a bear!

Hunter had a GREAT birthday!  He got breakfast in bed, brought cupcakes to school and had some friends over for a party.  He got some new clothes, Skylanders (video game and "guys"), some money and giftcards and his favorite is getting my old phone.  Its an iphone 3g and doesn't have phone service so its really an ipod touch.  He LOVES it! Hunter is a great big brother and a very good helper.  Sometimes he tries to be the parent with his siblings, but he really does just try to be helpful.  He is playing the piano really well and will be starting baseball again as soon as its warm!  He has a great smile and is fun to play games with.  He is so smart and loves to read.  He tries his best and works hard at school.  He really enjoys cub scouts and doing things that are active.  He has been reading his scriptures and saving money for his mission.  We just love this guy!  Happy Birthday Hunter!

 Hunter loves to hold Maggie and just (gently) squeeze her and love on her.  While I took their picture, Cannon popped over the top of the chair and peek-a-boo'ed them!  Not sure about his smile, but he didn't want to be left out, so I snapped his picture too!  These kids are a lot of fun.

Audrey and Maggie and staying warm all cuddled up with a quilt in the chair.  They sure are cute!

I've started a "Biggest Loser" contest with some friends from church.  So far I haven't seen much change, but I do feel a small difference in the way I can move my body.  My goal, besides losing weight is to have a healthier lifestyle.  I'm doing things that work for me and my life at this stage.  I don't enjoy exercising, but I've been doing it.  I've found that I like yoga a little.  I can stretch and move and feel stonger.  I've done some strengthening exercises I found online and I've also done some cardio videos on youtube.  A lady in our group teaches Zumba and I did that, it wasn't completly horrible, so I've done and will do it again.  Mostly I'm just trying things that will get me moving without feeling like I'm dying.  I've also been working on my diet.  Smaller portions, less sweets, more water and fruits and veggies.  I'm going slow because I really want this to by a lifestyle change, and not something that ...

We got an amazing package of  theatre tickets for kids shows as a Christmas present.  Because of our two small girls that aren't able to go we only got one adult ticket to go with the other 3 kids. The first show was an orchestra that did fun things for the kids to watch as they listened to the music.  Before the show they did some crafts.  Russell took Audrey and Cannon, unfortunately Hunter wasn't able to go because of his basketball games. Russell said it didn't really capture their attention.  I'm hoping that the next show will go better.  I think its a play so it should be more animated and interesting for them. It was a beautiful day in downtown Des Moines.  I think overall they enjoyed themselves.  I'm grateful that they get the opportunity to be exposed to some cultural events.

Cannon is so silly with stickers!  Love this boy! P.S. Don't look at the mess behind him, obviously its laundry day!

We are still getting used to Iowa.  It snowed and the kids were thrilled!  What they didn't realize is that in Iowa it doesn't go away right away like it did on the rare occasion that it snowed in Vegas.  When it snowed in Vegas, they would play in it and then save it because it would be gone in a few hours.  I guess old habits die hard because I  found this in the freezer!

Back in the summer Audrey cut Coral's hair when it was on top of her head in pigtails.  So we had to go to the hairdresser and get it "fixed".  Which resulted in a short pixie cut.  It is now finally growing out and I can get it back into pigtails or a ponytail on top of her head.  But it is so weird.  Its all different lengths and thick on top with a long stragely section in back.  Its kinda mullet-ish.  When I can get her to keep her hair up out of her eyes it isn't too bad.  I really want to cut it, but I'm not sure it will help.  I think I need to just let it be and resist the urge until it can grow out more and not be so awakward.