FISHER FAMILY

Last year we tried to do some starters in an egg carton and they didn't last very long because there aren't any sunny windows in our house.  This year we decided to try something I found in a magazine and planted the starters in a trading card organizer hung on our back door.
Kaili is super excited about being in charge of the seeds and has a syringe that she can use to water them everyday.  We'll see if it turns out any better - if not, at least it was fun.

Please ignore the fact that they are sitting on a table, or at least pretend that I didn't leave them there while I went to get the camera. ;)

I am so grateful for my wonderful family and how they show their love for me even when times are tough and life doesn't go exactly as planned.  Here's to another year with them in my life.

They had a blast at the timeshare.  Kaili's activities of choice were playing putt-putt and swimming in the pool.  I think she conned someone into taking her swimming everyday and she kept asking if she could take off her floaties.
One day they went to a bird show.  Kaili insisted that she was having fun with the parrot on her shoulder but the picture says otherwise.

With going back and forth to the hospital all the time, my jewelry was getting really tangled and I set out to find and make a solution.  I compiled several ideas and came up with this travel bag.
It hangs necklaces and bracelets and has clear pockets for earrings, smaller bracelets, and whatever else I want to bring along.  It even fold up into a little pouch so nothing gets lost or tangled.  I'm pretty proud of this one, which is good because it's going to be used a lot.
I have also been hard at work making cute decorations for Averi's naked head.  I have knitted several hats, made headbands out of tights, and made tons of flower bow clips that can go on hats, headbands, or hair.
One day I will get around to making Averi's baby blanket and recovering the sofa cushions...for now I think I'll stick to the smaller less scary projects.

Tonight Dan got to participate in the Elder's Quorum 'no holds barred' Pine Wood Derby Race.  He was stoked and has been planning and working on his car for quite some time.

Introducing "The Black Widow."
The middle was cut out to give him an advantage at the starting line.  The legs reached in front of the opponent to keep them behind him and also around the opponent to keep them from pushing him off the track.  I have to admit that it is a pretty sick car!

Some of the other cars included a brick, a 6 foot straw on the front, a box to be pushed with a leaf blower, and a blown up balloon.  The winning car was the red one which was propelled with a fan.
Dan did awesome and tied for third place.  His one qualm was that the cars had to fit through a gate at the bottom of the track, making his legs a bit of a problem and not so effective.  He is already planning his attack for next year.

Dan called me tonight to inform me that we are once again having babies.

One of our female guppies has been looking rather plump lately and was suspected of being pregnant.  How pregnant we did not know.  I kid you not, Dan lost track after counting over 25 babies - all from one mother!  Once she was done delivering, Dan moved her and the dad into a smaller net so they wouldn't eat the babies (they are super tiny).

I think our 5 gallon tank might require us to give some fish away in the near future.  Until then, it's a lot of fun to try and spot them all.

We have been SO blessed to have several family members come stay with us to make food and watch Kaili while Averi is in the hospital.  This week it is Grandma Davis and today she decided to take Kaili to COSI, the science museum.

Let me begin by saying that sending me this picture is in no way funny!  Yes, that is a tarantula next to my daughter.
Other than permanently scarring my child, they had a lot of fun.  Kaili got to pet a turtle, watch rats play basketball, and play doctor (which she's really in to right now with Averi living at the hospital).
 She even got to 'drive' the submarine, which is a big deal because usually the line is too long to wait in.
Don't worry, Kaili has also had many trips to McDonald's, Chuck E. Cheese, and Dairy Queen.  We are truly blessed to be loved by so many people who are willing to take time out of their lives to help us out.  Minus the spiders, it is greatly appreciated.

Back in the fall, one of my friends GAVE me her double stroller.  I was so excited I cleaned it up right away so we could use it...and then it got cold.  It has been sitting in our basement, just waiting to be used.

Well today was the big day.  Averi is home for the time being and the weather was nice enough for us to go on a little walk.  Kaili insisted on taking the double stroller so we tried it out.  They loved it!
It was quite the work out.  I'm pretty sure my arms will be sore tomorrow (which is a good thing).  I can't wait until spring when Averi is out of the hospital, the weather is even warmer, and we can go for longer walks together.  Until then, we'll take what we can get. :)

She put a lot of hard work into making them.  Not to brag, but when she came home from her preschool party today I noticed that most of the Valentine's were made and addressed by the moms.  Kaili wrote out every single name by herself.  I am so proud of her patience and determination...and I enjoyed the extra time it gave us to spend together.

Happy Valentine's Day!