January Adventures!

We spent some time at the beginning of January before Robby had to go back to work doing some yard work.  It is nice that we have such great weather in St. George that we can be outside working most of the year! Clara was a big helper and helped me haul branches out to the street from our coldesac to be picked up.  She was quite the helper carrying branches much much bigger than her! 

These two were mid singing Happy Birthday to Uncle Erich and were just too cute! 

Clara has really been liking riding Calin's balance bike lately!  Guess it's time to move them both up!

Love these smiles from this little cutie! 

She was so proud of herself in Calin's shoes! 

Clara has figured out how to get into the camera on my phone so I often find many many pictures of things like this. 

Or this...

Calin and Clara were quite excited about my birthday delivery from Aunt Becca!  It was delicious!
I had a great day celebrating with my family.  I was able to escape that morning to get my hair done.  Then we spent the afternoon at Preston's baptism.  After naps we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse and then came home to enjoy some cheesecake.  It was a great day spent with family! 

Calin's silly smile and I at Preston's baptism.

This sweet boy wanted to get me flowers for my birthday.  He told Robby and they went and picked some out.  He was so proud and excited to give them to me.  I am so grateful for these sweet moments from him and the sweet boy he is!

Clara was pretty excited to contribute to the flower giving as well.  I sure love these cute kids! 

 Clara cut her lip in December and it has turned into this weird growth.  We took her to the doctor to get it checked out and these two were the cutest readers waiting for the doctor.  The doctor said it was extra skin cells creating a little growth and we have to have it looked at again at her 2 year check-up.  

Clara really wanted to sit with Calin on his chair one morning at breakfast.  Thankfully he obliged and let her sit with him.  

Playing with Cash on the trampoline having Dad spin them around on the blanket. 

Our little princess all dressed up. 

One Friday afternoon we drove out past Santa Clara to see the petroglyphs.  It was a fun hike up to them and a fun afternoon exploring with the kids! 

We all liked this alien arm guy! 

All these rocks are up on the edge of a big cliff and Calin was all over them making us very nervous as he wanted to climb them all on his own! 

A fun family outing! 

Robby was a trooper and carried both kids for lots of the hike.
Clara was funny and would hold on to Dad's forehead like this.  

Martin Luther King weekend we went down for our annual trip to the Mesquite car show.  One owner was really nice and let people climb in and sit in his car.  Calin was very excited to get in! 

Another cool car! 

Robby sure does love his cars!  It's too bad we don't have lots of extra cash so I could buy him one of his own and a garage to work on it in!  

Clara went over and squatted by this sign all on her own. It was cute like she was reading about the car! 

Perusing the cars at the car show! 

Calin was SUPER excited about this Star Wars motorcycle! 

We had to get a picture of every side! 

And every character on the bike! 

After the car show we got some lunch and then continued south to go to Valley of Fire.  The kids were worn out after lunch and had a nap on the way to Valley of Fire. 

We had all kinds of fun climbing in and out and all over the red rocks there.  Calin and Clara loved all the holes and nooks and crannies to explore.  

This was at the end of our short hike on Mouse's Tank Trail.  It was a fun short hike with lots of places to stop and climb around. 

Calin was marking his tracks on the trail.  

One of the holes we found to explore. 

Clara had to pop out too! 

Some cool petroglphys on the trail. 

After the hike we went back to elephant rock to climb and explore around there.  Calin loved finding "houses" in the rocks.  

This was one of Calin's favorites because there were several "rooms" and "beds", etc.  He was pretty excited about this cool house he had found.  

Another view of elephant rock. 

More holes to climb in! It was a very fun day at the car show and then hiking at Valley of Fire! 

On Martin Luther King Day we went and had a picnic at the park and played with the cousins!  It was a fun afternoon! 

Playing at the park! 

Getting ready to swim with friends at the pool for playgroup! It was a lot of fun! 

Calin got brave and jumped in all by himself! (he could touch the bottom). 

At the new park by our house one nice warm afternoon. 

Clara playing not sure if it was with cars or playing the piano.  

Some Fridays I substitute teach and if I end up at the high school or middle school I often have a prep to just relax and read a book! It sure is a nice break and way to get paid. 

On a walk one afternoon to see the sheep.  

And the baby lambs! 

Another Saturday we ventured out on another hike with Aunt Ami out in the Red Rock Reserve area.  

It was another fun morning out exploring new places! 

Cute Clara! 

The kids are really loving getting out and exploring and hiking! We love getting out as a family! 

It was a little chilly and overcast but still some great views! 

On our way back Clara was singing her heart out and waving her hands along with it!  She can be quite the character.  

This little one has started giving us quite the run for our money.  She is throwing tantrums right and left and also being quite mischievous.  She sure does love to get into trouble! This particular evening she decided to color all over the wall.  Little stinker! 

Bedtime stories with Dad! Love these three! 

We went to watch the Pinewood Derby that Dad has been busy planning! 

Crazy morning hair! 

Getting good at the Wii dancing! Calin is becoming quite the dancer! 

She was mad at me for putting her in time out and only wanted Dad who was at work.  Poor sad girl.  

One morning while I was doing some cleaning and cooking for a girl's night at our house Calin and Clara were playing so nicely together.  At this point Calin was playing doctor with Clara.  He was taking out her "pregenancy" and checking other things on her that may have been amiss.  

This was her medicine that she had to drink to help her get better.  Although a few minutes later it was a drink to make her sick again so she would have to come back to the doctor. Funny kids.  

These two were great helpers as I did some cleaning around the house to prep for girls  night! 

We had a fun night at my house visiting with lots of friends and eating crepes.  I made lots and lots though to prep.  I became quite the crepe cooking pro! 

We have begun the hunt for a new car and are trying to figure out what to do with the Jetta.  We would like to either sell it or trade it in.  I decided to get it all cleaned out and pictures taken in prep to sell it.  If we can't sell then we may go the trade in route.  It's sad to think about getting this car ready to say goodbye though.  I've had it for 12 years and it's been through lots of adventures with me! 

I find her standing on her toes like this all the time!  Guess she got it from Grandma Mielke!