During the winter months we sometimes like to stay home a little more and then there are times when we just need an out.
Gavin enjoyed this kid cone and going out for lunch.
Purely DELICIOUS!
It was run to do this one afternoon.
Brielle is now old enough to attend Activity Days and she was so excited to be able to go and have some time doing something for her. Gavin and Brielle are such cute little friends!
All of the kids had an eye exam in order to see how their eye sight is coming along.
Gavin had fun in the chair and these shades were making me smile.
Sometimes the kids crave going swimming. We love that the pool in Choteau opens it up to the public. It sure helps to let the kids get out and enjoy something when they get a little cooped up in the house during the winter months.
Gavin and Braxton were swimming all over the place and having the time of their lives!
Kenzie, Brielle, Braxton, and Gavin...such fun to have cousins. (The big boys actually had basketball practice, we will have to snag them and do it again soon.)
Gavin was soaking up some time with Daddy and reading books is something he absolutely loves.
Now he is reading with Payton, cute brothers!
Now that Payton is a Teacher, he is excited to begin attending more activities at the Stake level with more kids his age. They had a fun game night and he has been having a fun time getting to know other kids. He is behind the kid in the center here.
Payton is in the middle of this picture. I love opportunities for him to do fun things with other good kids his age.
Meanwhile, while Payton was at the Stake game night, the rest of the family was at the airport for Tarin's (Julie Phelan's daughter) Sweet 16th Birthday party. Payton came to the first little while and then we had to get him to his activity while the rest of the family enjoyed the dance and fun at the birthday party. Brielle was dancing her little heart out!
The kids were really enjoying this party.
Silly kids and Brielle's face is flush from her dancing so hard!!
Kenzie was also enjoying herself.
Looking sharp Taylor.
Kenzie dancing with her Dad.
I love her face looking at him in this picture.
Then the kids played a round or two of musical chairs and that was a HIT, they had so much fun!
Gavin was my little helper one afternoon as we did a little snow shoveling...never ending this time of year!
Mckay was such a sweet man. For my birthday he brought home flowers and arranged for Byler's Bakery to bake me a cake so I didn't have to make my own dessert. He kept it all a secret and it made me feel so loved!
When the kids get home from school, Brielle and Gavin usually take off and play together for a while. One afternoon, Gavin came running into the house saying that Brielle was stuck in the tree. I ran outside to find this... her coat was caught on the tree branch and she was just dangling there with a smile on her face and her feet were not even toughing the ground. After taking a second to snap a picture since she wasn't in any sort of danger, then I helped her down.
Gavin is eagerly awaiting a story read by Brielle.
One thing I love about winter is the moments I get to just snuggle indoors with Gavin. I cherish my time with the kids before they are of the age of attending school.
Here are a few more pictures the birthday hosts sent us after the party. A fun game of musical chairs (Gavin won, there may have been a little help from some teens and my other kids, who were more than good to him, he was thrilled!)
They loved this game!
Go Swensen kids.
Down to Taylor and Gavin.
Time to dance!
Poor Gavin was feeling sick. A sleeping little one always melts my mama heart!
More snuggles and this time Gavin crashed!
So sweet!
The whole crew hopped in Gavin's bed to enjoy a moment with their Dad, who is now in the thick of tax season. They love when he is home and they get to soak up some much needed time with him. It was a magical moment!
I believe this was the evening of New Beginnings.
McKenzie is now in Young Womans and is loving going to mutual activities, she is in the Beehive Presidency. Brielle is also enjoying Activity Days, she gets so excited on the evenings that she has an activity as well. The kids are growing up so quickly and I'm not sure what to make of it all, I will definitely try to cherish and enjoy each phase they are in.
