Where does the time go??

It's a cliche I know, but really time just seems to go faster and faster the older the kids get. We are doing well though, someday I'll write a reflective post on all the growing I feel I've been able to do this year. I remember my friend telling me when I turned 35 that "35 is going to be a great year for you." And I really feel like it has been. I've had to humbly go through some tough growing as a mom, friend and wife, but it has been good. I feel like having our younger two turn four has been so great. I describe it as if I am coming out of a 4 year fog. I don't think I ever realized how overwhelmed I really have been most of the last four years. So life has been good just enjoying the kids, growing spiritually and just doing life.

This picture was taken back in January. Ethan had no confidence in his derby car for Cadets and he ended up getting 3rd place in speed! He did awesome and was pretty proud of himself. Who knew derby cars were such a big deal!

Just a night out for dinner with our own little Fancy Nancy. This one has become quite the fashionista. And, now that her hair is long enough to do fun things with she always has a plan for what I should do. I'm not sure how we are going to get ready for school on time 5 days a week next year! Thank goodness for school polos that's all I'll say!

And here is the Audrey, the other Fancy Nancy. These two have so much fun together still. It's so great to watch.

A few weeks ago we had Friday and Monday off of school so we took advantage and found a great new place to hike in the Livermore hills. We had a great time and drug the kids up some big hills. Once we got to the top and saw the view Ethan said, "Wow, this is totally worth it!" That's the love of hiking and nature we are trying to instill in our kids. 

While we still need rain so desperately we sure enjoyed this beautiful warm sunny day for hiking. We have had enough moisture to turn the hills green, they were beautiful. For our family and friends far away pray for rain for us. We are dry!!

No February is complete without our annual festival. This time we hung out my sister and brother in law and their kids most of the time at the carnival. Ethan is old enough now to just run around with his friends. It was a little unnerving sending him off with his buddies, but the night we go is $1 ride night so there are a lot of familiar faces there taking advantage of the same deal. He had a blast with his independence.

These were taken on the big Ferris wheel. Believe it or not Brooklyn really did scream and cry the whole first rotation. Thankfully she got over her fear and had a good time.

We all got to do the run again this year as well. All the kiddos did the one mile so Kevin, Eric and I trotted along with them. Kevin and I did the 8K and Eric and Kara graciously watched our kids. It's always a fun morning of running.

Ethan got 2nd place again in the 8 and under boys. He was 24 seconds short of first place!

Hudson did great and ran it in a little over 10 minutes.

Morgan surprised us all and got 2nd in 8 and under girls! Annika finished soon after Morgan.

These two ran with me and finished in a little over 12 minutes.

And finally the parade. Our group of kiddos just gets bigger and bigger every year!

I think I'm all caught up for awhile anyways!

Here is a video I  have been meaning to upload since Christmas. Our Brooklyn is quite a performer! (and Hudson is the heavy breather in the background:)