Wow, this might be a personal record for how long I've managed to avoid blogging!  I initially thought that his blog post might contain exciting secrets, but the cat manages to get out of the bag when you don't blog for a month and a half!  I feel like there has been a whole lot of nothing going on, but I know that's an unfair statement inspired by the fact that all I want to do is lay in bed all day!


I've been horrible with taking photos.  In the middle of January, Anthony's dad came to visit for four days.  It was so nice to spend some time with him.  The kids enjoyed spending two nights at his hotel and having Papa come with them to school.  We enjoyed the hot tub on a frigid day and dinners out to satisfy weird cravings!  I didn't take a single picture, and I'm kicking myself for it.


Last week we got to spend a few days up at the Bear Lake house with the Carliles.  The company was grand, of course, and it was also so so nice to get out of the inversion and see the sun.  Did you know there's a company now making tee shirts that say "I survived the 2013 inversion!"?  I feel like we all deserve one!  It was fun to be able to take pictures of clean ice and snow!  Dad showed be this little gem that popped up on a loft window.  Doesn't it look like a marine creature?




These beauties were climbing up every window.




The overnight fog and lasting cold made for beautiful trees that kept their dusting all day.
















Perfect little Ellery was fought over the entire weekend.  I've never seen a happier, more content little chub-o-love.  She sure makes it harder to be this far away from the Carliles!




Determined to not let screens dominate our family trip like last time, we played lots of board games.  It was so much nicer!




Connor surprised Grandpa by asking for some of his Mountain Dew.  Must run in the family!




The Whites had to come up a day later, due to a fun run-in with strep.  Once they were there, we took some group shots.  Cute cousins!




Say, "Cheese!"




Say, "I'm PREGNANT!"




Surprise!  The secret's out!  We're due in September with baby #3!  My favorite part of this announcement was waiting for people to catch on.  Mary Ann was the first to break pose, I love how Mom said, "I'm pregnant!" like it's an everyday picture expression, and most of the kids didn't know anything was unusual about it.



After lunch, we took advantage of the beautiful day and the opportunity to do something completely new - play on the frozen lake.










These Bogs have seen a TON of action this winter.  Honestly, I don't know how I could have gotten through all of the snow this year without them.  Best Christmas gift/boots ever!







For the past few years, we've used this tree as a benchmark in the lake, as in "Don't swim past the tree!".  In the summer, the water is about neck-high for me here.  It was a little bit strange being able to just walk up to it!







So different.  Look at that beautiful, glorious sun!  Please grace us with your presence in Salt Lake soon!!




The snow was icy on top, and powdery under the crust, so quite difficult to walk through.  The kids realized that it was easier for them to crawl on all fours, then they wouldn't crunch through, but sleds were the best mode of transportation.







It was a little bright out there. :)










This is how newly-retired men spend their free time!







The kids enjoyed being twirled around by Mike and Blake.  After a treacherous running start, they'd let go of the rope, and the kids would go flying, spinning around and around in circles.  After all of this ice play, they even took the kids to the sledding hill by themselves.  Thanks for being superdads that day, guys!




Train time!










Wuh-oh!  Maybe it's time to get off of the ice!







As hesitant as I was to let Connor bring his "lightsavers", they turned out to be a huge hit, especially with Marshy, who was a natural with them!







After a week of traveling, plus one sick kiddo, I'm sure the Carliles were ready to head home.  We're so grateful that they sacrificed the time, energy, and money to come out and visit everybody, not to mention add a bright spot to our otherwise dull winter!  Great memories, guys!  Thanks!