January News

NEW YEARS DAY

We started off the new year bowling at All Star Lanes and having our annual New Year's Day lunch at the Harman's.  I love our New Year's Day traditions.  It was wonderful having the Polaks in town this year.  Emma and Charlotte tied for first place in the kids' bowling lane, and Aksel wasn't too far behind.  Scott played with the adults this year, and Lizzy played her own game for the first time.  David fell asleep in Grandpa North's arms while everyone bowled.  It was during his nap time.  After we went bowling, Brad and I enjoyed learning how to play "Ticket to Ride" with Zach, Bruce, and James at Aunt Marian's house.  It was a fun, relaxing day.  I love being with Brad's family.

SHAVING LESSON

Scott had his first shaving lesson this month.  His dad helped him by giving him a few shaving tips.  Bye bye, peach fuzz!
I can't believe how quickly this boy is turning into a man.  I mean, just look at him!  He's going to be all grown up before we know it.

SNOW

January was extremely cold this year-- much more cold than usual.  It's snowed on and off every week this month, and the temperatures consistently stayed in the single digits and even dipped in the negatives.  The pipes in our basement froze, but Brad and his dad figured out how to warm them up again before the pipes could burst.  We spent most of our time indoors.  By the end of the month, the temperatures began to rise up again, and Lizzy and I had a wonderful time playing in the snow outside.  Lizzy had fun drawing pictures in the snow with a stick she found, and we made a snow-"woman" together.  We gave her a pink sunhat and scarf, and a little baby carrot nose, and Lizzy had fun giving her kisses.

SCIENCE PROJECTS

Scott and Emma got busy doing their Science Projects near the end of the month.  Scott's project was on how soil affects plant growth.  He grew pinto beans for one month in various types of soils.  The soil that the pinto beans refused to grow in was Utah clay.   No wonder the plants in our yard keep dying!  Emma teamed up with her cousin, Kaylie, and together they did their project on mind power over the sense of taste.  They made homemade candy and dyed them colors that didn't correspond with their flavors.  For example, they made green raspberry candy and orange grape candy instead of using the traditional red or purple dye.  Everyone who tasted the candy were convinced they were the more traditional flavors. They did so well on their project that it was chosen to represent their school in the district science fair.

Emma's and Kaylie's project was chosen to represent their school in the District Science Fair!  Go girls!