Ellie's First Dance Class

  Ellie played soccer for the first time this previous fall. She loved it at first, and did really, really well. But her final words walking off the field of her last soccer game were, "I just wanna do ballet"! Haha. We signed her up for dance and a couple of weeks ago she went for the first time. She LOVES it, and it is easy to see that she's got a dancer's soul.  I can't help but feel nostalgic and excited when I help her pull on her tights and slick her hair back away from her face. That familiar feeling is everything wonderful, and I love seeing Ellie experience it herself.  I'm excited to see how she decides to pursue dance over these next years. The sky's the limit, Ellie Layne!

Our New Nephew

  On February 10th our sweet little nephew was born. The first Pugmire grandchild to carry on the Pugmire name, besides our children. It was so fun to visit and hold him the day before we left to Utah. We love new cousins! Welcome to the world Gabriel Toleman Pugmire!

Ellie's First Time Skiing

   A few weeks ago when my dad was in town for business we met up for dinner and he mentioned that if we could make it to Utah this winter that he would love to take Ellie skiing for her first time. We couldn't pass him up on the opportunity!

We got to Sundance early so we could get Ellie registered for ski school and rent her skis. We had some time to kill before ski school started, so we went to The Grill Room for some breakfast and HOT CHOCOLATE! Few things make my children happier than hot chocolate. Ellie looks really calm in this picture, but she was actually dancing all over, and as happy and energetic as could be. I couldn't stop taking snap chat videos of her all day long.

I took so many videos of Ellie that day that I didn't get very many pictures. Here she is right after ski school. She did great! She even got some "magic snow" in a ziplock bag that had a fun surprise ring inside it!

When ski school was over we ate lunch in The Grill Room with Kennedy, Tatum, Ashton, Dustin, Grandpa, Donny, Tate, and Jude. Then we did a few more runs all together. We probably should have called it quits after one or two runs. Ellie was on fire, but got pretty teary on the last run!

  Thanks Grandpa for making Ellie's first day of skiing an experience that will be hard to beat!
Here's a video of Ellie and Donny together. Makes my heart soooo happy.

 And one last video. We were shocked by how fearless Ellie was cruising down the mountain. She was full speed ahead shaking her hands, singing "I'm skiing down the mountain"!!! at the top of her lungs, and eating snow off her gloves.

Family Saturday

 Saturday was a wonderful day for our family. I started out the day with scripture study and prayer- something I've been trying to do in the mornings more consistently. I love the confidence it gives me to feel like I'm facing my day with the right perspective, and it's so nice to not have it looming over my head when evening comes. After my study I blogged while the kids got up, ate some cereal, and watched a show together.
Around 9 we all made our way out to breakfast at a little local hole in the wall place for breakfast. It was fun and good. The kids loved that the place had little coin machines filled with toys, and Ellie was so glad she had brought her money. She even shared two of her quarters with Lorenzo! Win! After breakfast we drove to Skyline Trail which is about 5 minutes from our house and hiked around for about an hour. It was an insanely beautiful February day, and the mountains and hillsides by us are so vibrantly green. I forget how much I love January and February here in Southern California. It was sunny and warm, and the perfect day to spend time outside. When we got home the kids jumped on the tramp in their swimming suits with the sprinkler on for a few minutes, and then BJ, Lorenzo, and I napped while Ellie had quiet time.
 When I woke up from my nap, I ran to the gym for a quick workout, and then to Sprouts for some ingredients I needed for Sunday. Then I came home we got ready to go to Daryl and Joanna's for dinner to celebrate Daryl's birthday.  Daryl and Joanna have become some of our dearest friends. We are so sad they're moving this summer, but glad they'll be in Utah so we can realistically see them still. Conversation is always fun and easy with Daryl and Joanna. When we got home we each put a kid to bed and BJ went to sleep early. I listened to podcasts while I baked cookies for Sunday dinner. It was a beautiful, full day together as a family.

**Disclaimer: I know Lorenzo's forehead looks awful! It basically always does. He's an active boy, and he's very clumsy. Just like his dad was. He seriously needs to wear a helmet!

Sunday Best Day

 This year our church meeting time was switched to 11 o'clock. I was pleasantly surprised when we found ourselves ready a whole half hour early for church on the first Sunday in January. The kids were looking so cute that day that I gathered them to take a picture, and somehow a new little tradition was born. I am horrible at taking pictures on a daily basis. I'm lazy when it comes to pulling my phone out, so the thought of having a consistent record of their growth with a weekly picture is so awesome to me- especially when they look so nice and clean vs. the diaper/panty only, crazy hair photos that I usually get.
 Their personalities are so funny all the time, but can be especially funny when the camera comes out.

 I really hope I can teach my children how special the sabbath day is. I love that they love going to church. Lorenzo loves Nursery. Ellie has her first talk in Primary this week, and even though she  broke down in tears when they gave her the assignment, now she is feeling really excited about it.

 I heard an analogy that you can think of the sabbath day as light posts on a road in the fog. Even though you can't see the whole picture, you are guided by the light one post at time. We can work our way through the week (and life) being guided by the anchor of light that Sundays can be. It takes work, and planning, and dedication, but I know that reverencing the sabbath brings great blessings.

"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspottedfrom the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day; For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;"

Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-10