Can we really be marching into March?

I cannot believe how quickly this year is going. I can't seem to keep up. Can you tell the stress is taking a toll? Yikes! So here is what's been going on with us. . .

Evan thoroughly enjoyed the month of love and hearts. He learned all about the human heart: that it has four chambers, each divided by valves that help regulate the flow of blood, that it can be repaired with ease, and that exercise is a cure for just about anything that ails you. He also learned that he has a congenital birth defect called "aortic stenosis". That just means that his aortic valve is thicker than normal and will need repair in many years down the road. So for now he is happy, relieved and enjoying all the things an almost 9 year old boy can enjoy. Biking, jumping, catching, etc. He was very disappointed to find out he can never be the quarterback for the BYU Cougars.

Hard to see, but Claire was one of three 6th graders to participate in the annual spelling bee. She was not excited. We were concerned she'd try to blow it. She didn't though and did very well. Here she is spelling "unconsciously". Good greef!

February began with a birthday. Benjamin turned 2.

Wow, the time has flown by. Terrific Twos here we come!

The first weekend in February Claire participated in the Optimist Brain Bowl. She was one of five team members with an alternate. They had to take a test to qualify for the team. Yes, she is one to two girls on the team. The other girl is her best friend, Dana. They practiced after school for months to get ready for the competition. They didn't really practice "knowledge" but mostly how to work as a team.

Claire's team competed against 26 other elementary schools from the Denver Metro area and placed 4th! Woohoo!

The questions were hard!

This is her school's third year competing.

The month ended with Grandpa Royle's funeral. It was a wonderful tribute to him and the legacy he has left. The day could not have been more beautiful. All the grandsons were pall bearers. It was quite a sight. He was buried with military honors which was really neat to see. Notice the helmet on the bayonette! They presented Aunt Nadine, the eldest daughter, with the flag that covered his coffin.