January 31, 2013

B has been saving up her money to buy a pet for herself. This child finds it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to save money, feeling the need to spend it the second it lands in her pocket, so saving enough for a new pet was a huge deal. Tonight, she and her dad went shopping around, checking out what pets are out there. After snuggling with a few bunnies, she thinks she wants to get one. We shall see!

January 30, 2013

The YW spent this week's activity preparing three fun Valentine's Day crafts to give to someone they love. TJ wanted to make a chocolate bar card for one of the YW leaders who couldn't make it, due to a nasty fall. She also made ME a mug (a white mug, with a note written on it with sharpie, then baked so it will become permanent), and a card with cute hearts shaped from buttons for her friend, K. A fun activity!

January 29, 2013

TJ took my place as the girls' piano teacher tonight, as I was feeling sick and didn't feel up to it. It was wonderful to hear her patience with her sisters and to see her using her talents to bless others. A wonderful evening!

January 28, 2013

I got into the mood and spent the day making nearly 200 of these large Vietnamese spring rolls. DELISH! Now we have a freezer full, ready for whenever the craving hits :)

January 27, 2013


Getting in some cuddling time with one of the YW leader's new baby girl. It struck me what wonderful mothers these girls will make some day!

January 26, 2013

Our good friends, the C's, surprised us with a lovely dinner date at East Side Marios to celebrate Lyndon's birthday! What a treat! We enjoyed the food, but the company was even better. We love you guys!

January 25, 2013

 Time for an honest-to-goodness tea party! We joined Amanda and her daughter for a gloriously incandescent time, sipping cranberry tea and enjoying finger foods. Delightful!






January 24, 2013

Making adorable little "Family Trees" in Achievement Days! It was so nice to tell the girls stories of their ancestors, and to see their eyes light up when they hear of their amazing adventures. Who knows? Maybe the spirit of Elijah as entered into their hearts...just a bit :)

January 23, 2013

One of the few times I wasn't upset to see my daughter had left her things laying around :) It does a mom's heart good to see her child anxiously engaged in doing good.

January 22, 2013

Week two of piano lessons went very smoothly, and the girls are learning quickly. I am grateful to be able to teach them, and that they are interested in learning this skill. Keep on, learnin' girls!

January 21, 2013

A stellar family home evening to remember! Tj taught a wonderful lesson, B read the scripture, BB lead the music, and JJ prayed. We all enjoyed the lesson on the Atonement, and then played headbanz, and enjoyed some ice cream together. A FHE for the record books!

January 20, 2013

This is why I scrapbook. To have moments like these - reminiscing, remembering, and bonding. Looking through old albums always brings us together.

January 19, 2013

A wonderful introduction to the 2013 Youth Theme: Stand Ye in Holy Places And Be Not Moved. We enjoyed wonderful talks from members of the Stake YM and YW presidencies (including from my handsome hubby), sang some hymns (accompanied by TJ!), played a fun variation of the game "Museum Currator", ate a wonderful lasagna meal, and finished off with more talks. I enjoyed the inclusion of videos that the church has been putting out to help us understand the theme, and the spirit I felt was very strong. I feel encouraged (as a parent and a young women's leader) to stand in holy places this year and to see the spirit work in my life. It is going to be an epic year!

January 18, 2013

We enjoyed a night out at the movies with our good friends, the Cuellars. We went to the late show, so our husbands could first go to the temple to help with youth baptisms. The late show + an almost 3 hour long movie = some exhausted old people!! Still, we enjoyed the movie and can't wait for the next ones!

January 17, 2013

An unusual warm streak with above zero temperatures has made for a slushy driveway! Thank heavens for little helpers, willing to clear it! JJ was a little concerned, though, about how the stuff in the snow might hurt the environment. She wasn't sure quite where to put it. Her solution was to send it into space. Maybe in a few years, JJ ;)

January 16, 2013

B borrowed a recipe book from the library and wanted to bake some cookies from it. We didn't have the needed ingredients, but we went to work making our own version with Devils food chocolate cake mix, and cream cheese icing. They turned out amazing, and B was able to pass off one of her Faith In God goals!

January 15, 2013

TJ started voice lessons with this fabulous lady and is very excited to be learning and improving her talent. We shall see what this new endeavor (with Sing Like A Star) holds for her!

January 14, 2013

A beautiful, frosty, freezing, sunrise. The trees looked beautiful with all of the frost, but the bite in the air (-35) I could do without. I'll just enjoy the sunrise from inside, thank you.

January 13, 2013

BB busy getting some reading in on a Sunday evening. Does she realize how blessed she is to know, at age 8, how to read? I hope she continues her love of reading and finds the joy in immersing herself in the written word.

January 12, 2013

Time to party!!! B enjoyed her 11th birthday party with four friends at the YMCA. They all had a lot of fun, pretending to be in a tropical paradise while the weather outside measured in the -30's!

January 11, 2013

A quiet evening together in the living room, playing - whether it's with dolls, phones, or tablets we are having some quiet fun!

January 10, 2013

 Busy practicing writing sight words in shaving cream. I think they spent more time playing in it than writing, but we did manage to cover a dozen words, or so :)




January 9, 2013

This is the sight I am met with every morning - the kids waiting at the kitchen table, eating their breakfast, with the scriptures laid out, waiting for me to read. I have come to love our morning scripture study, and the girls seem to understand more and more of what we are reading. It makes morning so much brighter :)

January 8, 2013

For her 11th birthday dinner, B chose to go to her favorite Chinese buffet where she could enjoy shrimp, oysters, sushi, and jell-o to her heart's content!

January 7, 2013

We were treated to "dinner" (We're talking a bowl of pretzels and a bottle of water) and a show! B and TJ sang, JJ took our orders, and BB sort of ran the whole show! The best part had to be the "donation" box - but only if we really loved the show ;)

January 6, 2013

Three of the cutest Musketeers ever, waiting to give the (from left to right) talk, prayer, and scripture. JJ gave a fabulous talk on the topic of "I have a Heavenly Father who knows and loves me". She did great!

January 5, 2013

A gorgeous Saturday, perfect for going exploring at our favorite place - the Science Center! This time, we brought along our good lil' buddy, A, and she had a blast. The best part was when BB and JJ were chosen to be helpers for the Space show.

January 4th, 2013

Sledding with dad at a local hill - not as high as other hills, here in town, but that just means less time to get back to the top! Lots of laughs.

January 3, 2013

We took a "crack" at eating a coconut - at B's request. We all tried the "flesh" of the coconut, and it was tasty! B and TJ even drank the milk, though they had to add sugar. The shells were also put to good use to make "horse clopping" sound effects. We are proud that we play with our food :)

January 2, 2013

These girls have been playing Monopoly every day of their winter break. I have to pull them away, just to eat! At least they are learning a little about money!

January 1, 2013

Happy new year!! We somehow managed to stay awake until after twelve. It's going to be a great year!