Valentines Day

So before February is over I guess we should talk about Valentines Day.

Reed and I decided long ago that the hassle of finding a babysitter and then a place to eat would easily and smartly be replaced with a fancy family dinner. So the tradition has been ribs, potatoes, sometimes shrimp, red jello etc.
This year I went a little simpler, but it was still so much fun.
We had heart shaped pizza's from papa murphy's that we dressed up to be the way we wanted: Pepperoni, Cheese, added mushrooms and olives for Max and me.
We also had strawberry's and grapes.
Then we played games and had an impromptu family dance followed by banana splits.

Reed came home from work with little treats for everyone.

I love celebrating this way!

A new fireplace

I've always wanted a fireplace. Well mostly I've always wanted a mantle.
So we did it.
The easiest and most doable way possible for now.
We painted one in the playspace under the stairs.
Then Emily painted a picture just for the mantle.
We framed it and used the 3M velcro to stick it to the wall.
It's so cozy down there now!

Move forward with faith

When I heard the news I cried.
I didn't think I would be so sad.
I am happy to think of the great reunion taking place.
What an incredible man!
How blessed we are to have a prophet of God on the earth to guide us.

January Days

This year we signed the kids up for basketball for the first time. We have played horse/pig type games but the complete game was new to them. So the two oldest have been busy learning how to play and playing. It's not quite as intense as soccer. There is one game a week and one practice.
Jadey is doing indoor soccer too. They play once a week for the next 3 months. They play 12 year old boys...so pretty fierce competition. They are doing it more for practice during the winter months.

It's nice to have couple of things that keep them active especially during a true Utah winter...lots of snow and very cold.

I didn't have any pictures of either of these activities. It think I need to hand the camera over to Hadley as she seems to be the resident photographer (see photo above), constantly taking photos of odds and ends around the house.

I have been busy cleaning out the craft room which will soon be the baby's room. Crafting is being moved downstairs to the storage room. We'll see how much time I have for that in the next year.

Thinking ahead

I'm starting to want to do spring cleaning ahead of time. I won't have much energy by spring :)
I saw this room and want to copy the walls for the new little babies room.

A Birthday

It took me way too long...but here are the official birthday pics.
She is finally BIG and officially 3.


On the morning of her birthday she called, "Mom, Come in here by me." I went in and she was sitting up in her crib and said, "I'm ready for my breakfast in bed." She "ordered" oatmeal, cottage cheese, oranges and milk.


They were all goofy...I love this shot.



She gave lots of hugs!



What do you get for your birthday when you just had Christmas? Summer stuff!
She has tried it out in the tub already.



When Hadley opened this present Cade yelled out "Look it's Oprah"


Coloring with sisters. I love the way these two get along so well. They share so easily and Em is always willing to let her play with her and her friends (even when Em's friends aren't so excited about it).

Family Indexing I am doing it...

Are you doing it?
Go to www.familyindexing.org (sorry I don't know how to create links) and get started. Be sure to go through the training and be warned...this is addicting.

But what a thing to be addicted too! Temple work, geneology...it's good stuff.

My goal is one batch a month.

I will report back!