A Family Favorite

Since the doc. recommends eating a carb with a protein at every meal/snack, these piggies-in-a-blanket were fun for the girls to help me make.

We just rolled out regular bread dough, made with whole white wheat, cut it up and rolled up hot dogs cut into eighths. We baked a big batch and then froze the extras for a quick, easy meal later.

So Happy to Help

Since I found out that I'm hypoglycemic and am trying to avoid white flour and sugar, the girls have been more than happy to pick up the slack and do their part. What would I ever do without them?

Come on, Baby, Let's do the Twist!

It was so fun to watch Robyn up on stage doing The Twist with her 3rd grade class for the school talent show!

Off to the Land of Oz

Growing Up

Kindergarten's not quite over, and she's already planning on how to be prepared for 1st grade. "Mom, I'll need to learn how to tell time, just so you know. But, I already know when it's noon 'cause that's when I leave for school."

This girl is always up to something. I see her carrying my paper cutter outside...then a large cardboard box...then some pipe cleaners. I look out the window to see her sitting under a tree, intently creating something. She comes in a little while later showing me her house, complete with hoses, landscaping, the works.

She is so thoughtful, creative, and determined.

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

This 91-yr-old woman from Australia is amazing! She left her mango trees and family to join her sweetheart in rural Idaho, going through Pearl Harbor just days after the attack. She's always been a survivor, an example, a constant. I feel blessed to know her and that our children know her, too. We think her expressions and accent are pretty fun, too. "Oh, Jiminy, Crow!" We love you, Grandma.

School Carnival

One of our fav. parts is the Beauty School doing fun hairdos in just a few minutes.

We went to the bounce house 1st before it was crowded so the girls could jump just about as long as they wanted.

Partners

Lab Partners: Here they are wearing lab coats, borrowed from Myles. There's no case these 2 can't solve!

Silly Partners: Always something crazy going on! Note the "bee-noculars" they made from TP rolls.

Dance Partners: They threw tissue paper flowers, had keyboard music, the whole works.

Play Partners: Here's their boat. They're out at sea. I wonder why my laundry baskets are always broken?

I'm so glad these girls have each other. We're sure going to miss Carly when she's gone to school ALL day next year!!

The Final Four

This is Robyn holding her #17 card during intermission of the Spelling Bee. She made it to the final four! Pretty good for only going through some of the words the night before!

Robyn and I liked her teacher's idea for practicing. She told the kids to jump rope and say the next letter every time they jumped.

Let the Fun Begin!

While I was having my 6-hr hypoglycemia test, Grammy came to watch the girls, and surprised me by putting in the garden! She said the girls were great helpers. What could be more fun than a mud hole? I should probably go out and weed today. Too bad everything's covered in snow!

Talk about an Inspiring Mother!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDvxPjsm8E

Many people have followed the story of this amazing woman. We were with her and her family in a marriage room during the open house of one of our temples, not realizing at the time that she was the Stephanie Nielson I'd heard so much about. There was another family there with a couple severely handicapped children, as well. I remember having such an overwhelming feeling of what really matters. I'm so grateful we can be with our families forever, and for Jesus Christ's Atoning sacrifice for each of us, that we can all be whole someday, both physically and spiritually.

Say Goodbye to 3 and Under Free

My Interview with a brand-new four year old:

How does it feel to be 4?
Good. Really good.

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A dance teacher.

What is your favorite...
toy: Honey, and my new bouncy ball.
thing to do: Play with my Winnie the Pooh.
food: Peanut butter and honey
drink: Chocolate milk
place to visit: McDonald's
color: Red
song: I Am A Child of God
thing about church: To color pictures
thing about Robyn: When she gives me stickers
thing about Carly: When she picks me up and carries me
book: Johnny (The Biggest Bear) and Johnny (Journey Cake Ho)

What does Daddy do?
Give me kisses.

What do I do?
Give me hugs.

I love it that this girl is so fun and thoughtful. She was going around singing "If you are wise, you'll listen to me," a line from one of the Willy Wonka songs, when she stopped and said very matter of factly, "If you're wise, you'll listen to yourself!"

She always tries to be a good friend, often giving up her swing for someone else who wants it.

Grammy made this fun cake for her preschool gang party.

Myles made her the cutest card ever, an alarm clock with strawberries for the hands saying, "I can't believe my little alarm clock's turning 4."

Carly was so cute about picking out a present for her with her very own money. Robyn read her a book in bed in the morning and did her job for her.

We scored on the crab sandbox from Craig's list.

Macy's B day menu
breakfast: Trix, bananas, toast
lunch: PB&J, fishy crackers, apples
dinner: noodles, cheese sauce, french bread, raspberry orange salad

Family Fire

Highlights:

Ryan and Dylan dancing
Darth Small
Elayna putting her foot in her cake and being so willing to share
Roasting peanut butter marshmallows (You should try it sometime)
Knock Your Block Off
Celebrating 7? Birthdays
Grammy's cute cakes
Wyatt jamming with Myles on guitar
Just being together

Happy Birthday, Myles!

Here we are before heading off to the Symphony. Thanks, Myles, for scoring such great tickets via Groupon and to Grammy for watching the girls.

Myles wanted a fire and sing along for his family B-day party, so after a rain-out and a near rain-out, he finally got his wish!

Macy was SO excited to make Myles lots and lots of cards. It was fun to have Grandma join us and remember Grandpa who shares Myles B-day and middle name.

I'm so grateful for another year with my best friend.

(Future) Prom Queens

The girls got to try out Aunt Blythe's old prom dresses and high heels before Grammy dropped them off @ DI, a local thrift store.

Grammy shared a book called Between Brothers & Sisters, A Celebration of Life's Most Enduring Relationship by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. They enjoyed it so much that she let us borrow it. The girls have read it over and over. It's full of wonderful photos, along with good prose.

Fun Day with Edyn

Edyn came down for Robyn's soccer game and then treated us to pedicures!

Elayna's piggy tail rubberbands disinigrated after the spray-on sunscreen was used on her head, leaving her with fun, crazy hair! We're wondering what this means the sunscreen does to our skin?!