February 28, 2009

Scrapbook Saturday! Our ward's first one since I've been here. I got 5 pages done, ate way too much, laughed like crazy, and got to know the girls a lot better. SUCH a great time!

February 27, 2009

My girls are nuts. Seriously. While making applesauce today, the girls insisted on munching on the lemon wedges after I had squeezed some of the juice into the pan. Their lip puckered up like crazy, but they just kept on eating. Crazy.

February 20-26, 2009

February 26, 2009
Another day spent editing photos - this time the cute photos of my Niece's baby, A. My eyes are tired from looking at the screen, but it was worth it.

February 25, 2009
Today is the day I think it finally "clicked"! I decided to try ONE.MORE.TIME. with JJ to potty train her. On went the panties, off came the diaper, and low and behold, she not only peed on the potty, but later she TOLD me she needed to go and went again! Now, to get #2 down...

February 24, 2009
Laundry and editing wedding photos. That's how I spent today. And who could wait? I loved getting them done, AND trying my hand at some new texture techniques.

February 23, 2009

We left back for home during a snow storm. The drive was perilous, my heart was racing, and I did this crossword puzzle to keep myself preoccupied. Yes, I do my puzzles in pen (I can't stand how light pencils are). It was a wonderful trip, but it's always nice to get home (especially in one piece).

February 22, 2009

A lovely, slow Sunday starting with church, seeing several friends we miss, photographing my neice's baby girl, then visiting with 2 families we love dearly and miss terribly.

February 21, 2009


K and C's beautiful wedding. The weather was phenomenal, the bride was lovely, the groom - hilarious, and though it was a busy, full day I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

February 20, 2009

After a long trip to Calgary to visit the in-laws before heading off again for the wedding the next day, we were treated by Grandma and Grandpa G. to a fun game of bowling. My kids had never been (other than the Wii) and had the time of their lives!

February 19, 2009

I woke up this morning to a world of crystals and blue sky. I LOVE winter days like this. Everything seems so clear and crisp, and just beautiful.

February 18, 2009

The girls were SO well behaved today when we had the Missionaries over to dinner. B especially. She was SO grown up and SO helpful. It warmed my heart to see how sweet she wanted to be and how much she wanted to be obedient to the house rules. Our kids turn into crazy creatures when we have guests over. It's something about that front door opening that turns them into hyper mutants. But not tonight. Wow. I was impressed. After dinner, B decided she wanted to watch a church movie, then read a story to her little sisters. *sigh* How long will this last? Oh, I hope at least until tomorrow....

February 17, 2009

Before school today, B and Bayboo were playing this WAY FUN game of memory that my SIL made for EACH of her sibling's families for Christmas. There is a matching set of cards for EACH member of the family - from grandparents to aunts, uncles, and cousins. I LOVE IT! Living far from family, this is a fun way for the kids to remember their family members. THANKS, T!

February 16, 2009

We spent Family Day with ....who else... the family. We took the kids to the local museum and accidentally met up with some friends from the ward. They have kids the same age, but for some reason we just haven't gotten together much - even though we often run into them when we are out at family activities, which tells me that we obviously have the same ideas! We went through the museum, then met up at McDonalds to eat and let the kids run around like crazy. I'm grateful for the fabulous people in our ward - there are just so many of them!

February 15, 2009

Joanne came for a weekend visit and we had just too much fun (as much fun as you can in the freezing weather!) It wasn't until I saw her again that I realized how much I missed her. Being friends with her is so easy, I just love it. We think the same way about almost everything, and when we don't, we don't care! I had so much fun with her and can't wait to do it again - in the summer next time!

February 14, 2009

Hubby took me out to a superb Thai restaurant for Valentines Day. It's so nice eating out with someone who KNOWS what to order, and KNOWS my tastes. It was absolutely scrumptious and spicy! This is what we ate, according to Hunkster Hubby:

Carrot Salad (Lyndon's favorite, simple salad)
Yum Nuae Yang (spicy roast beef and vegetable dish)
Tom Yum Gai (very, very melt-your-face-off spicy chicken and mushroom soup)
Pad Thai Tofu (My favorite, noodle-sprouts-sauce, really good)

February 13, 2009

Few things make me happier than bright, vibrant colors. And when I can EAT the colors - even better! Joanne brought me these adorable sprinkles as a gift when she came to stay with us. How "sweet" of her! ;)

February 12, 2009

I spent the afternoon making this gift for my hubby for Love Day. It's a mini album that displays 14 things I LOVE about my hubby. Some of them include ones like #2 "You can pull of any hairstyle - and have!" and #7 "You keep your cool in really difficult situations". It was hard to narrow it down to just 14 - maybe next time I'll have to do 365 reasons I love him!

February 11, 2009

Do you remember how exciting it was to receive Valentines cards from your friends on Valentine's day? I sure do. I remember reading each and every pre-printed word and taking it to heart. Would they sign "LOVE" so-and-so?? Oooooo... what did that MEAN?? LOL! Now, though, the stuff they give out blows me away. I don't ever remember receiving lollipops attached to my cards, or chocolates, or TOYS, or PENCILS. Wow. I admit, I attached heart shaped suckers to my kids' cards - way cute, but what will it be like when THEIR children go to school? Will we be giving away red corvettes with their Valentine cards?

February 10, 2009

This was TJ's 100 day project for school - 100 white buttons. I used to think 100 was a HUGE number, but looking at this cute art project, it doesn't seem so. How could I have given her 100 buttons from my WHITE button stash alone, and still have that much and MORE left over? How many buttons do I have? I think I need help!

February 9, 2009

We attended Math Night at my daughters' school - a night where we play math centered games together as a family. It was a lot of fun, and what was even better was seeing how my girls love math and are good at it!

February 8, 2009

We do our daily family scripture study out of this copy of The Book of Mormon which has pictures and explanations that work well with trying to teach young children (and, frankly, me!) But WOW does it ever take a long time to get through the scriptures with little ones. We have barely made it into 2 Nephi now, and we HOPE to finish reading the entire book together by the end of the year. There will be celebrations if we do!

February 7, 2009

Ahhh... what a nice day today! It started with the girls running off, with Lyndon, to a Primary party. They all had a blast! They came home talking all about how to love one another, giving me coupons I could use for things like "breakfast in bed" and "help with dinner". I love Primary activities - they are always so memorable!

Before they ran off to the party, though, I quickly nabbed them for a photo (since I had the backdrop already up for a photoshoot I had later). Okay, "quickly" and "photo" should not be in the same sentence where my girls are concerned. I got this shot, but it was off center and B was giving me her goofy smile. But, it is a snapshot in time and I'm grateful I got it.

February 6, 2009

Tonight was girls night out - a much needed and anticipated one for me. We (myself and 4 friends) went out to eat at a great restaraunt called "Rock Creek" which I had never been to before. It was a nice place with a great menu. I ordered a half sized portion which ended up being too big to finish! That's what I LOVE. We had great conversation and lots of laughs. I just love these gals. I went with Ailyn, Cori, Karla, and Pam T. who are so down to earth and fun to be around. I've said it before, and I'm still amazed that we can talk for over 3 hours and not once was there husband bashing going on. YES! I love it.

I tried to get a group photo, but my silly XTi decided to stop working properly - so I'm glad I snapped this photo at least. The flash wasn't working, so it's not completely in focus, but I don't care really. At least I captured a moment from our night out.

February 5, 2009

TJ was getting into the van this morning, and I caught a glimpse of the pre-teen she is becoming, much too early. She is developing her very own sense of style and this morning's ensemble was a good example. The brown jacket, brown tights and boots, the hot pink skirt with the hot pink scarf. Her white sweater hood peeking out. *sigh* Can't she slow down a bit? It's happening to fast for me! But isn't she beautiful?

February 4, 2009

Big day at our house! JJ went pee pee on the potty for the first time! YAY! It was a major breakthrough in potty training news. She did it all on her own and I was so happy I could cry. Then she had an accident later than night. *sigh* At least she knows what she's supposed to DO in the potty, now, right?

After her bath, I heard her getting into something in the bathroom. I grabbed my camera and headed over. There she was, brushing her hair in the bathroom mirror, singing to herself. She looked over and says "Am I beautiful, Mommy?". Oh yes. Yes you are.

February 3, 2009

Our van was in the shop today - nothing major, just some loose nuts and bolts. The problem? Minus 30 degrees with the windchill and having to walk the girls to school. What to do with a 2 year old for a 20 minute walk in this weather? Bundle her up and plop her on the sled, that's what! I made the mistake during my second trip out to pick up Bayboo from pre-k of cutting through the field behind our house. I ended up trudging through knee deep snow in ankle deep boots, getting the leg workout of my life. Luckily, JJ floated safely on top of the snow in her little red sled. She was warm - except for her little red nose sticking out of the scarf. WHY couldn't the van break down in warmer weather?

February 2, 2009

TJ and I had a talk about whether or not she was serious about wanting to continue with her piano lessons. She wanted to skip out on practising because she wanted to play on the computer. I know it's a normal "kid" thing to say, but thankfully - after our little talk - she decided that she wouldn't give up what she wants MOST for what she wanted right now. She got to work practicing a kind of tricky song - one with chords and using both hands a lot - and after a few minutes she was zipping through the song, almost laughing at her success. I hope she'll always make the choice to think about what's best in the long run, and not just what she wants in the moment.

February 1, 2009

Hubby turned 32 today. What, is that like a third of his life down, and 2/3 to go? I'm SO blessed I get to spend the majority of his life with him :) I made him some English Trifle (his favorite dessert) to celebrate. It's hard to see, but there is a tea light candle sitting on top.