All our recent goings on...

I have been feeling like I don't have any cute Valentine's Day decorations, so I decided to fix the problem. I started with some paper crafting. I made the LOVE banner to hang on the walls.
I also found some cute picture frames in the Dollar section at Target, and added a little somethin, somthin to spruce them up. I'm happy with the results, and all three projects only cost me $2.50 since I used scraps I already had.

The wooden hearts my mom gave to me years ago and I never decorated. I found them in my craft bin during last weeks snow days, and Addie and I got to work. I painted the blue and light pink one. Addie painted the bright pink one. She did a pretty good job at it, only made a minimal paint mess. I used some foam stamps and black paint I had on hand to cute them up, and added the sparkly pink ribbon to Addie's. I love a free project!

Now this here is Elmer. The new addition to our family. We found him as a stray out at Jason's parents house this Christmas. He is a German Short hair Pointer, and a super sweet dog. We checked with the local pound to see if anyone was looking for him, and Jason took him to our local animal shelter to check for a microchip. No on both accounts, so I guess that means he's ours. Well, Jason's really. He follows Jason around like well, a lost puppy! He waits at the front window for Jason to come home from work, and whines every time Jason leaves. Except for his propensity to run away he is a great dog. We have had to chase him down 3 times now, but recently found out he will come home when he is good and ready. All we have to do is leave the front door open, and when his is done with his run, he comes right in. The girls, and our other dog Penny just love him.

We have recently been having some crazy winter weather out here in Texas. Last week we had 4, yes that's right 4, snow days in a row. It actually worked out well for us since the kids were sick for most of the week and didn't end up missing any school. But that also meant that Emilie was the only one to really enjoy the snow. On the last day, Friday, she and I finally left the house to do some picture taking.

Emilie took this one of me. Not too bad for her first time using the "big" camera.

Pizza, Cupcakes, and Little Girls

This past Friday was Ivy's 8th Birthday Party. We had a cooking sleepover, and by golly it was fun. I made each girl a cupcake apron, and a cupcake necklace.

I think they turned out totally cute!

Ivy was so excited, she talked about the party all week.

By the time Friday got here she was so hyped up I thought she

would bust!

At the party the girls made their own pizzas (delish), decorated their own cupcakes (sweet), and

boxes (adorable) to take cupcakes home in.

For breakfast the next day we make blueberry pancakes (yummy).

It was so cute to watch the girls play hide and seek in the dark,

and dance their hearts out to the Just Dance wii game.

To wind down the evening the girls chose to watch the movie Matilda, and go to sleep.

I'm so glad that everything turned out well, and that everyone had fun.

I think Ivy had a terrific 8th birthday party!

the necklaces
the aprons

Ivy gearing up for some party fun!

Pizza making time.

They made the pizzas in 3 groups.

Emilie, Kambry, and Mary

Katie, and Mckinley

Sarah and Ivy

time to decorate cupcakes. I think

the cherries were the biggest hit.

Decorating cupcake boxes

Ivy opening her gifts. I could barely get close enough to take

any pictures! I think the girls were just

as excited as Ivy.

13 YEARS!

13 years of marriage
10 years of college (collectively)
8 moves
7 cars
4 dogs
3.75 children
3 cats
2 houses
and 1 happy wife.

Happy Anniversary Honey!!

Thank you Laurelwood Ward Young Womens Leaders

To all the Young Women's leaders I've had before,

Thank you. Thank you for all the time you freely gave to a bunch of silly giggly girls. For all the lessons you tried so hard to make spiritual and fun for us. For going to girls camp, and never complaining about it.

For teaching me to keep a journal. A skill I am using today as I write this blog. For teaching me the value of an education. For teaching me what to look for in a young man, and how to behave when I met him.

Thank you for driving us to the temple for baptisms for the dead, and for suffering through Youth Conferences, and stake dances.

Thank you for praying for me; for worrying about me. For being aware of the hard times in a teenage girls life.

Thank you for teaching me to pray, and to love the scriptures. Thank you for teaching me how to lead a hymn, and conduct a meeting.

Thank you for teaching me how to make a quilt, use modge podge, and to make a white sauce.

Thank you for teaching how to pit cook a turkey, build a fire, and bandage a wound, all while singing silly songs, and having a great time.

Most of all, thank you for helping me to become the woman, and Young Women's Leader I am today. Thank You!