Mother/Daughter Relief Society Activity

The girls and I had so much fun at the mother/daughter Relief Society Activity last month. We made some cute hair bows, they performed some talents, we had a really nice slide show, there was also a service project that they didn't really get to help with since I was in charge of the hair bows. Lastly we had some ice cream Sundays and watched a fun slide show with all the women and girls in the ward and their friends and female family members.

We had a wonderful sister in our ward Daina Crowell who offered her professional photography services to take pictures of all the girls. The girls helped her daughter make her bows since her mom was taking pictures. Her daughter Sarah just loved hanging out with the older girls so they got their picture taken with her.

This is Sydney, the girls very best friend. They moved in two houses down a few months ago and have been inseparable since. Of course, they had to take a picture with their "sister from another mother".

Kate turns 12, I can't believe it!

Our Crazy Kate

She is getting so tall. I always thought she would be short but she is taller than lots of her friends now. They all call her crazy Kate because, well, she's crazy! Many of her friends who come over to our house say "I didn't think Kate could be any crazier than she is at school but then I saw her at home and well, she's crazier!!" These are stories I heard yesterday as I was chaperoning the field trip to Vasa Park. It was so nice to see how she has picked such good friends and they all love her. She loves to make people laugh and she loves to act and sing and dance. She belongs on the stage. I am loving watching her grow into a sweet young woman.

Justin and BJ went snow caving up near Mt. Rainier with the Young Men in February. I know, I am way far behind but I'm trying to play catch up. Anyway, the Young Men were going and BJ is always ready to volunteer if they need an extra leader. This was before he was called as the Young Men's president. The boys each had a roommate that they shared their cave with. They had to dig their own cave before it got dark. It was hard work but they all did it and they were all such hard workers. The leaders dug a huge cave, nicknamed "The Castle" where everyone had their own little nitch but you could actually stand all the way up in it. I think the boys were actually warmer that night because the smaller ones stay warmer. They had a blast and Justin is looking forward to their annual trip to go snow caving again.
This boy is in his element when he is doing something that the ordinary person would not or could not do.



Here is the entrance to Justin's cave.
He could barely sit up inside but he says he was warm all night.

Here's a little insite into our little Eric. He has just a tad bit of OCD. When he sets the table he takes such care to always do it with flare. He really takes pride in his chore. I always think it is so cute. I just had to take a picture of it.

Sarah is 10 Today!

My Sarah turned 10 today, well technically, since we live in the west now, she turned 10 at 11:19 pm last night. She was born at 2:19 Eastern Time so we tell her she kind of has two birthdays now. She picked out her new outfit for her birthday at Justice. It really brought me back to some of my outfits when I was her age or a little older. The neon colors and peace signs just remind me of the 70's and 80's. Of course, we had to do a fabulous hair do to go with the fabulous new outfit so we found a wacky scrunchy around the house and totally did the 80's pouffy pony.

Sarah is such a joy in our house. She always wants to help cook. She says when she grows up she wants to have a bakery and call it "Sarah's Yummies". She has even made signs for it. She has a bounce in her step and the biggest teeth when she smiles. All my kids have big teeth but Sarah is not afraid to show them! Of course we have our ups and downs like most kids but since Sarah has been born she has always had a happiness about her that I love so much. I am so excited to continue watching her grow up! I love you Sarah!

Pacific Science Center

We stayed here in Washington for Spring Break. The kids and I went swimming, to a movie and to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. Then the kids just played with friends the rest of the week. Sarah said it was the best spring break. It was by far the easiest for me to plan! Here are some pics from the science center. We went with our new neighbors the Vastbinders. The kids have really enjoyed hanging out with their 5 kids.

Starting a new business. Please refer your friends to me if they are in need of any dresses or sewing lessons.

Girls New Hair Cuts

Sarah has been itching to donate some of her hair. Kate decided that she and her "twin" Devon needed to get the same hair cut. So, off we go to our friend Cheri who is a friend of ours and also cuts hair.
Here's Sarah all ready for the cut!

A little nervous!

Here we go!

8 inches to donate!

Here is the result, a very cute little bob.

Time for Kate and Devon to get their matching hair cuts. They turned out so cute! I'm starting to believe these girls may be Siemese twins. It's hard to separate them.

You think she likes her new haircut?

Justin's 1st Half Marathon

Justin's not quite awake yet.

O.K. Ready to go!

Justin had a burst of energy at the end when he saw Eric close to the finish line. He sprinted to the finish line.

Christmas 2009

We had a fun time at Aunt Mary's in Bremerton on Christmas Eve. I'm not sure what the girls liked better, their new socks or the bows?




Christmas morning

Sarah again, having fun with packaging!

Kate is in love with "Jacob" and was so happy he was on her birthday month in her new calendar.
It was nice to get back to basics for Christmas this year. It was fun to see the kids make gifts for each other or sacrifice the money they saved to buy a gift for their brother or sister. I think this is a tradition we will keep every year!
We missed our other family members who don't live close but we have each other and we are becoming really close. That is so important to us and it is so fun to watch these children of god grow up right in front of us. We give our thanks to our savior for his Christmas gift, eternal life!

Sailing with the Sea Scouts Dec 2009

One Saturday in December, BJ's 16 yr old cousin Ben invited us to go on the sailboat with his Sea Scout Troop in a lighted Christmas parade on the Puget Sound. We had so much fun even though it was pretty cold. The skipper looked like Santa and the boat was decked out in Christmas lights. We had a pot luck and we got to see Ben in action at the wheel of the boat! Thanks for a great time Ben.

Eric's Birthday Nov 29th, 2009

It's all about the Bakugan for this 7 yr old.

So his sister's decided they needed to decorate a Bakugan cake for him.

He is so excited and loves his Bakugan cake!

Make a wish (for more Bakugan, of course)

Oh no, we have to take the Bakugan off the cake to eat it:(

Happy New Year

We had a fun new years eve with some friends of ours. I just couldn't have another holiday without a ton of people in the house, so we invited some of our closest friends and family. We were told we know how to party but thanks to Nichole for bringing some of the fun stuff too and everyone else for bringing great food!


My friend Sue attacking Kate after Kate attacked her. It's perfectly legit, I promise. Sarah's getting into the action too
.


Kate has a twin named Devon. They even have the same PJ's so they had to wear them, of course. Everyone at school gets confused between the two of them and they love that. They are such good friends. They had to be invited to the party. Kate's other good friend Sarah Hill is also a regular around our house. Kate picks some good friends!