The Work and the Glory

Has anyone seen this yet? Is it any good? I guess it has finally been released in this state, but the theatres are all way too far away. I really wanted to see it - but I guess I'll have to wait for the DVD. Is it worth the watch?

Ira's My Guy

Ira just came over and loaded up my freezer for me. Isn't that nice of him? What a guy - he's so dependable, coming every other Wednesday night. The kids get so excited, too.

We always get pizza to have on hand for when we have a babysitter. Tonight was mostly replenishing the vegetables. I love the Sweet and Savory Roasted Apple Orzo. It's a great side dish, even for parties or company. What's your favorite from Schwans?

Shhh . . . don't tell

And nobody will know it's not the real thing. I finally picked up an "interim" ring this weekend. We went out on a Saturday night date ring shopping (for the real thing), but this will have to do for now. Thanks, Pixy Stix for the tip!

Clean and Pure

Dressed in White, ready to be washed clean and be accountable! We had a busy week, and it ended on such a sweet note. Madison was baptized on Saturday ~ it was a beautiful service and she had been preparing for quite some time. She was nervous, but mostly excited. Dad was very emotional and so happy to be able to perform the baptism. It's a day you look forward to for a great portion of your life!


There was one other girl getting baptized, too. Her name is Bryn (and she's a miniature Chloe). They went to pre-school together so it was fun for them to be back together again. Madison is a little missionary and had many friends from school in attendance. I think we had 86 guests come. It's so wonderful to be surrounded by loving friends and family.

Afterwards, most joined us at our home for dinner. Feeding 70+ people is no small undertaking. Here is a bit of family enjoying some food: Domonique, CJ, Adam (Andrea's boyfriend), Andrea, Renee, and Chris.

This has become a tradition: the kids all love to play on the hammock and end up getting a little wild. Luckily in all the years, nobody has been hurt. I think you can hear the screams of joyful terror from a mile away.

Our little family.

Burgeoning Talent

Each year, our elementary school holds a "talent show". This year, both my 2nd grader and kindergartner auditioned and played the piano for the show. It was so cute, and they were so nervous, but did very well.

When Brooke finished, she practically jumped up off the bench, did a slight curtsy as an afterthought, and leapt into my arms. So precious!

P-A-J-A-M-A: Pajama Party!

An 8-year old birthday party! We did a "pretend sleepover". The girls all came in the jammies with pillows, sleeping bags, and teddy bears, but got to go home by 10pm. (yeah for us!). We played old-fashioned games, made individual pizzas, banana splits and each girl got to decorate a pillow case to take home. It was a lot of fun and I highly recommend it!

Lining up for Pin the Feather on the Pillow! Even mom got into it with pj's and pony tails.












FREEZE Dance! We hooked the camera up to the tv so they could see themselves dance. A lot of loud craziness! Other games were: musical sleeping bags, and teddy bear toss. I think we should invent a game that involves a decibel reader. I seriously thought my new windows were going to shatter! 15 girls can really create some volume.

2 Sisters/2 Sisters - Weekend Getaway

A small, impromptu version of the "Sistas" weekend . . . and so much fun!!
For Carolyn's 30th birthday, her husband flew us in to surprise her and arranged a stay at a nice resort! The weather was beautiful and we had such a great time reconnecting - 34 years of memories complete with classic girl-time: talking until 2 a.m. and at-home facials!

Green faces are a bit scary, but we just had to do it for posterity! ;-)

The beauty treatments must have worked because people on the plane home thought we were on college spring break! THANK YOU!!!!! Was the icing on the cake of a fun weekend.

I was exhausted though as the night before I hosted a birthday party for 15 screaming 8-year old girls. We had an old-fashioned style party with a "pretend sleepover" theme. What fun - but exhausting and deafening! Then awoke before the crack of dawn to catch a flight. It was the first time away from my baby and we both survived (thanks to a pump!). I missed my family, but it was such a nice, fun, quick getaway.

I'm Officially In!

I have reached the high honor of being the recipient of "Good Mail"! How cool is that? What fun to receive something thoughtful in the midst of all the junk and bills.

Thanks Janae for my first Good Mail! (and now I have your new address!)

If The Pioneers Could See Us Now

Well, they probably could, but it's so amazing to me that John was able to fly out this morning, attend a meeting in Kansas, visit Liberty Jail, and be back home tonight. Modern Miracles! Someday we'll be able to take a family vacation to visit the Church history sites.