My Pet Head

We received Freddy the bodiless head from a white elephant gift exchange. He gets to live with us for a year. Olivia was terrified of him at first. In fact the first morning he was there the kids found him and were terrified. It took them awhile to warm up to him, especially Olivia, but now she loves him. When we go outside with him she puts a scarf on him. Today she decided he needed to go on a walk. I love this picture. :)

Young Women's

I recently got released from my calling as an advisor in the Mia Maid organization. It's been really hard for me. I miss teaching those girls, being with them on Wednesday, and feeling of their spirit. I miss it so much it's hard for me to think about. They have made me feel loved so much in the past two years, it's hard to say goodbye to it all. And I'm just starting to realize all the things that I'll be missing out on, like youth conference and girls camp. I'm so grateful that they still come visit me and hug me when they see me at church. They've even come in to say hi to me at my new calling in nursery a few times.

I've learned so much from these beautiful young women, they've been a light and inspiration to my life. I can't wait to see the wonderful things they accomplish. I know they will all do amazing things. I know that they will make a difference and raise righteous children. I truly love all the young women in my ward and I'm so grateful for them and that I got to spend two glorious years with them.

Friday night I got to serve at the Young Women Medallion dinner with some of these beautiful young women. It was a great night. I'll take all the service opportunities I can to be with the youth.

Me, Michelle, Allie, Maddie, and Kianna

Austin

This boy kills me. He's always cracking jokes and singing songs. Whenever his friends come over they say, " you guys like to sing a lot." It's so true, we are always singing in our house. And I love that my kids make up songs because that's what I grew up with. My dad and his crazy songs. There are many times I'll hear a song on the radio and the tune is right but the words are wrong. Cameron always tells me, "that's because your dad changed the words." I love how much we were sung to, I love that my kids can make up a song on the spot and most the time it rhymes. I love hearing Austin sing. Here's a letter he had to write for school on what he wants for Christmas. I read it over and over again because it is his personality all wrapped up into 2 paragraphs.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I want a football for Christmas. I think I deserve a football because I have lovely singing. Oh ya and my lovely dancing. So give me a FOOTBALL!!! PLEASE?!?!?! I think you like my singing, right?

Well I don't think you like my singing so I don't have another reason. But I'm good at football. So I need a good football to play with, and I was good this year. I think.

Love, Austin

Livy and The Camera

Livy wanted to do a photo session so we got her all dolled up for it. She's growing up so fast and I'm sure going to miss her little chubby cheeks when they thin out. Growing up happens so fast, and she's still seems like she should just be a baby. I need to take lots of pictures so I never forget her at this age. It's a good thing I love taking pictures.

Livy and her baby

Olivia got two baby dolls for Christmas. Her favorite one was from her grandpa Mike. She's named her baby Ashlyn (after her little friend). She takes her doll everywhere and treats her like she's real. We have to be quiet when her baby is napping and watch as Olivia swings her all around the room. We take her on walks to the park and make sure she has plenty to eat. She's a great little mommy.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's cards we made for the kids to pass out. Their friends loved them, and so did their teachers.

Spelling Bee 2012

We are so proud of Greta for choosing to participate in the spelling bee for her first time. She's overcome being shy in so many ways and this is just one example of many. She was scared when it finally came time, but she did great. There were close to 50 contestants and she was #14. On the first round she got the word Friday and spelled it right. It was the hardest word given that first round. The 2nd round she got whisk and forgot the h. That was the only word she struggled with on that first side of 220 words we studied. I can't believe that was the one she got.

After she missed the word she had to sit on the stage and wait for the round to end. Then she was able to come sit with us, when she did she broke down in tears. She was so sad she missed the word. We didn't care that she missed and after comforting her she decided to see who won. A kid in our ward Jacob Hill ended up taking first and his cousin (also in our ward) Livy Porter took 3rd. Greta was happy for them both.

To celebrate we took her to her restaurant of choice Chuckarama. It was so fun for me to be able to study with her. It took me back to my years of studying for the spelling bee and how much fun I had competing in it. I won it one year and got to on to the district spelling bee. I hope Greta will try again next year, along with Austin and Alina.



Alina was a great help to me that night by watching Olivia. However one time Alina was trying to get Olivia to be quiet and I was so wrapped up in the spelling bee I had tuned out the fact that Olivia was screaming. I quickly ran and got her and took her out. :)

Alina

Alina Mae is such a sweet girl. I've been thinking about her lately and noticing how thoughtful she is. We recently had a lesson for FHE on what our love languages are. Alina's is words of affirmation. She loves to receive little notes of love and encouragement. She loves to help me because she knows it makes me happy. She's my girl who never complains when I ask to help clean or cook. She's right there willing and excited. It makes me happy and I love seeing that it makes her happy. I love writing her notes, she cherishes them. I love snuggling her because it's important to her. I'm very grateful to be her mom.

Medication

Olivia is constantly saying the word medication when she plays with her babies. We aren't sure where she's heard this word. None of us are ever on medication or even use it that often when we are sick. It's a mystery. So it was really funny to find her baby like this one day.



We love watching Olivia play with her baby. She's such a cute little mom to her dolls, she reads to them, takes them on walks, and only drops them on their head on accident about 10 times a day. :)

Olivia The Escape Artist

This little stinker is so cute and frustrating all at once. I entered this picture in a photo contest and the theme for the contest is love. Here's what I wrote about it.

My two-year-old Olivia is as cute as they come. She's also as stubborn, opinionated and ornery as they come. She'll be three in April and I thought we were lucky and missed the terrible two's, oh how wrong I was. She's constantly sneaking out the garage door and "running away" when she's mad. She's usually mad because she can't have anymore candy, or it's nap time, or I looked at her funny. At least she takes a buddy with her, her favorite doll. I decided to take my camera with me and sneak some shots as she took off on her 5th journey for the day. But oh how I love this adorable two year old. She makes me very happy, even when she's naughty.