Birthday Dinner!

I really debated if I should reschedule my bday dinner due to the roads, but with half my girls there last night, it turned out great! (Although I missed those who couldn't come, had sick kids or had longer distances to travel- thanks anyway ladies! Love you!) DeArley picked me up and away we went to eat at Red Robin were my chicken sandwich awaited. It was great to just hang out and talk. I even left Roman home! Thank you ladies for my dinner, my fun gifts and just showing up! It meant so much to me! After a long day of kids, cleaning, getting burnt egg smell out of my house, fighting, constant messes, feedings, a noodle bath to clean up and more messes- it was great to get away for a few hours and just sit. Thanks again ladies, I love you! Andrea & Christy- I'll see you soon!

Our 6th Annual Noodle Bath...

Here are the crazy pictures of our 6th annual noodle bath. And once again, please excuse the fat rolls, farmers tan and any other unsightly image you are about to witness.

Sledding...

We took the kids sledding last night and they had a blast! Even Willow was wizzing down the hill laughing like crazy. It was beautiful to hear them having so much fun!

Blessing bags...

I saw this idea on Pinterest awhile back and we did it for FHE this week. Instead of giving $ out to homeless people or those on the side of the road, you give them a blessing bag filled with food and other treasures! We put a ton of stuff in each one: oranges, crackers, water, juice, peanuts, raisins, granola bars, tuna fish tooth brush/paste, floss, deodorant, paper, pen, fork, napkin, toilet paper, fruit snacks, candy, chapstick, shampoo, lotion and a note from our family. I loved the idea and now we just keep 1 in each car ready to hand out if we see someone in need. Thought I would pass it along!

The girl's begin piano lessons!

Brother Weyman at church is also the kids music teacher at school, so we decided to get the girl's signed up to take lessons from him for part of their Christmas present. They got a full sized keyboard for a present, and then my super sweet Papa sent 2 months worth of lesson $ for them! Mr. Weyman is honestly one of the greatest teachers I have ever known and the girls are super excited to start learning!

Chelsea and the twins come for a few visits...

These were taken on 2 seperate occasions when Chelsea and the twins came to visit! The one on the couch was last month (or end of Nov?) and the one of them in the bathroom "cleaning" the mirror with soap was a few days ago! I love you Chelsea and thanks for coming to hang out!

Grace lost her first tooth!

Well it happened! Miss Gracie pants lost her first tooth the other night when she was at Sister Green's house! The tooth fairy even found her over there and happily left 4 quarters under her pillow!

Kindness comes in all shapes and sizes...

This morning after doing doublers, I was getting ready to load Roman and my stuff into the van when a guy around my age walked over to me and said, "Can I help you with your groceries?" I said, "Oh, no, thank you, I got them." Next he said, "That's ok, let me help you" Once again I said, "Oh, that's ok, I'm fine." I started getting Roman into the van and told him, "thanks, but I'll be ok." He said, "I'm just waiting for my friend to change a tire- I insist." I saw his friend working on the truck a few stalls away and said, "Ok, thank you." He said he had kids too as he loaded my things into the trunk. He finished and said, "Have a great day and a Happy New year!" I got in the van and instantly repented. He was just being a nice guy and doing a random act of kindness, but I had been so fearful and rejected his generosity. I couldn't help it though- the city girl in me came out and I first thought: Heck no, I don't need your help, you're probably going to steal my keys, my purse, my baby, or me and drive off to a deserted place and do the unthinkable. I made sure Roman was in the van and next was my purse. I couldn't help my thoughts though in the beginning. It wasn't like he was scary looking, or hitting on me in a creepy way- it was just a guy trying to do something nice and it caught me off gaurd. When he walked away, I thanked Heavenly Father for the postive outcome and the reminder that I need to let others help me too. My mother -in-law told me years ago that when I deny the help from other people- I am really denying them the blessings they would have recieved. I think about that a lot as I struggle to let people help me in life. It's kind of a fine line though too- as trustuing as we want to be, we also have to be careful, and sadly, my first thoughts were not very kind towards him as I envisioned myself dead in the trunk surrounded by groceries and clearanced down Cranberry Febreze.  Today I was thankful for the nice man and the reminder that kindness really does come in all shapes and sizes.

The New Year...

I picked up DeArley from the airport Sunday at midnight and was so glad she was home safe. She naturally wanted to take the girl's for New Year's Eve for us, so I said, "ok, and thak you."  The girl's were so glad to have another sleep over and I was kind of thankful for 24 hours to clean, organize and work on coupons. Yup, that's how I spent my New Years- pretty eventful. Trav & Tristin played games for a few hours and then we watched a movie. We had pizza and I worked on laundry. We are pretty amazing over here folks! Welcome 2013!

It's Batman...

I had to buy these little jammies the other day. They were $3.00 and worth every penny when you see him in them! He looks so grown up! (He's sitting up with help now. He still falls over so you have to watch him!)