Driveway Picnic

Though it's not quite summertime, the sun was shining for awhile today, so the girls put together a driveway picnic. I think you had to wear a hat to be part of this picnic.

They were especially proud of their 'Baggy Salad'. They cut up carrots and lettuce, put them in a big baggy with some dressing, gave it a few good shakes, and voila - a perfect salad. I think we may see more of these Baggy Salads in the future. It's so fun to see them have such a great time together. These are the moments lives are made of.

Princess Ball

Tonight is 'Daddy's Little Princess Ball' at the school. After many prayers and a few calls from the travel dept. Robert was able to arrive home about 2 hours before the ball. Yeah! They asked that each Princess bring her own Prince so Lindsay and Em asked our Home Teachers to escort them tonight. Here is Emi with Kelvin Anderson, a father of 4 grown boys. I don't think Kelvin has every been to a 'Princess Ball' before.

Kayla, as the oldest, was able to have Dad as her date. There's always advantages of being oldest.

Here is Lindsay with Riley, who is a friend of Aubrey's and lives just down the street from us. (Aubrey still finds it odd that her home teacher is in one of her classes at school.) We love the home teaching program and the blessing Kelvin and Riley are to our family's lives.

The crew headed out to the Ball. Mom was working the kitchen, so I was only able to see them for a minute as they went though the food line. The turn out for the activity was amazing! Well over 1000 Prince and Princesses came to the Jordan Ridge Castle - which led 'our' crowd weary prince and princess to head for the local Gelato shop after taking their portraits and hitting the dance floor for a few minutes.
A very heartfelt THANK YOU to all those that do so much to bless our lives and the lives of our girls!

Snowed In

Robert is in New York this week for work.  He travels to New York and Omaha quite a bit and knows how bitterly cold and unpleasant the weather can be in those locations during the winter.  This trip solidified his dislike for Northeast snow and ice storms.  It's been bad.  Now his flight home has been cancelled and rebooked for Saturday.  The girls have a Daddy-Daughter Ball at school tomorrow night, so we are praying he will make it home for that, and life is just better when we're all home. 

Sister Bakers

The girls made some super yummy chocolate chip cookies this week. Oooh they were good. Gotta love these sister bakers.

Home Decor

Decorating...is not my thing. I would much rather organize something than decorate it, but I'm trying. With the new drapes and cornice, I went to Tai Pan to get some new 'home decor'. I picked out a few things I liked then tried to 'place' them throughout the room to make it look nice.

You can even tell by my vocabulary that I don't know what I'm doing, but oh well. I'm not going to spend much time stressing over this.

One of my sisters gave me this plague for my birthday --- she said it typified who I am. I value people and experiences much more than things; especially nic-nac decor. Come by sometime to visit or share a few moments of life together - that I would love; and if you have a talent for "decor" you are more than welcome to move stuff around.

Sidenote: I recently bought the girls new comforters and they came with a one year subscription to Martha Stewart Living. Our 1st 2 issues have been delivered, and as I've flipped through I have felt nothing. No excitement, no motivation, nothing. I am totally drawn to natural beauty and simplicity and hope our home is reflective of that. It's our own 'heaven on earth'.

Alta Breakfast

 Last September, Lindsay won 2nd place in the Alta Peruvian 8K.  Her award was Breakfast Brunch for 2 at the Alta Resort.  Today she and dad drove up to the snow for their monthly date and yummy brunch.  They both came home 'stuffed' so I think they were well fed.  I'm so glad the girls are able to spend some one on one time with Robert.  He is the BEST!

New Hair

Aubrey got a new hair style this week. I still hardly recognize her when I turn the corner. She looks great and is adjusting to having bangs again, especially when she wears her hair up in a ponytail. She's growing up on us.

Trafalga

We finally started using our Trafalga annual passes. The older girls spent most of their time playing lazer tag, while Robert and I did rides with the younger girls.

B was a little nervous on the frog hopper, but relaxed a little as the ride went on.

Most of the outside activities were closed due to the snow, but we did get one ride on the merry-go-round.

And the girls picked out their carts for go-cart racing next time we go.

Game Time

Brenna found this empty rubbermaid so we started playing 'Jack-in-the Box'. She would get in the box with the lid just sitting atop. I would have to pretnd I was turning something on the side of the box while singing "All around the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasal. The monkey thought it was all in fun." Then BAM, up she came with a laughing "Pop goes the weasal".

Later we cut out a game from her High Five Highlights Magazine. You had to be the first one to collect 4 socks. She won. I came in a close 2nd with 3 socks.

I love being a Mom!

Dad's Job

For preschool today Brenna was supposed to dress-up to show her Dad's job. What do you think? Does she look like a financial anaylst that is the head of strategy for RSO (don't know what that stands for) and works a lot for TD Ameritrade.

I was thinking it would be easier if her dad were a firefighter, but I do like that one boy wore a Deron Williams jersey. I don't think D- Will's son goes to our preschool, but maybe?

She liked wearing the tie and I appreciate my friend who tied it for her. I don't have a clue???

Just Cute

I was taking a picture of B in her business attire and the other girls wanted their pictures taken in their school attire. You girls look good!

New Years

This year Aubrey went to a party and Kayla had a party in the basement.

Gone are the days when Robert and I could actually sneak to bed before midnight.

It's always fun to have the girl friends over and I think they all hada great time!

Donuts

Aubrey makeing donuts on the ripstick.

She could put Dunford's out of business - one 5 donut batch at a time. Yum.

B & K

Today we hit the McDonalds playland with Kenzie, Kie, and Kade, while the rest of the sisters were at school.  Brenna and Kade have been friends since the womb.  I want to capture more pictures this year of the kids in their normal routines.  Playing with Kade is an important part of B's normal routine.  We love Kade, Kenzie,and Kie's family as our own.  Glad we could spend the day together.

Showtime Cat

Emi has a DVD called Showtime Cat that teaches you a dance and comes with this amazing cat dancing costume. 

Brenna asked me to get it down from the top of the closet so she could do it while the sisters were at school.

She had a great time.

All smiles after her final performance.

Bedhead

Brenna's bedhead.  I don't want to forget these precious days.

New Years Puzzle

Each New Year's Day, after we watch the Rose parade, we work on a puzzle.  This year it was 'Gingerbread Houses'.  It was a challenge, but we did it.