Snow Days

Monday and Tuesday we didn't have school. So, what to do? The girls, of course, played in the snow. The total time outside being less than it took to get them ready. We didn't have enough snow to make a snowman outside, so we made little men inside. A few years ago I learned that if you wet (lick them or place them on a damp towel) packing peanuts they stick together and you can create your own sculptures. They don't really look too much like snowmen, but it was fun anyway and now you know what to do with packing peanuts.

Go Speed Racer

Lindsay has been working on her walking skills. This week she finally decided to use her walker toy instead of just playing with the toys on the front. Here is one of her first attempts. She is starting to have more control now but still hasn't figured out how to turn herself around. When she hits a wall she looks expectantly at the closest person as if to say, "I'm ready to go the other way now."

She also started saying her first recognizable words this week. Her first word was "Hi." We have no doubt why. Every time we look at her we find ourselves saying, "Hi Lindsay". Mariah and Ruth are especially good at it. Her second word was Dada. She now says, "Hi Dada" when he comes into the room. Very cute. I'm counting it as her first sentence. Still no Mama, but after past experience, I don't mind the delay. I know that I will be hearing "MOM" more often than I want in a few years. The following video shows her saying her new word, but also some sibling "helping." Viewer discretion is advised.

We Did it!

Last year we set a goal to read The Book of Mormon as a family. Earlier this month we finished. We had a little celebration and a yummy treat in honor of our accomplishment. Mariah has been keeping track by coloring this sign all year. We think next year we are going to shorten scripture reading a little for Ruthie. She did really well, but I don't know how much she got out of it. Both girls are excited to say they have "read" The Book of Mormon.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Mariah had her first school Christmas Program on Monday. She did a really great job and sang with all her heart (that means really loud). We got there early and still had to sit way in the back. Our friend took these pictures of Mariah for us. Mariah was in the front row about 7-9 people from the left, depending on how you count. The dress she is wearing I bought two years ago for Christmas and loved it. Mariah however has only worn in 3 or 4 times and each time I had to bribe/beg her to wear it. Now that it is almost too small she has decided to like it. I guess we will get one more Christmas out of it.

Deck the Halls

Sunday we put up our tree. It was a cold day with a fire in the fireplace and snow outside.

Lindsay loves the tree, but not too much. We are surprised at how little she actually tries to take things off. I will admit that after the girls decorated the tree most of the ornament were at the bottom. Now, a few days later, the bottom 1/3 of the tree is very bare.

Ruth trying on the "socks"

Go Mizzou!

We ventured out last Friday night to see the Mizzou girl's volleyball team. At BYU we went all the time, but this was our first try here (and with three children). We only made it through the first two games, during which Mariah made a poster to cheer the team on, we enjoyed complimentary sugar cookies, went to the bathroom twice, and Ruth took off her shoes (good thing her toenails were done). The girls had fun! We think we'll try it again, but it will have to be next year because it was the last home game of the season.

Cute Children

Lindsay can't crawl fast enough without the use of both hands, so she came up with this clever way for getting stuff around the house. Often it is a sock. Better than a dog any day (and more entertaining)!
Ruth and her shades!

Mariah and her mask that she made at school. Very cute!

Be careful what you wish for...

Yesterday, as I was starting my 7th load of laundry, I noticed yet another piece of food being chased under the washing machine by a child. My thought: I wonder when I can get Matt to move them so I can clean out from underneath...
Fast forward a few hours. I arrive home from Book Club to discover that my husband has removed my dryer from the washing area and has the washing machine is in pieces. Apparently, sometime after I had left, Matt noticed it was making a funny noise and the water was not draining out of it. He had the back off and it didn't look like we could find anything to fix.
So, I made a quick call to Matt's father (thanks Dad!) for a little help and in two brief hours our washing machine was fixed (darn little baby socks!) and I had a very clean floor in the laundry closet. We managed to get to bed sometime after midnight.
Another bonus, we found the battery cover to our computer mouse. It has been missing for a year and a half! We had been using cardboard, but recently upgraded to a paper clip. What a happy ending.

Me taking out all the water so we could tip it and get to the bottom.

Matt taking out the offending part

There's No Spa Like Home

Last Saturday, while Matt was working again, we had a little girls spa at the house. Mariah and Ruth both had birthday parties to go to and loved getting "done up" to go. They enjoyed all the attention and are asking when we will do it again. (Have I mentioned before how much I love having girls? I don't think my husband would let me do a pedicure to his son.) The only bad part was Lindsay woke up before I got my turn. Oh well, I guess that means we need to do it again soon and I'm going first!This is Ruthie pre-hair and make-up portion

A few good reasons to be happy

It seems like when I am healthy I don't really appreciate what my body is doing and how much I rely on good health. This last week has given me a lot of time to think about my blessings. My back went out on Sunday morning and by Friday I finally felt well enough to leave my house. Here is a small list of a few things that I had to be happy about:

I'm grateful for...
My loving husband who did a ton of dishes and folded a ton more of laundry. I really couldn't have made it without him.
A very generous friend who conducted and taught sharing time for me on Sunday at the last minute.
Good friends who called to find out if I was alright and if they could do anything to help.
Yummy pizza!
All the primary children who prayed that I would get well soon.
Falling gas prices (we just reach 1.79 yesterday)
That my two year old is potty trained- even if I still do most the wiping.
A fabulous five year old who helps set the table and cleans up without being asked (at least yesterday).
Finally, my sister, Jennifer,who just found out she is having twins. Yea! Congratulations Jen and Boe we are very excited for you. Now we have a good reason to come and visit next summer.
My life is good and I have many more reasons to be grateful than what is listed here. I guess this might just be a to be continued...

Happy Halloween!

It feels like Halloween has already been going on for weeks. Here are a few of the highlights. I will post the real Halloween pictures later.

Mariah dressed up for her friend, Hunter's, Halloween Birthday Party on October 17.

Ruth dressed up as a bunny, just because she wanted to dress up too.

Homecoming parade last Saturday, October 25. Not really Halloween, but the kids came home with so much candy, that it practically counted as trick-or-treat.

It was a cold morning, but nothing that hot chocolate and winter coats couldn't fix.

On Monday, October 27, we carved our pumpkin. Only one this year, but the girls each drew a bunch of faces and we voted. I think it turned out nice.

It does resemble at least one member of our family

On Wednesday, October 29, we had the ward trunk-or-treat and dinner activity.

Ruthie loved the doughnut on a string and did surprisingly well.

We hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!

Train up a child in the way she should go...

Matt took Ruth with him to school on Monday. While looking at google news, Ruth saw a picture and told Matt it was Barack Obama. Needless to say, Matt was a bit surprised that our two year old knew that. I guess that's what happens when you live in a state where every other commercial is for Barack Obama. He is very well known with the two year crowd in our house.

The next morning I was in the van and decided to question Ruth.
Me: Ruth, who is Barack Obama?
Ruth: He lives in Washington. It's broke.
Me: Do you know who John McCain is?
Ruth: NO.

A few day later I questioned Ruthie again.
Me: Who is John McCain?
Ruth: He's ours! Not Barack Obama.
Me: Good girl.
You can never start too young is all I can say.

Happy 30th Birthday Jen!

Happy Birthday Jennifer! We love you and the girls miss their "favorite" aunt. We hope you have a fabulous day! Thank you for 30 years of great memories.

Here are my top 10 favorite things about Jen:
10. You like the ocean.
9. You're always on my side (OK, not really, but you let me believe that)
8. You're my twin (only you're "the pretty one" and we're not the same age)
7. You like dogs. ( I won't hold that against you)
6. You hate being called Jenny.
5. You like the sun - HOT HOT HOT!
4. You love to shop.
3. You make me laugh. (Crazy Jen)
2.You can make yourself laugh (HA,HA, HA, HE, HE, HE, HO, HO, HO)
1.You're one of my best friends and a great sister.

Fall Camping

Last weekend we went camping with a few friends. The kids, of course, had a fabulous and dirty time. The weather was perfect. Not too cold and not too hot. Good food, good friends, good fun. Our tent is on the right. We just upgraded from a five man after feeling a little cramped camping earlier in the summer. All the leg room was great.

A man and his fire.

Yummy Jello Salad

I Love Smore's
My best camping idea. We took Lindsay's pack and play. She slept well and I had someplace to put her and keep her from swallowing every stick within her reach.

The Dad's took all the children on a little hike (Moms had a little chat time)
Say Cheese

Wood, axe and kids. What should we make?
A small house, aka child corral.
The prisioners escape.Two year old babysitters?
Peek-a-boo!

All tired out. Time to go home.