Baby Jesus

As many of you already know, I was recently called to be the ward nursery leader. It has been a very fun calling for me and I am enjoying myself and I already love those little children (two of which are my own). Church goes so fast! Anyway, for the past month we have been talking about Jesus Christ being the Son of God. I wanted each child to have a baby Jesus to take home with them for Christmas. After a few searches, I didn't find anything I really liked, so I decided to make some of my own. Those of you who know me know that I don't sew or really do many crafts in general. However, these babies went together so easy and I enjoyed making them. I made a little "manger" box to put them in. It really made me feel the spirit of Christmas as I sewed each one and thought of the children taking them home to share with their families (even if half of the eyes I did upside down). I know that Christmas really is about Christ and giving him was the best thing that I could do for myself.

Happy Anniversary!

Has it really been 9 years? I guess when I look at all we have done, it isn't too hard to believe. We have three beautiful daughters, have lived in three different states and Matt is just about to complete his third college degree. When I was younger I really did believe that life just got easier and easier as you got older. Now I know the truth and it makes me even more grateful to have an amazing husband to be with when things aren't what I think they should be. It doesn't hurt that he likes to mop floors and can fix a car when things get desperate. I love you Matt!

I love fall

Too bad fall is over. It came and went so fast that I hardly had time to notice it. However, we did have a great November. Here are a few things we did...

Playing in leaves. I put the picture of me in here just so everyone knows who rakes the leaves in this family! I actually mowed my lawn on November 30th just to get rid of the last leaves. I love having a neat yard. It can snow now!
Face Painting? It really started as finger painting, but who is to say that the hand is better than the face?

The Magic House. We went there about a year ago and my girls loved it. This time it was even bigger and better. We had a great day.

Lindsay for President- I would vote for her!

Bird, birds, birds.
I was inside my house and I could hear this really loud noise. I walked out the front door and could tell it was birds, but I didn't see any. A few minutes later Ruth and I looked out the back door and found them all in our backyard. There we so many. We watched them for a long time.

And last, but not least, we decorated for Christmas!

Halloween 2009

We had a good week of Halloween. It started the week before by making these fun spiders and spider webs with the girls and decorating the house.
We carved a pumpkin, but only one this year. I decided that since Matt and I do all the work, one would be plenty. The girls each got mini pumpkins and used markers. Ruthie did a happy face, mean face one. Mariah did a cute one. Notice Lindsay is not in these pictures. We don't let her do anything fun with us:)
We used up all our Parade candy making "haunted houses" with Ruthie and her friend Evelyn. I made a log cabin with all of the tootsie rolls. By the time I took the picture it was coming apart. I guess all the candy was too heavy for the graham crackers.
Friday Mariah had her class party. She was a ghost this year. She wanted to be something scary.
Mummy wrap game. The kids really liked this one.
Halloween Party and Truck o' treat at the church. I don't know what was up with my camera, but all the pictures we took outside were weird. Matt grew out his hair for about 6 weeks for his Halloween costume. When he came out of the bathroom with the top of his head shaved I laughed so hard. I'm so used to seeing him without any hair. The hair around the edges gave him a look that I don't want to see often. Lindsay was really into Halloween this year. Especially when she found out there was candy involved. We finished up by going around our Neighborhood on Saturday evening.
Another great shot of Matt's hair.

October

Ok, so I have fallen a little behind on my blog. October was a busy, fun month. I can't believe that Halloween has already come and gone! (more on that later). Anyway, in the middle of October Ruthie and I took a trip to Newton, KS to see an old friend's daughter get baptized and to pick up my Mom and bring her back here to spend a few days with us. It was a short trip, but we were so happy to have her here. Ruthie loved the trip until she realized she would have to sleep the night without her sisters. She wanted to drive home (5 hours ) just about the time we reached the hotel. The only thing that calmed her down was knowing we could eat breakfast in the hotel the next morning. It was great to have my mom here even if the time was too short. She taught my daughters the "muffin song" that they sing all the time and reminds them of Grandma.
Lindsay showing off for Grandma - Mac and cheese bowl on her head!
Other October events
Swimming Lessons - again. My girls love them and it helps them fall asleep very fast. Mariah learned to dive and Ruth almost passed level 2a, we will try again.

Homecoming Parade
Fun even if it was a little cold.
I had to keep a hold on Lindsay's hood to keep her from running into the street. The Frat boy sitting next to us got a big kick out of her and got her some really great stuff.

Swine Flu 101

So the other night at dinner Matt asked the girls where Swine flu comes from. Ruth instantly answered that you buy it. She then added that she would like a princess swine flu. We are all girl in this house!

Lindsay 18 Months!

Welcome to Nursery Lindsay! That is my favorite part about 18 months. Other favorite things include:
-How she carries around her bear and blanket all the time. She gives her bear kisses and tucks him into bed with her at night. She calls him Teddy.
-She can understand so much of what you ask her to do and definitely understands no, even if she has to push it just a little bit.
-She loves to do anything her big sisters are doing.
-She loves to draw or color for hours.
-I can finally read a whole book to her, but only with a lot of actions.
-She has lots of smiles, laughs and giggles to share.
-I get to do her hair (or at least I should do her hair).

Here are the official stats:
Height 31 1/2"
Weight 21.3 lbs
Cute as a button. We cannot imagine life without her.