Little Man….

Corben:  “Look Mom, I'm already turning into a little man!  I'm getting a mustache...An 8 year old with a mustache!”

I love that kid…..

Gimme Gimme

Got this from my friend Rebekah!!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice for you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It’ll be done this year. {translation: you may be waiting a little while}

4. You have no clue what it’s going to be … it may be cards, a poem, a bookmark, something yummy or a complete surprise to you (and me!) … who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!

5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

6. Most importantly, you must offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog (or if you do not have a blog, Facebook, etc.) get something made by YOU! (No, I'm not going to check and see if you did it before making your gift....)

Pass it on! Fun Fun Fun!!!!

2-22-2009 Week in Review

Well, another exciting week has passed and so it's time to fill you in on all our fun....

Okay, so it was a mostly boring week.  Monday, Dade was sick & home from school.  It's also the day that Corben got his new Wii from his dad so you can imagine what we did for Family Home Evening!  It was also President's Day and in celebration Ryan brought me home roses.  He's cool like that.  Tuesday, I cleaned off a bookshelf....Yeah, Me!  Wednesday, my mom was sick so I got to take the boys to scouts and get some crocheting done.  It was nice to get some grown up conversation!  Thursday was Sisters in the Kitchen. (A little group we have from church where we get together and share recipes, eat & chat.)  I, of course, usually have little to share in the way of recipes or food but love to come for the chat part!  Friday, we did nothing....see, really exciting.  Saturday, we stared for hours at the computer at all the houses in the area that we'd love to move into....if we were rich.  Then, I ran to the store and Ryan took the girls out for some fun in the yard.  They found this lizard that Ella just loved!

Saturday night we had some of Ryan's family over to roast marshmallows.  I always love having family over.  I truly am blessed in the awesome family department.

So, now it's Sunday.  The girls were CRAZY at church today (Ella even bit me when I tried to get her into her car seat) so we put them straight to bed when we got home.  My sons are now standing behind me fighting over whether or not to play together and my husband, I'm sure, has fallen asleep in some far off room.  So, I'm going to end this teeny tiny blog and go play with Corben before heading out the door to take Dade to Standards Night.  Hope everyone's week was more exciting than mine!!

What I love about....Ella!

What I love about Ella....where do I even begin....

Her Smile, the funny faces she makes, that she'll eat anything (even books), her baby belly, how she tries to navigate while I drive, the way she calls Corben, "Menmen",
	her creativity, lack of fear, zest for life, fashion sense, love of nature, that nothing slows her down (rain or shine, cold or hot, she's as happy as can be),
the little flip at the end of her hair, that her first word was Jesus and she can point him out in any picture, her love of the wind, and the sun, and the moon, the way she loves to count and name the color of everything,
	her love of life, that she'll try anything at least once, her love of rocks, how she's says, "Bleck!", how she hates to be sticky or have her hands dirty but loves to role in the mud,
her beautiful, thin, dandelion hair, that she loves to pose, that she's always smiling (even when she's being bad), how she says goodnight to everything in her room before bed,
	how she giggles, how much she loves her sleep, that she'll say she's sorry, how smart she is, her love of shoes,
her dance moves, that a kiss fixes all her boo boo's, that she loves to brush her teeth, how much she loves to be read to, her animal impressions (especially monkey), her contagious laugh, how ticklish she is,
	that she runs to greet me, she gives the most heart felt hugs, how she loves a good pair of sunglasses,
she can't take a bad photo, the beautiful color of her hair, how she worries that her bunny is cold and needs a coat,
	her bracelets, that she loves to dress up in her fairy wings and "fly", how she likes to pretend she's leading the music at church, that she loves to sing,
that she's a ball of sunshine, that she loves Cinderella, how she charms everyone she meets (and even some she hasn't),
	how angelic she is, that she's "that kid", that no one can keep up with her exuberance, that she tries to walk down the slide or go head first,
her joyful grasp of every moment, the glisten in her eye, how much she loves Sylvie, her sweet little voice,
	her big blue eyes, that she has her daddy wrapped around her little finger (her brothers too), how she looks like Ryan's sister, Amy,
her intensity, how much she loves her family, her pigtails (when she leaves them in), that I have her in my life,
	her strength, her pure joy, that she never stops, her baby toes, her mischievous ways, that she can smile through anything (even a busted lip), that I get to spend Eternity with her!!

Ella has recently started talking. I think much of that is attributed to Sylvie's early talking and Ella's refusal to get left behind. It's been so fun, as she learns to express herself, to learn of everything she's known all this time and just couldn't say. She learned to say her numbers and in the same day counted to 10. She learned the names of the colors and the same day could name the color of most everything she saw. She's so excited that she can talk and spends most of her time making up for lost talking time. The most amazing part of it all is that most of what she says is expressing her love of something. She is a child so full of love. She hugs her rabbit that she takes with her everywhere and insists it wear a jacket when it's cold and that it get's kisses and hugs at night. She hugs her toys and the van, her shoes, and her fork. Everything is so exciting to her. She's started drawing and loves to sit and draw the members of her family and laughs as she shows them to each of us. Her enthusiasm is contagious. Two weeks ago, she and I were laying on the couch pretending to sleep. I said, "Goodnight, Ella, I love you." and she looked at me, smiled and said, "luv you too". I laid there soaking in the moment. It was the first time she'd said the word love. A moment later, she rolled over and smiling, said, "I love you." I looked right back at her, and meaning it with my whole heart, said, "I love you, too, Ella." I really, really do.

2-15-2009 Week in Review

Well, I have to say, this was quite a nice week, for the most part.  The weather was AMAZING so we spent a lot of time outside.  I sure have missed being outside!  I HATE the cold....  Anyway, we started off Monday with a trip to the park with Aunt Rachel & cousins, Noah & Nathan.  Ella had a blast!  (Check out the slide pics in the post below.)  It was really a nice evening!

We had TONS of fun!!

 

Tues & Wednesday we decided to enjoy the beautiful weather and have a porch  picnic!  I have a gate out on the porch that allows the girls to go from the living room to the porch without me having to worry (too much) that they'll escape into the yard.  It was so nice out we decided to have lunch outside! (Yes, again in their PJs.)

Thursday I headed out early to go take some pictures of my friends little baby girl.  I ended up with a ton of beautiful photos of the baby and her big brother.  With their mom's permission I'm posting a few of them.     

So, Ryan and I decided that it's high time I start making a little money taking all these pictures.  I haven't figured out how much I'm going to charge yet, I'm still working out all the logistics.  Anyway, just so people know, I'm available.

This week was a week of sick kids at our house.  Corben missed school Monday & Tuesday thanks to a mean fever & headache that wouldn't let him rest.  Wednesday, Dade caught something and missed school the rest of the week.  I actually made it onto the news Wednesday (sort of).  There was an "accidental" shooting on one of the school buses going to Dade's school Wednesday morning.  (Not sure how accidental you can call it when the kid brought the gun on the bus on purpose to show some friends & then accidentally shot a friend in the leg.)  Anyway, Dade called to have me pick him up because he wasn't feeling well and I pulled up to the school at the exact moment they were doing a live news feed to ABC News channel 11.  You can see me in the background getting out of my car and going into the school with my arms loaded with small children.

SATURDAY was WONDERFUL!!  My amazing mom came over early (after keeping Corben overnight) and watched the kids for over 6 hours!!  Ryan and I went to the Farmer's Market, the Flea Market, walked around the Museum of Art trails, and finally had an early dinner at one of our favorite Italian restaurants.  There was no rushing, no worries, just a fabulous time together.

This is inside the cloud chamber at the museum, the light reflects through a pin hole in the ceiling to make an upside down picture of the sky on the walls and floor.  We enjoyed it until the old Hobbit chased us off LOL.

Saturday night I headed out with my SIL, Rachel, to the temple for an evening of practicing our night shots.  I don't have any pictures as we only had one tripod and it held her camera.  We did learn a lot about lighting and angles, though, and had a great time.  We were enjoying ourselves so much that I almost didn't hear the sound of a gate closing and being locked as they were closing up for the night.  Luckily we caught them before they drove away and they came and let us out.  Can't think of a safer place to be locked into, but still, I probably would have died trying to climb over that fence!!

Sunday was my birthday!!  The Primary sang to me 3 times...and it was GREAT!  After church my family came over with lunch and cupcakes.  I am really blessed to have such a wonderful family.  Afterwards, we headed to a friend's house for dessert.

So, definitely a wonderful week.  The weather has turned cold again but I'm optimistic that Spring will be here soon!!

Down the slide.....

Ella LOVES going down the slide....

2-8-2009 Week in Review

Ya know, I always have to pull out the calendar and look through my pictures folder because, by Sunday, I can never remember what we did during the week.

Okay, so to start, here's a cute picture that I forgot to post from last week of Ella, Sylvie & Xander.  Yes, Ella is currently eating a book...or a wipe...

Monday, Ryan started work on expanding our kitchen!  He is moving some air ducts so we can fit some more cabinets.  I'm so excited!

Tues. Corben was home from school with CVS so we pulled out the playdough.  Ella was so excited....and yes, she was in her pj's most of the day.  What can I say.

Sylvie also decided Tues that she never wants to wear diapers again so pink duct tape is now an addition to every diaper change!  Corben also decided to try out the apple sandwich recipe from the Friend magazine this month.  We didn't have raisins but Corben thought it was okay anyway.  Not is favorite, thinks it needed more peanut butter.

Wednesday was scouts and as usual, my mom came to take the boys.  Lately she's been taking Ella along as well but it's been hard to keep up with her in the church so we decided that this time mom could stay home with both girls & play while I went to the church and caught up with friends and did some crocheting!  Thanks, Mom!

Thursday, my great SIL Erin came over to help me in my "new" goal of really getting organized.  She helped me get the area over the washer and dryer all sorted out and organized!  I am so thankful!  I've recently looked into hiring a professional to come in and help me out with a few trouble spots that I just can't seem to manage.  If any of you know anyone who'd be willing to help me out for less than the price of the pro's, let me know!!  I also need a decorator who will just come in and say, "Paint that wall this color, and paint that wall that color, hang that picture there, etc, etc."  It's time I felt comfortable in my house!!

Thursday night we went out with the missionaries to take a new family on a tour of the church.  It was so much fun!  I'm so excited to get to have the discussions taught in my home!!  I'm looking forward to getting to share my testimony on a more personal level with someone.  Say a little prayer we can keep the Spirit strong in our home.

Friday....well I should have been blogging here about the fun Valentine's party that Ella & Sylvie went to BUT....I forgot.  In fact, I've forgotten the last 2 activities!...my brain is mush sometimes.

Saturday was AWESOME!!  My wonderful mother wrote an amazing children's song.  It's so good, in fact, that I told her she needed to sell it and make a million dollars....SO, in the spirit of all things my family loves to do, WE MADE A MUSIC VIDEO!!  Not just your typical, run of the mill, music video, but a REAL music video....in a STUDIO!  Mom recorded the track first and she was filmed singing the song, then the FUN began!  We brought along 10 kids (8 were 4 & under) to act out the verses in front of a green screen that we'll later add a background to.  They got to throw leaves around, climb on a big fake rock, & play musical instruments.  It was CRAZY but so much fun!!  The kids did great and we're all looking forward to the finished result.  Mom's main focus with this was to make something fun for all the grandkids to remember, if she gets rich, it's just a happy side note. :)

So, now it's Sunday and Corben stayed home from church with a fever, I had a gallbladder attack but headed out to church anyway to take Dade & lead the first half of the music in Primary.  I then zoomed home so Ryan could head to church for the last hour to teach his lesson.  We're having some great friends over tonight that we haven't seen in a while.  They're the couple that introduced Ryan & I.  We're looking forward to a fun night of family, friends, and s'mores!