Young Women Lesson #2 - Jesus Christ, the Savior

Instead of reinventing the wheel, I decided to use a lesson I did last year, that teaches the girls to come to know their Savior. I felt it fit perfectly with what the lesson is trying to teach.

But this time, instead of making the little books, I had a bunch of notebooks I had picked up from Michaels over a year ago. So, I decided to give these little guys away.

Also, I gave the girls an opportunity to use the scriptures and notebook as a way to complete a Personal Progress Value Experience. If they read each scripture and write in their notebook, I will sign off a value experience under Faith.

How is that for multi-tasking :-)

Oh, and sorry about the picture... I took it from my iphone with hand one while balancing something in the other hand, hence the blurriness.

Catching up with Ella

I haven't been very good at keeping my kids journals, so I thought I better quickly write down some things that Ella has been up to these past few weeks.

1) Ella now recognizes Mickey Mouse and anytime she sees him, she yells out "Icky".

2) She also loves, loves ducks. Anytime she sees a duck (sign, stuffed animal, book), she yells out "ducky, ducky". I am not kidding, this girl loves ducks.

3) She now knows all the hand motions to "Ball for Baby" and "Popcorn Popping". if we sing these songs, she stops, does the motions with a big smile on her face and claps and shouts at the end of the song.

4) Ella follows and does anything Hannah does. She is definitely her little shadow.

5) Ella likes to turn off and on all the light switches. Not only around our house, but in other buildings too. This little activity can keep her quite busy.

6) Anytime she sees an animal, she always goes "hi. hi." in this squeaky, sweet voice. It doesn't matter if it is on t.v., a book or in real life. She particularly likes cats and dogs.
When we were out walking Chrismtas lights, we walked past a family with a dog and Ella was right up to it saying "hi", while Hannah was across the street scared as can be.

Little by Little

Every since we moved into this new house, there are several big ticket items that I have been waiting to purchase. It is a long list and one that will take a while to complete (I probably won't complete it while in this house). But one item on the list is a china cabinet.

This is an item that I always think of for older established families and I guess we have hit that mark. We received beautiful china from Denmark from my in-laws a couple of years back and they have been sitting in the garage in a box. I have been wanting a place to display them which is why a china cabinet has been top on the list. (thanks to Overstock.com and $2.95 shipping for this big, heavy piece of furniture, I was able to finally get one).

Well, it is being delivered today. I am so excited and feel so grown up. Here's to one more item off the list. Now, on to filling to empty formal living room. I guess we aren't that established yet :-)

Only One This Year

This year for Christmas, I only made one Christmas gift. Usually, I like to make my gifts (at least for the kids and moms), but this year with the sickness, I was only able to punch out one gift before it all began.

We had to give to two of the boy cousins this year and what better than personal super hero capes. Each boy got a cape that had a Superman logo on one side and their "super inital" on the other side.

They were pretty easy to make and I love that they were personalized.

Christmas Vacay in PIcs

I am finally getting to my Christmas pictures. It is taking forever to get back to normal life. Here is a quick recap of our time together and some pictures to show for it.

* The cousins playing hard and non-stop. Ella loved to play in the baby swing. Walker loved to say "Hannah" each morning as he woke up. Hannah loved bossing and smoothering Walker. Dallin loved watching Curious George and Cars and the cousins loved joining him.

* On Christmas morning, Hannah woke up and said "Did Santa come last night and leave presents?" When we said yes, she was so excited as she went down the stairs. On a side note... a few nights later her prayer consisted of "Please bless Santa Claus that he will bring me more presents next year." A little off the spirit of the season, but it was sincere and cute.

* Going to the Butterfly Pavilion and seeing the biggest bugs, spiders and butterflies you have ever seen. We even saw a butterfly emerge from it's cocoon. That brought back elementary day memories.

* Ella and Hannah got princess slippers for Christmas (4 pairs) and the girls would walk around in them all day. It was too much for Walker to take.... he had to wear them around constantly (along with the pretty pink satin gloves). Let's just say his dad was glad to get him home to more rugged, manly things.

* Having fun with so many babies. We had 3 grandbabies from 6 weeks to 5 months. It was so fun to have them lying on the floor all day.

* That is it for now. I am waiting for my sisters to do their recap. They are much better at this than I am... hint, hint.

Had to Share

Taking a step back before the holiday hub-bub. My family was together in SLC in October, we went on a great hike up Brighton Ski Resort. Well, I have to share some pictures from the hike. I love them and had to share.

Oh, all the photos were taken by my dad except the one of him and my mom (I took that one).

Starting Over

So, the new year is up and running... and now that we are back home, I am trying to get my life back in order.... laundry, shopping, unpacking, finding places for new toys, packing up decorations, etc.

But until I get my life in order, i thought I would share this cute little project for kids to help them with colors... it is super easy, fun and oh, so cute.

Enjoy making your very own Color Book.

Fun Movie Night

We watched a fun movie that other night as a family. Chris gave me "If a Man Answers". It is an oldie movie with Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin. It was a darling movie. The jist of the movie is this: Rich socialite, Sandra Dee meets and marries photographer Bobby Darin and attempts to "train" him to be the perfect husband using a dog training book.

Some things I noticed...

1) Sandra Dee's outfits were to die for! I loved each and every one of her them and there were a lot of outfits. I think living in the 50's would have been fabulous, if not for the fashion alone!

2) All the men watching the movie agreed with the "dog training lessons" discussed and used in the movie. So, ladies... treating your husbands like a pet might have some validity.

3) I don't watch many old movies, but I have to say Sandra Dee is adorable. I can see why she was the american sweetheart of her time.

So, if you are looking for a movie to watch that is a oldie but goodie.... check out If a Man Answers!

Our Christmas Begins...

The girls and I are off to Colorado for the holidays. For me, today is like Christmas day... I have been waiting so long to go home. It will be great to have the whole family together and to celebrate in our own home after 3 years of celebrating Christmas other places.

We are hoping to have a white Christmas (We know we will have the coldness for it). Hannah is at the age where Christmas is getting more and more exciting. And tons of little kids everywhere, what more could you want.

So, in case I don't blog before Christmas, I hope all of you have a great Christmas day! As my daughter is yelling around the house right now "It is Christmas day!" I am off to open pretend gifts under the tree.

Merriest Place Report

Our trip to Disneyland was full of holiday cheer with about half of the U.S. continent. First off, it was a lot more crowded than we thought it was going to be. Friday was just a disaster. It was so busy that gave people the choice to go behind the buildings of main street instead of dealing with the craziness of main street... very undisney-like if you ask me.

But besides that, again we had several "magic moments". Here is a recap:

1) We had lunch with the princesses. We were able to chat with Cinderella, Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. It was pleasant and pretty good food, but we came to the conclusion that we enjoyed Breakfast with Minnie much more.

2) We were in Adventureland just hanging out, trying to figure out our plan of attack for the next few hours when Hannah starts yelling "Jasmine! Jasmine!" and running away from us. I had no idea was she was doing or yelling out, but lo and behold there was Jasmine walking through the VERY busy streets of Adventureland all by herself.

Now for of those who know, when the characters are out walking, it is usually with a mission so as to not be stopped constantly by "fans". But she stopped for Hannah to give her a hug (she didn't have much choice Hannah was yelling at her and basically attacked her with a hug). But then Jasmine told Hannah she could walk with her. So, hand and hand, Hannah and Jasmine walked together down the crowded streets of Disneyland. Everyone was watching this "magic moment" and Hannah was oblivious as she talked Jasmine's ear off and then when we had to part ways, she kissed Hannah and gave her another big hug.

3) We were chatting with a "cast member" about her pins and after about 20 mins, we told her we had to be off to go stand in the 50 min line for the Haunted Mansion. She said it is really that long? YEP! She looked at her schedule and said "here, follow me". So, we followed her to the front of the line and walked right up to the entrance and right into the ride. It was amazing. We didn't have to wait a minute. Now that is what I call a "magic moment"!

4) Hannah had the best time with Goofy. He was so much fun. He looked at her postcard and was so excited to see himself and Hannah together he started jumping up and down. So, that got Hannah jumping up and down. Then he asked Hannah her name. She told him and he started to act like he was a rock star singing.... Uncle Brian said "yep, just like Hannah Montana" and Goofy went nuts again! So, Hannah started laughing and jumping up and down more. They danced together and he gave her tons of hugs and kisses. It was really so much fun... goofy is the best!

Keep it Simple

I had to put together some gifts for my young women and being in the mental state I am in (not having the desire to do much)... I came up with these simple bags. I share them only because if you need a quick packaging idea... this is simple and easy and I thought they turned out cute.

I got the bags at Target in the gift wrapping section. Clothes pins and the tags I got here.

I filled them up with candy and lip gloss/chapstick from the Dollar Spot at Target. They are fun flavors like Jolly Ranchers, Starburst, Nerds, etc. So, they smell and taste great. I thought they would be fun and old school, so who wouldn't like them.

There you go... Christmas gifts made super easy!

I could Win, You could WIN.

Hi everyone.

I was just told that I am a finalist in winning a giveaway. Basically it is because of my blog. But in order to win, I have to have people go to The Crafty Homemaker.
and vote for my blog by leaving a comment saying you like my blog!.

But the good news is that every comment you leave you get 1 entry into a giveaway for a basket from her too.

*THE PRIZE is a basket that she makes full of cooking, crafting, and crafted items.

So, if you are up for it and don't mind taking a little time, I would really appreciate your vote. Thanks... this message approved and paid for by me!

Time to Confess

Many of you know this by now and a number of you have probably guessed it by now, but for the others of you that don't know, I feel I have to confess why my blog has been so neglected the past few months.

I am pregnant! We are excited and thrilled to add on to our little family. But as you can guess, my first trimester is full of morning sickness, exhaustion and a lack of desire to do anything. I am starting to feel better and little by little getting my productivity back.

But because of the timing, this year's holiday's will be lacking in a few things. I want all my family and friends to know that I didn't forget you, but that I am not sending out Christmas cards this year and making little gifts for friends and neighbors. I promise to be better next year.

And as for the blog, after the new year...I promise to be better and have more to share! But until then; expect only "blotchy" entries.

Oh, and here is the Christmas card I was going to send out... Merry Christmas!

Ready for some Holiday Cheer...

Disney-style. We are off tonight to visit the merriest place on earth. We renewed our annual passes and had to his Disneyland at least once this holiday season. For those that don't know, it is like a completely different park during the holidays.

We can't wait to see It's a Small World (it is finally open again), to Toy Story Mania again, eat lunch with the princesses and of course pin trading :-)

Hope you all have a great weekend.

So cute

Okay, kids are so cute. Hannah loves to pray. and at night when she says her personal prayers it goes a little something like this.

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please protect me from the pretend monsters and pretend swipers and from my imaginations." This has been her prayer for weeks. I told her there are no such things as monsters and she says "no mommy, they are pretend."

At least she can find comfort in praying monsters and swipers away :-)

Catch-up Time

A lot has happened in the past few weeks, so here is an entry to catch up on the doings and goings of our little family.

1) I had a birthday and the girls made me a cake to celebrate. I love this picture. Not because of me (with no make-up on by the way), but my girls and I (not many pictures of just us, since I am usually behind the lens). It captures pure happiness from all of us.

2) The Sunday after my birthday, Hannah decided to fall off her stool and cut open her head. I was hugging her and rubbing her head and thought to myself "man, she is sweaty" and then I looked at my hand and it wasn't sweat. Thank heavens I knew that the head bleeds a lot, because there was a whole lotta of blood. So, off to the urgent care and an hour later she came home with a staple in her head. And a little trauma to Hannah.

3) We went to Salt Lake City for the Thanksgiving holiday. It was great to be with family. Some highlights of the trip:

* picking out a tree and decorating it with nana and papa and the family. Hannah loved seeing the ornaments with her dad on them as a child.

* Hannah picking leaves anytime we went outside and then bringing them in the house and decorating the christmas tree with them.

* For Thanksgiving dinner my kids eating only the rolls.

* decorating gingerbread houses as a family. Hannah had a blast and Ella loved eating the chimney (hence no chimney on our house).

* Celebrating an aunt and uncles birthday and best part of all playing with the cousins!

BFF Photo Shoot

I had the great pleasure of photographing one of Hannah's best friends. It was for her 5 year old birthday and what a little princess. She was sooo cute dressed in pink and was great to work with. Oh, what fun! thanks for letting me take your picture Ren!