Beary Scary!

 I got this balloon for Bryson in January and it's slowly losing it's helium. This bear has been making it's way around my house. It goes through doorways, windows, and creeps along in different rooms. Lexie told me this morning that the bear is freaking her out. She seems to think that it's following her around the house.  Lexie cracks me up!

 

Valentine's from my Kids

My kids made me feel so loved on Valentine's day. Each one took time to do something special for their mom. I got this pretty picture, some nice notes, Madison cleaned my kitchen, and I got lots of hugs and kisses from Bryson. My kids sure know how to make their mom happy. I'm the luckiest mom in the world!

I found this Valentine's note from Lexie in my pillow case. It made me smile!

 Madison and Bryson spent a lot of time drawing this colorful picture for me and Travis.

 Lexie made a heart for each member of the family and Allison wrote me this sweet little poem.

I went to bed last night and found this note from Madison waiting for me.
I love you. I'm so happy :) 

Dear mom Happy Valentine's day. I loved it so much your the best mother I ever had. I love you so much all the way to Nana's house! Sometimes I'm mean, but I try to be nice. I'm doing the best I can. I try to read the scriptures and I'm being good at doing the prayer. I try to clean my room and do my chores and doing my homework. I also need to practice my spelling words. And I hope you love me a lot. Do you love me a lot as you can imagine? Circle yes or yes yes  yes yes yes

 I love you!

Valentine's Day

100% on Spelling Test and AR

Today was a great day! Ethan got his first 100% on a spelling test. I'm so very proud of him and how hard he studied.

Allison name was put in the school paper for meeting her AR goal. I'm very happy that Allison enjoys reading and that she was able to meet her goal. She's my AR Star!

Snow Capades

Travis and Ethan spent the whole day yesterday doing Snow Capades. They left here at 7:00 in the morning and got home a little after 5:00 PM. They seemed to have a lot of fun!

Pretty Rainbow

Allison and Maddison's New Room

 Allison had been wanting to change rooms with Ethan and Bryson. I didn't want to do it because I knew it would be hard work. My girls have a whole lot of stuff and I didn't want to move it all to another room. Allison talked me into let them change rooms. She also told me that I would only need to move the bunk bed. There were several days off messy hallways and kids without beds. I was getting very upset with the mess they made trying to change rooms, I ended up moving everything myself while they were at school. I should have know the kids weren't going to move their room like they promised.

 

 I had to try and cram as much as I could into their little closet.

 This is there new room. Their walls are lined with stuff, but it's finished. They better like it, because I'm not moving them again!

 The girls cousin Hailey drew these pretty pictures that are being displayed on my girls wall next to their bed.

Guess Who's Expecting?

I was moving around Madison and Allison's room and saw this little Barbie family sitting in the doll house. I noticed that the Mom Barbie was pregnant. What? We don't have a pregnant barbie.

I picked up the doll and looked closer, one of the girls put a bike helmet under the Barbies shirt to make her look like she was expecting. Funny girls!

Lexie's Honor Bee

 The Honor Bee charm was historically given

to young women who were willing to do

more than was required. To continue her

progress, a young woman who has earned

the Young Womanhood Recognition may

do additional work and earn an Honor Bee

to accompany her medallion.

Lexie earned her Honor Bee by reading the Book of Mormon again, and doing 40 hours of service and some of that service goes towards helping a young women with her personal progress.

 

To earn a Young Women's honor bee you need to read the Book of Mormon and do forty hours of service. It all started last summer, when Sister Johnson challenged us to read the Book of Mormon over summer break. She gave us a bookmark to help us read each day and that's how I finished the Book of Mormon. I also started taking pictures. I randomly had a crazy thing for photography after watching my mom's talent for photography. I thought about taking pictures of friends and families for my Bee. I did this and saw the beauty in others and the world around me. I also edited the pictures of them and put them on a CD. Then for a school project we had to do a certain number of leadership hours. I chose to make hats for the babies at Rogue Valley Hospital. I taught my sisters, mom, grandma and even my brother how to knit. We all got the chance to pitch in and each make a whole bunch of hats together. Together we made a total of fifty hats and delivered them to the hospital. It was nice to see them create the little hats and see the love and effort in their eyes. I'd like to bare my testimony that I know when we serve others we will be happy and will make other people happy as well. I know that when we reach out to others with love and try to comfort them, we will feel the spirit in our lives. I love reaching my goals and accomplishing the things I want to do. I know that I am not finished with my personal progress and not done with reading the scriptures and serving. I will continue to be a good example to others and continue to be faithful in the things that I do. Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations. Strive to be a good example and do the work of the Lord. You're testimony will be strengthened. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  -Lexie

 I'm so pleased with Lexie! She is such an amazing young lady. I hope that she continues to go above and beyond what is required of her. Lexie, I want you always remember who you are and that your Heavenly Father knows and love you. Continue to love and serve those around you. Love you ! -Mom

Lexie's excited to start driving.

Lexie is now practicing her driving in the church parking lot every day after school. She is really excited to turn 16 and get her drivers license. I can't believe she will be driving soon! Do I really have a daughter old enough to drive. It's hard to believe!!

Miah

Roasting Marshmallows

Dancing in The Rain

New Beginnings

I was asked to make the invitations for New Beginnings this year and this is what I came up with. I everyone will be happy with them.

You want Something Done You've Got to do it Yourself!

 I have been trying to take my Christmas Lights off my house for a few days now. I was able to go around with a ladder and get 1/4 of them down, but bushes and trees prevented me from getting the rest down. I had asked for some help because I was afraid that I would fall if I went on the roof. I couldn't get any help! Last night while I was trying to sleep I thought up a way to get my lights down. I figured if I got a broom and taped a big fork to it I would be able to push the plastic hooks up and off the rain gutter. This morning I made my contraption. I got a broom and a marshmallow roaster and taped them together and it worked. I was so happy that my little contraption was helping me get my lights down. I started to struggle with the lights above my living room windows. I went back in and taped a stronger fork to what I had made and after a few minutes of fighting with the lights I finally got them all down. I would have liked to have some help because it wasn't easy getting the lights down, but I found a way to get it done. I'm sure I had all kinds of weird looks from the neighbors.

Our Weekend

 Lexie's going crazy with my camera. Lexie has that same love for taking pictures that I have and she's really good at it. I think I got my love for taking pictures from my dad. I remember my dad having a dark room when I was little. I thought it was so cool how pictures would magical appear on photo paper while being bathed in solution. Now we can take tons of pictures, preview, edit photos, and share them with friends and family through blogs, facebook, e-mail, phones, and internet. It's crazy! I hope Lexie continues to love photography.

 We got the kids a trampoline for Christmas and I they love it! They are out there all day playing games, learning new tricks, and just having fun. It may take up most of our back yard, but it is so worth having.

 Travis went to Toys-R- Us today and bought the kids laser guns. He got the guns on sale for $15 each. The kids have been having so much fun with them. It's almost as fun as laser tag at Boondocks.