Sunday, December 23, 2012

lots and lots of rain

This afternoon we had a torrential downpour that concluded with a small river in front of our house.  Rain like this hasn't happened in about 18 years.  We had fun watching the cars trying to drive through it.  And the girls loved having a grand puddle to wade around in.








Saturday, December 22, 2012

cookies

Today the girls had fun making and decorating Christmas cookies.  They did an excellent job!


Monday, December 17, 2012

cake

The other night for family dinner my mom made a special dessert.  Chocolate cake shaped as a gingerbread man!  The girls were pretty stoked.


Sunday, December 16, 2012

dance time

For the first three Saturdays in December, we had Ava and Norah's dance performances.  The first one was a church (the original venue was rained out), the second was at San Jose's Christmas in the Park, and the third was at Santana Row (which consequently got rained out 3/4 through the show).  The girls had fun getting their hair and make up done.  I thought they were adorable in their costumes.  My absolute favorite of the whole show was Norah's gingerbread outfit.  Too cute for words!



For the curls to set, they had to sleep with the rollers
                                               




                                 



These are from the last performance at Santana Row

















Saturday, December 8, 2012

bethlehem 2012

It's become a tradition to go to the local Baptist church's Night in Bethlehem experience.  It is so well done - everyone who is here during the holidays should go to it.  Everyone is in character, and they give you a taste of what life was like during the time of Christ's birth - from making bricks to pressing grapes to tasting flatbread.  Amazing all around, and a great way to usher in the Christmas season.




Ava and me with a Roman guard




All who visited Bethlehem had the chance to write their name for the census


Saturday, December 1, 2012

traditions

Norah had a school project about traditions.  She was to make a banner outlining every family member's hand.  Then we each had to decorate our own hand with either a holiday tradition or our favorite aspect of the holidays.  (We of course helped Serena's with hers).  It was a fun project to do together.



Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

This was my first Thanksgiving cooking all by myself.  My parents went to Utah to visit my brother, so it was just us!  I admit I was a little nervous cooking a turkey (okay, so it was just a turkey breast, but it was still 8 pounds!).  It turned out fabulous!  As did the sides.  I was rather proud of myself!  And we had plenty leftover so I didn't have to cook the following evening.  (huzzah!)

 

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween 2012

This year Ava, Norah, and Keira all wanted to be black cats.  Which was fine with me, because getting their costumes together was a cinch!  Serena was a skeleton, Mason went as a Roman guard, and I made use of my butterfly wings (again).  Maybe next year I'll put together a more elaborate costume (at least I sported some pretty cool face make-up).







Thursday, October 25, 2012

twitter

I joined.  That is all.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

in His loving care

As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I've always been taught that Heavenly Father knows us individually and watches over us.  I believed it, but today my testimony of that particular point of doctrine has been strengthened, and I can most assuredly proclaim that He does.

I had a particularly difficult morning, a culmination of a tiresome two weeks fraught with sick children, a horrible economy, and just trying to maintain.  It was just one of those mornings where you feel like you are doing everything correctly, but life just sucks.
 
I had vented to my mother about all my concerns.  It felt good to talk, but I was frustrated that certain things were out of my hands.  And I am someone who very much likes to be in control, and have a plan.

Then Mason called me later this afternoon with the news that I had been hoping to hear for the past few years.  I nearly dropped the phone.  I felt such relief that words really can't describe it.  It was like a fresh start, a welcomed friend, a true blessing from heaven.  In that moment, I knew that I had a loving Heavenly Father watching over me.  I know we aren't given anything that we can't bear, but lately I have felt at my breaking point.  It's been all I can do to hold it together and just do the basics - going to church, reading my scriptures, having personal prayer and trying to be a good example to my children.

I am so thankful for the knowledge of the gospel.  And for the fact that trials only seek to strengthen our faith, and solidify points of doctrine that we hope are true, to knowing beyond a doubt that they are.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

photo experiments

I've been fiddling around with Instagram lately, and trying to figure out the best ways to post photos on my blog.  So here's some photos of the gang, as I muddle my way through technology (and try to become better at it).



In case you were curious, these are from the county fair we went to in August.

Friday, August 24, 2012

first steps

In other firsts this week, Serena took her first steps tonight!


Finally!! 


But this video is from a few nights ago of her getting up to stand.  All the kids were so excited.



first day 2012

This week the kids went back to school.  Ava is now in second grade, while Norah started kindergarten!  Norah wasn't quite as thrilled about kindergarten as Ava was.  In fact, the teacher had to literally peel her off my leg the first day.  But now that we're done with the first week, Norah is settling in, and even making new friends (one who is named Plum - yes, Plum).  Ava as always was fully of energy and excitement for school.  She loves getting into projects, reading new books, and playing with her friends.

I think it's going to be a great year!



Wednesday, August 8, 2012

cavalia!

As a late birthday present for me, and an early birthday present for Mason, we got tickets to see Cavalia!  For those who don't know what it is, it's like Cirque du Soleil, but with horses.  I've wanted to see it since I first saw that white tent in San Francisco back in 2004.  It can again to the Bay Area in 2011, and then this summer.  I was soooooo excited to go.  And it was amazing.  A-MA-ZING.

Everyone should go.






Tuesday, June 5, 2012

creatures of the night

Last night when I got home from Zumba, Mason gave me the run-down of what happened at bedtime.

After he put the girls down, he heard Norah crying about 15 minutes later.  When he went to check on them, he saw both Ava and Norah up on Ava's top bunk, and Keira on the floor, growling.  Mason asked Norah why she was crying, and Ava responded with:

"Keira is acting like a REAL warthog, and we're scared and can't sleep!!" 



Yes, Keira was acting like a warthog, complete with tearing all the sheets off her bed.

Sometimes I am glad that it's Mason that has to put them to bed!

Thursday, May 31, 2012

anniversary!

Today is our 9th anniversary!  9th!  I can't believe how the time flies.  I am so blessed to have a caring, supportive husband, and to have four beautiful daughters.  Happy day!  And here's to many more wonderful years.


On our wedding day



And one of my favorites with my friends who came
 




Saturday, May 19, 2012

sleep



Just another random pose my kids are in while sleeping.  I might add that Keira loves that blanket and loves to take it everywhere.


 
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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

ladybugs

Tonight my mom came over to help us release some ladybugs into our backyard - on our rose and other flower bushes to be precise.  Ladybugs are a natural pesticide, since they eat aphids.  The girls were pretty excited, although Norah got freaked out once the ladybugs were released from their plastic tub.



looking at the ladybugs
 



the ladybugs are thirsty once they are released, so all the plants needed to be thoroughly watered beforehand






 figuring out how to open the container



ladybugs everywhere!