independence day

All I have to say about Independence Day is that I ended up in charge of the grill because Keith took the girls to the stadium for the show.  Brandon had to save the BBQ from me.  The product of my efforts is the plate on the right. His would be the other ones.

nativity

I couldn't help but smile the other day when I went into Shawnie's room and saw the way she'd set out her nativity. You can't help but feel excitement when you see everyone squished up close, animals included, trying to get as close as they can to see the wonderous miracle baby. Don't you just imagine that we'll do the same thing when He comes again?

She shared her testimony at church today:
I will like to bear my testimony. I know the church is true. As I look at my nativities on my desk I am grateful that Christ was born. And I am so grateful for temples and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

easter

Easter 2010 was memorable.  We always celebrate the "Easter Bunny" Easter on Saturday and the "Christ Centered" Easter on Sunday.  This system really works for us, because we can keep our Easter Sunday thoughts focused where they should be.

The Easter Bunny still hides eggs all over our house for the girls to find and their  baskets are hidden as well.  This year, Sari FINALLY found her basket in the potato box in the kitchen.  That Easter Bunny gets more clever every year! hee hee! I wonder what he did with all those misplaced potatoes.... Instead of candy, the Easter Bunny puts spare change in the eggs to hide.  By the end of the morning, both girls were much richer than me!

Easter Sunday we (of course) had a big dinner with ham and twice baked potatoes and Sari made incredible deviled eggs and I made the best hot cross buns in my entire history!  We have a set of easter eggs that have items with a scripture that tell the Easter story that we did together after dinner.  Then we were able to watch 'Testaments' which has always affected me in a powerful way.  It affected Shawnie so much to watch the crucifixion that she had to leave the room.  She couldn't understand why they could be so cruel and why Christ let them.  We were able to have an incredible discussion of the love that He has for us, that He would be willing to go through all that He did so that we could be with Him again.  We were able to share our feelings with each other and our testimonies were all strengthened from the experience.

I am so grateful for my Savior.  Sometimes I feel like Shawnie and can't begin to comprehend the love that He has for me.  I feel it so strongly and am recognizing it more often as I am guided through every day.  I am grateful that even though I make mistakes and am far from perfect, He is still there for me and will help me through.  Because I am so imperfect, I am grateful that He was willing to atone for my sins and my weaknesses and my sadness and hurt.  I keep thinking He must be getting tired of catching me when I fall, but He hasn't dropped me yet!

april fools!

April Fools is one of my favorite holidays. This year it came and went so fast that I pretty much missed it. We did get in our traditional April Fools dinner at least. Cupcakes (meatloaf and mashed potatoes) for the main dish with kool-aid (jello) in a cup, then meatloaf (cocoa krispie treats) with mashed potatoes and gravy (vanilla ice-cream with caramel sauce) for dessert. These girls are so patient with my silly traditions, they always make me feel good by begging for them all, even though they've totally outgrown them. Gotta love these girls!

2009 family talent night

This will be worth a lot of money someday, I'm sure. Stick around until the end for a special treat.

christmas 2009 pageant

I had to share this. It's too fun to pass up! I have to say that Maddie was the most darling Mary I have ever seen.
Not quite so sure about those wise men, though...
This is where we all are glad that my blog is private with like four viewers!!

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 was incredible. I was so sad when it was over. It was so fun to get together with pretty much the whole family on both sides and spend some quality "close" time. Definitely close, I imagine some of the family were sure that it was a little too close! Mom and Dad were so patient for like 2 weeks while we all bombarded their space, I think they spent as much on groceries during that time as I spend in a year! I love you all! I wasn't very good at taking photos, good thing Sari got a new camera...
I always love Christmas morning to see, even as my girls get older, the joy they find in giving more so than receiving. Don't get me wrong, they are quite happy about receiving, but the light in their eyes is there in such a profound way as they share the precious gifts they have created or purchased for each of us. I hope that lasts forever.

Another favorite of mine, one of the slides shows Keith with Shawnie. She gave him "All the Money in the World" for Christmas. (A book she found at the Dollar Store.) :o)

hanukkah 2009

We have some good friends who a few years back invited us over to celebrate Hanukkah with them. Since then, we've celebrated it each year at some point during the eight days of Hanukkah. Today was the day this year. We cooked latkes and fish and Sari made "candles" out of pineapple rings and bananas. (forgot to take photos...) We ate the latkes with applesauce and sour cream, they were so yummy! For dessert, we always have fried bananas. (Except for Keith, he just eats the fried, not the bananas...)
After dinner, Sari read us the story of Judah Maccabbe and the miracle of the lights. It's so fun to know that these are our ancestors, they were standing up for their God, who is our God, and He blessed them with miracles, just as He blesses us with miracles. We were able to have a great discussion about our Savior and His role in the plan. I love for my kids to have these experiences and to see others perspectives, I hope it makes them less judgemental of those who are different from us. It's so important to remember we're all different but God loves us all...
We always end the experience with a game of Dreidel. We played it using M&M's. Shawnie won, as usual. I don't know how she did with all the eating of her M&M's that was going on. Maybe it's because it was Sari's M&M's she was sneaking and eating...

giving thanks

Here's a few photos from our little thanksgiving dinner we had the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I didn't take a single picture while we were home with family, so this is all we've got. (Thank you, Sari!) The broiler and I are not good friends, and as the photo clearly shows, our sweet potatoes and green bean casserole were the victims. After I scraped the tops off, I tried it again and it was a much better outcome. Sari and Shawnie worked so hard on the table decorations. It was a very fun and festive event for our little family.
I'm so thankful for the life that the Lord has blessed me with. I am grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that I am blessed with that I have a Heavenly Father who is mindful of me. I'm grateful for my Savior. When frustrating things happen, I just have to remind myself that He has suffered more than I or anyone I know and love could ever imagine. I'm grateful for the strength that this knowledge gives me. I am grateful for my little family and for my big family. I feel so spoiled to have the beautiful girls that I am blessed with. I'm thankful for Keith and his unending energy supply and his patience with my 'honey-do'lists. :o) I am grateful for parents who sacrifice so much for us and siblings who make life fun and neices and nephews who make me smile. I am grateful for good friends who keep me laughing. I'm thankful for President Monson's willingness to lead our church, for personal revelation, for the scriptures, and I am so grateful that I am able to go to the temple. There is nothing in the world that gives me strength like the temple does. I don't think there are many in this world whom the Lord has blessed more than I.

halloween

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Halloween.
Especially when it falls on the weekend, then the family all comes because we have the best trick or treating neighborhood in the world.
This year was so fun! I should have taken more photos. I've decided if everyone ever stops coming I'll get depressed, my girls just don't appreciate the traditions anymore like everyone else does...

crazy lady

I don't think there is much to say about this one, except where did this kid come from?? I'd have vomited all over the rink. She definitely has a power soul.

Dad's Day

I just thought we'd mention how much we love our dads around here.


Keith said he loves himself because whenever he waves the stud-finder over his head it beeps like crazy.


I love my daddy because he lives with the time bomb I am, and he doesn't complain. I love him because he encourages me in all that I do, or attempt. I love him because he loves me. -Sari







I love dad because he does stuff with me, like jump on the trampoline, like scooter rides in my walker, and walk me in my walker. -Shawnie








I love my dad! I'm so grateful for him and for the relationship I have with him. I'm thankful that my kids admire him and love to be with him. I'm thankful for the interest that he shows in my family and for the time that he makes for us. He shows he loves us by the sweet things he always says and does. I couldn't ask for a better father. -Mel










My dad taught me how to work when I was young. As I have gotten older my complaints have turned to gratitude. I grew up thinking that my father never stopped moving and that he could fix anything from a car to the kitchen drawer. Now my children think their dad can fix anything. And most of the time I can. And if I can't, I know someone who can. Thanks Dad, I love you. -Keith

none were with him