Maria Finished The Book of Mormon!!!!

 

I am so very proud of my sweet Maria. Wow. That girl is something.

She read The Book of Mormon all by herself, we listened as she read out loud.

She is so thoughtful and many a night... probably every night actually, she had thoughtful questions about what she was reading.

She was so excited to finish!!! We decided to throw a small party for her and Christina (since she never got one) for finishing.

 

We had a special Book of Mormon Buffet Breakfast with:
Enos' morning after eggs

Tubaloth's toast

Maher-Shalal-hashbrown-baz

Sariah's Secret Ingredient Sausage

Omni's Small Size Orange Juice

Bountiful Best Bacon

 

And of course... Desolation Donuts. Good thing I snuck 2 the night before, because they were gone by the time I got to them!! I loved coming up with the names, it was fun!! Maria came up with The Book of Mormon Buffet. I loved to see their wheels turning as they were thinking up other possible names for the food.

 

We had party favors:

 

Decorations.... I'm not sure if I like the Who is your hero? series....

The women are very empowering....

 

We had games. Digging in the Hill Cumorah for the golden plates.

 

Building King Benjamin's tower. Eli did a great job building and keeping his 2 year old self in control. He didn't knock anything down that he didn't build!!! Woot Woot!!

 

We also played, "I will go, I will do". Everyone wrote down one thing they would really like done for themselves. Then we drew papers and did that act of service for each other. Daddy had to find Eli a dolphin. I got the shower door cleaned.

Nice.

 

The last one was keep the king's sheep safe... thank you Ammon. They took a puff ball and tried bouncing it on a tennis racquet around the backyard. It was ghetto. I should have done cotton ball races.

 

It was a lovely time together!!! What a great reason to celebrate!!!

I know that reading The Book of Mormon has made them the great readers they are today!!

Christina's First Trophy!!!

 

Well, kudos sweet Christina.

 

She got the 2014 Yellow Team Award!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

She is such a hard worker. I feel bad we didn't go to the banquet, but I had no idea she would be getting an award.... let alone a trophy!!

 

She also got the lion and the mouse award. In the Aesop fable the mouse helps the lion. This is completely Christina in that she is a humble soul always ready to be kind or help out where she can.

She may be small, but she is a powerhouse.

 

Already in her short little 9 year life, she has accomplished so much.

 

Her greatest achievement though is that she is a Christ like soul. She follows The Savior's example. The greatest things she will do in this life are those things Our Redeemer asks of her.

 

We are so proud of you Christina. Congratulations!!!!

 

Also, to quote Maria, "That is ONE BIG TROPHY NINA!!! You must be the best swimmer EVER!!!" 

Pinterest Wreath

 

This is the 2nd wreath I've made from ideas off pinterest. I was super excited and obsessive about it.

School? Or Not?

 

This week Jody took a couple days off. On Monday we decided to have some fun around town. I'd gotten a couple groupon deals and they were well worth it!!

 

First stop....

 

Eli's reaction after learning he was too small for the bows....

 

The girls were wonderful!!! We really liked the people here. They were so helpful and instructive and nice!!! The girls arms were sore after!!

 

We also hit a park.... Eli feels very confident when Daddy is around and was going down some huge slides. Needless to say I was very nervous.

 

If that wasn't enough, we decided to hit the trampoline place. There was no one there and it was perfect!! They also had awesome staff.... very fun. I don't think Eli stopped jumping for one minute.

Daddy got his work out for the year....

 

 

We ended the day with dinner at Whole Foods. Everyone passed out easily at bedtime!!!

We love school but every once and a while we like to learn by playing!!

One of those days....

 

My little pirate!!!!

 

So I was thinking to myself today how blessed I am. I think about this often.

I say it a lot, but I really do have the best children ever.

I love spending time with them.

They are so fun. So pleasant. So happy.

 

Yes, we have our moments.
But really, they aren't too often.

 

Eli loves his little sister. He's always so gentle with her. He accidently flicked a magnet on her and when I told him to be careful he broke down in tears. He really doesn't want to hurt her.

 

 

Tummy time stinks!!!!!!! But brother is there to help out!!

 

 

Joe had his big event of the year... black grads.

WOW.

Seriously.

It was amazing.

Everyone there was saying how awesome it was.

 

At this point I should just mention that I am me.

I wish I could say that I went to support Joe.

And I did.

I was there for him 40%. Or 32%ish.

I do have to say the real push to be there was Nothing Bundt Cakes, wings, and sandwiches.

I'm sorry Joe.

The only thing missing was Ramya.

Get the food and go.

 

 

We didn't really see the graduation.

Like.... any of it.

But really, we heard TONS of great things!!!

We did roam campus and had a lot of fun together.

It is quite beautiful this time of year.

 

I had to feed the baby a few times. The kiddos were wonderful and just played together cooking games. They think of food they want and Elijah makes sounds and then serves it to them. So simple. So imaginative.

 

I love watching them just be happy together.

 

I never have to remind them to watch out for their brother. We got home and the baby was tired and ready to eat- sisters to the rescue. They got Eli all ready for bed and even read him scripture stories and brushed his teeth.

 

I don't know if this is normal?
They are just so considerate and thoughtful.

I worry that when they grow up and have families and need advice, I won't have any to give them.

I honestly think that God just blessed me with the brightest angels out there.

I did a couple things here and there to raise you right, but when it boils down to it...

God shines His light upon you.
Your hearts are pure. Your souls good.

You look to do great things.

You are just plain amazing.

You never cease to fill my life with joy.

 

Eli was stealing cake from everyone. It was hilarious.

 

 

It was one of those days. One of those days where my heart is just so full of gratitude

for my best little friends.

Joe.

I'm sorry I'm not more classy.

But I am completely smitten with you.

You are success.

You have the golden touch. Whatever you do, you do beyond well.

I'm sorry we weren't there for the ceremony and pomp.

I heard you got a standing ovation from your students.

That's the only moment I wish we hadn't missed.

I wish I could have stood with them and clapped my heart out.

So instead, I do my own version.

One day when you look back, look back at these words.

You are the best father.

You are the best husband.

I'm so lucky to be sealed to you for eternity. You were the best choice I ever made.

Here and There

 

The only Mother's Day picture where I don't have a double chin.... time to start running again.

 

Randomly, Ella was loosing circulation in one of her toes. I looked and there was a black hair that had wound really tight around her middle toe and after 20 minutes with my tweezers, I think I was able to unwrap it. Poor thing. There is still a large red mark all the way around. At least it might make for a good introduction story at classes at BYU??

 

Christina rocked her Pauite Indian Float. She was so clever and came up with everything. I especially liked her beading idea of patterns and cycles... how the Paiutes were dependent on the ever changing seasons. Can't believe the school year is almost over!!

A Day With the Art Teacher....

 

Recently Maria has decided she wants to be a specialized teacher...

An Art Teacher.

She very much looks the part.

She very much has the talent.

Of course, whatever she chooses to do in life, she will be very successful at.

She is a brilliant little star.

 

Christina was at an Especially for Girls stake activity. It was excellent. She came home with some beautiful things!! A CTR necklace and a fun head bow! Joe and Eli went to the Father/Son's campout breakfast... where there was no breakfast...

...

...

 

It was really fun to hear Elijah talk about Wino Beach. Hearing him say Wino Beach in his little voice is the best. 

 

And the rest of us ladies headed over to do whatever Maria would like to do.

She chose the Art Museum and the Discovery Museum.

 

This was the coolest metal embossing project! She got to make a deer!

And then....

they had bark painting... with a deer!!!

 

Hooray!!

It's like the heavens were aligning!

 

I loved watching her roam and look and read all the titles of the art work.

I loved her thoughtful comments.

I loved how she would look at contemporary art and say how weird it was.

 

This happens to be rocks formed by condensed milk.

 

This was a lovely exhibit. Her landscapes were amazing, all lacking really warm bright colors.

 

I think we spent 30 minutes at the electrosketch. She looked like a mad scientist with all the creating that went on.

 

LOVE.

 

I could eat this one.

I COULD EAT HER!!!!!

She is so delectable!!!!!!!

 

Honestly, she is the best baby EVER.

She is so calm and mellow.

It seems like we are always running around and she is just along for the ride.

Happy as a lark.

 

I also have to add in that the girls spent the afternoon with some good friends and came back later that night. They had a great time at the movies. At prayer Christina was asking for their family to be blessed because of their kindness. I was so grateful that she understands what prayer is all about. And that she has a grateful kind heart.

 

My children are gems!!!