Girl Time!

 Callie and her friends put on a cute play for me when I got home from an activity with Annabelle. They are so cute when they are goofy and creative together.  The girls are getting more imaginative with their legos.  They used to just want to make the creations that they had instructions for but with their new room and not as much space to display all of them they are making their own things and I love it.

 Annabelle and a few of my girl scouts went to a Journey in a Day activity.  It was a lot of fun and it was cool to relax and read while they earned a big badge. They learned all about energy and movement.

 We used to have craft dates with these cute girls all the time, but it has been a long while.  It was so fun to hang out and get creative again and I loved seeing our girls interact and play and craft.

 Girl Scout cookies have arrived and while some of my kids have eaten some, I have yet to open my favorite Tagalongs and eat one.  The whole process is exhausting and hopefully my front room won't be a mess forever.

 The kids had cheese and apples for a snack one day and afterwards this is what I found left on the counter.  So cute.  It definitely made me smile.

 I made my first cream puffs (they were going to be for Valentine's Day and then that day got too crazy) and they turned out delicious!  I look forward to trying them again another time.

Happy Birthday Teenager Ryan

 Ryan was so excited to have an archery tournament on his birthday.  He had to be up really early and at the middle school by 6:45am but he wanted omelets for his birthday breakfast and so I obliged.  I love Ryan's goofy smile and the boy he is turning into.  Ryan did awesome at archery and came home on a high.

 Ryan asked that we all go out to dinner together and we had a fun, and expensive evening, at Tokyo.  The kids loved the teppanyaki grill and the sushi (everyone but Annie tried and like it), and the whole experience.  It was fun to go together and that our kids are all growing up.  There was another family there with little kids that were screaming and crying with the fire.  It definitely wasn't pleasant and made us thankful for our own children.

 While Greg and I went to Stake Conference, Annabelle made Ryan a cake and we all enjoyed it when we got home.

Ryan had his last big birthday party a week later.  He hadn't been on the Phoenix flight yet at the Space Center so he was able to invite 5 friends and they had a blast.  Good friends are so important and I am thankful my children are surrounded by them.

 Ryan and his fellow Deacon's played their hearts out this season for basketball.  They ended up taking 4th but it was awesome to watch them grow together.

7th Grade Science Sub

Ryan was really sad that I started subbing at the elementary school the year he left.  At first I thought there was no way id want to do middle school but Ryan kept asking and assuring me that he would keep my safe.  When I saw one of his teachers looking for a sub, I grabbed it, but unfortunately Ryan has him on A day and it was a B day. When I told Ryan he was so happy that we were going to be able to have lunch together.  Ryan kind of got caught up in a video with his friend but he came and chatted with me before the next class started.  It was fun to see a bunch of kids I did know.  When Carter Caldwell came in he put his hands up and shouted hooray.  Those kind of reactions definitely make me happy.  When Nathan was at lunch he and his friends walked by and waved.  Then I waved them in and gave them chocolates.  I was in 7th grade science for 3 periods and got to watch a cool movie 3 times.  Then I went to 8th grade math and got to teach my nephew, Josh.  I have decided that while middle school isn't my favorite, if possible I will be Nathan or Ryan's sub sometime.

Happy #15 Birthday Nathan!

 Happiest of Birthdays to my Nathan.  I can't believe he is 15 years old!!  Wow!  We had donuts for breakfast and he didn't want me to come and make a big deal at school.  Nathan got some hand grips that he broke on the first squeeze with his strong muscles.  He got a couple other things but his continued Momentum membership is an ongoing gift.  We went and got some new finger grips after school. Nathan chose to have my mom's delicious lasagna for dinner and then we took the boys to see Dr. Strange and left the girls with a sitter (that doesn't happen often).

 

 This picture of Nathan popped up on my Facebook feed today from seven years ago.  What a huge change!

Valentine's Day

 Holidays are always a special time at our home.  The girls had a blast making their own Valentine's box.  The boys helped also and I love how they turned out.  I woke up early and made a jello braid for breakfast before Nathan left for seminary.  The kids love traditions like the little boxes of chocolate and conversation hearts, Greg's annual poems and of course the Crazy Cupids Cafe for dinner.

 

 The girls let me do their hair and Greg sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers, complete with tulips which he knows are my favorite.  I got to help in Callie's class and even too cookies to Annabelle's to celebrate her Half Birthday.

 My Daddy gave me this kiss necklace many many years ago and I love wearing it every year.  It makes me feel closer to him instead of 2 states away.

 

 All ready for Cupids Cafe.  The menu ended up being a lot bigger that usual and we had lots of leftovers, but it was yummy and the kids didn't complain.  We had steak, baked potatoes, rolls, cookies, fruit salad, and veggies.  Even I couldn't finish all the food.

  Trying to get a picture of everyone smiling and not making goofy faces is pretty tough.  I love the goofy, but it does get a little tiring.

  I love seeing my family get more healthy.  Greg has lost over 15 pounds since Christmas and is feeling better than ever.  We are all eating more protein and it feels great.  Nathan continues in Rock climbing and Ryan has started track.  He wasn't too sure about it the first day and I had to drive him back to the school, but after a week he really likes it and is looking forward to it.