Wishful thinking

Last night for family night we decided to have a lesson around Elder Oaks talk, Good, Better, Best. We divided into teams and brainstormed activities in each category. Then we played charades and each team acted their ideas out for the other team. The kids loved it (they love acting anything out) and, they came up with all the right answers. Feeling so proud of our kids answers and that now they would want to spend their time doing the 'best' things, we ended.

Kaela and Sam's first question after we were through? "Can we play our Nintendo DS's?"

Glad that really sunk in!

Remembering

Just taking some time today to reflect on the life of President Hinckley who passed away last night. I remember singing We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet in a choir at Ricks College right after he became the prophet. I still remember the feeling, the sheer wonder of being in his presence. He left all of us, members of all faiths, the desire to be a little better, a little kinder, a little more grateful...a little more human. Feeling my life was so enriched by his words of wisdom and love. Yes, the world was truly brightened by his life. I know mine was.

Lonely

I miss my flip flops and the sun! Is it ever going to be warm again?

fyi

If you happen to go see the shaky camera movie Cloverfield, and feel as if you are going to throw up after 5 minutes, full refunds are available!

Seriously, this movie is not for you if you get the slightest bit motion sick, Richard and I both felt like we had been on the Colossus several times after watching this show for a few minutes. We had a babysitter and everything, bummer! Should have taken your advice Ash.

I love to laugh!

"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, in those whom I LOVE I can: they all make me LAUGH." -wh auden

I had a weekend full of laughs. And to me that is a perfect weekend. Honestly, there is not much that makes you feel better than laughing so hard you cry. I know it must release some toxins in your body. All in all a good laugh just makes you feel great, less stressed and makes you realize that some things in life are not as important as they seem to be.


The weekend started out with a much needed girls night out. So thankful for great friends. I can't believe I have known some of these girls for 17 years now! Anyway, I had my first double movie header in my adult life (I know I'm boring, what can I say?) Anyhow, JUNO is hilarious, especially with girlfriends after 10 PM (Is it just me or is everything funnier after 10?). Love you girls.

On to Saturday...we spent it playing games with some great friends. I have not laughed this hard since the last time we got together. Laughed so hard I cried. Honestly still laughing at some answers to the Loaded Questions game. Can't wait to see you guys again!

Sunday and Monday were spent with family. Little laughs all the time here and there. I might be strange but I geniunely love to hang out with my family, they are my favorites (thanks for dinner Celeste and Casey).

So grateful for a wonderful weekend filled with laughs, It just made me realize that everyone needs to laugh a little more...

Do you heart LPS?

In the past, I have been known to start liking my kids toys a little more than they do. When Kaela was little she LOVED the Little People. I starting loving them too...and before I knew it we had every little people set. For the record the people are little, but the sets they come in are anything but little! Before long the little people took over my playroom and I decided I had started to like them a little more than my kids did. So, we just kept our favorites and gave the rest away!

Fast forward to the present...now I just love littlest pet shops! My girls still both LOVE them. A few months back every time I would go to the store I had to stop by the toy isle to see if they had any "new" ones. They have the best marketing plan, exclusives to certain stores, only made for a few months, you know the story. Anyway, the girls made quite the haul of LPS for Christmas. I love the Zebra!! It seems that for now my girls still love them more then me! And, if anyone is going to France in the near future can you please pick us up the giraffe sold exclusively at the Toys R Us there? Much appreciated!

Dinner Time Woes

So, it is the new year and one of my goals is to stay in my food budget and cook more. So, I had some left over mashed potatoes and thought, "I'll make shepherd's pie". This meal really is the culmination of every thing kids hate: meat, veggies and food mixed together.

I knew the kids reaction was going to be bad, but not this bad!

I also got some "gross", "disgusting", "I didn't know this is what I was eating!" (I have learned never to base my cooking self esteem on my kids reaction). Kaela tried and somewhat liked it. Sam cried, went to bed, took a walk, and then decided to try some. Every smart mother knows to make dessert on a difficult dinner night (no dinner no dessert!). The brownies went over much better!




p.s. I mostly laughed inside at Sam's reaction to dinner (which is why I pulled out the camera). I was just like him growing up. I hated everything. Luckily, I have some hope that Sam will somewhat grow out of it like I "kind of" have.

There is a first for everything...

Sam lost his first tooth today! He was so excited and was very well prepped for the whole experience by his Kindergarten teacher. He can't wait to get a tooth sticker tomorrow at school. He is very specific in that he only wants the round money from the tooth fairy for his piggy bank, not dollars. Note to self...this child is growing up too fast!!!

Addy rolled over for the first time this week. Who knows if she could have done this sooner, I have been very poor at giving her tummy time. She also giggled for the first time. She is getting quite protective and only wants me to hold her. Every mother loves being their child's favorite for awhile, but wow my arm has been killing me. Holding a baby in the same position for over an hour...HURTS!

Is it really over?

After 11 days of partying I can't believe Christmas vacation is over. Here are some highlights of our vacation:

-Brough Family Party with Richard's extended family. I love to hang out with all of them. It is such a blast because most of the cousins are the same age as we are. Lots of fun people to talk to and tons of kids!

-Christmas morning. Our kids are at the funnest ages. Christmas is so magical to them. Kaela was so excited she couldn't sleep. She made me laugh so hard when she told me she had tried everything including counting her blessings and still couldn't sleep on Christmas Eve.

-Game playing. We played games almost every night with my family. Lots and lots of laughs...Richard and I did not make it to bed before 1 AM once during the vacation. I think January will be an early to bed month for us.

-Teething Addy. Made for some long nights but happy to report she is doing better now.

-Catching up with good friends. So great to see Amy and her family at their annual Boxing Day party. Dinner with the Maylett's. Jazz games at Mom's. Seeing Chuck E. Cheese again after a good 20 years (he hasn't aged at all!).

Can't wait until next year!