Party

An Ariel party:
Disguised (by her princess-wary mother) as an "Under the Sea" party.

Here is a run-down of the events at the party:
Clara and her friends painted an ocean mural with sponges shaped like ocean animals. Then Greg helped them make their own individual pizzas... (He even let them try tossing the dough in the air). While the pizza baked, we played some music games to a play-list of ocean songs (including Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl). Then the kids (and adults) ate pizza, blue jello with gummy fish inside, and cupcakes.

Last, but not least, Clara invited her friends up to her "ocean room." They "swam" in the blue balloons and got a little crazy and had a blast.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Clara

Dear Clara,
Please slow down- you are growing up too fast! The last 3 years have been the happiest of our lives, because of you. We love you!
-Mom and Dad

Jan. 15th, 2007

Jan. 15th, 2008

January 15th, 2009

January 15th, 2010

Perspective

I quit my job to stay home with the girls.

Greg's company (like most) isn't doing well, so they have suspended raises and tuition reimbursement indefinitely.

Which means we have a smaller budget to work with, and we have to find the money to pay his MBA tuition.

Which means I have been a little worried about money... not wanting to watch our savings dwindle away.

Then I see images like this and I am reminded of how very much I have. I am so grateful to be able to have food, water, and safe shelter for my children. My heart aches for those suffering in Haiti, right now.

Palmyra, NY trip

Holiday card, take 2...

Happy New Year!

This would have made a great Christmas card, except for the fact that we are missing Sarah-Jane. (This was taken in front of the Sacred Grove and Joseph Smith log cabin).

We had a fantastic trip to visit Greg's parents in Palmyra, NY. Greg got to see all of his old hang-outs and old friends. The landscape was beautiful, and we had tons of outdoor fun in the snow.

Building snowmen...
Sledding...
and warming up with hot chocolate.

The girls got to spend lots of great one-on-one time with Grandma and Grandpa Sherwood (not an easy task when there are 38 grandchildren).

Sledding with Grandma...

Napping with Grandpa...
Sarah-Jane learned to roll over on the trip... here she is after her first successful attempt. Her arms may be stuck, but she is pretty proud of herself!

Christmas 2009

Someone said to me... "Merry Christmas- there is nothing better than a new baby at Christmas."

I completely agree. Unless you add an adorable almost-3-year-old and a fun husband. These are some of our Christmas highlights.

Christmas Eve:

Leaving cookies for Santa and carrots for Rudolph (and Clarice, Clara added). Here is Clara posing as a snowman with a carrot nose. Our stockings are all ready for Santa.

We had a yummy Christmas Eve dinner with our little family. Ham, green beans, and mashed potatoes, with razzelberry pie for dessert. This was my second attempt at a homade pie crust. Clara approved.

This has been one of the best Christmases I can remember. I loved teaching Clara about the baby Jesus and seeing her excitement and love for Him. I loved holding my sweet new baby and thinking about the humble beginnings of our Savior. The love that I feel for this little one, I know He feels for me.

I loved what my friend, Heather, wrote in her Christmas letter. "Things are difficult, right now, for many people, but there is still so much to be joyful about. Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"

2010 FHE plans

Just came across this a wanted to share!

A year's worth of Family Home Evening lessons based on the 2010 Primary themes. The idea is enhance what is being taught on Sundays in church by holding FHE on similar topics each week. If anyone is interested in downloading this project, you can get it here for free:

http://fheplanner.blogspot.com/2009/12/one-year-of-2010-primary-themed-fhe.html