I had a photo shoot on Friday with 13 cousins, all age 8 and under.
Piece of cake.
Okay, actually I may or may not have thrown up right before I left. I was just a tad nervous. But it actually went pretty well. They wanted individual shots, groups by family, and a big group shot for Grandma for Christmas. I won't post all of that but here are a couple of my favorites.
Last night we had the family over for dinner. There were a ton of left over mashed potatoes (there always are - I have no idea why we continue to make so many). This is what became of them:
Yes, those are peppercorn eyes & buttons, baby-spoon arms and of course a carrot nose. I think Will has found his true medium.
Moving on.
Jacey agreed to be my model for some pictures this morning.
Londyn wanted in on the action too, but all she really wanted to do was hug Jacey from behind. I did get one peek-a-boo shot though. However displeased Jacey is with playing this game.
After a couple of shots I said I wanted to switch and do some on the white paper. So I got it all set up and then the phone rang. Jacey disappeared while I took the phone call, and when I was finally ready to start up again, this is how I found her:
She was very proud of the fact that she had thought of everything - she pointed out to me that she even had on a necklace, a bow in her hair, and glitter on her face. You can't see them here, but she also has princess shoes on. Anything worth doing is worth doing right, I guess.
I'm trying to think of what we've been up to and what I can update on, but there hasn't been much going on. My folks are still working out the wrinkles on the house - lots to do before they can sign on the dotted line. So the longer that takes, the better for us. :) The house is unfinished so they'll be here while they do the work that's left, if it all goes through and they actually end up with this one. If not, then I guess they're back to square one. Which is also good for us. :)
Jacey still sets her clock by Preschool. She loves it. She still loves to write notes and letters and her writing is improving. She is so tender-hearted. One day last week I wasn't feeling very well. As my mom was leaving she said to Jacey "Take good care of your mom, okay? So she can get feeling better." She took those instructions very seriously. She made me lay down on the couch and she brought me a glass of water. I drank it all because I didn't want it to get knocked over. As soon as I set the glass down on the carpet she came and took it away and filled it up again. Repeat twice. Finally I told her I didn't think I could drink any more and she could put the glass in the sink. Then she got me a blankie off her bed and gave me a kiss and told me to rest. Sweetheart.
On Friday she came into the kitchen where I was working and said "Mom, I was feeling sad because Daddy teases Londyn so much. But then I said a prayer to Heavenly Father that he would change my feelings and now I feel better inside." Sweetheart.
And Londyn. Ohhhhh Londyn. Fire and ice, that kid. She is also a sweetheart - she's a cuddler. She loves to snuggle and give hugs and kisses and be held "like a little baby". She likes to be rocked and sung to. And she also loves to tease, and talk back, and try my patience like no other. I love hearing her express herself verbally - she learns new words and likes to use them. Lately when I ask her if she needs to go potty, she pauses and looks around and then says "Prolly." She likes to sleep with a book. She doesn't open it or look at the pictures or anything - she just likes to hold it. Some people have teddy bears . . . Londyn cuddles with books. Silly girl.
I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving next week. It's one of my favorite holidays. Maybe because there isn't really a commercial aspect to it at all - the whole point is to be with loved ones and reflect on your blessings. That's about as un-commercial as you can be, I think. We're going to try to host it here, which should be interesting. I think that if we move the couch onto the back porch we should be able to fit. And if there happens to be a snow storm while it's out there and it gets ruined . . . darn.
That I didn't accidentally delete all of my Halloween photos. Just the ones of Londyn, taken as she was leaving to go trick or treating. Oops. If anybody happens to have a picture of my little Pirate-Princess, would you mind sharing it with me?
That my mom's voice held out long enough to give her talk in church yesterday. She cornered me before church and asked if I would finish it if she couldn't. Luckily, she made it and she and my dad both did a great job.
That my household has approved the commencement of Christmas music playing in our house. The Christmas season doesn't last long enough to wait until December to start celebrating, in my humble opinion.
That we're having white chicken chili tonight for dinner. It's grey and rainy and it just seems like white chicken chili is the only appropriate option for our evening meal.
That Will is giving the lesson for FHE tonight. I love seeing what he comes up with - have I mentioned that he is very creative?
That we got a good jump start on our Christmas shopping on Saturday. Trying really hard again this year to SIMPLIFY and enjoy the season for what it truly is. Easier said than done, but it helps to have a good start on the shopping.
That the conference issue came in the mail on Friday. I'm one who gets a lot more out of the talks when I read them rather than when I initially hear them. My visiting teachers came on Friday and the message they shared was from Elder Perry's talk, called "Let Him Do It with Simplicity." It was cool. I dig my visiting teachers.
That my folks are here. Little do they know that I have been intercepting messages from their realtor telling them they got the house. Muuhahaha.
This is what you get when you put the dad in charge of the costume. I didn't go out trick-or-treating with them but from what I heard it was very well received.
