More phone cases

This is so fun!!

Nintendo

This is Nathan's Nintendo DS. We don't have any video games in our house. Nathan has really wanted a Nintendo or a Wii. So, my creative little child created his own Nintendo. He did this about a year or so ago. He has shown it to some of his friends and they all kind of laugh because they have a Nintendo or Wii and think that this one is kind of lame. Well, last week Nathan took it to school and one of his friends loved it so much he bartered with Nathan to make him one!! Nathan was so excited that he found a kindred soul!

phone case

I just up graded my cell phone and needed a new case for it. I drop my phone so often, I wanted to prevent it from getting all scratched up and broken. So, I made this little case in about an hour. It will fit nicely and protected in my purse, or thrown around in my car, or clipped to my belt loop. The only real problem I have with this phone is that I can't carry it around in my back pocket as I am use to doing. So, if I want to listed to music or books on my phone as I work around the house, how can I do that? I was thinking of making a strap to go around my neck, but it is kind of heavy. So, I need to figure that out. The next one I make will be a little taller to completely cover the phone. This was my first attempt. I want to make a case that will match my awesome new tote bag my father-in-law bought me, and one in pink and brown because that is my favorite color combination, and one to match my purse. Maybe I'm getting carried away!

What do people do on Saturdays???

I don't know what 'normal' people do on Saturdays, but my Saturdays are spent cleaning the house, running errands, getting ready for Sunday, and doing church responsibilities. Earlier this week my dad called me up and told me he is leaving for China next week and will be gone for about a month. He invited us up to his house for a visit before we left and to celebrate Nathan's birthday in February and Jared's birthday next week.

So, as the week progressed, we got a little behind in school work and were forced to do it Saturday before we left for my dad's house. The kids were so excited to go to my dad's house that they got up at 6am and all started on their school work! It was great (except that they woke me up at 6am asking how to spell different words!). So by 10am school work was done, chores were done, and we were on our way up to Diamond Bar to visit my dad.

It was so nice!!! We visited with him for a little while at his house, the kids played games with their adorable cousin, and then we went out to eat. My dad took us to the Old Spaghetti Factory which was a real treat because we rarely go out to eat anymore, much less to a REAL restaurant! Then we went to the Brea Mall. I haven't just walked around at a mall to window shop for years. I was amazed at all of the people that were there. It was packed!! I live a sheltered life I guess!

Arya wanted to walk without holding my hand out of the mall. The only way I could keep her with me was to tell her to follow Grandpa. So, she put her hands behind her back (like Grandpa had his) and followed Grandpa out the mall and through most of the parking lot! Cute!!

We drove home around 4pm and it was the most relaxing Saturday I have had in many, many months. (I will say that I spent the ride up and back hand binding the quilt I am working on. Can't have any idle time!)

It was loads of fun to visit with my dad, who always makes me laugh, visit with my brother, who is always such a kid and makes my kids laugh, visit with my wonderful sister-in-law, who is always so sweet and thoughtful, and visit with my cute nephew, who knows more about technology than me! Wish I had some photos to post; I guess this one will just go down as a memory, but it was a very nice day.

Feeling Blue

Arya got into a blue marker. I had come home from the store and Jared was watching the kids. They had gotten into something while I was gone and I was a little irritated that he hadn't watched them as well as I thought he should have. Well, I didn't know it at the time, but this was going to come right back at me! After fixing what the kids did while I was gone, I got started on school work with the three older kids and Alanna sitting at the table 'helping.' As I was doing history with the older kids downstairs, Arya was upstairs. After about 30 minutes I noticed how quiet it was. So, I sent Alanna, the four year old, to go check on Arya. She went up, I hear this scream of shock from Alanna, and then Alanna trying to get Arya to come downstairs. By this time I think Arya realized she was in trouble. She started crying, but came downstairs. This is what I found; Arya covered in blue marker. She even put on blue 'lipgloss' and that is why her mouth is blue. I was pretty upset, but just had to get the camera to remind myself that these precious little children will get into trouble and I don't watch them as well as I think I do!! Arya was so mad at me for taking her picture. She said I "hurt her feelings." Awwww!

Nathan's birthday

Well, my boy is nine this year. He is such a sweet boy. This has been a year of changes for him. When he turned eight, he was so excited to be eight. He wanted to be so good and do everything right. He amazed me for the first six months. Something happened after about six months and it was harder and harder for him to control his emotions. He's been working on it and is back to reading his scriptures daily, praying daily, and being a wonderful example to his sisters. I am so greatful for this amazing child in my life.

Since this was an odd numbered birthday, we had family birthday celebrations Since we couldn't get everyone together at one time, it went on throughout February and March for his birthday. It's kind of nice to have a birthday go on for two months!!!

8 years old:

7 years old:

6 years old:

5 years old: 4 years old:

3 years old: One year old: