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:

Felt Playhouse

I love to look at blogs that talk about homemade projects. Most of the time I am overwhelmed by the creativity of others and my lack of time to do all of the creative things I would like to do. But, sometimes I do actually do a project that I see. This is one of those times. Many of the gifts my children received this year were homemade. For Alanna and Arya I really wanted to make one of these felt playhouses.

It all started when we bought a new BBQ grill almost two years ago. It came in a nice sized box. I cut out holes for a door and window and made the girls a playhouse. They LOVED it. It got a ton of use, but it was cardboard and eventually we had to throw it out.

Alanna cried and cried. I wanted to get something more permanent, but playhouses for the outdoors are out of my price range. So, in this very cute blog I follow, Homemade by Jill, she made one of these for her son. I looked at what she did, looked at the links on her site, and then made my own!

I am pretty proud of it because although I had pictures online to look at, I drew it all out myself, made patterns for it all, sewed it all, and it turned out!! The girls love it. It fits over a card table so I can take it off and fold up the card table anytime I want to put it away!!

It is not as good as some of the ones you see online, but it is my first one and my kids don't have the photos of the other ones to compare!! There is a window on the door, the mail box opens, there is a window on the pumpkin coach, and they can pick the apples from the tree.

Waiting for Santa

The kids love to do this every year. They put on their pajamas that they got for Christmas, we light a fire, and they look at it. Sounds strange, but it is neat to see how they grow each year. They always lay in age order. They are getting so big!

Braces off!

Here is my beautiful baby girl (10 years old, but still my baby!) with her braces off! What a beautiful simile. Below is a before picture that was taken the day she got her braces on, one year ago to the month!

Talent show-Alyssa singing Happy Working Song from Enchanted

Here is my darling 10 year old daughter singing Happy Working Song from the movie Enchanted. This is for her school talent show. She loves preforming and had a great time doing this!