Doing good....

The kids didn't have school today and Shea began planning last night..... I knew we were in trouble when she showed me her "Save the Panda Bears Bake Sale" poster.

I really do love that Shea is so creative.
and enthusiastic.
and giving.

But sometimes it does wear me out. After trying (unsuccessfully) to convince her to plan other things for her day off, I gave up and decided to just do a little redirecting. We've been talking with our kids for the past few days about the earthquake in Haiti and ways we could help, so with a little prompting, Shea decided her bake sale would be for Haiti. Courtney came over and brought a pumpkin pie, cupcakes and oreos. Then we made oatmeal and sugar cookies. A strange combination, but for $2, who could resist a plate of all that??

They sold five plates (they had six, but donated one plate to the missionaries :)

So tomorrow we will be donating their proceeds to the Red Cross. The panda bears will have to wait until another day. And another mother.

Song's Baptism

Our friend, Song Park was baptized yesterday.... it was a wonderful day for all of us! Robert baptized him and Elder Bawden confirmed today at church. Elder Root was transferred earlier in the week but was able to come. Here are a few photos from the baptism....

Sophia played the piano for the hymns and Braden played his guitar for prelude and after the baptism. He did a great job!!

It's a sign!

Everyone knows that to live on a farm....
you have to be able to make bread.

and your kids have to eat brussel sprouts.

Well - I have always been a terrible bread maker,
but absolutely needed french bread yesterday. So I made some!
and it was YUMMY!

and we had brussel sprouts with our yummy french bread
AND my kids ate them!!

Do you need any more proof that I am supposed to live on a farm?
I didn't think so.

Crossing Guard Shea

For the next six weeks, Shea is going to be a crossing guard before and after school. Lucky for her this is the COLDEST six weeks of the year. High of 28 today! Brrrr....

Frugal challenge - December 2010

The most expensive month of the year is over!! I've been working on our financial goals for 2010 and hope it isn't as difficult as it looks right now. I tend to aim VERY high, but would much rather slightly miss a high goal than easily meet a low goal.

#1 Grocery - $3o5. Not bad for December! We ate most of our freezer so now I am in stock-up mode. Hopefully there will be some great sales this month.

#2 House - paid down 2.14% of our house putting us at 94.45% to be debt free. Still seems like a loooong ways to go. Wish I had started few years ago instead of a few months ago :)

Temple Square

Saturday morning we left early so we could spend a little time at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. It was a beautiful morning!!

In the tabernacle....
Shea trying to be happy....

We took a photo of a Korean Book of Mormon

for Song and Sophia

I love this wall....

This is a beautiful place.....

and I'm so glad we took the time to visit.

Sledding

I love to sled and Logan Canyon has the absolute best sledding in the world at a place called "the sinks".

Shea, Christa, Bryce and Braden

the (world's best) moms...

Robert getting ready to give a little push...

Christa and Shea goin' down!

Bryce and Braden

Dad & Shea

Shea trying to see out of her hat...

LOVE this photo!

Tammy screaming down the hill...

Tammy dead at the bottom....

Playing games and Swimming

We spent three days up at Bear Lake with the Law's....



playing games.
eating.
swimming.
sledding.
getting sick.

the boys.

trying to kill each other.

it didn't work.
the hot tub.

the kids.

Shea, Christa, Braden, Tanner & Bryce

Best New Year's..... Ever.

Shea got the flu on Tuesday.
Robert and I woke up Thursday (New Year's Eve) with the bug.
A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 24 hours.

Happy New Year to us.
Thanks to Tammy for taking care of us while we were sick :)

Shea and Fozzy.... sick together like best friends should be.

From here to there and then back to here again.....

We left Christmas day right after talking with Kayla (yay!!) to drive to Utah for a week. I've got lots of photo's to share....



Shea took a few pictures out the window as we were leaving Lubbock. Lubbock is home, but the scenery leaves a little to be desired :)

We spent a few days in Smithfield and then drove up to Bear Lake.... I was praying to get snowed in, but as you can see from the second photo I was sadly disappointed!

Then back to Lubbock! 17 hours each way, but after doing it in one shot this summer (which was TORTURE) we stayed half-way in New Mexico each way.

Home-Sweet-Home. Sometimes it does seem like the best part of going away is coming home.