February happenings

We got a fun package from Jenny last week.  Notice the kids below sporting their cute BYU Idaho shirts?  They came from Jenny, our BYU Idaho girl!  They were sooo excited.  We all got a little something from her.

In other news, Spencer presented his Famous American Report last week.  He did his report on George Lucas.  He did such a great job.  I was so proud of him.  If you ever want to know about George Lucas, ask Spencer...or me.  I know way too much about him.  We are all glad that project is over.

That about wraps up the news around here.  Evan is playing rugby, Filippo is playing indoor soccer, and I am just trying to conquer the neverending laundry.  One day everything will be folded and all the socks will be matched up...in about 20 years.  Hmmmm, well I better get back on it.

Oh yes, Happy Love Day! 

Where is my undo button?



You're my brown eyed girl

Bridgete is so cooperative when I whip out my camera.  I am so thankful for that.  I am feeling more confident with my camera.  I was feeling pretty confident with my editing skills until I purchased Photoshop CS5.  Now everything has come to an abrupt halt.  There is no "undo" button.  In Elements, that was my favorite button of all time.  And now it is gone.  Poof...into thin air.  My heart is beating faster just typing about it!  What have I done?  Now I have to learn all new tricks.  I don't know if I am ready for that.  Well, I guess I am a little.  Take for instance this picture of Bridgete.  Edited with the new stuff.  Not too shabby.  And it went a lot faster than me having to go through and adjust every single thing.  So I guess this girl will have to learn a few new tricks.  eeek! 



#96

#96. 

 That is the number on Spencer's car - his Pinewood Derby car.  For weeks this has been the topic of conversation with Spencer.  The countdown to Thursday night was a long one.  This was his first Pinewood Derby Race.  This is what he has dreamed of since becoming a cub scout.  There was a lot of pressure on that #96.  I just prayed the wheels and added weights would stay on.  



Spencer watching his car go down the race track for the first time. 



He did it! 
He actually did great.
2nd place.  Not too shabby.
He told me while I was tucked him in bed that night,
 "Mom, that was the best night of my life." 
 So sweet.  So Spencer.



A New Year

It is 2011.  When did that happen?  Our January started with a bang (well poppers and silly string:)  The boys had their annual New Year's Football Game.  Lots of mud.  Lots.



Did I mention lots of mud?



But the most exciting news is that Jenny is a student at BYU Idaho!  She moved in January 3rd and survived her first week as an official college student.  We are so proud of her and the example she is setting for the rest of her siblings.  Bridgete is feeling outnumbered and misses her so, but she talks to her on the phone and writes to her.  It is sweet.  Bittersweet..

This picture won't flip for the life of me.  It is cute and I love it, so I am still gonna use it.

So, I have been working on the house like a crazy woman.  All the Christmas stuff is put away.  We have moved the computer into Jenny's room that we are making more into a guest bedroom.  We moved the piano to the new free wall and now have access to our full wall bookcase (and the five year dust that has been behind the piano). In moving the computer unit, we had to clear out Jenny's room.  Heaven help us!  That girl has more clothes than the rest of the family combined.  How is that even possible?  Well, all I know is that it is indeed, possible:)  Since we had to clear out her room we had to move her dressers.  The big one went to the boys, and then we had to go through all of their clothes.  We also had to make room in the garage for her bins, bed and small dresser.  Do you notice the horrible trickle effect of all of this?  Have I completely confused you?  I think so:)

I enjoy redecorating/rearranging projects and feeling super productive.  Maybe not doing that to four rooms all at once...a little overwhelming especially with Sophie.  But it is all good.  Jenny's room is almost done and then I will go from there. It will be wonderful once it is done.  It better be.  

Well, back to work.   

a kiss while cutting down our Christmas tree

It's the most wonderful time of the year. 

 Really it is.  I love Christmas.

  I love baking and sharing

 and having carolers come to our door

and looking at lights

and taking the kids out to shop for eachother at Walgreens or the Dollar store

and the smell of our Christmas tree

and planning big special meals

and stocking stuffers

and Christmas music

and looking at my nativites

and thinking about our Savior.

I am sad when people say it doesn't feel like Christmas.  I have heard this from quite a few people this year.  I say...make it feel like Christmas.  Share some cookies with your neighbors and friends, give some extra service to those in need, sing Christmas carols with your family... at least that is what works for me:) 

Tis the season

This is our last minute...hurry the rain stopped!....you better smile or else!...seriously can't believe someone had a huge wad of gum in his mouth and his shirt all the way buttoned!...run to Ross to find something to cover my butt!....throw on a turquoise bracelet and now we all match!...our photographer cancelled!...ask Jenny's bff Ashlee to take our picture with a 30 second tutorial!..just leave the headband on for a little longer cutie!...oh crud it's almost dark!...family picture.

I'm sure none of you can relate.  hahaha.

Baked Oatmeal, anyone?

Baked Oatmeal
When I lived in the dorms at UC Irvine, there was one breakfast dish that was heavenly.  It was Baked Oatmeal with Warm Milk.  I actually tried finding the recipe from UCI but the recipe was too hard to down size from their gigantic recipe.  So I gave up for 10 years.  I found a baked oatmeal on all recipes recently and then made my own version.  Here it is: 

6 cups rolled oats                           1 cup milk

1 1/2 cup brown sugar                   3 eggs

3 teaspoons cinnamon                   2/3 cup melted butter

3 teaspoons baking powder           3 teaspoons vanilla

2 teaspoons salt 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Mix together the dry ingredients then add the wet ingredients.

Spread into a 9x13 dish

Bake for 40 minutes.  Serve with warm milk.