April 2011 at a Glance

Wow!  As I look back upon April 2011 I am reminded of the busy month and good times we had with family.

Warning...there are a lot of pictures in this post.

General Conference Weekend

We attend General Conference two weekends per year.  It is a time when we watch and listen (on tv) to the Prophet and Leaders of the church.  It has become a tradition for our family to watch this at Mom and Dad's house.  In an attempt to help Lindsey listen more I had a plethera of activities help her sit quietly...with a hope that should would hear the words and learn some things too.  :)

Lindsey concentrating on a sticker activity.

Dazzling fingers...

Somehow Lindsey's stickers ended up on as "nail polish" on her and Grandma's fingers.

Spring Flowers

I love tulips!  They are a tie for my favorite flower...with Daisies.  They make me happy.  This little one popped up in my tulip garden.  It brought a smile to my face.  I didn't get to enjoy my tulips long outside once they bloomed because Lindsey was always very anxious to pick it and bring it inside to put in a vase.  It was a highlight of her day when she found a new one had bloomed.

Our new Spring wreath (we hung in the kitchen)

This is craft project idea I got from a friend (thanks, Elise).  We had a great time painting the flowers (made from egg cartons).  I have tons of buttons so they took place as the center of the flower.  We added some paper leaves for the finishing touch, and viola!  It was complete.  I think it turned out very cute!

Rain...Rain...Rain...



Grandma bought Lindsey a new rain coat and shoes.  She had to try things out in the water puddles...she couldn't wait until we got home to put on her rain boots.

She was havign a great time playing in the water.

New Addition...Not 1, but 6

Six new chicks that is.

We have been thinking about buying chickens for a few years but just haven't felt completely prepared for them.  I can't say we are prepared now, either, but one day while in Rural King Jeremy got a wild hair and said "let's do it...today!"  Lindsey and I didn't argue.  So we brought home six chicks...two Buff Orpington, two Black Australorp and two Isa Brown.  Lindsey is the mother hen.  She loves her chickens!  (That is an understatement).  We read in our chicken book that if you will hold them and snuggle them from the time you bring them home that they will be much more used to people.  Lindsey has taken that to heart.  These chickens are her babies.

Happy Easter

Our Little Fam

Coloring eggs at Grandma and Grandpa's house

Let's Call Her Teresa

Jeremy found this turtle somewhere and brought it up to the house.  Lindsey is fascinated by all the wildlife around us.  If she can touch it or hold it...she probably will.  This turtle didn't stay around long, but for the few days she lived in our flower bed...we called her Teresa.

Way Out Back

I looked out one day and saw these boys out back.  They were strutting their stuff.  I was fascinated to see them all puffed out and trying to outdue each other.

Jaimee's Prom 2011

Jaimee got invited to attend her first prom.  We went to see her off and take a few (lots!) of pictures.  She is a beautiful young lady...inside and out!

Molly, Jaimee, Bella, Emma and Lindsey

Shawna and the girls came into town so Shawna could do Jaimee's hair.  The girls thought Jaimee looked like a princess.

Jaimee's dress was beautiful.  It took on different hues in different ligths.  Sometimes it was a purple/grey and other times it was a light burgandy.  The bottom of the dress was very detailed.  Just look at that pretty flower.

Emma, Molly, Lindsey

We drove to a park where we met the group Jaimee was going to the prom with.  We took lots of nice pictures.  The girls were very patient and enjoyed playing together and catching up.

Mom and Bella

Fun at the Park

After Jaimee left for the prom we all went to play at another park down the road.  Here are some fun moments I caught on camera.

Scott and Shawna had fun on the swings.  A sibling challenge to see who could go the highest.  Scott then showed us a talent from his childhood as he jumped out.  :) 

Bella

Emma

Molly

Lindsey

A cute picture of Bella.  I couldn't resist including this one.

An Engine Show

If you've ever read anything about our family then you know that we go to engine shows to support one of Daddy's hobbies.  These pictures are from yet another engine show.

They had some fun, free activities for the kids...

Lindsey showing me she can go feet first down the HUGE blow up slide.

Trying it another way.  On yet another try (sorry, but the picture didn't turn out well) she went head first.

Pony ride

Barrel ride with her friend, Patrick.

Patrick was there with this his Dad and brother.  He was a good sport and played with Lindsey.

March 2011 at a Glance

Let's Go Fly a Kite!

It was a warm spring day and the wind was just right so we pulled out the kite.  Lindsey wanted to try it on her own.  She did a great job!

Fancy Dresses

 In preparation for the LDS Prom we were collecting donations of used prom dresses the owners no longer wanted.  Over 100 dresses were collected and young women were able to "rent" them for the cost of dry cleaning the dress before it was returned.  It was a huge success!  Well, one Sunday I brought home several dresses and Lindsey saw them.  She was in tears when she found out they were not for her.  She just had to try a few of them on.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

A family trip to Dairy Queen...a favorite place for Lindsey and I.

Dora and Diego at the Children's Museum

Today we invited our friends Brooklyn (left of Lindsey) and Kenzie (right of Lindsey) to the Children's Museum.  They were sooooo excited to see the Dora and Diego exhibit.  They are all very big fans!

Lindsey has a fascination with monkey bars.  Today she found some just her size and with some help getting up there was able to go all the way across with no help.  She felt like a big girl!

Many years ago Jeremy and I watched a TV documentary about a artist named Dale Chihuly who makes freeblown glass.  Since that time I have been fascinated with his work.  We found out there is some here in town at the Visitors Center.  There has also been a display at the Children's Museum for many years.  In the basement the kids can play with plastic replicas and look at several pieces in the ceiling.  This picture is a reflection of the glass in the ceiling on the black tile floor.  For some reason this intrigued me today.  I love all the colors!  I'd love to own a piece of his work...maybe someday.

Chocolate Truffles...Yum!

These are Oreo Truffles.  They are extremely easy to make and super yummy!  Why did I take a picture of these, you ask.  Well, today I made over 400 of them...with the help of two very good friends, Elise and Melissa.  So now you may be asking, "why?"  They were for a special young women activity called "Divine by Design".  It was an amazing evening for the ladies and their mothers.  There were booths with activities as well as a modest fashion show involving young women in the two stakes that participated.  It was amazing to see the girls light up as they felt special.  (Each girl selected her outfit to wear and were finished off with a beautiful hair style by very talented hair stylists.)  The evening was finished off my joining together in the chapel to watch the Genearl Young Women Broadcast.  All who attended left feeling uplifted and reminded of their divine worth.  It was an amazing evening!

Wildlife at Home

Two Jakes in our backyard.  I'm not sure why, but I always enjoy watching the wildlife.  I guess I like being reminded that there are many important things in this world.  I love all of God's creations.

February 2011 at a Glance

Wisconsin Here We Come! ... Lucas is 8!

We started the month off with a trip to Wisconsin to my sisters house.  My nephew, Lucas, was eight years old and was getting baptized.  He asked me to speak on the Holy Ghost.  His baptism was beautiful and we had a great time visiting with him and his family. 

Lucas...very handsome in his suit and tie.

The family who was there...

Dad, Me, Shawna, Bella, Joe

Emma, Molly, Grandma, Lindsey and Lucas

Fun at Home!

This picture isn't the best in the world, but I couldn't resist capturing this memory.  This happens often in our home.  Lindsey is usually dressed up as something (not always a princess), and she usually gets Daddy up to dance with her.  Most of our time at home is spent singing, dancing or being entertained by Lindsey.  She has an amazing imagination and it is rarely idle!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mom turned 70 this month.  I can't believe it.  She looks great and gets around pretty well.  We've celebrated at lot with her recently.  The day before her birthday was her last day in the working world.  She retired!  It was a big decision for her, but she always said she would know when it was the right time and she felt that it was now.  It's fun to see Mom and Dad getting used to each other again.  They are enjoying retirement together.  We had Mom and Dad over for a birthday dinner for Mom.  I made this beautiful Red Velvet Cake.  It was yummy!  I always think of my brother, Ray, when I eat red velvet...it's his favorite.  He used to ask Mom to make a cake for him everytime he could come home to visit when he was in the military.  Happy Day, Mom!  Thanks for being you!  We love you!

Books!

Another thing Lindsey and I like to do together (A LOT!!!!) is read.  We recently found out the bookmobile comes a few miles away from our home every other week...so we ventured over and had a blast.  We checked out a lot of books and sat in the car to read a few before we headed home.

The Anticipation...

This is another familiar sight in our home.  Whenever Lindsey knows someone is coming over she will pull this chair over in front of the windows and sit and watch.  I don't even remember who was coming over at this time, I just wanted to capture the memory.  The anticipation of a child is catching.  You can see the excitement on her face.  So sweet.

January 2011 at a Glance

We started the year off with a busy month here in our home...

Two of my Favorite people...

Hanging out at home.

A very special evening...

Jeremy taking Lindsey on a date...

  Don't they look fabulous!!!

first they went out to dinner at IHOP (Lindsey's choice) then...

they went to the "Winter Wonderland" Princess Ball

 Lindsey had a great time.  She was more interested in playing with the balloons than dancing.  She had a great time going out with Daddy by herself.  When I asked what her favorite thing was she responded it was the "real princesses" there.  (There were teenage girls wearing fancy dresses and tiaras.  To a 4 year old they were "real princesses".) 

Snow...Snow...Snow...

We finally got a good amount of snow.  Lindsey had a blast playing in it...

and eating it.  What a snowball!

Yay!  Rah!  Go team!



My niece, Jaimee, is a cheerleader for Mooresville High School.  She played a local team so we went to watch her do her stuff.  She is a fabulous cheerleader with amazing tumbing skills!  We love you!!!

Barbie Fun!

We have enjoyed having a membership to the Children's Museum.  Lindsey's favorite thing is the Barbie exhibit.  On this particular day Lindsey and I went by ourselves (we usually go with friends or Grandma).  She was excited because she got to choose everything we did...it was all about her.  So unsurprisingly (is that a word?) we went to the Barbie exhibit first.  We were there right when the museum opened so we pretty much ran up there and ran right to this computer.  It is her most favorite thing to do there.  It is a Barbie designer software.  She can pick a doll and design her clothing.  She could do this for hours.  I eventually have to pull her away and convince her it is time to see something else and give another little girl a try.  It's fun to see her get so excited about this.

Babysitting Mya

Our niece, Mya, came to spend the day with us while her babysitter was on vacation.  Lindsey was so excited to spend a whole day with Mya at our house.

Once there was a snowman...small, small, small.

Today there was a small amount of snow on the ground...not a huge amount.  Lindsey was determined to make a snowman, and she did.  If you look closely you can see the raisin eyes and carrot nose.  She did a great job all by herself!

Well, that was our January at a glance.  It was filled with lots of fun family times and making great memories.

Finishing Out the 2010 Year

Lindsey has a wonderful year at church in the Sunbeam class.  She has loved her teacher, Sister Cordier, very much!

Jeremy enjoys hunting and recently became interested in bird hunting.  After looking into it he found a place not too far away and went two days after Christmas with some friends.

First time...

Clayton, Ira, Bob, Robert and Jeremy

Jeremy proudly showing his pheasants.  They are pretty birds.

Believe it or not Lindsey was right by his side when he was cleaning them.  She is a funny girl. 

He loved it so much that he went the second time...the very next day.

Tyler, Jeremy, Rick and Brian

Our family was very blessed throughout the year.  We are grateful for all our Heavenly Father does for us.  We are grateful he can uplift us and strengthen us among our trials too.