Search the Streets!

Delaney and her two best friends got lucky enough to all get the same teacher this year. 

Not only do they spend the school day together, but the minute they finish their after school snack they want to go to each other's house to play. 

 One of the things they do is make up songs or plays. They told Mrs. Steele that they wanted to stay inside for recess one day so they could practice a play they made up and make tickets for the show. She offered to help them make the tickets. In their minds, the play was going to be put on at our house in front of the families only. Imagine the girl's surprise when Mrs. Steele asked if she could buy a ticket and come. "You would come to our house?"

(Like I've mentioned before: they have the best teacher EVER!)

Stars of the Show: Aubrey, Delaney & Lizzy

 Now imagine OUR surprise when the girls came home on Monday with tickets to a play that we didn't know existed letting us know that it would take place at 4:15 on Wednesday and Mrs. Steele plus several kids in their class would be coming!

The tickets sold out and Mrs. Steele had to print more. Lizzy's mom and I made up bags of popcorn and brownies. The girls told a couple neighbors that they could get a free ticket by working the cash register at the front or passing out popcorn.

The play was really cute. It was about a girl who gets mad at her mom and decides to run away (No idea where they come up with such things :) Her little sister copies everything she does, so she follows. Next there is a costume change where Delaney and Lizzy turn into two not-so-bright army guys. I knew these girls had a funny sense of humor, but they were so clever in making up the funny lines. They are told by the girl's mom to "search the streets" and find the missing girls.

There were a ton of neighbors and school friends who bought tickets and came. At the end of the day they had made almost $40! 

I LOVE that their teacher inspired them to do this so big. I LOVE that the girls were brave enough to perform for that many people! I LOVE how creative Delaney and her friends are! They are such talented young ladies!

The three little pigs

Snow day

It finally decided to snow in FEBRUARY. I didn't think I wanted any this year, but it was so much fun sledding with the kids that I decided I am a fan of snow now and again. I just don't want to drive in it.

My latest Project

I really wanted to throw these colors in the kid's play room so I took on a little project. I found a picture on the internet that I liked then painted my own little spin off. Here is how it turned out:

I'm no painter, but in my children's eyes, I am a real artist.
Oh how I love them.

Valentines Day

We had another great Valentines Day this year. The kids always look forward to a surprise when they wake up. 

 I got to babysit Crew's best friend Boston who is one of my favorite little boys in the world.

Delaney & Mrs. Steele

 Then off to the kid's Valentines Parties at school! They have the BEST teachers this year which I am so grateful for!

Kai & Mrs. Hellbusch

Relay Race

Love Bug

 After the kiddos went to bed, I had a big dinner made for Trent and I to have our own little date. I am going to say that I don't usually make ribs but these were the BEST ribs I have ever had! They just fell right off the bone. We had sparkling cider in our fancy champagne flutes, ribs, cornbread, herb oven roasted potatoes, and bread pudding with a cinnamon syrup.

I love the four little loves in my life. Our lives are very busy and stressful at times, but they are my anchor.

Makin S'mores

It has been so warm all winter that we took advantage of the weather for family night and hung out by the fire making s'mores and playing in the backyard. 

I love my family. 

I love that my kids are each other's best friends.

(Even though some days they need being reminded that.)

A little "yoga" in the yard

I am thankful for all the joy that these three little pigs bring into my life each day.

2011

I can not believe that 2012 is here. I'm pretty sure that 2011 took the cake for our family as the craziest year in the many we've shared. I turned 30 for one thing... but that's not the craziest part:

       In the summer, Trent got called to be the bishop of our ward at church. We were incredibly nervous but felt that you can't turn down a calling from the Lord. We thought we knew what it meant to have hectic schedules but we realized we really didn't know just how hectic life could get. A short month later, Trent's boss at work told him that he could no longer keep him on the salary he was paying him and would have to make him a contract attorney which meant he'd get less work and only get paid for the work he did. Trent had already been looking for a new job and knew that there was nothing out there. It was an extremely stressful time for us. We eventually decided to look at jobs outside of Kansas City that ensured we would have to move.
       We knew that the most important thing we could do at that time was have faith and try as hard as we could to do all the things the Lord asks of us. At the end of October Trent decided to call a law firm here in town he had previously interviewed with when he saw a job posting pop up. He knew that it was really hard to get a job with this firm and that you had to be in the top 20% of your graduating class for them to even look at you (which he was not.)  He talked to the lady there and she said "It's funny you should call because the boss just asked me to call you today. He wants you to come in and talk with him."
      Trent left that meeting with a job. We got to stay in our home and keep the kids in their school and not have to leave the ward. We know that the Lord is aware of us and we are so thankful for all that he has blessed us with.
     I learned so much in 2011. Not only did I learn to rely on the Lord, but I learned about SERVICE. I learned what real FRIENDSHIP was. I learned what some of my WEAKNESSES and some of my STRENGTHS were. I learned how to LOVE more deeply.   I am a different person from learning these things.
      
We are excited to see what 2012 will bring.

CTR

Delaney did the lesson for family night this week. Part of it was making CTR out of play dough. For those who aren't familiar, CTR stands for CHOOSE THE RIGHT. I love that phrase. We are faced with choices every single day. Some are simple, some much more difficult, but no matter what,  it is good to have a reminder to Choose the Right.

Christmas

Getting ready to eat on Christmas Eve

Roast Chicken
I always love an excuse to make a huge meal!

In our Jammies & Robes we opened on Christmas Eve

Mom & Dad making us wait on the stairs before going down

Kai on Christmas morning

There was lots of hugging going on!

Crew and Daddy

Delaney & her new Kindle Fire

Christmas was wonderful! It was great to have so much family time and most of all, the Church family is thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ.

Pre-Christmas Activities

Not sure how many trips we took to Union Station/Crown Center last month... but it was a lot! Myrna came for Christmas this year!!

Riding the train at Union Station

"Hi Mom!"

 I still can't figure out why this large child had to sit right in front of Crew when there were 4 other train cars to sit in that were mostly empty.

Dance Party to Christmas Music

This is one of our traditions that the Christmas elf has us do. I'm always happy to see that our children have skills on the dance floor.

Even the pillow pets can dance in this house

Union Station with Grandma

Crown Center

The quality on these pictures are bad because Trent took them on his phone but the kids had fun playing at Crayola Land while waiting for Santa. I'm glad that they don't think they are "too old" for this.

Mary, Joseph, & a football payer with a towel on his head

Acting out our nativity this year was quite comical. Crew wasn't a fan of his costume which came off right after this picture...

Merry Christmas Friends!