Happy Valentine's Month!

I'm having so much fun playing around with my new camera, and a very old version of photo shop! Maybe I'll get that updated soon too. Then I'll REALLY be having fun.

Bring it on!!

Sunnyside had a HUGE snowstorm! We have not invested in "snow clothes" yet so we rummaged through the Martin's ski clothes and put layer after layer on to go tubing behind Gary's four-wheeler. I think I'll go to the store and get some boots and gloves for the kids. We had a lot of fun with the Kannely's, the missionaries, Juana and her daughters. Juana works with Gary and Kent. She is so nice. It was fun to spend time with her and her family. Can you believe this snow? After living in Florida, I forgot how amazing snow is! It is just gorgeous!

Goodbye, Our Beloved Prophet

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has just announced that Church President Gordon B. Hinckley has passed away.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (mormons), I would like to add my feelings of sadness for the loss of a beloved leader. I also feel at peace for him, as I know this is a happy day of reunion with his dear wife. He will always hold a place deep in my heart. I am thankful for his life and the example he set for others. His life was full of service and dedication to his family and to the church. May we remember the lessons he taught and try harder to "Stand a Little Taller." My prayers are with his family and those of us that will miss him greatly.

Happy Birthday Beverly!

My friend, Bev is having a birthday on the 29th. We surprised her with a little ice cream social last night. We met up for banana splits and birthday cake. After that, we went to see the movie "27 dresses." How perfect was it, that Bev is turning 27? There was a very unusual ice storm so we had to brave the weather and drive very slowly to the theater. What we won't do for a night out! We hung up 27 dresses on the wall in honor of the movie!
Becky, Brooke, Danae and I made this fondant covered cake to look like a dress. It was so fun to try something new!
Here are the party favors. Dress boxes with chocolates inside to eat during the movie. We had so much fun.

"Ode to Reagran"

One of our family's favorite people is Reagran. She is so dear to us. She has two lovely children that are amazing. When Kent and I went to Spokane for the weekend, she and her kids came to stay at our house with Ethan and Ella. We are grateful to have someone we trust entirely to be with our kids. Ethan and Ella get so excited when they see her and her family. Reagran has had such a bond with Ella nearly since we first moved here. Reagran has always been able to decipher what Ella is saying as if she is speaking perfect english. We love you Reagran! We are thankful for you! Here are some pictures I could not help but post. Precious Moments!

This is Reagran's daughter, Annie. Isn't she gorgeous? Ella is a bit "squished" here... whoa!

My new camera!

So Kent finally bought me a new camera! I love it! I am having so much fun with it- so watch out because there will be LOTS of blogs in the next little while. My dear friend, Brooke, let me use her kids as practice. Here are a few of them.

Pinewood Derby

Here we are at the Pinewood Derby. Kent and Ethan made this car in the last few days before the big race. Kent warned me that he didn't know how to make one and told me not to tease him about it. Well, Kent has a way of being successful at EVERYTHING he does. He won 1st place in many of the first several rounds and took 5th place overall. Not too shabby!

Take a good look at the "Silver Bullet"

Ella was our little "flag girl." She had a great time watching all the cars racing (and eating pizza- have I mentioned that Ella loves to eat?)

Here is our bishop. He came in with himself handcuffed to the briefcase that held his derby car. It was hilarious. He had another briefcase inside the big briefcase, with a code. It was so funny. Our bishop is great! (Sorry, the picture is sideways-oops).
Ethan's friend Cameron was there too. His daddy and Kent are in the Elder's Chorum Presidency together at church. Both of their daddies did very well.
This is Kent's boss Gary (refer back to Christmas break). His car took FIRST PLACE OVERALL! Congratulations Gary. Everyone teased him about getting his car checked out for steroids. Good one! (sideways again- sorry).
Ella and I had lots of fun running around the gym and cheering everyone on!

Under my Umbrella ELLA ELLA

Ella loves that a song has her name in it! She is quite our little dancer too! Someday I'll get a video clip put on here with her dancing. It is darling! For now, here she is with her umbrella! Of course I took 100 pictures and this is the only one that would work. (You've all seen Ella in past "photo shoots"). You can hardly see the umbrella, that is not what's important, right?

I don't know if you can tell from this picture, but Ella is wearing 6 pairs of Ethan's underwear and his socks! I was doing the laundry (yes, it's true) and she saw the pile of Ethan's underwear and wanted to put them on. All of them! Then his socks. She wouldn't let me take them off until Ethan came home, then she let him have them back. Where did she come from?

New Chairs!

I finally got some new chairs for my living room! I'm getting antsy to paint so I thought I'd accesorize and see if it helps my craving.. I'll let you know!

True Color

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Orange

You're a bold, confident orange. A warm, powerful color that indicates a strong, welcoming personality, orange is the mark of people who are social and extroverted by nature. Vibrant, with an upbeat attitude, you have a bright, inviting demeanor. Energetic and fun-loving, you're a real friend-magnet. Your easy charm and unassuming manner make you the sort of person people want to meet and get to know better. Well-rounded and fun to be around, you enjoy helping others, so it's no surprise that orange also symbolizes attraction. Orange is an extraordinary color — for an extraordinary person.

Take this test >

"I'm a big kid now!"

Ethan loves to lay on his stomach on the ottoman to play the XBox. Ella has reached the age where she wants to be a "big girl" and do everything that everyone else is doing. Ethan left the XBox to run and get something. When he came back, he found Ella had climbed up in his place and was pretending to be playing (poor girl has the controller upside-down). Ethan loved it and climbed up next to her. She felt so important up there next to Ethan. I had to take a picture (shocker). They are at such fun ages. Ethan is an amazing big brother- especially since Ella is a little... dare we say.... spoiled?!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Here is my darling mom- living life to the FULLEST!

It is hard to be away from my mom on special days like this. Thank heaven for blogs, right? Tomorrow is my mom's birthday- but in Fiji it is already tomorrow so I wanted to post a couple pictures that I love to let her know I'm thankful for her in my life.

She is such a generous, loving, creative person. As I learn more about myself and the interests I have, I know she helped to inspire me to be the way I am. I love to make special events, such as birthdays and holidays, a big deal. I learned that from my mom. I remember having something to look forward to with my mom around. Every holiday like Valentine's Day, St. Patricks' Day, etc. we would have a little gift waiting on our plate at breakfast time. We always had morning breakfast together as a family (my dad made the best pancakes!) and my mom would make it so special. I remember finding Easter baskets hidden throughout the house and we would have to find them. Two nights before Christmas we would all sleep under the Christmas tree together. On my birthday I always felt like nothing else was more important. I think now about all these "theme parties" I do. I remember back to when I was obsessed with "The Little Mermaid." My mom and sister cut paper streamers and underwater creatures out of paper. Then they hung them from the ceiling to cover the entire room so I could have a mermaid party. I love so many things about my mom. I remember watching her make rolls and swedish twists while I would sat at the counter and talk to her and watch her. Every night my mom would tuck me in bed. She would lay down with me and ask me what the worst part of my day was and the best part of my day. That means so much to me. Even now, when I visit my parents (without Kent). I have to have my mom tuck me in. Usually I just make her sleep with me so we can talk all night long (true story- sorry dad)! This year, along with last year, my mom is serving the Lord on a full time mission in Fiji. I'm so proud of her and thankful for her example to her children and grandchildren. I love the pictures she sends and the stories she tells me. I love you mom! I can't wait to see you soon! My mom and dad come home near my birthday! Yipee! Happy Birthday!

My mom flew out to Florida to be with me when I had Ella. My birthday was three days before Ella was born and my mom came out early to help celebrate my birthday too! No one can take care of me like my mom.

As tradition (traditions are important to my mom), my mom, sister and I always get pedicures together and do lunch! My niece is getting old enough to come too! Maybe I'll go get a pedicure today in honor of my mom! Wish we were together! I love you!

Let it Snow!

Here is a picture of Ethan bundled up to go outside to play in the snow. He has two shirts, a jacket, a coat, a scarf and a super warm hat- from Fiji no less! Bring on the snow! By the way, this picture was taken around 3:30 in the afternoon! It's already getting dark!

Nursery Time!

Ella finally is old enough to go to nursery at church! I don't know who was more excited, Ella or Kent and I. She went right in and started playing with the baby dolls. I guess she got sad in the middle of it because Kent had to go in with her for part of it. I was more worried about her being a bully. Oh well. We'll see what happens next week.

LOVE IT!

I saw this online and loved it. This is so unique! The best of both worlds (especially for Kent)- a bath AND a couch! Not to mention it has that special touch of Glamour!