Dinner for my SWEETHEARTS!

Bryan, Mindy

A Valentine treat for my SWEETHEARTS.

(Jacob, Karissa, Kelsi, Sam)

I made a special valentine dinner for my SWEETHEARTS: Bryan, Karissa, Kelsi, Jacob, and Sam--they are the LOVES of my LIFE!!!

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Jacob is 10 YEARS OLD!!!
He had a lot of fun decorating his birthday cake.

Hooray for Jacob's Birthday!
This year Jacob had a family birthday party.

Jacob a got STAR WARS Lego set for his Birthday.

And a few surprises...like a new scooter...

...a game, a tie, and more!

A definite highlight of his birthday was going to see
the movie: "Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief."

(Kelsi, Jacob, Karissa, Sam)

Another birthday bonus was having a birthday sleep over with his cousin, Blake.
That made for lots of FUN!
(Jacob, Blake)

And fun times with Brothers always make birthdays great!

(Jacob, Sam)

Happy Valentines Day!

Bryan and I went to our annual Stake Valentine Dance. It was a lot of fun. Lots of yummy food (chocolate, carmel and cheese fountains), and good company and a few great dances.

(Mindy, Bryan)

I'm typing this in the basement on our 'downstairs' computer. Our upstairs (fairly new) computer is having issues...it sounds like our hard drive cashed....Toby was able to save most of our stuff, thank goodness! Toby is helping get it fixed up for us, which we are VERY grateful for. I'm realizing how very much I use my computer as I have to come downstairs every time lately--I'm grateful we have this one down here to use.

Bryan and I went to the temple and out to lunch today.

Kelsi cleaned Oreo's cage REALLY REALLY good yesterday...the plan is for her to keep it clean in preparation of breeding baby bunnies with Dora :)

Jacob and Sam are having way too much fun playing Wii!

Karissa is loving her IPOD.

We had a good weekend...cleaning, relaxing, playing with friends, etc...

Jacob made an amazing Valentine Box...it's a playground, the valentines go down the slide into the slot....it's very cool. Then he made a 'robot' valentine box for Sam, it's very cool also.

Sam with his robot valentine box that Jacob made for him.

Jacob with his 'playground valentine box'
He worked very hard on this...started WEEKS ago.
He had so much fun making it and won a prize at school
for the 'FUNNEST VALENTINE BOX'.

Warm Fuzzies

We recently started a "Warm Fuzzy Jar" at our house. Every time any of us "catch" someone doing an act of service, love, kindness, etc. we put a warm fuzzy in the jar.

So, here's one of our 'warm fuzzy' moments.....
Last Sunday Sam really wanted to sit by me at church, but he was not quite quick enough to get a seat by me and even with his begging puppy dog eyes, none of the other kids wanted to trade spots with him.

Well, after several minutes of distress, Karissa got up and very kindly let Sam have her seat...Needless to say, Sam was very happy, and he then leaned over and whispered to her: "Karissa, you own the house of warm fuzzies."

Sister's Weekend 2010!

(Kristi, Annette, Mindy,
Ann, Julie, Jessica)
Sister's weekend was AMAZING as always....
we had way too much fun!
Shopping, eating, pedicures, crafts, and great company, even into late nights with FUN DIP!

Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.
(Kristi, Mindy, Ann,
Annette, Jessica, Julie)
We waited 1 1/2 hours for our food!
We were starving, but it was worth the wait,
the food was DELICIOUS!

Getting PEDICURES!
(Lisa, Kristi, Mindy)
OK...this was my first Pedicure EVER!--it was WONDERFUL!!
I loved every minute and now I have pretty toes!

(Kristi, Annette, Ann, Mindy, Julie)
It's so fun to get together once a year---
big thanks to Bryan for watching the kids all weekend!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

(Jacob, Sam, Kelsi, Jeff, Grandpma Blake, Josh, Alyssa, Karissa)

We celebrated my dad's 63rd birthday!
We're very grateful to have such a wonderful dad and grandpa! He's so much fun! And he's a great example to us. He's taught us very much through word and example over the years--We love him very much!

Karissa's science project is moving on to the district level! --Because she made district level, she doesn't have to do a project for science class this term :)

Bryan and I enjoyed going to the temple today. Tuesdays are a great 'date' day for us.
We also went to Young Women New Beginnings with Karissa--I love the new books and new jewelry and ribbons, etc. And I'm so excited that the mothers can do it too! I'm really looking forward to getting started.

"Wii" Love to have FUN!

Playing Wii!
(Jacob, Bryan, Karissa, Sam)

Wii is quite the HIT. We got some more remotes...so now 4 of us can play at a time, makes for more fun!

I got a new calling in my ward...assistant Young Women camp director. So I'll get to go to girl's camp with both Karissa and Kelsi, which will be fun! (I'll still keep my calling as Activity Day Leader.)

Kelsi had her "Nova graduation"...it's a great program at the school where kids learn some great life coping skills. CONGRATS Kelsi!

Grandma Blake came up and talked with Karissa about family history for part of her personal progress for Young Women. She got all the kids interested in looking at memory books and hearing about their ancestors.

We had a great long weekend...we went snowmobiling with our friends across the street. They have a cabin by a lake--we had a great time; the boys especially loved the snowmobiling.

Jacob got his Bear at Pack meeting tonight. We're proud of him for all his hard work in Scouts.

Jacob getting his Bear award.
(Jacob's awesome scout leader, Sis. Henry,
Mindy, Jacob, Bryan, Sam)

CONGRATS on getting your BEAR, Jacob!
(Mindy, Jacob)

Kelsi's Nova Graduation

Grandma Blake, Karissa