O' Christmas Tree

Finding the Perfect Tree

Sam's idea of the Perfect Tree

Success!

Brooke's Baptism

It is a great and scary day when your daughter is baptized. You have to hope that you have taught your child enough to succeed on their own. Brooke was so ready. She was very excited and peaceful. Even with the excitement... Tom and Dad went early to fill the font, but couldn't get in the church. Finally they're in and the keys to the font they were given, weren't actually the keys to the font. Brother Hill from our Bishopric came and brought the right keys. Turns out the font water heater holds about 2 gallons. That's why it takes 2 hours to fill. Well, we had 40 minutes. So the men were boiling water on the stove and microwave. The water wasn't warm, but it wasn't freezing either. Makes for a good story later, right? And we only started 10 minutes late. I can't believe my baby girl is 8. And officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is so sweet. And tries so hard. I love this girl. And her father, who is worthy to hold the priesthood. I count my blessing every day. I have so many.

Brooke and Tom before the baptism

Setting a good example to her little sisters

The whole family (rare shot - enjoy it while you can!) and can you tell I'm wearing 4 inch heels? Tom really is taller than I am. In flats.

The amazing men that help guide and love my daughter. So thankful to have these wonderful guys be a part of our life. I loved seeing them surrounding her during her confirmation. What a gift we have been given.

Grandma Beth made Brooke's beautiful baptism dress. They had a great time planning it together. Thank you Beth! Such a talented woman! And great to have Grandpa there as well.

And my parents were able to come as well. So grateful that they made the trip. It was wonderful to be with my parents on this day. They taught me and helped me become the mother and woman that I am today. For that I am eternally thankful.

Quote of the Day (another one...)

Erin was putting some play lipstick on me when this conversation ensued...

Brooke - "Wow, mom, you have some big lips."

Erin - "That's ok, I have a ton of lipstick..."

These kids sure keep us laughing. And humble.

Quote of the Day...

For a school project for Brooke, we were painting Elmer's glue on everyone's hand and then making glitter handprints on neon pink and orange faux fur. Tom's thumb turned out a little short...

Tom - "Hey, my thumb's cut off! It's really short."

Brooke - "You're totally short, so of course your thumb is shrimpy!"

Once again, I laughed until I cried. Tom just cried...

As Dory (from "Finding Nemo") would say...

"Just keep swimming... Just keep swimming..."

This is my way of telling you that there are quite a few new posts down below, so to mis-quote her - "Just keep scrolling... Just keep strolling..."

And the winner is...

I recently entered a bench pressing competition (and yes, it's okay you laughed when you read that...). We all paid $10 bucks, maxed out, and the competition was on! Whoever could increase their one-time max the most in six weeks would win. My starting max was 105lb. The heaviest starting max? 455lb. I wasn't outclassed at all... :) When we got together to finish out the contest, it was one of the few times in my life I felt tiny. These were some BIG dudes. And me. It was awesome. I won. Turns out it's a lot easier to increase your percentage when you start 300 pounds lower than the next guy. It wasn't even close. I won by almost 10%. My final max was 125. So almost 20% increase in six weeks. Not bad. For a girl...

So what did I win? A basket full of supplements.

Maybe I can sell it to one of the losers...

Fright Fest

This is Sam's scared face.

This is why she's scared...

It took a little family therapy before she'd get close to him.

She never did hug him though...

Deviled...

Eggs, that is. We had Thanksgiving over here this year and the girls were in charge of making deviled eggs.

Peeling the eggs

Sprinkling the paprika.

They did a great job and they were delicious. I am thankful for my family, my home, chocolate, the gym, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, flowers, snow, good friends, the sun, the internet, good music, a soft bed, a strong body, softball, great shoes, school buses, primary children, cameras, and did I mention chocolate?

I'm Dreaming (dreamt) of a White Thanksgiving...

To those of you that live with snow, just go ahead and laugh at us... I do. I grew up in Utah and Idaho where snow was... snow. Here in Puget Sound? Snow is... Miraculous. Wonderous. Splendid.

Watching the first snowflakes falling on Sunday morning...

Family home evening was awesome on Monday...

This is the snowball the girls made to throw at Tom. They couldn't actually throw it, so I got to do the honors. It was awesome. And he couldn't even run, it would have broken their hearts. Mwah ah ah...

No school Tuesday or Wednesday! Hurrah! This is what we did instead. This is an awesome little hill right next to our house. It was perfect. This is Erin...

And Alix. I do have one true daughter. She is the fearless one and the only one I passed on my adrenalin-junkie genes to.

Brooke and her friend Adrienne. When they heard school was cancelled the second day, they promptly made it a sleepover situation.

Even the moms had fun. Aren't we quite the ski bunnies? Shelby, Caprice and I...

Let it snow!

I have at least 17 pictures of Sam eating different forms of snow. This happens to be the cutest. She lasted for hours. Not sledding. Just eating snow...

This is what winter hot-tubbing looks like... Love the boots and swimsuits!

And there you have it. We make snow a BIG DEAL!

Star Bright...

Star light. Star bright.

First daughter in my life.

I wish I may, I wish might,

Always hold you close and tight.

Can you believe she's 8? What a sweetie. She is such a great sister and such a sweet friend. I am thankful for a daughter who thinks of others. She is loving second grade and her teacher especially. She makes me laugh every single day. So glad she's ours!

She had a sleepover party and we started off the night making slippers... (sock with puffy paint on the bottom)
Her party was a "drive-in movie", so the girls had to make their "cars". Huge hit. I was amazed at how much they loved decorating and personalizing their boxes. They worked on them for hours...
Brooke wanted to decorate cupcakes, instead of having a cake (I apparently only make adorable cakes for other people's children...) so the candles were a tight fit.
Watching "How to Train Your Dragon" in their cars. They even made cardboard wallets and money and "paid" me when I'd bring them popcorn and drinks. Too bad it wasn't real, I'd be loaded. They were good tippers! :)
Dip in the hot tub at 11:30 at night. They felt super grown-up.
Fun night with some really good girls. Happy 8th birthday Brooke!

Texting...

This is really another quote of the day... from Sam...

me - "Sam sweetie, give me my phone. I don't want you calling someone in China." (Why is it always China?)

Sam - "I'm just texting somebody..."

I can't believe my two year old even knows that word... Note to self - Time to text less...

Twin-sense...

Brooke's birthday is coming up, so there has been a lot of talk about birthday parties going on... We have a rule that you can go to Chuck E. Cheese or have a party. Not both. So this is what Erin and Alix worked out...

Alix- "So, if I go to Chuck E. Cheese..."

Erin- "And I have a party..."

E & A in unison - "We get both!"

Guess there have to be some advantages to offset having to share your underwear...

Adults Only - Costumes Mandatory!

Probably the funnest thing I do all year is our annual Halloween party. This was our 5th year. It's so fun. We were missing a few people this year - know that you were missed!

Here's the group of us.

Tom wanted to be a cowboy this year. So I went as his cow...

The ladies threw candy corn at the dudes this year.

The finals of the Mummy game. I'm pretty sure the Walthers are undefeated in this event...

The "brain" shrimp cocktail I made. Disgusting...

Best night of the year!

Halloween...

First time dressing up this year was for activity days... Since Brooke and her friend Olivia were dressing up, the twins had to as well...

Second time we got dressed up was for the fall festival at the girl's school. Notice Alix's costume change...

The third time we got gussied up was for "Halloween" on Saturday. Our ward did a carnival and trunk or treat for the kids. (Notice Alix's THIRD costume of the holiday. Thank goodness for a well-stocked dress up box!)

Fifi and Cowboy Tom waiting in line at the spook alley

Vampire Brooke

This is vampire Erin and rock star Alix with some girls from their kindergarten class and a first grade friend. I forget they are shorties until I see a picture like this...

Aren't we a great looking family?