Family, isn't it about . . . time?: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

New Beginnings

I was called as the 1st counselor in the

Young Women's program at the end of 2011.

It's been wonderful so far.

Our ward has really been blessed with outstanding youth.

New beginnings was held a few weeks ago and I wanted to share our centerpieces because I think they turned out really nice. Also, maybe someone out there can use the same idea to decorate for your special Young Women events.

The presidency split up the 8 values and decorated each table in that value color.

I made the little frames for each table.

FAITH

DIVINE NATURE

INDIVIDUAL WORTH

KNOWLEDGE

CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

GOOD WORKS

INTEGRITY

VIRTUE

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Happy #3 Conley!

You're about to enjoy a bunch of new posts on this blog. Most of them are about my newest THREE-year-old.

Today was his birthday. He had a great day! He requested waffles for breakfast.

Next, we headed out to church. (This picture is for you Kaylee! Kaylee is so excited for Conley and Cora to be best friend when they get older.)

At church Conley got to shake the bishop's hand and get a licorice stick. He was pretty excited about that.

Back at home, he requested a sandwich for lunch. He also wanted candles in it and to be sung to. Again.

For dinner we had twice baked potatoes. His favorite part was having MORE candles and getting sung to for the FOURTH time. So spoiled!

Happy birthday my little man. You are the best. I love you so much. Here's to another WONDERFUL year!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Have a Potato

Aaaand, another party is in the history books!

Conley's birthday (and, incidentally Jamison's and Cora's) is on a Sunday this year.

I don't like the idea of doing a big birthday party on Sunday. So, we had his party on Saturday.

May I digress about Sundays? It saddens me that so many people break the Sabbath. Especially those who know that they are breaking one of the commandments. It makes me sad to see things on Facebook every week that happened on Sunday. I won't name specifics that I've seen as to not call anyone out. But, it's a commandment people. A commandment. I don't think it should be taken as lightly as it's taken.

Okay, I've been wanting to get that off my chest for awhile. I know I have my faults too. Sorry! Okay, back to my boy!

Conley's party theme was just "Mr. Potato Head." He has a ton of them and loves playing with them. He calls them his "Misters." He is so particular about the pieces and which ear goes where and which way the arms face. It's hilarious.

My cousin Josh sent me a link to some fun ideas for a Toy Story party. I loved the Mr. Potato Head cake pops so I gave it a go!

For as hard as these were and for as rushed as I was I think they turned out cute. And, don't try those shoes. They're almond joy pieces. You're waist line will thank me. (They were SOO good! I think I ate half the bag.)

The cake was an after thought. I still have food coloring on my hands. Conley loved it.

These were delicious!

The dessert spread.

I put these little felt potato head sets in the goodie bags. They're fun quiet toys for church or just quiet time around the house. These took HOURS. Man, never again! Well, maybe again. It was fun.

I made this banner in advance too. Conley loved it. He saw it progress over the span of a few days. (Remember when birthday banners were from the printer and the paper was all stuck together with those little holes on the edge? Anyone? Ah, I found it. Look here.)

I made this guy for a "pin the potato" game. So cute.

For dinner we had everyone "Eat a Potato."

"Take a Potato"

"Color a Potato"

"Create a Potato." I love that it looks like that Mr. Potato Head is looking in the mirror.

The kids creating their potatoes.

The Pin the Potato game was fun.

Conley putting on Mr. Potato Head's arm.

The finished product. Crystal (the mouth) and Bradley (the shoes) were WAY off!

Present time!

Next up we sang "Happy Birthday." Conley started the song himself and sang every word. My boy is SO. MUCH. FUN!

Time to eat the dessert. The kids had been so excited about the desserts all day! And, the cake pops were actually pretty good.

The party was wonderful. Thank you to all who came and helped Conley celebrated his birthday. There was only one problem with the party though. We had LOTS of potatoes left over. It was only a problem for a minute until we thought of twice baked potatoes for Sunday dinner. Oh my heavens they were goooooood!

First Pine Wood Derby

Bradley is a Boy Scout now. He turned 8 right before the Pine Wood Derby so he and Anthony got going right away on his car. Bradley and Anthony both had so much fun figuring how to make a super fast car. Bradley designed the car and Anthony helped engineer all the weights and drills holes and all that "dad stuff."

Bradley was so excited to watch the races. He was cheering on his friends so loud. He is such a good team player.

Bradley named his car "The Wolf."

Ready to race!

On your mark . . .

Watch this video of one of his heats. Bradley's sitting on the floor in the front. I LOVE his reaction to his 1st place run!

He finished in 1st place in our ward and I think this screen shot was his fastest heat! He got to come back for the finals. He didn't win the finals. But, he had so much fun and was so excited about the whole thing. He can't wait to do it again next year!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Cute Kid Update

Here is our little guy on his last Sunday to be 2. This boy is such a doll. People mention his little (little?) dimples all the time and just adore them. Well, let me tell you, he is so much cuter than those craters in his cheeks. He runs with a little hop in his step. He gets so excited about the simplest things. He loves to brush his own teeth and pick out his own clothes. He's got the best personality and I just eat it up. I love this little man.

Jamison has a hard time not being a goof. She loves to be silly and make up funny stories and jokes. Her logic is so advanced for a four-year-old, it makes me wonder what she's gonna do with her life. She has a fun way of looking at things and it makes me think outside the box as well. I love Jamison so much.

Cora stood like this for like 10 minutes and just let Anthony shoot picture after picture. That never happens. I love this girl. She melts my heart. She is starting to talk a little more. She's like Bradley in that she doesn't really say much. Bradley was over three-years-old before you could really talk to him too much. Cora is just quiet. I love when I sing to her during the day and she mimics my singing. She is going to be a little soprano someday. (Or alto. It's alright, I love 'em both.)

Bradley got this coin from our Bishop for his baptism. Our Bishop works at a bank and bought his uncirculated gold dollar coin for Bradley. His lesson was that once it's circulated through the system it will start to get worn down and dirty. Bradley was perfect on the day of his baptism, just like the coin. The coin will serve as a reminder to Bradley to stay clean; stay repentant. Bradley loves this coin and keeps it in his scripture bag. He loves being 8!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Potato Pictures

I love that if I think of a cute idea for a picture Anthony carries it out. I don't have a ton of ideas but it's fun that when I do think of something he can bring it to life.

This photo shoot was so fun. Conley was in HEAVEN. I pulled 3 Mr. Potato Heads out that he's never seen before and 2 more that had been put away in holiday boxes. It was hard to get him to look at the camera at first!