Family Pictures 2010

So, here we are, with our newest family picture. I think it's pretty cute. . . something different than we have ever done before. Thanks Sherice, you did a great job!

TOO BUSY TO BLOG???!!!!???

Yes, that's right. I guess there comes a point when you have to choose between 2 good things. I love to blog, especially for my family to see how the kids are growing. I think it is a great way to keep up on what our family is doing. However, I just don't always have time to upload pictures and write a paragraph about everything I have done that week. We are lucky in most cases just to get our tasks done for the week let alone write about it. Anyway, so off my soap box, and on to my post.

I have taken on 23 piano students this fall. I thought this would be difficult, but I have to admit, rather than the 12 hours a week it takes to teach, it hasn't been difficult at all!!! I LOVE IT!!! I love my students, I love watching them get better as they practice and I love teaching them!

I have also taken on directing 2 children's choirs with my friend. I am so grateful that she thought of me to help her. It has been a great blessing for me to be able to develop some of my talents more fully, and I love the fun music it has brought into our home. My girls will not quit singing and playing the piano, but I couldn't ask for anything better.

In our spare time, 3 of the girls take gymnastics lessons on Monday after school. I am the 1st counselor in the primary, Spencer is the Y/M president. He just is just finishing potato harvest. . .yay!!! Not to mention, homework, baths, dinner, laundry, housework, and just keeping up.

My latest project during harvest break was to paint the girls' bedrooms. Anna informed me that other girls got to have "cute paint" and let me know that brown was SOOOOO BORING. So, Here is what we came up with...

Abby and Lyndsie's Room

Anna and Vivian's Room

The girls had a fun time painting poka dots (BOLD, I KNOW) And I have to admit that I like the way they turned out. . . thanks for the little push Anna!!!

Hair, Hair Hair

Anna has been asking for a shorter haircut for a while. As we were walking out the door for the appointment, Lyndsie was quite sure she needed hers done as well. Thanks a ton to Merri who spent 2 hours cutting hair for me and my girls this afternoon. The girls love their new haircuts!!

They are actually cuter in person!

Anna's Front View

Anna's Back View

Lyndsie's Front View

Lyndsie's Back View

10 THINGS I LOVE

1. Spencer
2. Date Night
3. Kisses on the Chicken (that's what Viver's calls her cheek)
4. My 4 girls
5. Fresh homemade bread with butter
6. Music
7. Watching Gymnastics Class
8. Sewing new clothes for my cute little girls
9. Primary
10. Garlic Shrimp Scampi at Red Lobster

HAPPY CORRALS!!!

Last night the Snake River Kids Choir held their spring show. I have been helping this year, and it really has been alot of fun. I didn't get any pics of them on stage since I was up front helping. Thanks to Kara for asking me to help and to the other directors for accepting me so willingly!!!

This is Abby who had the part of Tricia (who was a tourist)

This is Lyndsie who had the part of Dawn (who was a cowgirl)

This is Anna who had the part of Beth (who was a city slicker)

Here is the whole cute little cast.

WAY TO GO SNAKE RIVER KIDS CHOIR!!!!

Happy Birthday Vivian!!!

My Baby is 2!!! We officially celebrated her birthday tonight. She was 2 on Friday, but we planned her birthday party around potato planting season.

She was so funny tonight. Every time she would open a present she would say "TA-DA". She was so excited for "present time." We are so glad we have both families so close and our friends Jim and Jan to spend birthdays with!

Marilyn was such a sweetie to make Vivers a birthday cake. Vivian immediatly recognized it as "THE MOUSE!" Thanks for taking the time Mares. . . we love you!!!

POKA DOTTY OH SO SPOTTY

On Monday, Lyndsie woke up with a rash. It wasn't too bad, but I kept her home from school anyway. I figured I would run her to school as soon as the rash went away. As the day went on, the rash didn't go away. At about 4:30 p.m. she came to tell me that her foot was hurting. I didn't look at it to hard because I was busy. About 15 minutes later she came to tell me again. When I looked at her foot, this is what I saw: Yes, her foot was obviously swelling. After a couple of phone calls, I decided to take her to the clinic. By that time, she couldn't even put weight on her foot.

The doctor was not quite sure how to diagnose the problem, so he ordered a few blood tests and let me know that they would be testing for Rheumatic Fever and also for a couple of other options. He also thought it could be an allergic reaction to penicillin, which she was on for strep throat. He sent me home with my motrin and Benedryl for the night.

The next morning we awoke to find that her swelling in her foot had gone down, but where the swelling was, she was bruised. Her rash had about tripled at this point.

We decided to take her back to the doctor. There were 4 doctors who saw her and finally came to the conclusion that we wouldn't know for sure untill the blood results came back, but they thought it was an allergic reaction to the amoxicillin she had been on. They diagnosed her with HSP which causes the blood vessels to leak blood (that is what caused the bruising.) Again, sent her home with more motrin and benedryl. By 6:00 that night, both her feet were swollen and she couldn't put any weight on them. Spencer let me know that he would be coming home to give her a blessing.

The next morning, she was able to walk again, her feet were still quite swollen, but the bruising is what was breaking my heart. Here are some of the pics of her legs.

She healed quickly from there. She was able to go back to school on Thursday. We still have to take her in 1 time a week for a month to check if she has kidney damage and to look at her blood pressure. Her first appointment back will be tomorrow. We hope all looks good. No more penicillin for her ever ever ever again!!!!

BLOG THE DOG

Meet FRANKIE. . the stray dog. No, seriously. We took a nice walk/bike ride to Grandma and Grandpa Larsen's house tonight. We were so kindly greeted by this sweet little doggie. I asked Nicky if they got a new dog, and she said he was a stray. . people often drop dogs off out here in the country if they don't want them anymore. Needless to say, Abby named him Frankie and before we knew it, we had a collar on him and he is now in our fenced front yard. I never thought I would be getting a dog today. . or ever, but he is already trained and so good with the kids so....why not? We hope he doesn't get nervous over night and leave, or my Abby will cry some serious crocodile tears in the morning. He seems like a good dog. He can play fetch, and sit. I suppose he will be a great addition to our little family if he will stay!!!

HICKEY HEAD

So, the other morning was one of those typical mornings when you are running like a crazy woman trying to get all of the children out of the door by 8:00. I tell the kids to go to the bathroom to brush their teeth, (which is the new favorite thing due to the fantastic suction cup toothbrushes I just bought). They girls all come out of the bathroom with their toothbrushes stuck to the front of their foreheads. I laugh a little and tell them to hurry up. We get in the car. I turned around to talk to Abby when I realized that she had a GIANT toothbrush hickey on her forehead. . . I never thought that my 5 year old would have a hickey. . . hillarious!!! This pic was take like 2 days later, so the pic doesn't do the hickey justice!!!

Early Easter Dresses

The girls got to wear their easter dresses to church today. I worked all day on Saturday to finish Anna and Vivian's dresses. They turned out really cute, and I have to say, the girls are adorable. What a great day! I love dressing up my little girls!!!

HAPPY EARLY EASTER!!!!

ACHIEVEMENT DAYS

Tonight Anna's little achievement day group had a recognition night. They got to show off some of the things they have been working on, and it was alot of fun. It really made the girls feel special. They have some great leaders, and we are so proud of Anna for her hard work and dedication. We love you Anna!!!

I'm Proud to Be an American

God Bless the USA

On Friday, Lyndsie got to participate in the Moreland Elementary 1st grade Patriotic Program. She had a little speaking part (which she has had memorized for like 3 weeks), and she sang her little heart out. You would have thought that entire program's success depended entirely on how intently she sang. She was so cute. Those little kids reminded us how we should have pride in our country. It was so refreshing to see them learning about our freedom at such a young age. Way to go Lyndsie!!!

FOR KAYLEEN

Okay, here is the dress, I hope these pics help you.


Here is the full dress. I only sewed one side seam, the other side is just folded over. I would sew the top and the bottom together first . Then add the "white bias tape" then fold the piece in half with the good sides together and do the side seam. Turn the dress right side out and then fold the "pillowcase" in half and cut a "J" shape for the arms. then you can hem the bottom and the top. You need to gather the top seam before you put the bias tape around the arm holes. Good luck. Call me if you need help.

Here is the close up of the bias tape I made for the arm holes and the ties.

Here is another full shot of the dress

Here is the dress I made for Brittany's baby. It is about a 3-6 month size.

Modeling My Latest Projects

There were a couple requests to post some pictures of the girls wearing the dresses I made. I really don't feel like the pictures do them justice, but here they are. They turned out pretty cute.

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MOM. . . A MESS!!!

"Mom, A mess! I clean it." These are Vivian's favorite words. Usually, the mess is spilled milk at a meal, or water spilled on the floor. . . but this chip mess happened 2 times in like 15 minutes tonight while I was cooking dinner! Lesson to mom to move the chips to a higher shelf. What a stinker.

My Latest Project

So, after spending hours dress hunting with Anna, I decided my dress hunting days are over. Dresses are over priced and it's hard to find what you really want. I decided it is time to learn to sew them. So, I began my search for a beginner pattern to try sewing for the younger girls. I found a cute pattern and went on my way. . .. . . after 1 hour TA DA!!!!! Abby has a cute dress, it is the right colors, the right length, and it's comfortable (Abby's all about comfort)! Spencer was about as excited as husbands get about dresses, so I though I would post it show it off to someone who would be excited with me. I thought it turned out pretty darn cute!!!

Disney World Continued. . .

We saw this giraffe on the African Safari. Abby loves animals and we did this ride twice just for her. It was really cool.

Here's the "UP" characters. We waited in line for a while for this picture. . . Lyndsie was so excited!

At magic kindom, there was a man who did water art on the ground. It was really neat to watch him. We would find this art randomly through out the park. (sorry for the sideways pic.)

Lyndsie got to be an "Apprentice Pirate" for being in Captain Jack Sparrow's show. What a cute little pirate she is ARRRG

Abby and Vivers sporting their minnie mouse ears

Lyndsie and Abby with Annie and Leo from Little Einsteins (Anna would have no part of this picture) so funny!

This is Ta Mater. . without the "Ta". The girls loved this!

We are at the Block Party Bash in Hollywood Studios. The girls got to dance with Jesse in the street. They had some sweet moves!

Here are the green army men that live outside the Toy Story ride. Seriously cool costumes!

This is Vivian with Minnie Mouse. She loved meeting the characters, which surprised me just a little bit! She had absolutely no fear. . . she just loves the mouse!

Here are all the girls with Minnie

Group picture at the bus stop. Can you tell the whole week was a party?

Thanks for a great Vacation!