Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Inspirations

I'm a proud mama. In January my girls entered their school's "Inspirations" contest, a celebration of the arts. Meagan (3rd grade) entered the Photography category with a collage of photos she took of Ellie. And Lindsay (2nd grade) wrote a poem, "Pickles", and entered the Literature category. Last week they both came home with a letter saying they'd recieved 2nd place in each of their categories! I was so proud of them! They held an assembly yesterday to honor the top 3 winners of each category in each grade. They both looked so cute up on the stage and were so happy when they recieved their medal.

Meagan after she'd received her medal and certificate. They didn't have the kids stay up there long enough for me to get close enough for a picture of her receiving it.


I was so impressed with Meagan's finished piece. Besides a few pointers from me on the layout, she did all the cutting, adhesive, matting, and placing by herself!

Lindsay receiving her certificate and medal. The medals have their names, grade, and category engraved on the back. Fancy shmancy!

PICKLES
Some pickles are sweet
Some pickles are sour
But I like them the same
As sniffing a flower.
* * * * *
Good work girls, we're so proud of you!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Ellie

Oh my little Ellie! She is such a fun little girl!


* 21 months old and acts like she's 10! Lately she has started refusing to let me get her dressed. She has to put the clothes on herself. Nevermind that its basically impossible and takes a million times longer. She'll throw a tantrum if she doesn't get her shot at it! To her benefit, she actually got her shirt over her head (I had to help with the arms) and she put her feet in the legs of her pants (and then was stuck when she couldn't stand up). :)

*Her vocabulary is really starting to take off. With lovely words like, "Oh Gosh!" and "Jeesh!" all complete with a pained look on her face and hands on the cheeks or forehead.

*Drama queen (see above)

*Sometimes tells me when she's "poop" or "stink". She'll walk into the room I'm in, turn around (about 3 feet away from me) and walk backwards until she reaches me. Then she'll try to "check" herself. Sidenote: NO, she is not getting potty trained yet!

*Absolutely LOVES "pretty" things. Pretty hair, pretty fingers, pretty teeth, pretty dresses for church, pretty shoes. etc.

*Loves stuffed animals: mostly kitty cats and her dog

*Has learned to stick up for herself when it comes to others (her brother) taking her toys. When she's really in the mood - her body goes rigid, her hands pull into fists, and she screams. Yes, its lovely.

*Likes to do things by herself. For example, whenever we get out of the car, she wants to walk. It doesn't matter if its walking back into the house, or walking into church, or even leaving a basketball game......ALL BY HERSELF. It's so enjoyable to carry a kicking and screaming child from the gym to the car and physically hold her down while I get her buckled into her car seat. (Most people smile that "smile" that says, "Hey, I've been there," but to all the others - No, I'm not abusing my child!)

*Her favorite video is The Laurie Berkner Band. Absolutely adorable! Even my 4 year old son loves them. Her favorites: We Are The Dinosaurs, Moon Moon Moon, and I'm a Mess. So cute!

*Excellent sleeper! I count my lucky stars every time she takes a nap or goes down for the night. It doesn't matter if we're at home, or away visiting family, she goes right down. As long as she has her blanket, binki, and her baby (Gloworm) she's good to go!

*Very cuddly. Loves to give hugs and kisses and L-O-V-E-S her back scratched. She layed on my bed for 20 minutes the other day while I scratched her back, arms, and legs. Heaven.

*Very shy. When she's at home, she's all talk, smiles, and crazy girl, but get her outside her comfort zone, and you're lucky to get a smile.

*Hates nursery. Very unfortunate but we're working on it.

*Favorite toy: at the moment it's her purse or "pak pak" depending on the day. She shoves cards in them and takes them out, and puts them back in, over and over (Old Maid, Memory....basically all the cards that have escaped the game closet)

*Most recent "trick": She sticks out her belly, arches her back, and walks. Very funny and she thinks its so awesome.

Showing off her "pretty" shoes. So adorable.

"Pretty" fingers


We absolutely love our little Ellie Belle. She's the first person that everyone wants in the morning, and the last person that everyone wants to kiss and hug at night. Love you Sweetie Pie!

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I am completely stumped when it comes to adding videos to a post, so I added them below. The first one is of her dancing. She's really got "The Pony" down pat. For some reason, its in slow motion, huh? And the second vid is her just being silly.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Basketball

Let me start off with a disclaimer of sorts. I give all credit and copyright whatevers to the photographer, Scott Winterton, of the Deseret News. I was able to download these pics, so I figured I was safe. And moving on......

My husband coaches girls basketball for Morgan High School and Scott Winterton got some great shots (no pun intended) :) from last weeks' game against Judge Memorial. I thought I'd share:


Sometimes we ask questions nicely...


and sometimes we ask questions not so nicely...


and BEST of all, we CELEBRATE!!!!!


Nice team work Lady Trojans.....keep it up!!!!

Better late than never

I've procrastinated this post long enough. It's about time I just hunker down and get er' done!

CHRISTMAS MORNING
Ellie enjoying a new chair....and chocolate!

Tanner is happy with Santa's loot

Meagan - all smiles!

Lindsay, excited about a new brush! Go figure.

Opening their American Girl dolls
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TANNER'S 4TH BIRTHDAY




I realized after I downloaded all the pictures that I never got one of the bicycle he got for his birthday. This picture is his reaction to seeing his bike!

My big boy....4 years old! Ah.
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BOWLING
Over Christmas break we went bowling in Brigham City with my side of the family.

Typical Ellie scowl.....what a grump.

Linds

Tanner - nice form.

Oh dear - he's posing. Can you tell he is surrounded by sisters.
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NEW YEARS EVE

We went to Bear Lake to celebrate the New Year and spend time with Brad's side of the family. The New Years' Eve party is always so much fun.....and very loud!

What a cheeser!

Linds

Meags

3...2...1...Happy New Year!!!!!

LOL! Did I mention the celebrating gets a little loud?

I'm taking the picture and Tanner fell asleep while watching a movie earlier, so he missed out on the first family picture of 2010. Ellie was is no mood to stay up and ring in the year.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Catch up and catch all...a month (or more) in review

I'm so behind and just need to get this done and checked off my list. We had a wonderful Christmas and didn't want the kids to go back to school. Surprise, I know. I was a little shocked myself at those thoughts. It was fun having everyone together and for the most part, we all got along. I love my family!

CHRISTMAS EVE
We spent the first part of the evening with Brad's side of the family. We ate dinner at Steph's house with Michael's family, and Mom and Dad. The kids had a fun time being with cousins and the food was delicious! After dinner and a program, we headed over to my family's house to visit.
Puppet show nativity




Cody accompanied the entire family in Silent Night....it was beautiful.

Christmas jammies!

The only picture I have of all 4 kids on Christmas Eve. Not the best picture: blurry and Tanner was upset (didn't want to wear his new jammies, threw a fit for about 10 minutes, and then all of a sudden (literally) he was fine with his jammies?!)

All smiles now

Lindsay and Brennen

Kaylee, Ellie, and Rian playing with the Little People Nativity

What a riot it was trying to get these girls seated, smiling, and looking for a picture.

Ellie, self proclaimed guard of Mr. Snowman, was not allowing anyone close

Notice Ellie's hand still behind Kaylee. Ready to give her a nudge (or gentle shove, if you will) if she moved closer.

Distractions.....look at the fun reindeer!

...and they fly too!

********the end********
SUGAR COOKIES
I usually hate making sugar cookies (the mess and time commitment) but this year was different. The kids were out of school (which meant Brad was home all day too) and we never even changed out of our jammies! Heaven! They tasted so yummy too.

SLEDDING

We went sledding the same day that we made the cookies......and didn't even have to go far. Right in our backyard. The hill wasn't big, but we still had fun!

Ellie loved being outside with the kids instead of cooped up inside and watching from the window.
...typical Ellie expression.....she really was having fun though