vacuum

We all know how Peter loves to vacuum.  He has always loved vacuuming, and everything about it so this year for Christmas he got a real vacuum. I figured he was always pushing one around anyway he might as well be cleaning up the floors. This turned out to best the best gift of Christmas.  It has been a transformer, a sword, a shark, and a vacuum.  Peter vacuums everyday.  He just finished doing the downstairs because he said it needed it. This gift turned out to be a win win. He gets a universal toy I get clean floors.  This might be the smartest thing I've ever done.

pinterest

I have been spending some left over time on the time sucker of all time. PINTEREST.  I swear that site is like a black hole, once you enter it is nearly impossible to get out. In its defense it is full of amazing pictures (places I want to go but could never afford)  Wonderful creativity and ideas, good recipes, and some hilarious quotes.  One I found I am totally using when my kids become teenagers and don't come home on time. It said something like, "your late, past curfew, don't bother ringing the doorbell or knocking feel free to sleep outside on the patio consider yourself lucky as this time I provided a blanket."  I can see myself boldly tapping a note like this to the front door.  Here are a few of my favorite pics.

Another one I am putting in my kitchen is
Todays Menu
Eat it
OR
STARVE

Baptism

William was baptized by daddy this Saturday.  It could not have been more different than my first child's baptism.  First of all there was family there, lots and lots of family. Ellie asked if she could be jealous that William got family at his baptism and she only got investigators. I said no but she could be happy.  Having family meant that I didn't have to do it all myself.  When one of my little ones acted up my sister took care of them so I could totally focus on William and the meeting.  For Ellie's baptism I had Brennen as a baby and can I say he was the fussiest baby ever.  He ALWAYS cried, would only let me hold him, and was just plain exhausting to be around.  Needless to say I couldn't give Ellie the attention she deserved on her day.

There was another pianist to fill in during the waiting time so I didn't have to worry about music, and big bonus the bishopric showed up and there were plenty of people to be witnesses and to be in the confirmation circle. (We had to scrape some up from other wards for Ellie's ordinances.)

I have to say my favorite part was the look on Williams face when he came into the chapel after changing into dry clothes, I wish I could have taken a picture.  He had this look of pure joy, pride, peace, and satisfaction as he walked hand in hand with Scott who was also grinning from ear to ear.

Afterward we had everyone come to my house for a luncheon.  I love how well my family works together.  They are like a well oiled machine.  They just get it done with out direction.  They helped me set up the spread in just a few minutes and when it was time to call it a day, without being asked they cleaned it all up.  Super awesome I know.  My good friend Tiffany asked if we were always like that.  I'm sure there was a training period when we were young, but as far as I can remember yes, we all worked together and got things done.  Again I owe it all to my parents, what a wonderful job they did.  I only hope I can teach my kids like they did.

Sun

We have had the most mild winter I can ever remember living here  I know we are going to be hurting when it comes summer but I am really enjoying it. 

I love the SUN.  I crave it, literally crave it. As I was shopping I just stood in the parking lot with my face up to the sun and soaked it all in.  I could have stood there longer but I had kids in the car starting to lose their patience with me.  When I was little we had these big bay windows that let in the perfect amount of sun. I would be like a cat and just lay on the carpet in the suns rays letting it warm me up especially in the winter months.  I guess its hereditary because today I caught Peter laying on the floor in the sun.  I wanted to curl up and join him.  Then we went outside and I noticed Brennen basking in the sun with his face towards the sky soaking it all in, so the three of us sat on the stairs with our faces to the sun soaking up its goodness.  Oh it feels SO Good!!!

This warm weather we have been having helps me with my need to be outside because it is actually tolerable to be outside with such warm temperatures.  The other day my kids were inside with their faces plastered to one screen or another so I threatened them that if they didn't come outside and play I was going to make them clean the whole house.  That includes organizing the playroom (it has been well loved with all the parties and families over).  They begrudgingly came outside with ample complaints of why.  I just don't understand, when I was little we loved to be outside.  Outside we could run and yell and build stuff, go on scavenger hunts, bike, ride the go kart, or hike.  Okay I had an ideal place growing up where the mountains were my backyard, there was tons of stuff to do and tools and scrap to build with, and the only rule was to come home before dark. There was always some one to play with cause I have a big family and the neighborhood lived at our house. My parents were extra awesome.  Anyway once they got outside we had a blast.  We played freeze tag, survivor, and football, and it was so warm we didn't even need our jackets.

trains

I bought this train set (a large tote worth) from a garage sale for William when he was very little, I want to say 2 maybe 3 years old.  He rarely touched it but I could never bear to give it away or sell it.  Now I know why.  I pulled it out of the toy room for preschool a few weeks ago and now my little boys play with it all the time.  They build their own little tracks or sometimes they build a huge track using all the pieces.  It can keep them occupied for hours.  I am grateful that I listened to that little voice that told me to keep it every time I was tempted to free my house of excess.

trash or treasure

For Christmas this year I did a lot of DI hunting.  Truthfully I love it, I love the hunt.  Its like treasure hunting to me.

So 90% of Christmas was wonderful finds at DI. You all know the saying, one mans trash is another mans treasure.  One of these finds was a football helmet.  Scott says I have to put a new team sticker on it because he doesn't like the broncos but the rest of us don't care.  This gift was for Brennen but Peter has claimed it as his own.  He wears it almost everyday.  He just looks so cute in this giant helmet with his little body (or I should probably say tiny body.  Peter loves things that are tiny.)  I have found quite a few items that were designated for one kids gets confiscated by another kid.  Either way I have gotten more than my moneys worth with he "new" toys.

Ellie the sculptor

Ellie's new favorite hobby is sculpting with clay.  She is always nagging me to go to Hobby Lobby to buy more clay.  Luckily she got a gift card for her birthday because I love her talent but I don't want to fund it.  She mostly remakes Disney characters and she is pretty good at it.  When she came up to me to ask what she should carve next I suggested a nativity scene.  I collect them.  I thought her rendition was so cute I have boxed it up to keep forever.