Call home

My nephew is just over a quarter through his mission. I was blessed to be apart of a small portion of his call home. 

It is a weird feeling getting advice from your little nephew, specifically about avoiding the perfection depression. 

The world is full of good people trying the best they can. Unfortunately, it can be difficult if we aren't always perfect and meet our own personal goals. 

Stay positive. Move forward. Tomorrow is a new day. 

Christmas

[not pictured- Ethan who was too excited about his video game]

Grateful for all this time off with my little family and of course all the extended family who came into town because it's just more fun to go to do all those activities with over thirty people. 

Merry go round

We took Annie on her first merry-go-round, and the others kids were slightly dragged along. 

On a side note, the baby loved it. The giggles were priceless. 

Life saver

Yesterday Larissa told me that Ethan saved her life. 

Curious, I needed details. 

I had the blessing of having two kids very close in age and only one grade apart. Every other year, they have lunch and recess together

Larissa had nothing to do and no one to play with at recess.  For Larissa (and I back in the day), this is a big deal.

"Mom, he gave me a hug at school and played with me the whole time!"

This morning Larissa reminded me, "Ethan saved my life one day ago."

Wax Museum

Tonight was Raea's wax museum.  They aren't allowed to talk.  It took a lot of effort to try to break my little Jane Goodall. 

Last week, Raea ditched school to try to get her cousin to break character at her wax museum. When her cousin's "light" was on, she was spot on. 

Sometimes they beg me to take their picture

This weekend was membership swap, and we were able to take our science museum membership to the Arizona Museum of Natural History.

All family time. No shopping.

Let the Christmas Season Begin

First Thanksgiving

Kindergarten acting debut. 

Good Saturday morning

-The kids are sleeping in. (All games were cancelled.)

-Alone time with the baby. 

-In my favorite sweatshirt. 

-Cat Stevens in the background. ("Ripon mix" on my Pandora.)

-The weight of the world off my shoulders. (Only three more working days.)

-World's best neighbor took my trash cans to the curb. (I don't know when they come, and Mr. Skinner is out of town.)

-Solo temple date tonight. 

EPIC

Center of Attention

This girl is going to have a jaded sense of reality when she finally goes to school, and she is not the center of attention. 

In the meantime, she revels in the popularity.