Presenting Project Proposal

Eliah got his Eagle Leadership Project workbook all ready to present then got it wet while washing his hands. This caused only a mild freak-out. (Did I mention we'd been working on this nearly a year!) We grabbed the blow dryer and managed to salvage the all-important signature page that couldn't be reproduced.  

Reviewing his notes

I love a man in uniform!

Eagle Fledgling

Eliah's been working on his Eagle rank in Boy Scouts. His project is stenciling the school logo onto 600 folding chairs at his junior high school. He's been working on his proposal for nearly a year. This week we finally got the stencils made up, and he tested one out today. Looks great!

Ana's Arts & Crafts Party

This was such a fun party! Ana helped make her invitations. They looked like an artist's paint palette with five blots of color and all the party information. We had three easy craft activities: Shrinky Dink keychains, custom T-shirt art, and sugar cookie painting. 

Ana invited her entire Primary class and she was a sweet birthday girl.

Ana's "Katie Cake" -- a paint set for her party

Shrinky Dinks

Singing to Mei Mei (video)

We grabbed Meili between social events, which explains why her dad's not there. She considers this cake one of Katie's best yet. Katie always finds just the right thing to represent an interest or obsession of the last year and this time (like all the other times), she nailed it. Meili can't go to bed without eating a bowl of cereal. It's also her go-to snack right now. She loves Bran Flakes, Honey Bunches, and Multi-Grain Cheerios. The cake shows another favorite--Quaker Oatmeal Squares!

Somebody's 17!

What a year for Meili! Our little girl just can't be held back any longer. She has great friends and big plans for the future. Her best friend Jessica and I pulled together a small surprise birthday party. I found it interesting that most of the guests were male. We've entered a whole new world.

Her "Katie Cake"

A bowl of cereal, of course!

Dinner with the fam

Best Friends Forever Ever Ever

It was Chelsea's birthday too

Meili's awesome friends

Meili says, "They're dorks...but they're my dorks"

Semi-Extreme Room Makeover

Our older two have had their rooms made over in the past, but this was Ana's first time. We still need to paint the walls a better color, but here's what she saw when she opened the door on her birthday night. A new bike, new bedding, new furniture, and new accessories. Notice Granny's darling raccoon painting on the wall. A perfect touch!

Somebody's 7!

She seems so grown up. Can it be possible that Ana's 7 years old? Strange but true. Here are a few images from the day.

Breakfast request

Sister snuggle after school

silly faces

Her very own iPod shuffle

Cheerleader in Training

I signed Ana up for the high school cheer clinic. She loved it! They learned a routine to a popular song then did a cheerleading demonstration. Really cute! Lots of her friends did it too, so it was a total party for her. Ana is a cheerleader in the best sense of the word. She has such positive energy and roots for everyone.
It's infectious!

 

Off to Lunch (A Saturday Tradition)

Every Saturday, Daryl takes one of the kids to lunch. This was Ya's turn. Maybe next year he'll be driving Daryl. We'll see.

Once There Was a Snowman!

Ana, Scout and friend Kennedy pose by their creation. Talk about a prominent nose!

Funny Little Valentine

Ana was way fun this year. She went crazy with papers and scissors then taped Valentines all over the house for us to find. She's so enthusiastic about every holiday, but this one in particular touched my soul. Ana has so much love to share. I'm so grateful for her sweet and giving nature.

on our front door! the neighbors love it!

Saving Tinkerbell

As part of my ongoing effort to raise well-rounded and culturally astute children, I took all three to a BYU Theater production of Peter Pan. My favorite part was watching Eliah save Tinkerbell's life by clapping enthusiastically with the audience to show he believes in fairies. Not! If it had been up to him, Tinkerbell's light would have gone out forever. Oh well. Ana was the only one willing to be photographed at the end of the evening.

Go, Ana!

Lovin' the Camera

I took Ana to get her portrait taken without her two front teeth (just as I've done with my other kids). This is one of my favorite stages of childhood, and I love to mark it. She was very excited to choose her accessories and then really hammed it up for the photographer. These pics were taken by me after the photo session, when we grabbed a bite to eat. She was still in the zone and kept striking poses. Really cute.

Grandma LaPriel's Bday

My grandmother LaPriel Walter was born on January 11, 1911. Today would have been her 100th birthday. We briefly celebrated her life at Evergreen cemetery, where she and Grandpa-Great are buried. I have great memories of my grandmother. She was a strong-minded, confident woman. She was an excellent cook who made even the simplest of meals tantalizing. She spoke her mind, which both impressed and frightened me as a child. As a young adult, I witnessed her courage in the face of affliction as well as her genuine loving nature. She was very kind to Daryl from the start of our relationship. She passed away shortly after we were married, but not before she made a big impression on both of us.

It seemed quite fitting to give Meili her name.

Finally Toothless

That snaggletooth hung on all through the holidays. Honestly, I'm so relieved it's out. I think she is too. Isn't that smile adorable?

Santa Finds Us!

Christmas morning in our home.