Grandma and Grandpa are Serving a Mission

Sometimes it can be a real chore to clean out the kids school backpacks. But then there's times where you can find a real treasure, too. This is something I pulled from Micaela's (1st grade) school bag last week.

(this picture was drawn on the back of the letter)

We do love and miss Grandma and Grandpa (Matt's parents) and pray that they are safe while they are serving the people in Africa. We are very proud of them and grateful for their wonderful examples!

Oh, Boy!!!

I thoroughly do enjoy our little man of the house. He's now 4 1/2, and full of personality! But he sure is a different type of species compared to the girls.

Recently Anthon had fun playing on the playground with a little neighbor boy. It became time for Anthon to come inside. This is how Anthon said goodbye to his friend: He smacked him on the back and said, "Bye, bye ballerina!" Then the little boy laughed with a deep belly laugh and said, "Bye, bye......and called Anthon some type of 4 year old name. Then Anthon laughed and chased after him and tackled him down and yelled, "Bye, bye poopy pants!" This banter went back and forth a couple of more times. I didn't know whether to correct them or just laugh since they both were getting a kick out of it. Could never imagine my girls doing this... EVER!

Also, he's ADDICTED to the Wii, computer and television. He doesn't like to play with toys, and would much rather be entertained by electronics (again, totally different than the girls).
He HATES to shop! Come on, that's my life....my source of entertainment. I have to bribe him to even go to the grocery store with me. It's getting very expensive for me to take him anywhere:) And places like Hobby Lobby......forget it. Just the idea of the place, he throws himself on the floor in a tizzy(sort of how Matt responds if I ever make him go to a craft store with me...okay not really, but I think he'd rather go to the dentist!)

He asks everyday if we can have In-n-Out for lunch. He loves hamburgers. And steak is his favorite food! He'll eat a whole steak by himself!

He loves to punch, wrestle, put people in headlocks, and hit them with swords and dart guns.

Yes, he is extremely different from the 2 girls......but ya know what, I adore my little guy! He's extremely sweet.He's the cuddliest little kid. Did I mention,I LOVE HIM TOO DEATH!! He still wants me to hold him, and cuddle him, and he tells me I'm his girl. He gave an amazing talk ( for a 4 year old) in Primary last Sunday. It was about Joseph Smith. He told the story in his own words and then bore his own testimony.

Yes, he has me wrapped around his finger!

I hope he turns out....and that he grows up to be a kind, responsible and caring adult!!! Wish us luck...we need all the help we can get!!!

For the Love of Dance

(Lauren's group-Lauren is left, middle row- with their dance instructor. Jessica is an amazing ballerina, and was the lead in many shows at Ballet West prior to becoming a mother)

Lauren had the opportunity of dancing for a Stake Women's Fireside (8 years plus) last month. It sounds a little strange, and very nontraditional, but it turned out pretty amazing. They had dances, which were coreographed to church music, intermingled with narration and testimony. Lauren was in a ballet group which danced to Consider the Lillies. The Fireside was well attended, and held in the Cultural Hall. It was held 2 evenings.

Before each performance there was a devotional held for the participants and parents. This Fireside was our next door neighbors idea. She was a Ballet major at BYU. At the pre-fireside devotional she talked about how we can serve our Savior and Heavenly Father in everything that we do, even when we're dancing. And that she wanted to use dance in this manner. It was a novel idea and concept, and I'm glad Lauren had the opportunity to experience it.