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We had the privilege of attending Andrew's Patriotic program. Even though it's my third time going to the program I still was teary eyed the whole time and loved hearing those little voices sing out for our country. I could tell Andrew had a good time singing and I know we had a good time watching. "We are thankful, greatful, positively joyful, thankful for the USA!" Here's Andrew walking in before the program started. Waiting to sing.Singing the 1st song. I recorded a bunch of video but it takes so long to upload to blogger that you're just going to have to take my word for it!!After the program, posing for his mom!Great job Andrew!!

Wow! I can't believe that 2 years have already flown past. Penny has been such a blessing in our family. The first 6 months started out hard and plenty of times I was ready to throw in the towel but then miraculously, as if overnight, Penny realized there was a world around her and she became a fun little girl. It has only gotten more fun with each day since. Penny is the sweetest little girl and she is able to express herself through words at an earlier age than any of our other kids. She's talking in sentences and paragraphs. Penny loves being around her siblings and she's very good at copying whatever they're doing. Everyday she makes me smile and count my blessings for such a great little daughter. Penny, your daddy and I love you so much and can't wait to see the things you discover and learn this year! XOXO Let the festivities begin. Penny loves wearing skirts (tutus) so I decided to try my hand at making a couple. Here she is after opening her first present, wearing her new "skirt." Onto the next present.A Princess baby!She got a Weebles treehouse and I think the older kids had more fun playing with it than she did! Enjoying her Wendy's birthday dinner!Penny didn't really know what a birthday was but I do think she remembered what a birthday cake was. With her brothers and sisters help she decided she wanted a princess cake. She would remind me she wanted a princess cake everytime her birthday was mentioned. On my minimal reserve of energy I managed to make her a princess cake. She was happy and that's all that matters, right?!Clapping after the candles were blown out!

Guys, I think my blog might be dead.

I've been averaging about 3 posts a month, and I can't seem to pull ahead of that. There a lots of reasons why.

1. I'm not a natural shutter-bug.

Few of the photos I take seem share-worthy to me, and the most obvious subject for photos these days (Annie, of course) won't stay still for one! The minute I pull out the camera, she's commandeered it to see pics of the baby on the viewer in back. Forget trying to take more than one shot. Video is out of the question, too.

2. "Me fail English? That's un-possible!"

Maybe it's life with a toddler, but deep thoughts to share with the group are few and far between these days. There are probably funny anecdotes to be had, but by the end of the day, I'm too wiped out to write them.

3. Facebook killed the blog.

Posting there is faster. Shorter. Connected with more people. Takes so much less pondering. Gets more instant feedback.

4. That might not be a lot.

But it's enough. I think FB was the straw that broke the camel's back.

So I'm taking a self-imposed blog break. If I miss it after a few months, I'll come back.

Catch you on the flip side.

Lauren

Every year I get the kids new shirts for St. Patrick's Day. That's about all the celebrating we do. Sadly, I lack creativity and so therefore there was no green pancakes or a fancy green dinner. The leprechaun doesn't even come for a visit. My poor kids. At least they didn't get pinched!!Happy St. Patty's Day!!

Eliza was assigned to make a diorama based on a scene from her favorite book. She had just finished reading Gulliver's Travels so right now that is her favorite. She decided to do the scene where Gulliver wakes up and is tied down by the Lilliputs. The more we got done on it the more so got excited about it. I think it's my favorite diorama yet!Poor Edward was our Gulliver!
Good job Eliza. Another project done!!

We're starting to go a little nuts with this dreary, gray, cold, icky, still-winter weather.

A snow day off from school last week made Nathan zip right outside to throw snowballs at the fence.

My "I have a fever" Nicole and "I have no boots" Annie had to make do with some snow gathered in from outside. It was Annie's first encounter with the stuff and she was understandably a little put off by it.

Not to mention the alien arm reaching across her face!

Oh, wait, that's Nicole. :)

After a bit, though, Annie warmed up to the experience (*snigger*) and was up to her elbows in slush.

(BTW, this method worked out great -- no snow clothes to put on and off and on and off, ad infinitum, no wet mittens, no soggy socks, no grumpy kids -- and only water to wipe up when we finished!)

So the kids are coping with winter pretty well.

If only I could say as much for their father.

We think he's gone a little....well.... mad.

See the crazy eyes? I'm worried.

On the other hand, this hat makes a great makeshift "headset" for our cordless phone.

Thanks, James, for the "inspiration."

P.S. Mom, I have video of Annie playing with the snow, but Blogger isn't letting me post it right now. So IOU two videos....

About a week ago I made a birthday cake for our friend's son. He wanted a Lego themed cake and that was his only specification. I put my thinking cap on and this is what I came up with. I did have some setbacks along the way but with my sister's ideas and help we pulled it off. I really love how it turned out. When I delivered it to the party the birthday boy saw it and said, "That is Awesome!" That made it all worth it!

Dallin was awarded his Bear at this month's pack night. He has worked hard and enjoyed doing the requirements. It was an eye opener to see him as one of the oldest scouts. I got a little choked up seeing him in his plaid neckerchief. When he started cub scouts I thought Webelos was so far away and now he's one of them. I really need to stop blinking!Dallin pinning me with the Mother's pin.Doing the bear growl.Good job Dallin! We're so proud of you!

You know how I know that spring is on its way?

Daffodil sprouts at the neighbors' house.

Wacky, wacky weather! We had positively everything short of a tornado yesterday: snow in the morning turned to rain, then wind and sun, then mist and rainbows, then hail, then sunshine again. Be prepared for anything!

The slight increase in sunshine makes for a major upswing in my mood and my ambition for various projects. This usually manifests itself in my kitchen and in my craft room. Tuesday night, my ambitious self attempted cheese souffle for the first time.

Puffy, it was. Tasty, it was. Thought not as luscious as I'd imagined. Maybe next time.

Last but not least, I've been attempting to expand my crochet skills into the realm of kids' hats. I got a couple of patterns off Etsy, and this is Nicole's requested hat. The hat turned out well, I thought, but the model is really what makes it. :)

I really, really can't wait to try this one, though!

Harvey, do you need a new hat?

I went to the doctor for my 1st appointment and we got to see our little froggie swimming around. I'm 12 weeks today and having been feeling poorly for the past 6. I can't wait for the nausea to take it's leave. After a miscarriage in November we are super excited to be expecting so quickly. We told the kids this evening and they were all happy. Penny saw the ultrasound pictures and excitedly said, "It's a monkey!" Here are the pictures from today's adventure!Oh, the baby is due August 30th and we can't wait!!

It's been a long winter and Eliza has really missed playing with Clover in the grass. I finally decided she could bring her bunny inside and she loved it. Clover liked being in the warmth of our house also. She layed herself flat out adn took a little nap. Cute!We can't wait for spring!!

Eliza was assigned to make a 3-D model of Venus for school. Over the past 2 days we have unsuccessfully attempted making it twice and we finally succeeded the third time. We wasted spray paint and 2 different types of balls only to realize they weren't going to work. Finally in a state of near panic I drove to Wal-Mart in search of something that would work and the thought came to me to try wrapping yarn around a styrofoam ball. I only hoped I'd be able to find the right color of yarn. Luckily, I found what I needed at Porter's and was relieved when it actually turned out looking rather nice. Eliza was excited with the end product and was very helpful making it. Here's to Eliza and Venus!!Goofy Eliza, it took a lot longer to wrap it than anticipated and she got to stay up past bedtime.

Some close ups of our masterpiece!

It's "out of this world!" I know, I'm a nerd!

I am: opinionated, bouncy, spunky, babbly (is that a word?)

?People say: I have great hair.

?I have: Twenty teeth, a booty that shakes, a maniacal belly laugh, wispy red hair that's getting longer (!)

?I can: show I'm one by holding up one finger, go most of the day without my binky, run surprisingly fast, try to jump (hilarious -- it's all about bending down really far and trying to throw myself skyward), do finger play songs such as "Wheels on the Bus" and "Book of Mormon Stories," go up and down stairs holding one of Mom's hands, walk backwards.

?I love: my fuzzy pink blankie, my love monkey, my Mom and Dad, Bubba, and Sis.

?Recently I've: dropped my morning nap (one long afternoon nap = yay!), started a baby music class with Mom, gone to the park with big brother and sis, walked to meet Bubba's kindergarten bus, gone to Seattle to visit my cousins, stayed in nursery by myself!

I don't like: the word "NO," being stuck in my carseat for too long, loud and crazy Cub Scouts

My regular day includes: waking up around 7am (on a good day), breakfast of jam toast, walking Bubba and Sis to school, playtime at exercise group or home, meeting Bubba's bus, lunch, nap from 1pm-3:30pm, snack, afternoon playtime, dinner, and bed at 8pm.

Mom's favorite things about me: my toddler words, my crazy-eyed smile, my brave side, kisses -- both on the cheek and blow kisses

Dad's favorite things about me: my wild belly laughs, my daredevil streak

Next month I'm looking forward to: getting more independent, learning more words so I don't have to say "AAH" to Mom so much, trips to the zoo during spring break.

Some notes on Annie this month: For your enjoyment, her current list of "words" --

Oof - Dog
Woo-wah - Elephant
Moo - Cow
Baa - Sheep
RAAR! - Lion
Aaagh! - Stop it!
Shoos - Shoes
Mama
Dada
Bubba - Nathan
Sis - Nicole
Doh - Door
Ap-puh - Apple
Bah - Ball
Mo - More
Eh-mo

Wow, when I think back over the past 10 years I can't believe how quickly they have gone past. Dallin made his debut 10 days late on a freezing cold evening, Feb. 6 2001. I was thrilled to be a mother. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I could not have asked for a better child to be my oldest. Dallin is a good kid. When I say that I mean he is good, plain and simple. He tries to do what's right only because he wants to. He is kind to his brothers and sisters and most of the time does what he's supposed to. Dallin is a quick learner and carries around a plethora of knowledge in his 10 year old brain. I don't know how he got so smart. I love Dallin's imagination and his ability to figure things out. Although I do feel old having a child in the double digits I wouldn't trade the past 10 years for anything. I sure do love you Dallin!!
New books from Grandma and Grandpa Mauery.

You can never have enough Legos!

This is a cool little toy that hovers.

Dallin read all the Percy Jackson books that he got for Christmas and is excited to watch the movie with Daddy.

This year Dallin wanted a Chess cake. I was more than happy to oblige. It was one of the easiest yet. Simple but cute.

Silly Dallin.

Singing Happy Birthday.

The camera wouldn't take the picture when he blew out the candles so this picture is staged after the fact. Joe wouldn't let me relight all the candles just for a picture.

All the candles out, I hope he made a wish!

Stamp of approval!

Happy Birthday Dallin!!

Dallin is part of the Discovery program at school and they've been studying the stars and constellations. On Jan. 20 they invited the families to see some of the things they have learned. They had a portable planetarium set up and we went inside and Dallin told us about the legends of the constellations. It was fun and interesting. Dallin is like an encyclopedia of knowledge!
Inside the "bubble" they had this light thing and it projected the constellations onto the walls.

Joe didn't know I was taking a picture of us. I think it's one of the funniest pictures of both of us. He looks scared and I look scary!
Here's Dallin taking his job as tour guide very seriously. He told us about the constellations and then answered all our questions. Great job Dallin!

Dallin and Andrew outside the "bubble."On our way home we drove around the nice houses on the hill and saw this in front of one of them. Very impressive!

Okay, so we began the month with hair, and we're ending it with hair.

I NEED HELP.

I'm on a self-induced hair-growing kick (for reasons too silly and convoluted to explain here), but suffice it to say that I made a goal for myself to grow my hair out till the summer. Mostly, it's the attraction of a ponytail that has me growing.

But.

BUT!

Resolution is slipping. My hair has reached what I consider to be it's most annoying length: almost-shoulder-length. Too long to be short, too short to be long, it even got trimmed recently and still doesn't seem to have any real shape or interest.

So here's where you come in.

Do I keep growing my hair, so I'll look like this:

Or do I cut it (my current leaning) and look like this:

HELP, PLEASE!!!

I would have been fine if my birthday was completely ignored this year, but after the fact I sure was glad my family threw me a party. Best of all I didn't have to make dinner! My mom gave me this cupcake cook book, it has some really cute ideas in it. Before I got to look through it the kids each went through it and picked their favorites!
Joe got me a heart rate monitor. I've been wanting one for sometime so I was happy with it!

The kids got me M&M's (I think they're hoping that I'll share!)I've also been asking for 5 lb. weights for over a year. I have 3 lb, 8 lb, and 10 lb so I'm excited to have the 5 lb ones now! It'll help counterbalance the M&M's, right?!

Here's the love of my life that made it all happen!

Look at all that fire! Man, I'm getting old!

Joe purposely put the candles close together so it would produce a bigger flame.

Make a wish!!

So far my 31st year has been great! I'm excited for what lies ahead and for the adventures I'll have!

I guess I complained enough about my piano having problems because Joe got the Piano Tek lined up to tune my piano. He was entertaining for the whole family. The kids all lined up on the couch and watched him do his job. I've had the piano for almost 10 years and this the first time we've done anything to it. Not a good idea. Apparently it was flat by 30% and he had to raise the pitch on the whole piano before he could tune it. Several keys were sticking and some weren't working at all. After two visits he was all done. It's nice to play it now and it sure sounds purdy! Here she is all opened up.
Our afternoon's entertainment...for a price!