Concert

Grace and Julia

Grace had a busy day.  After school she had chess club, then we came home changed and ran to Subway for a sandwich and then back to school for the winter concert.  The kids did a great job and were very fun to watch.

Arden and Lu two little muscians

Dad and Gracie and Mom 

I worked today.  I can always tell the difference at home when I work during the day, I don't know how full time working moms do it, they are better women than me.

I love shots of the back of people, I don't know why.

cold and wet

grooming Hobbit, he is a mess every week with all the mud

It's been a wet winter, which is good I guess.  I know California, the state, wishes we would send some their way as they have had a drought.  It makes the barn a muddy mess.

Today Ziva went to the spa.  Now she "looks like a little lamb" says Hannah.

Tonight Grace taught FHE.  We talked about some of the Saviors miracles during his earthly ministry.

her trot is coming right along

On Saturday Lu, R and I went to Lowes and BJ's.  While at BJ's we watched a demonstration for an all organic cleaning product and won, as a result of the accompanying raffle, a $50 gift card.  We bought the product.  Grace has been anxious to try it out and has been repeatedly asking.  For our FHE activity R and E were assigned to walk the dogs, H was assigned to clean up the kitchen and Lu and I were assigned to try out "Whip It" in the bathroom.  I have to say it did clean well.  She was kneeling by the potty cleaning it up and said "Woah, this $120 value that we got for just $29.99 really is worth it, don't you think it cleans well mom?"  I did.  It worked especially well with all the good elbow grease she was applying and we had a good time cleaning up together and commenting on how the bathroom now smelt like a "Florida afternoon" one of the sales pitch lines!

the barn is so peaceful and pretty even in the winter

Cousins

Had some fun playing with photos.  I don't know why but it gives me great pleasure to see all the cousins in one place, and to write down their names and ages.

Dani 26

Sierra 23

Jenna 21

Katie 20

Tanner 15 (for one more month)

Mackenzie 14

Hannah 14

Spencer 12

Ethan 11

Jordyn 11

Grace 9

Natalia 5

Tatum 4

Joneaux 4

Reggie 3

Jakob 2

Penny 1

Deo 1

Noah 7 months

Scarlett 5 days

Saturday

Bub has been sick for two days. I'm sure it's from sharing the habitat during space camp as many of the kids have fallen ill the last week.

Tonight Hannah is going to a dance. Chelsea came over before and they got ready. Hope it will be lots of fun.

R spent the day doing some chores.

Winter weather is still here. Brrr

more this and that

This is  totally Millie and Ziva, so funny.  When they go out together Z comes back a mess every time and Millie just tip toes through the tulips and comes back with a little dew on her paws.  It cracks me up.

This morning I went to scripture study group, although this time we only read one chapter and spent  a lot of time talking, they were gospel centered converstations.  Then we went to Okada for lunch, it was Jodie's birthday on Wednesday.  I think we had 20 people there, which usually is too many to really get to visit but they have nicely shaped seating so it was okay.

After school both E and G went to play with friends.  They like to roam around the neighborhood and play soccer and eat snacks at every house (the boys).  The girls stayed here and taught Z tricks.

Pete and Katherine came over tonight to HT us.  I made homemade oreos, for the first time ever.  Val makes them all the time and they were so good.  R said it was one of his favs now.

OREOS

• 1 and 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (64g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

CREAM FILLING

• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup (48g) vegetable shortening, room temperature
• 1 and 3/4 cups (210g) confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Random

Random this and that.

We got home late and ate dinner late, roast and potatoes.  After dinner R and I took the girls on a walk and it was chilly outside.  I enjoy our walks together.  We always talk.  We got home and found these three snuggled together watching Dr Who.  They are not always so sweet to one another so I grabbed my camera ;)

Jenna instagramed this picture, she is taking a cross country ski class and I know she enjoys it a lot.  

Grace and I took some funny pictures.  She is growing up.  So who knew but you can take horseback riding vacations, all over the world.  It's an amazing idea.  You can go on a horseback safari, or ride through the glens of Ireland.  Amazing!  She and I started planning to take a trip, when she is big.  Today she said, Mom what if you don't still like horses?  You'll still like me and you'll want to go right?  I do like her, my little blond caboose.

Court of Honor

Tonight was our first boy scout court of honor.  Ethan has been a boy scout for 7 months so I don't know what the delay was but none the less tonight was the night.  It was nice.  Lots of boys got awards.  There was a super cute skit, chocolate chip cookies at the end.  Nice night.

Here's Rob presenting some awards to the varsity's.  He is the assistant Varsity leader.

Bro Lyons presented Bub with his tenderfoot, 2nd class and a couple of merit badges.

He's a good boy.