Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't usually do a ton for Valentine's Day and this year wasn't much different. We did manage to make sugar cookies which we gave to a few friends. However, the real project for Valentine's was the twirly, ruffly skirt I made for Sarah. I think it fits her personality to a "T"....it's all shades of pink, it's perfect for twirling, and it's all girl! She wore it for her preschool Valentine Party and also to church today. I was inspired by Dana at MADE and I had a great time figuring out how to make the skirt look right. I am totally happy with it and I'm already planning another one!

Holidays 2009 Recap

Highlights:

Nutcracker with the girls...Sarah being thrilled to go just with the girls...no boys allowed. She wore her tutu and talked the entire time. It was seriously a play by play of the entire ballet. She knew the music when the mice were coming, she knew when the Plum Fairies were coming, she knew it all and hasn't stopped talking about it since.
Skiing
Sledding
lots of eating out
6th anniversary...overnight at the Marriott, temple, dinner
shopping
fun times with sisters...taking Mom shopping.
haircuts
visiting with cousins
Natalie takes the kids' pictures
promising not to do projects, but not being able to stop myself (jane's LR, mom's skirt, Sarah's tutu, Sarah's queen dress, Peter Pan vest)
cortisone shot under ultrasound..worked like a charm
New Year's Eve....sparklers on the front porch

Sick Kids

There's no better way to relax after the holidays than by being sick. It started with the kids, then went to me, then to Steve, and back to Grant, and finally to Sarah. The kids just watched all their favorite movies and cuddled with their blankies. It's so sad to see them sick, but on the other hand it's nice to have them mellow for a bit.

Grant

• Grant is two and I don't really feel like he's hit the "Terrible Two" stage yet. He is generally very happy and willing to do whatever we are up to. He loves to help and play.
  
• When I say,"Pssst" Grant smiles, tilts his head, and says, "I yud you." (I love you.)
  
• He is talking so much more, but I still can't understand a lot of what he says. When I can't make it out, I ask Sarah if she knows what he's talking about. I'm surprised by how much she can understand...but when she can't decipher his words we both giggle and laugh about how funny he is.
• Grant is all boy...everything becomes a sword to him. A spoon, a glue stick, a shoe...all can be swords and he picks it up and says, "Fight! Fight!" with a big smile.
• He loves the Disney characters Woody, Robin Hood, and Peter Pan. He found a knife from the play kitchen and has decided it's his favorite Peter Pan/Robin Hood sword. He takes it everywhere, even to bed
  
• Unfortunately, we don't have any boy dress-ups, so he's forced to be very creative with princess things. Luckily, Sarah has a few wands that become swords!
  
• Grant is a bit of a pack rat. He chooses a favorite little something and then carries it around for the next three days. A car will always do the trick, but lately he's loved his Peter Pan sword (from the play kitchen), his little puppy from Scott, a measuring tape, a wooden dowel, any tool from his play tool set, and an assortment of small balls.

Sarah

• Sarah gave her first talk in Primary on Sunday. She was thrilled to do it. We practiced a lot at home and she did a great job.
  

• She loves to pray. She prayed for Shayne's grandma to come back to life, just like Jairus' daughter.

• Steve and I have been trying to teach her about prayer and how faith works. I love how literal she is. Later that night she said in her prayer, "Please bless Heavenly Father that he will heal Daddy." (Steve had been feeling sick that week.)
  

• She is ALL girl....changes clothes at least 5 times a day. She talks about getting married all the time & always wants me to fashion scraps of fabric into a veil.
  

• Loves all things Nutcracker. We are planning an all-girls evening over Christmas to go to the Nutcracker. It will be Sarah's first ballet and I know she'll be in heaven.
  

I am happy

Today I woke up with the thought rolling through my mind that I am so happy. I don't have all that I want. We are in a lot of debt due to Steve's schooling and my staying home with the kids. I'm not perfect and I have a lot to work on. My kids aren't always obedient & nice. My health is not perfect. But I still woke up so happy. Despite all the things that aren't exactly perfect, I really am happy. I've gone through some things lately that have made me acutely aware of how my willingness to live the simple gospel is in direct correlation with my happiness. And I am trying to be willing to live it simply. It's funny how I thought I already learned this lesson, but I guess I need to re-learn it. So glad I am.

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving this year. We were planning on having Sherri & Shayne coming for the long weekend, but unfortunately Shayne's grandmother passed away the weekend before and they weren't able to make it. We did miss them immensely, but it was also really nice to spend a holiday just as our little family. It was the first time we've ever done that.

Another first for me was cooking the entire Thanksgiving Feast. I have helped with portions of the dinner, but I'd never done it all by myself. This was also my first turkey ever. I went into the whole week of Thanksgiving with the mind-set of enjoying the experience. I knew that I would just be mad if I cooked for three days straight for a 20 minute meal. So I really tried to enjoy the shopping, planning, preparing, and baking of it all. Luckily I have the best cook in the world for a sister-in-law and she held my hand through the entire process. Aside from all her delicious recipes, the best thing Amy taught me is to schedule my oven and stove space. I created a schedule for the entire Thanksgiving day and I actually stuck to it. My schedule said we were to sit down to eat at 4:00 and we actually sat down around 4:15. I even had to wake up Grant from his nap to come eat. When I brought him into the kitchen he looked at the table and said, "oooo....yummy!"

The whole spread.

Cute Sarah behind the bird...and my new Anthropologie plates
layered on my blue/white plates (it's the beginning of a whole new kitchen!)

The turkey--I soaked it in brine overnight
and it made every piece moist and delish.

The Schedule

At this time of year I can't help but think of all that I'm grateful for. At the top is always my family. I'm so grateful to have the most wonderful kids and an incredible husband. Spending this holiday just as our family was a great way to celebrate. Next, I'm really thankful for the Lord's influence in my life. I know that God lives and that he's aware of me and my concerns. Knowing that makes me feel so secure and I'm thankful for that security. It's been a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Yesterday Sarah turned four years old! We all had breakfast in bed and then Sarah had a cooking party. We had about 13 kids and 6 adults and they all made cupcakes, smoothies, and personal pizzas. It was a crazy 2 hours, but Sarah had a great time. I love this girl!

Halloween

Sarah talked about being Little Bo Peep since May. She first heard the idea from a worker at Greenfield Village who was telling us about all the Halloween festivities. I went back and forth about what to dress Grant up as, and finally we decided to dress him as a sheep. Sarah was under strict instruction to not pull Grant back with her staff. She only did it a few times, which I think is pretty good. It took me a week get the costumes made, but they loved the costumes and continue to dress up in them ever since Halloween.

the kids all ready to go trick-or-treating....

Grant in front of the carousel at Greenfield Village

Twirling...

Christie's Wedding

We were so lucky to go to Utah a week ago for Christie & Brian's wedding. It was a crazy busy trip, but we had a wonderful time. Christie and Brian are so happy together and they complement each other so well. We loved being there with all the family and friends who came for the wedding.

Fresh out of the temple.

Sarah & Grandpa had a wonderful time hanging out on Temple Square.
He was so cute to follow her wherever she wanted to go....wish we had him closer to us.

The whole family....we haven't all been together for over two years!
Grant really enjoyed the reception...
taking apart/putting back the centerpieces kept him quite busy.

Sarah spent her time enjoying her beautiful dress
(the night before the wedding she told Shayne "I'll see you tomorrow.
I'll be the one in the beautiful dress."),
dancing with Scott, and standing next to Christie in the reception line.
I hope people didn't think that she was Christie's daughter!

All the "Originals" the night before the wedding.

Sarah & Grant with their Great Grandpa Regehr.
Seeing him was truly a highlight of the trip.

Grant is TWO!

Grant turned two today....where has the time gone? I can hardly believe he's two. I'm absolutely loving the stage that Grant is in right now. He's discovering so much and learning how capable he is (and isn't). He has a winning smile (as Mom says) and knows how to work it to his advantage. Right now Grant loves anything that moves (including cars, trucks, airplanes, babies, horses, and dogs), he loves anything that Sarah is doing, racing (he says "ready, guh, go"), watching shows, anything having to do with guitars, eating popcorn, and talking (finally!!! he is getting really good at talking, I'm so relieved). I love my little guy and I'm so glad he's ours. He is truly a joy.


We went to the Scarecrow Festival to celebrate Grant's birthday. Grant was completely enthralled with the Battle of the Bands that he couldn't even turn around for a picture.
The Carousel


The Ferris Wheel, or "Fairest Wheel" as Sarah calls it.Riding the ponies....Grant calls all horses "Bucky" (he always gets to ride Bucky at the park)
Is this our official entrance to the "terrible two's?" Is it wrong that I still think he's adorable when he throws a tantrum?