Love 'watching' the kids' minds figure things out. Here are two examples of how Annie is developing and some of her thought processes.
1. She was telling me a story about something that happened at school. One of the people was a little boy in her class. I asked if it was the black boy. "No, Mom, he's brown - not black!"
2. This morning while reading scriptures, the plan of salvation was referenced. I stopped and asked the kids what the plan of salvation is. No answer. Okay, so who's plan is it? "Heavenly Father's" Correct. So, basics of the plan, we lived with Heavenly Father and Jesus before we came to Earth. We came to Earth to get a body and be tested. After we die, we will get our bodies back and live with them again if we prove ourselves worthy. Annie's comment, "Can we live with them in Texas?" Andy's response, "Well, we'll live on the earth again, so maybe it will be in Texas." That seemed to be okay. She would like Grandma's cat, Moses, to be there as well. ***I didn't have time to tell her that Texas really IS part of Heaven.***
Monday, October 18, 2010
Kindergarten Field Trip
Annie's class went to NickaJack Farms for a field trip last week. Emily and I were lucky enough to go with them. We had a FABULOUS time! We had a 40 minute hayride, complete with stopping at a pumpkin patch and talking about how pumpkins grow. (No, didn't put me into labor, but it was MIGHTY uncomfortable at times!)
We got to pet some of the animals. Annie was VERY brave trying to touch everything, especially the apaca named bandit.
I think all of the kids loved playing in this pit filled with corn kernels. It actually looked really fun, except for the handful of kids that kept throwing the kernels! The girls loved burying each other.
Then they played on a giant playground. No pictures of Annie though; she was inside the teepee with a bunch of little girls from her class.
Then, they each got to pick the perfect pumpkin to take home!
Funniest thing: Emily thinks she is equal with the kids in Annie's class. So, when they lined up to take a class picture, Emily just assumed she was welcome also! (Thankfully we were running behind a little bit so they also got pictures without the stowaway.) When Em jumped in, Annie's cute teacher said they needed another picture with Emily. Then she had all the kids say, "We love you, Emily." It completely made her day. She's been with me a few times to their room to be the Mystery Reader, having lunch with Annie, and seeing Ben. The kids are all so intrigued by Annie's 'baby' sister! It's quite comical. A couple of them also liked to pat my tummy... Cute, busy, BIG class!
I tried and tried to get the girls to look at me cute, but the sun was so bright (unusual here), they couldn't look at me without squinting. So, they gave each other High 5 instead. Fun field trip; so glad we made it!
We got to pet some of the animals. Annie was VERY brave trying to touch everything, especially the apaca named bandit.
I think all of the kids loved playing in this pit filled with corn kernels. It actually looked really fun, except for the handful of kids that kept throwing the kernels! The girls loved burying each other.
Then they played on a giant playground. No pictures of Annie though; she was inside the teepee with a bunch of little girls from her class.
Then, they each got to pick the perfect pumpkin to take home!
Funniest thing: Emily thinks she is equal with the kids in Annie's class. So, when they lined up to take a class picture, Emily just assumed she was welcome also! (Thankfully we were running behind a little bit so they also got pictures without the stowaway.) When Em jumped in, Annie's cute teacher said they needed another picture with Emily. Then she had all the kids say, "We love you, Emily." It completely made her day. She's been with me a few times to their room to be the Mystery Reader, having lunch with Annie, and seeing Ben. The kids are all so intrigued by Annie's 'baby' sister! It's quite comical. A couple of them also liked to pat my tummy... Cute, busy, BIG class! 
I tried and tried to get the girls to look at me cute, but the sun was so bright (unusual here), they couldn't look at me without squinting. So, they gave each other High 5 instead. Fun field trip; so glad we made it!
Some 20-21 Year Old Boys
These are two of our favorite missionaries that we've worked with in Ohio. Andy is the Ward Mission Leader and meets/talks with them a few times each week. The elder on the right is Elder Thornton who has been here longer. I love how completely straight-forward he is and honest almost to a fault. He will also throw the football for Ben a few times if he's playing outside when they come to store/pick up things from the garage. (Andy thinks he's a little brother and teases him accordingly...) Alas, we've been telling him for months about DoughBoys that we do on the fire. They had a few minutes to burn one night after an appointment and came to our fire. He isn't so great roasting (not a skill he learned in Idaho), so Andy did his for him. (Elder Haines on the left could hold his own.)
They came inside to fill their DoughBoys with nutella, pie filling, honey, cinnamon/sugar, whipping cream and toffee bits. Elder Haines ate his the typical way.
Elder Thornton ate it in two bites! I don't know how he even tasted it! What the camera didn't capture was a little 22 month old standing in the doorway staring at the messy eater with HUGE eyes! Ahh, the joys of food!
They came inside to fill their DoughBoys with nutella, pie filling, honey, cinnamon/sugar, whipping cream and toffee bits. Elder Haines ate his the typical way.
Elder Thornton ate it in two bites! I don't know how he even tasted it! What the camera didn't capture was a little 22 month old standing in the doorway staring at the messy eater with HUGE eyes! Ahh, the joys of food!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Happy Birthday!
My sister's birthday is the first day of October. I had a great idea to make her a gift this year, with help from the munchkins. Emily (whom I don't trust AT ALL around candy) was deemed the photographer - thus the stellar pictures! I covered two wreaths with black duct tape, and then we were ready to work together!
Ben and Annie each had a wreath (two different shapes because I didn't know what would work better). I had the glue gun. I put down glue; they put on the candy corn. Very fun!!! I was surprised that neither of them got bored and wanted to leave the activity, even after we'd been doing it for 30 minutes! It actually required a bit of concentration as they had to turn the candy corn different directions in each loop.
Super cute and very fun. However, I never made it to the post office. And then I left one down that my little candy-snitcher picked at (and ate - yuck!). Then the other wreath didn't fit into the padded envelope I bought. So - Aunt Jamie, enjoy the pictures; we'll figure something different out for your birthday. BUT - this totally would have been on time had I had a bigger box and driven those few precious minutes to the post office. At least we think of you each time we see the wreath hanging on the back door (as my reminder to send this silly package to you!)!!!
Ben and Annie each had a wreath (two different shapes because I didn't know what would work better). I had the glue gun. I put down glue; they put on the candy corn. Very fun!!! I was surprised that neither of them got bored and wanted to leave the activity, even after we'd been doing it for 30 minutes! It actually required a bit of concentration as they had to turn the candy corn different directions in each loop.
Super cute and very fun. However, I never made it to the post office. And then I left one down that my little candy-snitcher picked at (and ate - yuck!). Then the other wreath didn't fit into the padded envelope I bought. So - Aunt Jamie, enjoy the pictures; we'll figure something different out for your birthday. BUT - this totally would have been on time had I had a bigger box and driven those few precious minutes to the post office. At least we think of you each time we see the wreath hanging on the back door (as my reminder to send this silly package to you!)!!!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Coconut Fun
For some reason, Ben has really wanted to buy a coconut to cut open. One day I had to run quickly into the grocery store. Ben brought $3 with him to buy a coconut! We couldn't cut it open that day, so it sat above the fridge for a week until we had time to enjoy it. Finally, last Sunday, we cut it open! He and Andy drilled a hole in the top and got out the 4 oz of liquid. Apparently the milk was still sweet (I wasn't brave enough to try it). The best part was after Andy cut it in half with his machete!
We scooped out the meat and all enjoyed that. Then, Andy and Ben got out my trusty Pampered Chef tool and shredded it to have on our dessert that night!
Everybody loves COCONUT!!!
Someday when we get to go to Puerto Rico and have Andy take us around, we can really drink from a coconut and all Ben's dreams will be realized!
We scooped out the meat and all enjoyed that. Then, Andy and Ben got out my trusty Pampered Chef tool and shredded it to have on our dessert that night!
Everybody loves COCONUT!!!
Someday when we get to go to Puerto Rico and have Andy take us around, we can really drink from a coconut and all Ben's dreams will be realized!Friday, September 24, 2010
Project Time
This is our kitchen table that I have wanted to refinish for a LONG time. It's been well-loved over the years and was passed to us from my parents. It's a nice sturdy table, just needs some TLC. For a week or so, I looked at How-to blogs and had a few discussions with Andy. This was my first DIY home-project. Typically, those are left to Andy as his patience with projects is much more extensive (I just want to get them done; he does all the prep and the steps to do it correctly). I think we were both a little bit nervous about my undertaking, but that's okay!
This is my friend who gave me the confidence to do this project! She refinished her coffee table (and LEGS), so we both worked and sanded each morning for a week while the kiddos ran around and ate Lucky Charms.
So, the first morning I was sanding, my mind wandered a bit. At that same moment in Utah, my Aunt Virginia was being buried. 3 of my siblings were at the funeral while I was across the country in Ohio, sanding a table. Aunt Virginia really deserves her own post, another day, but the majority of my memories of her have to do with sanding and wood-working projects. The smell and the sounds of the sander made me feel included in the celebration of her life. It was a neat experience, and I'm sure she was one of the angels helping me with this project!!!
Here is our finished, shiny, smooth kitchen table. It's beautiful! But, now the chairs and legs are looking a little bit shabby... It was a fun project, and I felt so accomplished when it was done. Andy did the finishing touches of the polyeurothane as the stink would have put me over the edge, and he's a bit more careful. :) Happy day! Now I move on to the next project....sewing!
Oh, yes, and many thanks to the men at Home Depot who were so patient with Emily and I as we asked lots of questions, especially to the man who told me to meet him at the paintbrushes while he got the steel-wool and gloves for me. I think I was waddling just a little bit that day...
This is my friend who gave me the confidence to do this project! She refinished her coffee table (and LEGS), so we both worked and sanded each morning for a week while the kiddos ran around and ate Lucky Charms.
So, the first morning I was sanding, my mind wandered a bit. At that same moment in Utah, my Aunt Virginia was being buried. 3 of my siblings were at the funeral while I was across the country in Ohio, sanding a table. Aunt Virginia really deserves her own post, another day, but the majority of my memories of her have to do with sanding and wood-working projects. The smell and the sounds of the sander made me feel included in the celebration of her life. It was a neat experience, and I'm sure she was one of the angels helping me with this project!!!
Here is our finished, shiny, smooth kitchen table. It's beautiful! But, now the chairs and legs are looking a little bit shabby... It was a fun project, and I felt so accomplished when it was done. Andy did the finishing touches of the polyeurothane as the stink would have put me over the edge, and he's a bit more careful. :) Happy day! Now I move on to the next project....sewing!
Oh, yes, and many thanks to the men at Home Depot who were so patient with Emily and I as we asked lots of questions, especially to the man who told me to meet him at the paintbrushes while he got the steel-wool and gloves for me. I think I was waddling just a little bit that day...hAPPY bIRTHDAY TO mE
My birthday fell on Labor Day this year, which equaled a day off of school!We went to a ward breakfast while Andy studied. Then I had a nap. Then Andy and I went to Chili's for lunch and walked around the mall. That evening we had Cookie Bouquet cookies and Blue Bell ice cream. (We'd had a big law school thing at our house 2 days prior, so the house was full of treats, and with the 3rd birthday in 4 weeks, I decided to forgo the whole cake thing this year.)
Sharing the cookie with the kiddos! 
Sharing the cookie with the kiddos! 
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Time For School
Annie started Kindergarten, and Ben began 2nd grade yesterday. Boy, are they growing up! They had the parents come in with the kindergartners for a few hours, so Annie didn't have real class until today. Anyway, yesterday we did a few classroom things, talked about bus safety, the kids rode the bus, we ate lunch and then talked to the teacher for a few minutes.
In the lunchroom, after going through the line while Mom lectured about PLEASE choosing and EATING your veggies. (Both she and Ben did; hopefully I've trained them well enough!)
Mrs. Shearer, whom Annie already adores. I'm hoping to help in the classroom at least every other week, assuming that she needs help. There were over 12 parents that signed up on the list!
We were a bit late getting Ben to school since I promised the kids I would make pancakes but then misjudged time. We got his picture coming OFF the bus!
This is his cheesy smile, right before telling me his day was, "fine" and running down the street to see the neighbor girl who just came home. I did get more details later, but not many! He also really likes his teacher and thinks she is going to be great because she wears modest clothes. :)
After school snacks...this cucumber was from the garden but the inside was gooey, so I didn't send it with Ben. I sent him 1/3 of a bell pepper instead. Emily snagged the leftovers and went to town.
Annie wanted some too!
This was today as Emily and I walked B and A to the bus stop. I did amazingly well today with controlling my tears! Yesterday I was an absolute MESS!!!
Waiting for the bus...
Here we are - bus #10! I need to figure out the bus driver's name since it is no longer Jo Momma (she signed an end of the year card with that, so I know Ben was right!). I told Andy his name might just be Jo Daddy! We'll figure it out. They both came home beaming today, although Ben quickly lost his when Annie pulled out the tootsie pop she got from her teacher today. The competitiveness continues...
Emily and I had a good day, although I didn't get near enough done! I thought the day would drag eternally, but it went by very quickly! The rest of the week we have things scheduled in both mornings and afternoons, so today was laundry and house projects...they didn't all get finished though!
In the lunchroom, after going through the line while Mom lectured about PLEASE choosing and EATING your veggies. (Both she and Ben did; hopefully I've trained them well enough!)
Mrs. Shearer, whom Annie already adores. I'm hoping to help in the classroom at least every other week, assuming that she needs help. There were over 12 parents that signed up on the list!
We were a bit late getting Ben to school since I promised the kids I would make pancakes but then misjudged time. We got his picture coming OFF the bus!
This is his cheesy smile, right before telling me his day was, "fine" and running down the street to see the neighbor girl who just came home. I did get more details later, but not many! He also really likes his teacher and thinks she is going to be great because she wears modest clothes. :)
After school snacks...this cucumber was from the garden but the inside was gooey, so I didn't send it with Ben. I sent him 1/3 of a bell pepper instead. Emily snagged the leftovers and went to town.
Annie wanted some too!
This was today as Emily and I walked B and A to the bus stop. I did amazingly well today with controlling my tears! Yesterday I was an absolute MESS!!!
Waiting for the bus...
Here we are - bus #10! I need to figure out the bus driver's name since it is no longer Jo Momma (she signed an end of the year card with that, so I know Ben was right!). I told Andy his name might just be Jo Daddy! We'll figure it out. They both came home beaming today, although Ben quickly lost his when Annie pulled out the tootsie pop she got from her teacher today. The competitiveness continues... 
Emily and I had a good day, although I didn't get near enough done! I thought the day would drag eternally, but it went by very quickly! The rest of the week we have things scheduled in both mornings and afternoons, so today was laundry and house projects...they didn't all get finished though!Monday, August 30, 2010
Coygirl/Boy Party
Annie decided she wanted to have a Cowgirl/boy party. Part of this party included having a fire and roasting hot dogs, so the kids are watching Andy start the fire with the dead apple tree that we had to cut down last month. Annie declared the activity below as her favorite: making knots of out pull-and-peel twizzlers. However, I don't know that she ever made the knots, just enjoyed the twizzlers.
Practicing riding horses.
One of my non-age-appropriate activities. I thought this game was going to be fabulous, and I think it could have been with more adults (Note to self: NEVER again throw a birthday party without Grandma or Aunt Jamie around while pregnant). It was a dress up relay and this sad cowgirl wasn't enjoying it.
Dinner - cowpoke style! Just now realized that I forgot to serve the baked beans!
Instead of a cake, Annie decided on s'mores. While putting this together, I'm sure she ate at least a bar and a half of chocolate!!!
Kirsten stayed for the party, so I put her to work entertaining the kids while I got the s'mores ready!
Target practice: shooting over cans.
The rest of the kids did a rattlesnake game. They did great, but we had to trade off spinning the snake as it was a dizzy job!
Our last activity was practicing for a shootout with empty water guns. Andy was the sheriff teaching them how to do it...
Then he turned into the 'bad guy' once their guns were filled up and they did the real shoot out. They got him!
I had so many things planned, we totally forgot about opening presents! We came inside to take baths and get ready for bed (after cleaning up outside), when Annie saw the presents on the table. Sweet little girl was just so excited to have everyone there and singing to her, she didn't even remember there was more celebrations! (She really was thrilled with this, it was just the 3rd posed picture, but her eyes are OPEN! She's so fun to watch open presents because each one is "just what I wanted!!!" but she tends to hold the wrapping paper in front of her face.
Practicing riding horses.
One of my non-age-appropriate activities. I thought this game was going to be fabulous, and I think it could have been with more adults (Note to self: NEVER again throw a birthday party without Grandma or Aunt Jamie around while pregnant). It was a dress up relay and this sad cowgirl wasn't enjoying it.
Dinner - cowpoke style! Just now realized that I forgot to serve the baked beans!
Instead of a cake, Annie decided on s'mores. While putting this together, I'm sure she ate at least a bar and a half of chocolate!!!
Kirsten stayed for the party, so I put her to work entertaining the kids while I got the s'mores ready!
Target practice: shooting over cans.
The rest of the kids did a rattlesnake game. They did great, but we had to trade off spinning the snake as it was a dizzy job!
Our last activity was practicing for a shootout with empty water guns. Andy was the sheriff teaching them how to do it...
Then he turned into the 'bad guy' once their guns were filled up and they did the real shoot out. They got him!
I had so many things planned, we totally forgot about opening presents! We came inside to take baths and get ready for bed (after cleaning up outside), when Annie saw the presents on the table. Sweet little girl was just so excited to have everyone there and singing to her, she didn't even remember there was more celebrations! (She really was thrilled with this, it was just the 3rd posed picture, but her eyes are OPEN! She's so fun to watch open presents because each one is "just what I wanted!!!" but she tends to hold the wrapping paper in front of her face.
Loyal Oaks Lake
We went with some friends to a fun, quiet, peaceful lake last week on a day the high was 71 degrees. Ben has found another baby girl to fall in love with: little Gwen!
The fish in this lake were a little bit more amenable to being caught, thus the highlight of the day: WE CAUGHT A FISH!!!!
Taking a break from the lake and having a snack, my little sweethearts!
It was a completely fabulous day, until we got home and found massive sunburns. My kids have never had more than a little tinge of pink, until that day. I am still in pain four days later, stupid cool day that messed up my judgement. We DID put on sunscreen...about 3 hours after we'd already been there. Joy...although I'm sure Ben's was worth it to catch those fish!
The fish in this lake were a little bit more amenable to being caught, thus the highlight of the day: WE CAUGHT A FISH!!!!
Taking a break from the lake and having a snack, my little sweethearts!
It was a completely fabulous day, until we got home and found massive sunburns. My kids have never had more than a little tinge of pink, until that day. I am still in pain four days later, stupid cool day that messed up my judgement. We DID put on sunscreen...about 3 hours after we'd already been there. Joy...although I'm sure Ben's was worth it to catch those fish!Annie is 5!
Sweet Annie turned 5 on a Sunday, so we just hung out together for the day. We decided to make Texas Tea Cakes (like fluffy sugar cookies) since we were going to have cake at her party. The girls helped me make up our tasty treats!
She is such a cheese ball with pictures right now - big chessy grin with little squinty eyes! She had a fabulous time opening packages from family!
The kids all love breakfast for dinner (but I just couldn't do pancakes for dinner AGAIN), so we had breakfast casserole, tomatoes from the garden, and sliced avocado! Happy Birthday little one!
These are some of the reasons we love Annie:
Emily - I like to play with Annie and her new ponies.
She is such a cheese ball with pictures right now - big chessy grin with little squinty eyes! She had a fabulous time opening packages from family!
The kids all love breakfast for dinner (but I just couldn't do pancakes for dinner AGAIN), so we had breakfast casserole, tomatoes from the garden, and sliced avocado! Happy Birthday little one!
These are some of the reasons we love Annie:Emily - I like to play with Annie and her new ponies.
Ben - She shares with me and she's kind. (Very true!!! She'd much rather share with him then play by herself)
Mom - Annie loves to help younger kids and is the first one to comfort anyone who is hurt.
Dad - Loves her curly hair and bright blue eyes!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Lake Mohawk
We had a fun midweek activity at a lake near a friend's house. (Sadly Ben and Annie had doctor appointments right after lunch and we had to leave early. Kids were very upset with me for scheduling them!) They had such a blast! Emily on the slide...debating...for a long time...then climbing back down the stairs. 
Annie and her buddy Carter looking for shells.
The kids were all enthralled with the amount of fish in the lake. They were also extremely disappointed with how quickly the fish could swim! Ben and Annie moving s.l.o.w.l.y. through the water.
Aha! A friend brought some nets and shared with Ben! Now, he can really catch some fish!
This little trio was so funny to watch. Kramer is 11 (and one of my primary kiddos!) and super sweet. Ben followed him around hoping to get some good fish-catching in. Jensen is 3 1/2 and likes to do what Ben is doing. So we had Ben following Kramer and Jensen following Ben for a good hour as they searched so diligently for fish!
There was also a huge playground the girls played on. Aughhh! I thought I had added one more picture (nope, not of Ben with his prize fish because those fish are super smart!) of these three little girls crawling on their hands and knees trying to sneak up on a butterfly. Three CUTE sandy bums!
Was a really fun morning! One more week until school starts and lazy playdays are a thing of the past!!!
Annie and her buddy Carter looking for shells.
The kids were all enthralled with the amount of fish in the lake. They were also extremely disappointed with how quickly the fish could swim! Ben and Annie moving s.l.o.w.l.y. through the water.
Aha! A friend brought some nets and shared with Ben! Now, he can really catch some fish!
This little trio was so funny to watch. Kramer is 11 (and one of my primary kiddos!) and super sweet. Ben followed him around hoping to get some good fish-catching in. Jensen is 3 1/2 and likes to do what Ben is doing. So we had Ben following Kramer and Jensen following Ben for a good hour as they searched so diligently for fish!
There was also a huge playground the girls played on. Aughhh! I thought I had added one more picture (nope, not of Ben with his prize fish because those fish are super smart!) of these three little girls crawling on their hands and knees trying to sneak up on a butterfly. Three CUTE sandy bums!
Was a really fun morning! One more week until school starts and lazy playdays are a thing of the past!!!
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