March Madness

If you ever wonder what my two younger kids do while Brook is at school, here is a good idea. Some days they are a little more creative then others. Today they decided to put on their "Masks" and play cops and robbers. I guess I need to invest in some real masks. It is fun to see them play so well together.

Our oldest daughter turned 7 this month. I can't believe how big my kids are getting. Birthdays give me the opportunity to brag about my amazing kids... So here it goes. I absolutely adore Brook! She is such a sweet and sensitive girl. She loves to read, go to school, dance, sing, act and says that when she grows up she is going to be a singer (like Carrie Underwood), act (like Gabriella on High School Musical), dance (like all the girls on Dancing with the Stars) and be a mom (like me). She is so creative and fun to be with. She is so good to her brother and sister, and her brother and sister love her so much. I could not have asked for a more beautiful girl (inside and out). She is my sweetheart.

Brook gets up so early in the morning, but she knew that our family has the tradition to serve the birthday person breakfast in bed. So she stayed in bed as long as she could... but got a little bored, so she decided to go play with her brother and sister. She kept on checking on me and the breakfast. When I finally had breakfast ready, Brook ran up the stairs and hopped back in bed and anxiously waited until we all came up singing happy birthday to her with her food.

She got to open a couple of cards and gifts before school, one of which was from her Grandma Jody who is on her mission... She took the gift card and got herself a Gabriella barbie and the barbie bedroom set. We are now at the end of March, and Brook each night takes Gabriellas shoes off her feet and tucks the Barbie into bed. It is pretty cute.

Brook has decided to forget about the cute decorated birthday cakes... She has taken after her mother and goes for the Strawberry dessert cake. Yummy!

To finish off the month of March, Steve left for a business trip. We all hate to see these trips approaching but are so happy and releaved when he returns home safe. This is Steve and the kids right before his trip... We love you Daddy! Hurry home!

February Fun

This year for Valentine's Day we decided to do something a little different. Our kids (mostly the oldest) is always so excited for every holiday and has come to expect a day full of fun and gifts. We have made a decision to try to eliminate a lot of the extras and just try to make it a simple and fun holiday. So for Valentine's Day, I decided to send the kids on a scavenger hunt around the house. There were several clues that would lead them to different spots but before they could get their next clue they would have to give each other hugs or say something nice about each other, or in the picture below they were to hold hands to the next destination.... Valentine's is all about love... right!

They all had a blast finding all the clues. One of their favorites was running out to the mailbox to find a letter for them... They love getting their own mail.

At the end of the hunt, there was a poem and a box of donuts for them. I really think that they all had a great day and it turned out to be inexpensive, yet so much fun for them. We had a great day!

January Memories

This day was full of mixed emotions as we said our goodbyes to Mom and Grandma as she flew out to St. Louis, Missouri to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are so proud of her and love getting her letters. She has been gone only for a few months, but has already touched the lives of so many people. We love you Grandma... keep up the good work.