Winter Wonderland 2009

It doesn't happen vary often, but it snowed here in Birmingham Alabama on Sunday March 1. It was so fun. It had been snowing through the night so when we all woke up there was quite a layer on the grass. Emmeline looked out the window and excitedly exclaimed, "Winter finally came!!" I thought it was so cute. I didnt counter that spring was supposed to be starting.

Because no one here is prepared to drive anywhere in the snow, church was cancelled. (Growing up in Utah-where they were hesitant to cancel school unless people were literally blocked in their homes by the snow-I wasnt sure you could cancel church. lol) We enjoyed the morning playing in the snow and Emmeline got to make her first snowman. I was so glad that it snowed on a weekend day so that Brett could be home to play with the girls in the snow. After playing we went inside and enjoyed hot apple cider and scones.mmmmmm. What a fun day!!








The very next day all of the snow was melted. Except for our little snowman who held on for another couple of days before completely disappearing.

Primary Pals

Emmeline has loved being in primary this year. It is so fun for me to have her in Sharing Time/Singing Time with me. I love watching her sing, learn and interact with the other children and her teachers. I am so proud of the great little girl she is becoming. Emmeline is enjoying learning the songs and I will often hear her yelling/singing the lyrics in the home throughout the week. She loves Families Can Be Together Forever and the new song they just started learning, My Eternal Family. Here are some pics of Emmeline participating in primary.

Happy Valentines 2009

We began our Valentines celebrations on Thursday Feb 12 with a little Valentine party for our playgroup. (As luck would have it, it was our turn to babysit this weekend.) Each of the kids brought valentines to give to each other and we made little valentine bags to put the treats in. The kids had fun decorating their bags with hearts and passing out their prepared valentines. However, I think their favorite part was eating their treats. Juliana and Hadley both gave out suckers with their valentines. Mabel was a sticky mess (actually all of the kids were. . but especially Mabel). I think they had a good time though.

On Friday our ward hosted a Valentines dinner with babysitting for the kidos. It was really nice. The activities committee had put together a video showing then and now pictures of couple from when they got married to now. That was fun to watch, especially some of the older couples in the ward. It was fun to see what they looked like when they were young. The only complaint that I had was that there was not any dancing. I did pull Brett behind the stage where we were out of sight but still close enough to the music that we could dance for a minute. I know I am a sucker like that. Brett is a very good sport to put up with me!!

(THEN)









(NOW)

On Saturday--Valentines Day, Brett asked if we could run some errands to get him some new shoes. When we got to the store he surprised me by saying that we were really shoe shopping for me. He bought me a new pair of Crock flip flops, which are my favorite. They are so comfy and last for so long. Then we took the girls to lunch at Johnny Carinos (which I had been wanting to try for some time.) We all really enjoyed our food and had a great time. In the evening, after naps were over, we took the girls to the dollar theater. We watched Madagascar 2 on the "super giant t.v.." Emmeline really liked it, Mabel mostly liked it. It was about 15 minutes too long for her. However, the popcorn did keep her entertained for a good portion of the film. It was fun to go out with Brett and the girls and celebrate the holiday. I love them all so much!!!

Swimming Lessons

This month Emmeline started her first swimming lessons. There are three other kids in her class, a little girl named Patricia, a little boy named Sam, and her best friend Juliana. As long as Juliana and Emmeline don't sit together, they do pretty good in class. (They have a tendency to get talking and playing around if they are sitting next to each other :) ) Emmeline's teacher is Miss Katie. Emmeline really enjoys her swimming lessons. Some of her favorite "games" are: throwing the toy fish and having to swim and get it, and pushing the ball into the hoolahoop. I thought that I would use the time of her swimming lessons to read but no--the lessons are too much fun to watch. Also, Mabel decided that if she can't actually go to the swimming lessons, she wants to at least watch them herself. She is so funny. She wants to join Em's swim class so badly. She likes to take a towel up to the observation deck and when the lessons are over she runs to the door to greet the swimmers. In a couple of years little Mabel--then it will be your turn!!

January 2009 Picture Review

Here are some pics of our adventures in January.

The Big Top--2009

After the totally awesome time we had at the circus last year, we decided we had to go again this year. We were not disappointed. This year the theme was Magic and the magic words were Zing Zang Zoom. The ringmaster was a magician who did a lot of really neat magic tricks like sawing someone in half, having things disappear and reappear, you know, all the cool tricks that are in any really good magic show. And of course we enjoyed all the things you expect to see at the circus: tigers, acrobats, clowns and of course elephants. Emmeline loved the animals and she enjoyed the clowns jumping around. We brought our own little glow necklaces and bracelets so we could still glow but not go broke. That was fun. We did splurge on some popcorn. . . unfortunately we had just started eating when the entire bucket got spilled on the floor. I suppose it was for the best--at least the best for my hips. Overall we had a great time and can't wait until next January when the circus will come back to town!!



Brett, Emmeline and Mabel trying on costumes before the show began.

YMCA--More Then Just a Funny Song

This month we joined the Birmingham YMCA. It is awesome!! They have a nursery where Emmeline and Mabel can play while I work out and read. That was one of the big selling points. . .so I could get more reading time for my classes. The problem is that the group workouts are so much fun. . .I'm not reading as much as I need to. So far my favorite classes are BodyJam, BodyCombat (Kickboxing), and BodyPump (weights to music). I've also enjoyed some step and yoga type classes. The girls enjoy playing in the nursery with all of the neat toys and always seem excited to be there. We have also enjoyed using the pool as a family. That was the other selling point. . .the pool access. So far we have only used the indoor pool, but in the summer there is a little outdoor pool that looks really neat. Mabel and Emmeline love splashing around in the pool and jumping off the side into mom or dads arms. The YMCA has a financial aid program which made the cost doable for us. So far we have loved every minute of it and are very excited to be part of the YMCA family!! :)

Laura's Top 10 of 2008

10. Firefly


I realize that this show aired in 2002, but I was just introduced to it this year by my brother Andy. I love it. Each episode plays like a movie and the only sad thing about this show is that there is only 1 season worth of episodes to watch. But I love it nonetheless!!

9. Cakes and Cookies






Here is a sampling of some of the fun times I've had with cakes and cookies this year. I'm not an artist in any way and so decorating treats is my form of creative release. This activity has provided me with a lot of fun this year.


8. Squirrels. . .


We had a squirrel invasion near the beginning of the year. For full details see my blog entry: attic attack. It basically deals with a squirrel that built her nest in my roof and it ended with me buying a pellot gun. Very interesting times.


7. Traveling


My family has been able to go on several wonderful trips this year. We've traveled to Utah, Florida, Georgia and Virginia--several times each. Even though it is sad that we live so far away from all of our extended family. . .it is wonderful that we live in a time with relatively quick transportation so we can at least go and visit them all over the country.

6. Good Bye Tonsils


I had my first surgery ever this year. I got my tonsils removed. It hurt. . .but now I can breath much better. Thank goodness for jello, fruit pops, and instant mashed potatoes!!

5. Pirate Party



For Brett and my birthdays we had a pirate party--murder mystery dinner. It was so much fun. I had a great time planning, decorating, and sewing for this event. In fact the party prep was almost as much fun as the party (almost!!). I can't wait to have another murder mystery sometime!!


4. McWane Science Center


They McWane Center has been a big part of our life this year. Not only have the girls and I gone to play there many many times, but Brett started working there part time. He teaches highschool kids how to run a couple of various experiments and lab techniques. He has enjoyed teaching the kids and we have enjoyed the extra spending cash. :) Plus it's just a great place for me to take the girls and play and learn.

3. Babysitting Group


We started a babysitting group with some of our friends this year. It is wonderful. There are four families in the rotation. Each month each family has one week they babysit and the other three fridays are free for dates. Brett and I have loved going out to eat, to movies, to workout, and just being together without the girls for a couple of hours each week. And the girls love it too. They always get so excited for "babysitting" night. They love to go to their friends houses and play. What a win win situation for everybody!!

2. Girls and all that that implies: dress up, accessories, fairy photo shoot, etc.




I love having two sweet, beautiful and happy little girls. Both Emmeline and Mabel make life so full and fun. I'm sure that little boys are great. . .but right now we love doing everything girl: nail polish, tea parties, princess movies, dancing. You name it. If it oozes out femininity, then we have fun doing it. I love my daughters very much and am very thankful that they are a part of my life!!

1. Brett


When considering all the cool people that I have done things with this year and all the fun things that I have done. . .I would rather be with Brett then anyone else at all. We could be doing fun things or doing absolutely nothing at all--and I still like doing it with Brett. As has been the case for the past 5 years, the number one thing of 2008 is being with my husband Brett.