2015 forty-four

Today Elizabeth left.  Tears were shed.  

We sent her with Sees Candy, a Photo Book of Salt Lake City, and a salt and pepper grinder.

Then she surprised the kids with gifts. We were all shocked!

Legos and a Lego Batman Clock for Blake, cute Taiwan note books and pens for Brooklyn, and cards for the rest of us.  So sweet!

 Fridays are late days for Brynn so we had lots of time for the triple heart hair-do again this year!  

 Valentine Parties!  This was the only one that turned out.

 Then later in the day this came in the mail.  Elizabeth had ordered this camera for Brynn!  She had one and the girls were in love with it. A FUGI Insta Mini 8 (a polaroid).  She could not hold in her excitement!  In fact I used this as a perfect opportunity to finally capture her new braces, which she hasn't let me photograph yet,  sneaky mom!

2015 forty-three

This picture pretty much sums up what Elizabeth's time was like with my kids.  

Tonight we took Elizabeth to the The Old Spaghetti Factory for her last night here. 

Then we ran to the store and made valentine's until 10:45 p.m.

2015 forty-two

Tonight we attended the Host Party with our Chinese students

We had a thanksgiving style meal, watched a video of pictures of the trip, watched a cultural dance (Elizabeth included), and then some of the students and families spoke about their experience.  

Brooklyn went up and told everyone how much she loved having Elizabeth stay with us and how fun she was.  It was so cute and BRAVE.

At home we gathered the troops and took a family picture with Elizabeth.  It was one of the few times we were all together.  I set the camera on the timer. 

Later I got a text from Elizabeth with several pictures like this one.  I was laughing.  My girls were good at getting her out of her shell.  

2015 forty-one

Today I was so blessed to join Blake on his 4th grade field trip to the Natural History Museum.  I was the chaperone for these three cuties.  

Having fun on the observation deck.

 Loving the EXTREME Mammal Exhibit.

 Blake loved the rock displays

 They spent a lot of time flooding the Salt Lake Valley

2015 forty

It has been so warm lately that I noticed these today!

I don't think I'm ready for spring to come and go yet...although I love the warm weather.  

2015 thirty-nine

Blake spent a large amount of his day applying the scripture stickers he received for Christmas.

2015 thirty-eight

My handsome Max is ready for his first date!

I'm so excited for him.  We went over all the do's and don'ts with dating!

 He was super excited to go with one of his great childhood friends, Josh Bain.

2015 - thirty-seven

I drove up to Aspen Grove early today to join our Young Men and Young Women at Youth Conference.  It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny.  

I snow shoed this year and the boys cross-country skied. 

(I'm hoping this is a bad camera angle of me and not what I really look like...HUGE)

 During the day the kids attended workshops and learned about setting goals and forming good habits.  They also played a little Family Feud.  During this round Zack and Max where both the dads and Zack is clearly accusing someone of cheating.  

It was a great day and great youth conference.  I also loved that both my boys shared their testimonies.

2015 thirty-six

Last night of speed training.  Blake is running so fast you can't even see him in this iPhone image.  haha  He improved .9 seconds! 

2015 thirty-five

How many things can I fit into one day? Well let's see...

1. Orthodontic appointment and new braces

2. EFY registration

3. Lunch with my birthday boy at Cafe Rio

4. Hair cut before driver's license picture

5. Endured patience as we waited in the never-ending DMV line to get his official driver's license!

 6. Designed, made two trips to the printers, then displayed his 16th birthday poster (A tradition Jim reminded me of this morning)

 7. Oh yeah presents!  Ran to a few stores to buy my birthday boy some presents

8.  Elizabeth had to experience the Ferris Wheel!

 9.  Prepared a steak, artichoke, real mashed potatoes and gravy dinner, wrapped presents, blew-up balloons, made brownies and homemade hot fudge.

 10.  Took plenty of pictures

 11.  Gasp, because your little boy is 16 and driving and dating!
12. If that isn't enough, headed over to the Relief Society enrichment activity and made 10 caramel and chocolate covered pretzel sticks for Valentine's (Brynn & Elizabeth in tow)
13.  Then came home and crashed!  One for the books!

Happy Birthday Max!

I love you so much!

You are a great person and bring so much joy to our family!

2015 thirty-four

These cute kids took over my kitchen this afternoon and prepared us a delicious meal.

Black Wang explained that a traditional Taiwanese meal consists of 4 vegetables, rice, and a soup.  

Jim & I enjoyed everything and the kids loved the rice, potstickers, and this yummy fried tortilla bread dish.  It was fun learning about their culture and families.

 Then it was off to young women's where we gave each other facials and made yummy smoothies.

2015 thirty-three

We made a trip to the Asian Market with Elizabeth and her friend. 

They are making us dinner!

 Brynn & I entertained ourselves with finding the strangest items.

Pig ears, tongue, pig & chicken feet were among them.

2015 thirty-two

Yes, I had a very happy family with the outcome of this year's SuperBowl!

Go Patriots