Shaved Ice

We are enjoying the Vitamix.
Kid's Favorite: Shaved Ice

We bought little snow cone cups,
with Slurpee type straws,
to complete our homemade shaved ice!
As Kate always says, "Oh yeah, baby!"

Be Good For Something

Tonight, Abby wanted to make her famous brownies. She spent a lot of time baking the brownies and then getting them ready for FHE. She was so excited to share something she had made all by herself. I enjoyed watching her measure, pour, and read the recipe.

"You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must spread to others."
President Gordon B. Hinckley

I love this quote! I typed it up and put it on the fridge.
I love watching my kids contribute to our family. Whether it is Abby baking brownies, or Kate getting out the vacuum (without being asked) to clean up crumbs from dinner, it makes me so happy to see them feel good, doing good while serving.

One Year Ago..

We were in moving mode, one year ago...

March - We were at the temple and I had a strong feeling....."don't be afraid to move". At the time we were not even thinking of moving. The thought came and kind of went. I wasn't sure what it meant.

May 12 - One of my best friends, Melissa, called to tell me that they were thinking of moving. They found a house they liked and they found a house for us right around the corner. Kind of funny, the Bakers found our house for us!

May 13 - We went through our future house on Viewcrest, for the first time. We felt really good about it, but unsure of how to sell our house on Woodland Hills. We were happy that our new house would be in the same school district. We already knew a lot of people in the ward. We would still be nearby. We love Bountiful!

May 15 - We sent out an email to our entire ward. The Barton Creek Ward is a wonderful ward. Our first thought was to send out an email to ward members and ask if anyone knew of someone who would like to buy our house. There are several family members living in that ward. Many people get married and stay in the ward.

May 20 - We had a wonderful family in our ward approach us, and walk through our house. They were expecting their 4th baby, and wanting to move before the baby was born, so perfect timing.

June 10 - The buyers of our house signed paperwork to buy our house.

June 13 - We put in an offer on home on Viewcrest.

July 15 - We closed on both houses. We spent a couple of weeks moving. We wanted to paint closets ,the pantry's, place new baseboards etc before we slept in the house.

July 26 - Slept last night at Woodland Hills

July 27 - Movers came and moved furniture into Viewcrest house.




It is amazing how the selling and moving went. I feel very strongly that it was meant to be. So many little doors opened, and the timing of everything fell into place. During this whole process, I found out that I was pregnant. Moving and feeling the discomforts of early pregnancy were not ideal, but now is a fun memory.

Now, one year later. We love the 50th Ward, and love our neighborhood. There are nearly 100 kids in the primary. So many wonderful families. We still maintain close contact with several wonderful families from our last ward and see them often. We are so grateful for all of life's lessons, and all of the wonderful people who make life more fun!

We had a family party in our backyard the week we moved in...
Thank you for everyone who helped so much!

Oklahoma

We went to see Uncle Dave in the Musical Oklahoma.

Uncle Dave played the grumpy role of Jud Fry.

Kate and Future Kate
Grammy & Papa J told us ahead of time that Laurey
(the princess in Oklahoma - yes every show has to have a princess),
looks like Kate 20 years from now.
Kate took that as the highest compliment.

Kindermusik Celebration

Abigail Jane
Kindermusik Graduation
May 13, 2011
Abigail and her amazing teacher Mrs Anne.
We are so happy that Abby loves music.

Today Abigail graduated from Kindermusik.

They had their final recital at the Bountiful Library Auditorium,
and performed several of their favorite songs.
This year in Kindermusik, Abby has learned several instruments,
including the dulcimer, the glockenspiel,
the recorder, and the piano.

They have learned to sing and dance,
and started to read music, notes, and rhythms.
It has been a very musical year for Abby.

Abby and Bailey have enjoyed taking music together.
They are such cute friends.

At the end of the recital, Abby taught us how to square dance.
First she danced with Dad,
then with Mom.
We love you Abby Jane!
We have enjoyed seeing you grow
musically this year.

2 1/2 Weeks of Sickness

The last time I remember all of us being healthy, was on Easter. We were happy, smiling and all sleeping through the night. 2 days later, I woke up with a sore throat and the beginnings of what seemed to be a cold. Since that time, we have had the stomach flu, bronchitis, walking pneumonia, and anything and everything else you could possible imagine. Abby missed 2 days of school, I didn't leave the house for a whole week, except for a trip to Instacare. James had to take time off work to take care of the kids, especially Lucy. The Doctor suggested that I stay away from my precious baby, to prevent sharing my germs. Lucy took to formula and a bottle. James has been waking up for night feedings.....and Lucy has stayed healthy.

Now....after all the fun, we are hoping to stay healthy for a really long time!
We have had enough of everything!

You will notice that there is not a sleeping picture of Ella.....
that is because she and I have been coughing buddies and hardly slept!
Maybe tonight....

Smile

So many reasons to smile....

Abby helping Kate get ready for the day,
and letting Kate borrow her favorite dress!Kate trying out the new roller skates she got for Christmas.

Ella looking for bugs.
Lucy discovering and smiling at balloons.