Yeah, I had one too...

I guess I need to post that I too am 1 year older.  I wish I was more excited about it but seeing as it is my last year before I hit the big 3-0 I was a little torn between excitement and sheer horror.  I used to think people who were in their 30's were SO old!  Seriously, it seems like just yesterday that I thought this (maybe it was, haha), but I have decided that no matter my age, I don't feel old.  Maybe my body tries to remind me sometimes that I'm getting older, but I don't ever want to say, I feel 100 today.  :)  Maybe my opinion will change in the future; for now, this is how I am coping with the new changes.  Who knows what this year will hold.....

Emma made me a whale & fish...

 And she wrote me a wonderful letter.  I love it.

 Cody sang to me during the day.

 And I made some yummy triple berry freezer jam.  Yum!

Greg is ???

Happy Birthday Greg!  After Greg hit a certain milestone in his life last year he is now 24 forever.  :)  So Happy 24th birthday Greg! ;)

Here he is with his oreo cake.

 Everyone had to help blow out the candles...

 Opening presents.

Here he is reading his present from me....

 A date to the rodeo!  We had so much fun!

 We saw the biggest smoker ever!

 And of course we couldn't leave without a picture of the John Deere sign.

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life and in the lives of our children.  Greg is so thoughtful, kind, helpful, loving, and generous.  I couldn't have asked for a better man...ever.  He is just that great!  I love you so much Greg!  Happy Birthday!

Scouts

With the new year came a new calling for me.  Well, I guess I've had it for about 2 months already, but it was new non the less.  Actually, I got 2 new callings.  First off I am the new cub scout bear leader...yes, I am now back in the scouting program.  I served in Idaho for 3 years as the wolf leader. Here is a project we were working on to display at the blue and gold banquet in February. 

The finished products.

I also was asked to learn to play the organ...yes, for sacrament meeting. All I could think was, Wow, they want me to play in front of that many people? ha. I have been practicing for 2 months now and trying to figure out all the stops and everything else. Lets just say I now have a much greater appreciation for people who play the organ. It is a lot more work than the piano! I start in a week or so playing full time at church. We'll see how it goes? :)

Manners & Resolutions

Preschool this month began at our house.  We decided to focus on manners & new years resolutions.  It turned out pretty fun and I hope the kids learned a lot.
Here the kids are making their manners necklaces.

Then we had snack time & practiced our pleases and thank yous.

We also had fun playing dress up.

The kids also made their own new years resolutions. I thought they were pretty cute.  :)

And we ended with a game of go fish while waiting for their parents.

We had a lot of fun!

 

Kids

We love our kids.

Emma wanted to have a 'hair wrap' after her shower.

 Carter had kindergarten testing.

 I love this picture.  He is talking on a pretend cell phone while playing go fish.  Our kids have been obsessed with the game Go Fish lately. We play it nightly...at least once.

 Emma sporting a new look.

 Cody showing off his new orange slinky!

Who can resist these cutie pies?

 

Decorations

When January is here that means the Christmas decorations must come down. Here is our tree one last time...the only difference this year was...

 Cody cried the entire time!  I was trying so hard to not laugh because he was seriously upset that we had to take the tree and decorations down.  He is now looking forward to next year when we can get the decorations out again.  :)

2012!

Wow!  It's a new year!  2012 sounded so futuristic to me when I was a kid...but now it seems pretty normal :)

With a new year, the kids moved up in their classes at church.  Cody was SO excited to get out of nursery and move into primary with the big kids.  Nursery didn't seem to be his thing and he just wanted to be like Emma & Carter...needless to say, the transition was great!

I tried to get a great picture of Cody before church.  His smile is so silly.  Here is what we came up with...

 a pose?

 The best one.  He is so excited to be a sunbeam!