Precious Pictures

My wonderful sister-in-law took some great pictures of our little family that I need to share. Thanks Chrissy!

Messes

Messes are easy to make, but hard to clean up. Elizabeth has been very busy during nap time lately. So busy, that she wears herself out with the messes that she makes. (She is sleeping on her bed beside all of her treasures.) She HATES cleaning up. She tells me she cannot do it by herself, and that I need to help her. Her room is going to look like this for the next 15 years, I just know it. I should mention that her room was completely cleaned and vacuumed at 8 this morning.

Scripture Power

As we were taking our morning walk, the kids were discussing super powers. Elizabeth leaned over to Andrew and said, "Andrew, the scriptures have the best powers of all." She certainly is right!

Elizabeth's First Talk

Elizabeth gave her first talk in Primary. She stood up tall, and said her talk loud and clear like we had practiced. She really did a great job!

Easter is a special day.
When Jesus was on the earth he taught us to be kind and love one another.
I can be like Jesus by being kind to my brother, listening to my Mommy and Daddy, and helping my teachers in Primary.
Jesus died for us and was ressurected.
We can live with our families forever.
I am grateful for the example Jesus set.

Coloring Easter Eggs, and the Hunt

Grandma Olsen hosted an Easter party at her house and had the Grandkids color Eggs. Andrew and Elizabeth loved watching the eggs turn colors, although, Andrew was much more interested in dropping the eggs in the dye and pulling them out then being patient for them to turn color.


After coloring eggs, it was time for the egg hunt. The kids didn't need much help, and were pretty good about sharing.
Elizabeth showing off her eggs.

Andrew is very serious about finding eggs.

Andrew's New Pal

Grandma Olsen and Andrew went to Build-A-Bear for his 3rd birthday. It is a tradition that each child gets a bear when they are three. Andrew had a great time picking out a bear. He knew exactly which bear he wanted, and loved the firefighter outfit. He named him Fire Fighter Derek.

Thank you Grandma for such a special gift.

Pulling Carrots from the Garden

The kids love to pull carrots from the garden. The garden has gotten Andrew in trouble a few times, but I enjoy watching the plants grow so it has been worth it. When we planted peas, Elizabeth checked every day to see how much they had grown. I loved hearing her excitement each morning when they had grown an inch. Now it is fun to find new peas each day. They seem to pop up over night.

Soon it will be time for tomatoes. We have two that are getting big, and countless blossoms. Andrew loves tomatoes, so it will be interesting to see if he leaves them alone....I doubt it. One morning I found his radio flyer wagon resting on top of the tomato plants. I was afraid he had completely destroyed the plants, but they came through just fine.

Car Maintenance

I am grateful that Jeremy is so good at car maintenance. He loves working on cars and we have certainly reaped the benefits. Today he changed the transmission fluid on the toyota. Thank you Jeremy for keeping our cars running strong.

Hula Hoop

Today I am grateful that I can still work a hula hoop.

Veterans

Today I am most grateful for Veterans and what they have done to keep our country free. But, one veteran is more important to me than all others. My father served as a Sea Bee in the United States Navy, and served two tours in Vietnam. He was an iron worker and built communication towers and bridges. He doesn't talk about it very often, but it is a big part of who he is.


He loves his family.
Will take any back road in the mountains for a new adventure.

Loves a good campout.

Is an engineer at heart and is always building and creating something.

And has a passion for music and learning.

We love you Grandpa. Thank you for doing your part to protect our country.

Miss Pickle

Elizabeth raided the pickle jar while I was out of the room. I am grateful for her passion and love of life.

Growing

I am grateful that my children are growing. I took the children to Michael's craft store today and it was an absolute nightmare. They wanted to touch everything. I was looking at an item to buy and turned around and both children had their hands on glass vases. Last Friday, Andrew picked up a piggy bank in Target and it slipped out of his hands and shattered on the floor. I am hoping that in another 3 years they won't want to touch everything and shopping will be easier. Here's to hoping.

Dancing With The Stars

Elizabeth loves to dance. This summer she found a set of tap shoes for 25 cents at a rummage sale, and has worn them every day since. She will only wear dresses and skirts that twirl. Monday night is a favorite for her because the "dancing" show is on. She puts on her pajamas with a skirt over top, and ties up her dancing shoes. Each time a couple comes on to dance, she dances with them using her chair as a partner. Occasionally, she will glance at herself in the glass of the sliding door to see what she looks like dancing. It is one of the highlights of my week to watch how happy she is. Look out Grandma Ross, we have another ballroom dancer on our hands.

Jeremy

Today I am grateful for my husband Jeremy. There are not enough words to describe what he does for me, and as father to our children. I am grateful for his faith and devotion to the gospel. I am grateful for his friendship and love.

He has such a loving heart and wants to help the kids discover the world and all it has to offer.
During a Saturday outing, they went to Home Depot during craft time and built things out of wood. The kids were so proud of their projects.

Or he's content to play with them at home. He is full of integrity and a worthy Priesthood holder.

He loves spending genuine time with the children, no matter what they are doing.

Thank you for being such a great dad.

And husband.

Pepperoni

I love that Elizabeth calls pepperoni , pepper-macaroni.

Unexpected Smiles

Today I am grateful for small moments that make you laugh. Last night Andrew was a bit too curious while Elizabeth was in the bathroom. The potty seat was stuck on there pretty good. Daddy really had to work to get it off. It's a good thing that Elizabeth doesn't use it anymore, and that I had just cleaned it yesterday morning.

Exercise

Exercise is the topic that I am most grateful for today. I have been working harder on my diet and exercise this week. I have seen a big improvement in both my mental attitude and physical strength. I feel good. (I think that it isn't so blasted hot, and we can be outside to exercise helps too.) Exercise is so important. My kids are happier when they are able to release energy. I hope my children are learning that we need to exercise to keep our bodies healthy.

Friends

Today I am grateful for friends. I have been lucky enough to gain a handful of really genuine friends who I am so blessed to have in my life. My mother is probably my best supporter and friend. She and I cannot go a day without talking. I miss her when her telephone is out of range. She understands me and life. I hope to have just as good of a relationship with Andrew and Elizabeth when they are grown as I do with my mother.

Andrew and Elizabeth have their friend Noah over this morning. Noah is so good for them. They play with the toys they aren't normally interested in, and get along so well. Andrew loves Noah because he is a boy. Elizabeth and Noah are pretty much inseparable when they are together. Noah tells everyone he is going to marry Elizabeth. At church, they hold hands on the way to Nursery, and have to sit by each other during snack time.

I wish I had a better picture of them together, but this will have to do. Elizabeth and Noah were Trick or Treating together on Halloween night. Noah was a cowboy.

Sight-One of the Five Amazing Sense

Elizabeth did a great job at the eye doctor this morning. We asked her at breakfast who she would like to take her....she picked Daddy. They always have a great time together. E did really well picking out both big and small shapes for the doctor. They also dilated her eyes and said her eyes were healthy and growing properly. At this time, he reduced her prescription to +6 in both eyes. It was at +7. She will have to wear glasses until she is at least 15 and then the doctor will begin to discuss possible surgeries to give her long term solutions for her eyes.

I am so grateful for eyesight. The first day we put glasses on Elizabeth a whole new world was opened to her. She could finally see the leaves on the trees, the school bus driving down the street, and the birds flying in the sky. Our loving Father in Heaven has given us a beautiful world to enjoy. I am thankful for the ability to see all that we've been given.

Giving Thanks

This month I want to concentrate on being thankful for the many things my family is blessed with. My goal is to post something that I am grateful for each day of the month.

Today I am grateful for the start of November. Arizona is beautiful in November. My roses bloom again, and the weather is comfortable. Each year in June, July and August, I always wish it were November.