My science experiment

I am so done repeating myself day after day...pick up your clothes...clean your room. So...to amuse myself and make a point I am doing a science experiment. How many days will it take for a 10 year old and an 8 year old decide to clean their room on their own free will and choice? How bad will it have to get before they give in and clean. My Hypothesis? I really don't have one...I am hoping one week, but realistically I am thinking close to three weeks. They do not know about this experiment so keep it hush hush. I did start them out right and cleaned their room for them. This photo is day one of the experiment...I will keep taking photos for updates.

MLK tribute

I just wanted to share a story thatI love and think about ever year on the Martin Luther King holiday. I have two daughters from the same father who look very different...especially in the summer. One is pale, blue eyes and light hair...the other tan, brown eyes and dark hair. Notice the drastic difference from the photo.

When they were younger they were not getting along. I was done listening to them argue and fight. I sat them on the stairs and made them hold hands until they decided to get along. It was not working. I asked the pale "white" one...why can't you get along? "Mom, I am white and she is black, so we can't get along." My First reaction was laughter because they are the exact same race. Second, glad she picked up something from black history month. Lastly, I got mad and said it does not matter what color you are...you still have to get along!

Greatest man made snow on earth?

How can Utah claim to have the greatest snow on earth? When they have none. This year all the snow was man made. No snow...nothing...nada...I have never had to pay to go sledding until this year. I will say having a lift pull you up the hill was nice and you hear a lot less complaining from the kids. Look at the first photo of the snow with the dead grass behind it.

See once again no snow behind our man made sledding hill.

Happy Birthday Brody and Jesus

Guess who is four today? He has the worst birthday ever. I am so sorry. I even have to pull some gifts from under the tree because the birthday gifts got wrapped with the Christmas gifts. He is so confused. We ask him..."Guess who's birthday is coming?"...Jesus. Yes, Jesus is having a birthday and so are you. Then I knew he was really confused when we were in Sacrament Meeting and he was taking the bread and water for the Sacrament. He came over to me and asked, "Mom, is the water to help us remember Santa's blood?" Happy Birthday, Brody and Jesus!!!

2011 Christmas Card

The Shepherd Strangler

I got a little excited this year buying costumes for our family's Nativity play...
Brody got a little excited trying to strangle the sheep. He needs a lesson in sheep herding-not strangling. I love his committment to the character.

Syd is 8

Sydney was probably more excited for her baptism than anyone I know. Because of her December birthday it felt like forever for her. One of my favorite moments came as I was getting her ready to go to the church. She said "Mom, how do you feel knowing this is your last time helping your little girl get dressed?" Me..."Why is this my last time?"....Syd "Because after I get baptized I will be a young woman."

All week she was trying to talk her sisters into doing something special for her on her baptism. Finally, they agreed that Taylor would play the piano and Carly would sing. I know it was a moment she will never forget. She was so touched that she started crying as Carly sang. I love moments when I know they love each other...as opposed to moments like making your sister give you a dollar for rent to borrow a necklace.