February 2010

1) One day, I was walking through our girl's school, I stopped to look at some artwork and as I was looking through the paintings of snowmen, I saw one picture, which stood out to me.  In my mind, I thought, "Wow, this one is really good."  Then Riana said, "Mommy, look that one right there says Sariah on it," as she pointed to the picture I was looking at.  I was so impressed!!  I had no idea what a little artist she is!!  (This is one reason I really love our school, because I am not an artist and wouldn't know how to bring it out in the kids.)

2) Opening an unexpected late Christmas present from my Grandma and Aunts (with the remnants of our superbowl party on the counter)

3) Riana is always so creative with everything, carving "I love U" into her cheese.

Our cousins came over (who live in town) and played!  My brother's 5 kids that are similar ages to ours!  We love them!!

1) The little kids playing with little people.

2) The middle size kids playing Wii.

3) The oldest girls looking so grown up, sitting on Riana's bed, playing on the computer.

We had a really fun Valentine's Day!  We lucked out and were able to go on 4 dates in 2 weekends!  (I think that is a record for us!!)  The first was to a Ward Valentine's Dinner/Auction for Adults (cost= free).  The next one was suppose to be dinner and the temple but I ended up with a huge migraine, so we just went to dinner with our gift card from Christmas and traded for babysitting with our friend, Vanessa (cost= free).  Our third one was when we actually went to the temple and grabbed a bite at the temple cafeteria.  Sweet Vanessa watched our kids again!  Our last date was so fun.  We had dinner with two other couples- our friends Jen & Jason and Allison & Kyle.  (Our kids went to Grandma and Grandpa's.)  It was super yummy and a great time!  (Even though I probably gained 10 pounds from all the yummy food.)  We also wrote/shared 10 things we love about our spouse.  It was neat to hear what everyone said.  Later, since we were going to exchange gifts, I told Grant to just get me something small (he already bought me flowers, some salt water taffy= my favorite non-chocolate candy, and I knew that we were getting a new washer and dryer that week.)  I was super surprised when he ended up getting me the biggest Teddy Bear I have ever seen, to add to my collection!  The huge card was quite funny as well, "I don't know what I can possibly give you for Valentine's Day... You've already got me."  I thought it was so cute because it is just so Grant.  I love his sense of humor!  He sure keeps life fun!  :)  Anyway, I had a super Valentine's Day month.  ;)

 

These pictures are from actual Valentine's Day (a Sunday).  I tried to dress the girls in fun Valentine's Day colors for the day.  (Sariah wore my old Annie dress.  My girls sure love wearing it!)  We had a yummy dinner of chicken cordon bleu, among other things, and strawberry cheesecake for dessert.  Riana received a really neat cookie, with her name on it, from her Primary teacher, Sis. Jensen.  

I just thought these pictures were really cute.  The first two are of the girls' playing little people.  At first, Riana and Sariah tried to act like they were too old for playing little people but they all ended up having a blast playing together.  The third is Tia and Nina watching their fish together.  And the last is Aurora snuggling with her baby dolly and sitting on my huge teddy bear (which makes it look even bigger.)

Riana had her birthday in February.  She had been asking for an American Doll for at least a year and didn't want anything else.  So we ordered it for her.  It came a few days before but she wasn't around, so I hid it.  Her Daddy had to be gone on business for the whole week of her birthday and I wanted her to have something special on her birthday.  (She loves the doll so much that she practically treats it like a child.)  She also chose the meals for the day.  Then we talked to her Daddy on Skype from Chicago.  I think she had a pretty good day.

Just a few more... 1) The cutest little teddy bear that Grant brought me from his trip.  So adorable!  He brought each of the girls a key chain with the first letter of their name.  2) Watching one of our favorite dogs, Sally.  She is even smiling!!  :)  3) One of the many beautiful fairies/dress designing pictures Sariah drew.  So artistic!  4) Riana and Sariah had a sword page to color for history and this is how they decorated their swords!!  It totally cracked me up!  Sariah's was decorated with flowers and Riana's was decorated with a rose.  Such girls!!  ;) 

Reasons I Love My New Washer and Dryer: 

1) Entertainment for the kids (they could never watch it before.)

2) They fight over who gets to clean out the lint.  (Didn't realize it was such a fun job.  LOL!)

3) When it buzzes to say it is done, it is really done. (I don't have to dry it 3-4 more times.)

4) I can fit about 50% more laundry in one load, which makes the laundry get done so much faster!!

5) I don't have to bend over at all!!  So wonderful for my back!!

6) They are energy efficient and we are getting money back for E. E. rebates.

I feel blessed that we could afford to get these because it sure helps with all the laundry I do on a day to day basis.