The latest ultrasound

This little profile is so cute I had to share it. The girls were excited that even they could make sense of it.

More Halloween

Jacob refused to stick his hand in to the slimy insides of the pumpkin. He did his best with a spoon, but Anna finished it for him.

The Annual Halloween FHE

Every year we have our carving of the pumpkin Family night. It seems that it gets better every year as the kids get older. This year we even planned ahead and cleaned them out before hand.

Anna's personal Design

The finished product. We love our pumpkins so much that we brought them back in for the first freeze we had last night.

Camping and Food

"The Hike"

For our Grandpa

We hope our songs will brighten your day. We love you.

A Few More Ideas

These are fleece boas that are a fun form of a scarf. I also traced an ear warmer to make a matching headband. Of course the girls love them and are begging for their own. They are really easy to make, and if your kids are old enough they could even help out to make one.
Supplies: 3- 6" strips of fleece. (for a very small child you might want to go to 5")
I used one solid strip in the middle of two pieces with patterns. Solids just aren't as fun.
*Fleece is usually 60" wide on the bolt, so for a smaller child you can cut it down to 45" or to whatever length suits you.

How to: 1. Make sure your strips are cut evenly to 6".
2. Cut off selveges (the ends of the strips)
3. Layer the strips in order of how you want them.
4. Sew right down the middle. (My machine has a special stretch stitch,
which helped avoid the breaking of the seam when I shook out the scarf,
so if you don't have this stitch option you will need to make a couple of runs down
the fabric.
5. Lay the scarf out flat, and make cuts about 1 inch apart.
Make cuts down the entire length of the scarf through all three layers at once.
(I prefer the cuts a little closer, than farther) I didn't use precise measurements,
but used my finger as a guide.

Here are the Tutu's I made. The girls also helped with these and thought it was super fun. Brooke is getting hers for Christmas but had a fun little sneak preview. Needless to say I have been neglecting other duties, but have had a lot of fun creating! But if you listened to Elder Uchtdorf's talk at women's conference that is what he counseled us to do, Right?

"Memories" the Game

I made this game as part of a christmas present, and thought they turned out super cute. Of course I got the idea from a friend who did a different variation in a file folder. The cards are made with wallet size photos, which you get 2 of when you order from Sam's club. I then mounted them and laminated them. My kids are already loving looking at them and playing the game. I also think they would be a good item to take to church to keep kids busy. Is there anything better than looking at a picture of yourself? All the pictures are from our recent family reunion. I am hoping to make a set for each of my siblings and their families.

(the crayon is just to give an idea of size)

Bike Adventure with Dad

Moss and the kids had a great time Saturday evening on a bike adventure down by flat branch park. It is a great place for the kids to ride because they get to go through tunnels and explore off the trail (as seen above). Brooke got to ride in the backpack on Moss' bike and had a blast. I guess she was too small to get up on the tree. The biggest news was that Jake beat Anna in a bike race. He was ecstatic. Unfortunately Anna desperately needs a new bike. She pedals like the wind, but to no avail. The diameter of her sprocket is so small that she had no chance against Jake. She was a good sport and is anticipating a bigger bike very soon!

San Francisco- The First Interview

Well, Moss had his first interview in San Francisco this week. After a lot of nerves and jitters he had a great interview (definitely a strength for him). He loved the practice, the people, and the city. While there is an obvious drawback to living in this area (the cost), I can't help but think of how much there would be to see and do. What's two years after all? This is obviously only the first interview, but it is nice to like your options. Now the the interviewing season has begun, it seems like forever until "the match" in December!

The Heritage Festival

The excitement began with a ride on a shuttle from the parking lot to the park. I think the kids associate airplane rides with shuttles, so they were thrilled. I was amazed how many hands on activities they had for the kids. It was not as fun for any of us without Moss there. This was definitely a "Fenberg" style event. There were several different groups playing music, displays of handcrafted goods, and of course bbq and cotton candy. Fortunately the lines were not too long, except for the face painting and balloon twisters (which I was glad to skip).

Here is Jake digging for an arrowhead.Digging for Candy

More Activities

They girls were amazed that they could make their own baskets. They really got into it and the ladies were so patient while helping them. I ended up making Jake's and was nearly cussing by the time it was all over.

Go Mary!

The candle making was fun, well unless you got hot wax dripped on your little hand or toe. It was a little confusing for the kids that the candle did not get bigger the longer it was left in the hot wax. Several times the whole thing melted right back off into the melting pot. Nevertheless, they were very proud of their skinny little candles.

I was amazed at the preparation that went into this festival. These men had cut out, sanded, and painted little cars for the kids to help pound the wheels onto. They must have made hundreds of them. My kids were in hog heaven with all the free stuff they came home with!

And More Fun

Of course the day was not complete without the consumption of cotton candy. It is amazing how much kids love this stuff.

Anna is always up for a chance to be with a horse. I imagine someday she will find a way to have one of her own. (but for now our new little Froo Froo will have to do.

We finished up the day with a hayride.

Brooke is growing up, and I was glad that I didn't lose her. She did have to endure being buckled in her stroller for a short period (while I finished the basket), but then she realized it was better to stay close by and have her freedom. Anna and Mary were great helpers which was very nice.

Christmas in September

Well, after much deliberation and a lot of tears, we finally decided it was now or never (or at least 3 years) before we would be able to get a dog for the kids/Anna. Of course you are thinking I am crazy for taking this on right before the babies, but you just have to know Anna to understand why we would even consider it. This little white fluffy dog has been her dream for as long as I can remember. While Anna is the most intense in her love for animals, all of the other kids are just as thrilled. In fact, we have to have designated personal time with the dog.

The Big Surprise. We had visited Mattie before and saw some other puppies while we were there. We made up excuses for why we would be going to look at puppies in the first place. We had also previously gone to see some lab pups as well. Lets just say I am not made for a big outside dog. Our previous dog, Copper, was intended to be an outside dog and that turned into a disaster. Obviously we no longer have that dog, which Anna reminds us of with every story she writes in school about how Moss gave "HER" dog away while she was sleeping. So after several days of going back and forth and considering the pros and cons we decided to get the dog and bring her home to the kids as a surprise.

This is Mattie. She is 4 1/2 months old and very sweet. She loves to be held and snuggled (one of Anna's requirements). She also doesn't shed (one of Moss' requirements), and will need to be brushed which is another plus for the girls. Fortunately she is a little older and not so breakable and supposedly trainable:).Jake is having a great time with her chasing him all over the yard.

A very happy girl!

One of the Family- I can't deny it, I like her too.

Growing Up

Just when I thought I would have all 2 year-olds, they turned into capable kids. It is so nice to have them be able to run around outside together and just play.

Brooke, 2 1/2

Anna, nearly 7

Mary, 8