Camera tag

One afternoon in February we went for a family walk around the temple. Pretty soon we were playing a game of camera tag, where we would try to take pictures of the kids and they would run away.

All of those pictures make me so happy. My children make me so happy.

More than anything I love spending time outside with my family.

I had to add the pictures of Gracie when we got home being typical Gracie, and by that I mean finding the dirtiest thing to do, like play with the wheels of the stroller...

...and rub her hands all over the dirty car.

p.s. the dress she is wearing is one I made using a discarded men's dress shirt. I got a whole bag of shirts, but only made one before I got sick. Maybe I will make some more soon. Or maybe not:)

Our new house

Here are pictures of our house before it was ours and before the repairs were made. So some things are different, but the house is not in any condition to take pictures of right now. And for some reason there is no picture of the kitchen.

This is the front, it is a very long house and looks better now that the mulberry trees (on the left) are covered in leaves. The little white picket fence is taken down along with the destructive vines. We had to repaint all the chipping white paint and it was easier to just take the fence down than try and scrape and paint it too. Here is our porch. It is super and I can't wait until we have a hanging swing.

Here is the laundry room that sits right off of the kitchen (which has the same floors and is all white).
Then you continue into this bathroom that serves as the master bath. You can sorta see the shower in the mirror.

It is connected to this room which is mine and Russ room. It is a small room, but not much need to go into our room, I have never understood huge master bedrooms.

Then on the other side of our room is this bathroom. We have now added mirrors. You can't see the pink tub because it is behind the door. Hopefully we will get that replaced soon.Then this is the kids room, it is huge and will be able to fit all three of them and more:)

This is an office, right off the front door. It has the built in book shelves that I love and right now serves as the computer room/craft room.

This is the living room. The orange is gone, and we love this fireplace!

Now we have reached the other side of the house which right now is being rented by my brother and his wife. This room is a really long room and they use it for a living room. When it is ours it will probably be a family room.

Then there is this cute little room that is going to be their babies room next week and will some day be my craft room.Then this room that is very large is their master room and will someday serve and a play/activity room for the kids.

Well, that is all I got for now. We love our house.

Telling my parents

Again nothing special, just a valentine to let them know that our family is growing. My parents are always excited to here about that too.

Telling Russ' Parents

We gave Russ' parents the same Valentine's day card that I gave him. William was very excited to give it to them.

Grandma is always excited to here about an addition to the family.

And she loves giving them holiday treats!

These are the thank you hugs.

And a valentines kiss for Daddy

And then we even had a cake for my birthday and the kids helped me blow out the candles.

Oregano burn

We have decided to try some essential oils for health stuff. Oregano is supposed to be great when you have a cold and such, but it is what they call a "hot" oil. It will irritate your skin and feel very hot so you just put it on the bottom of your feet or dilute it with coconut oil.
Well one night while the kids were in bed Russ and I were watching a movie. All of a sudden Gracie came running out into the room set something down by the piano and ran back to her room. We were both confused about what she was doing. Russ went to her and I went to see what she put by the piano. It was the bottle of oregano oil. Pretty soon her tears started and Russ and I began oiling her down like crazy with coconut oil.
It didn't take long for it to stop burning, but it was very sad and her red face afterwards was heart breaking. Lets just say that I probably won't replace the oregano oil:)

Just having a good time

Hey Gracie, what is in that box? Oh, it's William

Funny kid.

Lucky girl

One day Gracie and Russ called me into the bathroom to show me the pretty hair do Russ had done for Gracie. Then she wanted "mit gyoss" (lip gloss)

It makes her feel so pretty.

He is such a good Daddy and I hope she will always remember how much he loved to brush her hair, rock her and sing her songs, and snuggle with her when she grow up.

Valentine's Party

Rachel Hatch and I threw a little V-day party for our kids.

Gracie was still napping so Russ went to get her so she would not miss out on the fun. I love the way my kids look after they just wake up.I made heart shaped pizzas and little felt necklaces for the girls...and since I didn't know what to make for the boys and they are both in love with Astro Boy I made them Astro Boy shirts (William still try's to wear this shirt everyday). Rachel got the girls chap stick (Gracie was in heaven) and the boys got disc shooting guns. The boys played with their guns while the girls made graham cracker "love shacks".Gracie mostly just ate frosting. After we cleaned up we headed over to the Hatches for the adult dinner. Most the kids walked with Rachel, but Gracie and I drove and beat them. Here is Gracie running to meat them.We ate yummy food and played games. Some of us with kids on our laps.The boys, like always, played and played.Soon Russ was involved, he is on the bottom of the pile.And the night ended with Russ getting it right in the... Nice shot William.
It was a very fun evening. The rest of February blogging coming soon.