Reading Fun

So, a friend informed me about this: http://www.newldsfiction.com/contests/summer-book-trek/sbt-participants/ Reading challenge, and I decided, even though it's almost over, that it's better late than never to participate.

Here is my reading list:

Love at First Note, by Jenny Procter (happily waiting me at the library)
Taylor Lynn, by Jennifer Peel

Hopefully I'll be able to add more, but since the month is almost over, I'm going to start there!  Happy Reading!

Melanie's Baptism Day

Melanie was baptized on January 2nd, at 10 am at the Layton South Stake Center.  She has been waiting for this day for a long time, and was so ecstatic that it finally came.  Here are some exciting bits of information about the day.

1. We walked to the church.  It was the coldest day yet, and we got there before the church was unlocked, so we stood outside for a while to get in.  We were blessed when the ward members that cleaned the building showed up to open the door, because that's when we got in as well.

2. Melanie wore the same dress on her baptism day that her mom wore on her mother's baptism day.  It was made by Grandma Traci, in 1991.  Pretty special.

3. Melanie wrote her testimony and we made copies to give to all the people the showed up for her baptism.  It was a special testimony.

4.  Because we had just moved and the majority of our family and friends weren't able to come, it was a very small group; however, we know that she has a huge support system.

5. Grandma and Grandpa Smithson were able to fly up for her baptism.  Melanie thought that was extra special.

6. Melanie was baptized in a special dress that the primary presidency brought to our house a week before her baptism.  It was much nicer than the typical jump suit. 

7. Melanie was baptized by her father, with Grandpa Smithson and Bishop Moore as witnesses.

8. Melanie's primary teacher, Sister Stacey Allred gave the talk on baptism.

9. Melanie's first Layton friend is named Amber Madsen.  Amber's mom, Crys, gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.

10. Melanie had the biggest smile I have ever seen for the entire day.  She was so excited about her baptism.

Noelle is 6!

My favorite blond little girl turned 6 this Christmas!  I can't believe she is six.  She is amazing and always surprising me with things that she has learned or picks up on.  I love this little girl.

Here's a list of the things she likes:

Favorite Color: Pink!
Favorite Movie: Barbie in the Pink Shoes
Favorite Book: anything Princess
Favorite Song: Let it Go!
Favorite Animal: Elephants and Unicorns
Favorite Thing to Play Do: painting
Favorite Thing to do with Dad: go to work with him
Favorite Thing to do with Mom: bake cookies
Favorite Thing to do with Oliver: Play with Legos
Favorite Thing to do with Melanie: Color
Favorite Thing to do with Preston: Play with trucks
Favorite Thing to do with Grandma and Grandpa Smithson: Make Donuts!
Favorite Thing to do with Grandpa George: Bowling
Favorite Thing to do with Grandma Traci: Paint Pottery
Favorite Book of Mormon Character: Nephi
Favorite Subject at School: Math
Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese
Favorite Snack: ice cream and cookies
Best Friend: Melanie
What do you want to be when you grow up?: a baker
What do you want to learn this year?: How to bake

Great to be Eight!

Turning 8 is a very special thing!  Melanie has been waiting to turn 8 for about 4 years.  I'm happy she is excited about this birthday.  She is such a beautiful young woman, inside and out.

Here is her update list of favorites:

Favorite Color: The whole Rainbow!
Favorite Movie: Inside-Out
Favorite Book: The Whatever After series
Favorite Song: Scripture Power
Favorite Animal: Zebra!
Favorite Thing to Do: Read 
Favorite Thing to do with Dad: Go on a date 
Favorite Thing to do with Mom: Paint
Favorite Thing to do with Noelle: Play
Favorite Thing to do with Oliver: build Legos
Favorite Thing to do with Preston: Play cars
Favorite Thing to do with Grandma and Grandpa Smithson: make donuts
Favorite Thing to do with Grandpa George: go out to dinner
Favorite Thing to do with Grandma Traci: sleep over party
Favorite Book of Mormon Character: Jesus
Favorite Subject at School: Math and Science
Favorite Food: Enchiladas
Favorite Snack: ice cream with oreos
Best Friend: Noelle
What do you want to be when you grow up?: Artist
What do you want to learn this year?: How to Dance (ballet)

Introducing X-17

Meet X-17!  He was created with love by Oliver and Noelle (with gluing assistance from mom).  The first day he was created, he went on a few adventures.

He played... hard... with Oliver and Preston!

He played so hard, that he had to take several naps.  This one was in Oliver's bed, with Oliver's special blanket and a heating pad... to keep him warm (And yes, I was instructed to warm it up first).

He joined us for lunch, though mom made him eat on the floor.  (This was mostly for his protection).

X-17 even practiced the piano!

Then, it was his nap time again (this time in his own bed, with the same special blanket and book).

Oliver and X-17 enjoyed a short movie together.

And goofed off.

They helped me sew Christmas presents.  (always nice to have extra help)

X-17 especially loved picking the girls up from school.  They played on the play ground while we waited for the bell.

He was even good enough to buckle up in the car.

Oliver is 4.... All About Him!

I have been so extremely blessed to be Oliver's mom!  The last 4 years have flown, but at the same time, I don't think I remember my life without him.  He is energetic, creative, spunky, sassy, fun, smart, loud, fast, and full of love.  I really enjoy this adventure I am on as him mom!

Here are the facts;

Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Movie: Lego Batman
Favorite Book: Lego Ninjago Books
Favorite Song: Baptism
Favorite Animal: Elephants
Favorite Thing to Play With: Legos
Favorite Thing to do with Dad: Build Lego Cars
Favorite Thing to do with Mom: Paint
Favorite Thing to do with Noelle: Build Lego Cars
Favorite Thing to do with Melanie: Playing Games
Favorite Thing to do with Preston: Read Books
Favorite Thing to do with Grandma and Grandpa Smithson: Read Books!
Favorite Thing to do with Grandpa George: Eat at a Restaurant
Favorite Thing to do with Grandma Traci: Talk to her on the Phone.
Favorite Book of Mormon Character: Jesus
Favorite Subject at School: Art (Painting)
Favorite Food: Hamburgers
Favorite Snack: Granola Bars
Best Friend: Luke, Dean, Boston, and Jude
What do you want to be when you grow up?: a Pilot
What do you want to learn this year?: Write my letters!

A Little Creativity

I have been a little busy and forgot to update my blog!  So, here are some of the creative adventures we have been on.  

This is a foam dough.  It was fun to make and play with, but it took a while for the kids to get use to the texture and stickiness.  When they did, they giggled... a lot!

Then we built buildings with toothpicks and marshmallows.  That was fun! 

We built crystals!  These ones are baking soda crystals, which turned out to be extremely brittle!  Don't breath on them, or they will crumble.  Well, perhaps they weren't that brittle, but close.

Oliver decided he wanted to make a monster... so we made a oozing monster.

I taught Noelle a gravity magic trick. She was excited to share it with her brothers and dad.

Then, when dad was ready, we did a little science with milk and dish soap.  Preston really enjoyed that one.  It's really fun to repeat the things I have done with the older kids with the younger ones and see their eyes light up as well.