NEHS Induction Ceremony

 Zoe with Mr. Harris (her teacher) and her friend, Sarah.

Love this picture of Liam.
So the kids were selected to apply to National Elementary Honor Society because of their good grades. They were both selected and we got to attend the induction ceremony. They both are working so hard at school. I am very proud of them!

My new "job"

 In January I started watching Otto, Stephen and Shawna's baby. I say I started watching him, but all of these pictures are of the kids watching him. We all love him so much that it is a special treat to get to have him Mondays and Wednesdays.

 He loves and is super entertained by the kids, too. He is especially entertained by Pearly.

 It is pretty cute when Felix tries to baby him, as well.

Lydia sometimes does his hair. He doesn't seem too happy about it here.

Lydia's Baptism

 Look at our beautiful, beautiful 8 year old daughter! We are so excited for her! I love this age and opportunity for these 8 year old children to start making grown up choices. We have spent the last year talking about Jesus Christ and his example to us of getting baptized.

 Lydia decided that she wanted to get baptized, too.
Working in the Primary is such a great constant review to me about what we are promising to do when we are baptized. Lydia promised to follow God's commandments, to always remember Jesus Christ, our savior, to stand as a witness, and to lift and comfort those around her. Then she is promised to have the Spirit to be with her, to guide, direct, warn and comfort her. What a great promise and something so wonderful to strive for.

 Look at the world all dressed in white, just like Lydia, for her baptism!

 I hope Lydia felt loved and supported on her special day! She was surrounded by loved ones, friends and family!

 Mimi and Pa and Hilarie were there. Pa gave the closing prayer, and Mimi gave an amazing talk about the Holy Ghost. It was such a special talk, all for Lydia (she was the only one getting baptized from our ward). The Spirit was so strong and special.

 Grandma and Grandpa Sam and Shawna were also there to support Pearly. Grandpa Sam gave the opening prayer in the meeting. Also, Richard and Laura (just days away from having baby boy 4) brought Ethan, Gabe and Logan to support us, too!

Lydia and her Daddy right before the meeting. Such a wonderful day!

Lydia is 8!!

 Of course the highlight of Lydia's actual birthday was her birthday party. We had a pretty fun day all around.

 After hours of party-ing with her friends we had a family party that night!
Cake, presents, and grandparents and auntie to boot!
She got some canvas's, acrylic paints, paint brushes, and other art stuff for her birthday. She was pretty excited. Mimi and Pa got her scriptures, a scripture bag, and mini Children's Songbook, so she was all set for the baptism.

 We also made a trip to the mall, where she had some money to burn, AND she got her ears pierced. I am not sure why this is such a coming of age in my mind. I guess because I will only let my daughters pierce their ears if they are old enough to take care of it themselves. I can't even get my kids nails cut, I don't have the time to clean her ears.
She was very brave. Not too excited before, but after she was glad she went through with it.

It's Great to be 8! Birthday Party

 Breakfast in Bed!! Lydia loves breakfast in bed! She got pumpkin bread, nutella and strawberries, yogurt, and tropical punch.
I had to kind of throw it at her while I was busy getting ready for her party. Decorations, food, last minute pinata paint. Thank goodness I had Mimi and Hilarie here to help!

 All the kids got into the theme!

 Notice the coconut bra!

 Preparing the tropical drinks.

 Mimi made a gorgeous treat table!

Zoe was in charge of all the games. We did hula hooping, limbo, a tacky tourist relay, and lots of food! For details, of course you can look at my craft blog.

Christmas Break visitors

 So fun to have Austin and Celia for a few days all to ourselves. We got to go on a double date out to Indian food and the Boise Art Museum.

 Celia had a great idea to paint some cookies.

 It was really amazingly fun!. Everyone got several cookies and it was fun to see what designs people came up with. In fact, it reminded me of decorating Easter eggs. Maybe this could be our new Easter Tradition, because these are fun AND yummy!

 For Liam's birthday Mimi had sent him some of Austin's old building sets (Construx). They had a lot of fun putting them together. Look at the cute builders.
Mimi and Pa and Hilarie came a few days after Austin and Celia. It was the first time in 8 years that I had seen Hilarie and the first time in twelve years (?) that the whole Turley family was together. Pretty significant.

 Hilarie and Celia playing with Lydia and her dry erase board.

 Us, non-Texans, getting introduced to Frito Pie.

 Turley fam

Turley siblings. The visit went really well. Everyone was helping out  the whole time. Mimi probably cooked and cleaned the entire time. Everyone helped with Lydia's birthday party. They are wonderful guests!

Christmastime

 Our Samuelson Family get together where we made "gingerbread" houses from rice krispie treats. Probably not a good idea because I like eating Rice Krispie Treats. Also, it takes an entire recipe for one house. Super fun to design with, though.

 Instead of a white chocolate nativity, we decided to do a gummy nativity. Watermelon flavored nativity.

 Christmas Muffin delivery.

 Love my cute family.

I got next to no pictures on Christmas, but I guess that is a good thing since I was playing with the kids and helping them to set up their new toys, etc.
We really did have a great day. It was mellow and everyone was happy with the outcome.