Happy Spring!

Well, I wanted to make these cute little treats for Easter but it just didn't happen so I totally gave myself permission to celebrate spring with them at a later date...which was today apparently! I mean Easter is about Christ and his beautiful and loving sacrifice for us and his resurrection--not birds nests. So these were so easy! Only 4 ingredients and a bit of microwave and fridge time and tah-dah! I even picked up the almond M&Ms in an after Easter sale and used a coupon to boot. I feel like such a crafty wife and mom! I deserve a nap. Sweet Dreams!

Upon request the recipe can be found here: http://www.womansday.com/Recipes/Chocolate-Nests

Be a Secret Service Agent!

On Saturday morning, Keri assisted in the Primary's (church kids ages 3-11) Secret Service Agent Activity. We had it planned out that the kids would come in and sign or color on posters to be sent to our ward (congregation) missionaries. Once they were all there, they were split into 3 groups and given Secret Service badges. They rotated through 3 stations: 1.) making cards for military service persons, 2.) scrubbing chairs used in the church building, and 3.) for a different kind of fun-a water relay. Keri was in charge of the the chair scrubbing station. The activity ended with Popsicles and each child receiving their Secret Service card encouraging them to do an act of service in their home and leaving the card so that the recipient could pass on the card with their own act of kindness, and so on. Thankfully, with the help of some of our Primary teachers and a few husbands (including Neal), the activity went off without a hitch and the kids had a great time learning how good service feels.

Never Fear! Bat-Cow-Girl-the Barbarian Is Here!

Our friends, Kari and Carter, were babysitting Sophie so we could go see a concert pianist about a month ago. Kenzie put her cherished batgirl cape on Sophie and her pink cape on herself. Because Kenzie had a batgirl mask, I suppose Sophie wanted something on her head as well, thus the cowgirl hat. After grabbing their swords they were off to save the world. The result: Bat-Cow-Girl the Barbarian?

What a Fantastic Baby Shower!

Last night, my friend, Toni, threw me a baby shower with the help of my friends, Carly and Kari. They did such a great job! About 12 guests showed up and were treated to an array of desserts--all yummy, of course! Some of my wonderful and thoughtful friends:
Angie, Kari, co-hostess, and Kim Karen who fought quite a bit of traffic to make the shower and is due to have her own baby girl in 3 weeks! Tiffany and Sara
Carly, co-hostess, and Toni, hostess

Then, although I despise shower games, Carly came up with a couple that were very well done and NOT stupid! Sara guessed the correct # of candies in a jar and Karen and Laurie were in a tie for figuring out the most baby items cleverly concealed in sealed paper bags. Thank you, Carly, for softening my heart in regards to shower games.

Then I had a great time opening adorable gifts for our soon expected boy, Rhys. Lots of well appreciated onesies, outfits, diapers, etc. Sara and Laurie were sweet to include gifts for soon-to-be-big-sister, Sophie, too. Susan, my mom-in-law, sent a package which included See's Candies suckers (in an interesting container - inside joke) which were shared with my terrific pals. Thanks to all for participating in the shower and blessing our lives. You have filled our hearts as well as Rhys' nursery!
Some of the loot!

Previous Quote of the Blog

"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction." -- Albert Einstein

What Can You Buy For Under $2?

My amazing husband spent $1.67 and got 54 items! Look closely. There's frozen veggies, brownie mix, marinades, baby wipes, toilet paper, deodorant, rice cakes, seasonings, and more. Now that's romantic! All this and he mows the lawn, gardens, hangs objects for me, takes me to the temple, moves heavy objects, takes care of the cars, and cooks! I just wanted to brag on my awesome man. I love you, honey!

6 Weeks to Go!

Easter Sunday

We had a calm and pleasant Easter. We went to church, as usual, and enjoyed the speakers and music that was shared. Sophie wore her pretty Easter dresses again today. We found out that although the red background is a bit garish, putting her in the niche means she cannot run away when we take pictures.

My Hero!

Neal successfully digs up the roots of a massive oleander bush from our back yard.

Some Easter Fun

Sophie received on early Easter basket from the "Easter Bunny" and she didn't know quite what to make of it. That is until she got to the plastic grass. Then she knew exactly what to make of it...A MESS! We also went to the Dallas Arboretum on Good Friday. We had great weather and it was crowded. She wore a cute little Easter dress from the "Easter Bunny" again to enjoy the spring day. In the last picture you'll see a senior couple who had a service dog to assist the gentleman with hearing but as you will notice I think he may have been more of a show dog.

Cheese!

Hey, you got a little something there on your cheek. Ironically, "cheese" is exactly what she is saying for the picture, unaware of the doodad on her face.

Race Fan

Last Saturday, Neal spent the day with his dad at the NASCAR race in Fort Worth. Kyle Busch won. Here's Neal looking like a winner himself.

Sophie Quirks

Hearing hollering from the playroom, Keri responds from the kitchen, "Sophie, use your words." A soft and pathetic "Heeeelp" is returned. Upon entering the playroom Keri finds Sophie bent over with her head stuck in her stroller. How? We do not know. Why? We do not know. We stopped asking long ago.

Sophie is coming along with feeding herself with utensils. However, oatmeal and yogurt still present difficulty. Sophie will get a spoonful of which some will inevitably slide off into her lap. As she is acknowledging the goop on her clothes and saying "oh no", mommy is repeatedly saying "put the spoon in your mouth" and "take bite." But it is all in vain. By the time she breaks her attention away from the goop on her, what oatmeal was left on the spoon has slid off and caused yet another glop to be acknowledged. It is a frustrating cycle with little nutritional results.

The feng shui has been seriously disrupted in our home. In the time it takes to move the laundry from the washer to the dryer, Sophie will have closed all doors....And then complain that she cannot open them.