Spring Break

Rick took a day off and we went camping at Jordan Lake near Raleigh for one night and two days. The weather was perfect. Laura and the children joined us for a day. It was very relaxing just being outside. The boys did a little of unsuccessful fishing and Daniel rode his new bike a lot. I rode mine some and we even have a picture of Papa(Rick) riding. One of the children, and I can't remember which now, said Papa rode better because he "wiggled" when he rode.

More birthday

Family and friends came for our party and it was fun. Laura and Jason always do a party up just right! Rick did this amazing "cake" for me. He took a vegetable steamer for the grill, turned it upside down and then taped some of my favorite candies all over it. It was very creative. I think he said it "came to him in a dream".

Catching Up!

Slacker is my name when it comes to blogging. I seem to spend too much time in front of the computer for various other reasons..so sitting down to blog just doesn't happen. But several milestones were missed and need to be noted. Laura had a party for Rick and I as we celebrated new decades for our birthday. It is official, Laura put up a sign to prove it....we are both older than dirt now.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to one and all. I enjoy Valentine's Day even though most don't. We had fun at preschool decorating bags and singing songs about hearts and valentines. Two year olds don't "get it" but still think it is lots of fun. I have asked the 3 "boys" in my house to give me a "hug a day" all week. We will see how they do!

Snow 2010

Laura was in much need of "fresh air" so she went out and shoveled her driveway. Daniel came to help, he had already done two others that day.


Three Fridays in a row it has snowed and even Daniel said this week...."I'm tired of the snow." When Joseph and Katie were here at Christmas and we had that big snow, we didn't get a snowman made, so after much whining (on my part), Daniel talked me into going out and helping him make one. I also did some sledding down the side hill in our yard. There wasn't anyone but Daniel to notice my effort...which was just as well. It surely wasn't very graceful. The snow has been pretty and I have enjoyed some forced time at home, but I am ready for warm weather and sunshine. I got caught up on some projects, made 3 cute reversible jumpers for the girls and am continuing my d-junking efforts around the house. It is a slow and steady job but hopefully by the end of 2010 it will look better around here.

Children's Museum

Sierra being a dog.

Where's Paige?

Sierra's on a Dig.

In Winston Salem we have a great Children's Museum. We made a trip there while Claire and company were here.

Christmas 2009

I am delinquent in posting about our fun Christmas. We almost had everyone home and were sad Jill couldn't join us. We so enjoyed our time with Joseph, Katie and Claire. In December I asked the family to send me their wish lists for me to compile and send back out to everyone. On Daniel's list he wanted snow and to go skiing while JW and family were here. It started snowing on Friday afternoon before Rick was to go to Raleigh to pick up our BYU crew. Their plane was late and the drive home that normally took 1 hr and 15 took 2 1/2. They made it safely. Daniel was so excited that Joseph and Katie brought the snow (they had his name this year). Joseph played outside throwing snowballs, sledding and cleaning off the neighbor's driveway. After Christmas the kids all went skiing (except Katie, who was under the weather). I saw a paper Daniel wrote after Christmas for school and he said it was the "BEST DAY EVER". I regrettably didn't have anyone take a picture of all of us. I got a new Camera for Christmas so I can take pictures again. Thanks L & J! Daniel and I also each got bikes. He has been anxious for us to go on a big ride, but I can't make it up the hill going around the block. It will take some time and the weather isn't cooperating. Some of our Christmas activities: FREEZING ride through the Festival Lights, Christmas at Grandmama and Deda's with the Smith's, the kids had a sibling game night, the married kids went to Grandmama and Deda's for dinner, the kids went skiing, breakfast with the Brewer side of the family, and a trip to the Children's Museum. I cooked a lot and we all ate a lot and just had a grand time. My favorite part was watching all the grandkids playing together. The Bells loved playing with Claire.