Daniel's Primary Talk: Noah's Ark

Our family has a fun way of doing primary talks. We like to dress our kids up and have them pose for different pictures from the scripture stories they talk about. Then we have them use those enlarged pictures to show as they give their talk.

This past Sunday, Daniel gave a talk about Noah's Ark. He did GREAT!! Normally he is really shy and unwilling to do stuff like that, but he was confident and happy about it. The pictures were really fun too. I think it was more painful getting the pictures of Daniel than getting him to give the talk!

Here are the pictures from the Noah's Ark Story:

My New Kitchen... it's almost here!

I mentioned that we were having our kitchen remodeled and wanted to post a few pictures for others to see. GOODBYE 50's KITCHEN!! It is great. Already it feels much more open, and we LOVE our new cabinets. There are several changes, including a move for the kitchen sink with an arched window cut into the wall opening to the front room. Now I can see the boys while they play. The arch really opens things up and helps it feel spacious. The floor was installed by the one and only Nathan Brady and our great friend and neighbor, Fabio. Nate even surprised me with under the cabinet lighting when I got back from Utah. Our counters and sink went in today. We're so excited to have running water in the kitchen again! The bathroom sink just wasn't cutting it. Take a look at our work in progress...

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

Check out that girl! She's 31 years young today!!! This is Andrea, Michelle's little sister. I've been helping Michelle start her blog (and so I have complete access!). I wanted to give her a little birthday greeting on the blog.

Happy Birthday, Michelle. I love you so much! There's so much to celebrate, and I know I won't do an adequate job, but I wanted to give it a shot. You have always been a wonderful older sister and example to me. Always the peacemaker and one to make everyone happy. You are beautiful and sweet--compassionate to all around you. You give so much and ask nothing in return. I know of few so talented and so humble. You are an incredible daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend. I love spending time with you doing anything... walks, talking on the phone, scrapbooking, watching movies, making dinner together, plotting how to get you back to Utah--you name it!
I remember my first time at Young Women's camp as a little beehive. During testimony meeting I had the strongest desire to bear my testimony but was terrified... until I saw my sister (yes, I'm talking about you, Michelle) stand up and share her testimony. It gave me the strength that I needed. That is not the first time you have been there for me and given me strength. The past 5 years as Paul and I went through the emotional trauma of infertility and then an extremely challenging adoption process, you were there as a sister and friend who understood the heart ache and lended a listening ear as I cried. Now, I get to learn great things from you like, "It's been a long phase" and other wonderful bits of parenting advice :).
You are stunningly beautiful, creative and crafty, a great teacher, stand up comedian, a patient therapist, talented musician (lucky Primary to have you as thier Chorister), wonderful decorator (who seeks advice from the best of the best. Ha, ha), etc. Pretty much, you're just Amazing. Thank you so much for being you. I'm so glad I have you to turn to... and I'm sure I'm one of many who feel the same way. I have always wanted to be like you. Love you, Sis! Hope your Birthday was Grand!!


--Andrea

What we've been up to...

Well, there haven't been any posts for a while, but hopefully that will change soon

Halloween is always a big production at our house. We love to decorate for it and the boys get really into it too. Especially since Liam was a spider last year, he get's really excited for our big spiderweb we put on the garage door. This year we convinced the boys to do something different for thier costumes aside from their usual request for Trains. We also went for easy this year. Old Navy supplied darling costumes without the all the time and effort or stress. Daniel ended up being one cute monkey, Liam a ferocious dragon, and Caleb a little skunk (fitting, considering some of his diapers!).

We were excited to make a trip to Utah for Thanksgiving. My little sister, Andrea, and her husband, Paul, adopted a baby over a year ago and went through a long and painful legal process before they were able to finalize things. At the first of November they moved back to Utah from Kentucky where they were living. We were excited to have them move closer and see them, but even more excited to be able to go to the temple the Saturday after Thanksgiving when they had Jonas sealed to them. I went out with the boys the week before, and then Nate joined us for the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend.

As soon as we got back we started getting ready for Christmas. As always, there is never enough time to get everything done. It's just a busy time of year, but one that we love. This year we had some countdown's for the boys that we got out of the Friend magazine. It was great to have them so eager to read the scripture stories that went along with them. Christmas was great and we were spoiled by many.

January... what a blur. We began our demolition of our kitchen right after Christmas. It helped us save on cost to do as much of that as we could ourselves. Then we got to turn things over to Don, our 'do it all' contractor. He built the cabinets himself, did wiring for the recessed lighting and everything. Nate suggested I take the boys and go to Utah during the construction process. What a wonderful husband! Even though we missed him terribly and called everyday, he knew I would go crazy with a demolished kitchen and the mess of the construction impeding the daily routine for a 4 1/2 year old, nearly 3 year old, and an 8 month old.

We loved all the time we spent with family while in Utah, but were excited to get back home. The last few days the boys were especially anxious. Liam came downstairs the morning we were loading in the car to head back and said, "I want to see Daddy and my animals" (his stuffed animals). Then added, "but I'm going to miss Tessie dog." At least my little sister's dog made an impression on him :). We made it out just before the ice storms hit Logan and Salt Lake.

Everyone was excited to be back in California. Especially since Grandma and Grandpa came along for the ride. They stayed for a couple of days before heading back. The kitchen wasn't done, but significant progress had been made.

So, there you have it. The past 5 months in a nutshell.