The Valentine's Party

The Friday before Valentine's Day (the 11th) we had a ward Valentine's Party. I can honestly say that I have never before attended a church Valentine's party, so I didn't have much to compare it to... but I thought it was pretty darn fun! The main event of the evening was a version of the newlywed game, with Jason as game show host. He was a real charmer - just downright funny. People were busting a gut laughing so hard!
Anyway, the theme was Sadie Hawkins. Each couple was supposed to dress up like each other. We had a good time at DI earlier that day assembling our costumes. At first we were going to be a couple from the 80's, because seriously, who doesn't love the crazy fashions of the 80's!? But that proved too difficult. I even made an appeal on facebook (barring those in my ward from seeing the post of course) and received some fantastic suggestions from people such as Cupid and Aphrodite, or Mary Poppins and Bert. My friend, Angie, suggested either being a dog and a fire hydrant or senior citizens. I wasn't too excited about the thought of being a dog OR a fire hydrant, but after surveying the situation at DI, we decided to go with the senior citizen idea. (It was the only thing we were sure we could pull off with the clothes selection there!)
But we weren't just old people, we were "active" seniors in our jogging suits and tennies. With the help of some old glasses, excessive blue eye shadow, and gray hair color, I think our ensembles actually turned out pretty cute!

What a joker...Jason as game show host:

Close up: Our costumes must have been good because when I arrived at the church (Jason went early to help set up) I couldn't find him anywhere! Turns out I just didn't recognize him...

I guess I forgot I was looking for a man with gray hair.

Hoodies, Hats and Headbands

The other day while we were watching Weston ride his bike up and down the street, I went to go grab the camera so I could snatch a picture of him (you know, because it's not like I already have a zillion...). Anyway, Sophie felt a little left out, so I snapped a quick one of her also. I can't pinpoint why, but I think she resembles me quite a bit in this picture... which makes me feel good because most people tell me that she looks just like Jason. Something about that expression just makes her seem so grown up, too! And who doesn't love a cute little hoodie pic?

Sophie is a HUGE fan of my headbands... she is always trying them on, which I don't mind one bit. It keeps her out of trouble! By the way, she looks very much like me when I was a baby in this one too. (Seriously, who wouldn't want to take some serious credit for those irresistible looks??)

She also loves hats...I love her demure, feminine pose here. Yes, she's definitely a hat girl!

Portable Canning

My first experience canning food was back in November. We took all the Young Women to the Las Vegas Home Storage Center (such a mouthful!) to fill some orders for the families in our ward... it was such an awesome experience! It totally inspired me to do some of my own canning. But since I'm allergic to half the stuff there, I signed up for the portable canner so we could begin storing stuff we would actually eat. Finally our turn came a couple of weeks ago. Let me tell you, it was much smoother than I imagined it would be! It was seriously such a simple process. We canned 18 number 10 cans in about an hour!In the end, we had 5 cans Joe's O's (Trader Joe's version of Cheerios), 4 cans of rice pasta, 2 cans of sugar, one can each of: green lentils, corn meal, brown rice, popcorn, barley, and garbanzo beans. The only problem with the last 6 items is that I still have no idea how long they're supposed to last!

Anyway, if any of you are thinking of using a portable canner soon, my one piece of advice is this: don't try to do it by yourself. The contraption that seals the cans takes a little manpower, and is much easier with two people. That's it! Just thought you'd like to know...

My Son the Scriptorian

About a week ago, Weston discovered the word "why." Ever since then, he asks "why" at least 100 times a day. He'll say, "Hair. Why?" or "nonies, why?" (nonies is his word for "noodles") or "brush teeth - why?" You get the idea. There is no end to things he wants to understand, and although it is not always convenient to answer a zillion questions, I am loving it! After three and a half years of wanting to understand what goes on in the mind of my sweet son, these past 5 months have been amazing... especially now that I have the chance to explain so many important things and know that he is understanding and even repeating the things I teach him!

Today he picked up a Book of Mormon that had been laying on the kitchen table. He said, "Scriptures, why?" I told him that we read the scriptures to learn about God, and how to be happy. So he opens up the book, and directing his attention to Sophie who was in her high chair fussing, says, "Jesus Christs loves Sophie!" He said it over and over again. The rest of the afternoon he walked around with my scriptures pretending to read them. When I'd ask if he wanted me to read them to him, he would respond that he could read them "by self."

As I lay down with him before bed, he asked if I would tell him a story about when he was a baby. My mind drifted back almost four years as I recounted how he was born in a tub of water at Grandma Ruth's house. Sometimes I feel like I can barely remember him as a little baby. And yet, I will never forget certain things - like the absolutely consuming, powerful love and adoration I felt for that precious little life.

Exactly 3 years and 11 months ago today, I become a mommy. Here is a picture of Weston moments after birth (I am aware that I look terrible, so if you can just focus on him, I would appreciate it!)

About an hour after birth...And earlier this month at Disney on Ice:

How I love this little guy!

Our Little Princess

A couple of weeks ago when we came home from church it occurred to me that we have very few pictures of Sophie all dressed up, so I decided to snap a few shots of her while in her Sunday best! She kept running away from me and trying to hide, but eventually I got the money shot I was hoping for! I can hardly believe this little princess is 17 months old.

My very own American Idol

Both my kids love to sing and dance. Sophie mostly just sings the words "rock and roll" over and over again while going around and around in circles... something she learned from her brother. Weston, on the other hand, sings about just about anything. He also recently learned the term "bootie shake" which is just what he was doing when I ran to get the camera to record. However, when I came back, he had moved on to his newest musical masterpiece...

V-8, Anyone?

This evening I was drinking some V-8 and decided to see if Sophie liked it. I'll let you be the judge!