My little artist

There are times when I just need to keep Madelyn busy so I can get things done. She has been so clingy lately, just wanting to be held. She discovered coloring. I got out a coloring book and crayons for her and she had so much fun. But the coloring has not stopped since. She saw where the markers and crayons were kept and that is her favorite place. She never bothers to get the paper out. There are so many more interesting places to color. I love washable markers, but I think this is getting out of hand.

Time to find a new place to keep the markers.

Going on a Mission!!

My brother Zach got his mission call yesterday.

We were excited for him to open his call and let us know where he will be serving.

He was in no hurry when we got there. You would think he couldn't wait to read it.

Maddie was even saying, "Come on, what are we waiting for".

I think he was just trying to tease everyone. Finally!

Called to serve in the Mexico City West Mission!

We are happy for you Zach. You will be a great missionary.

Friday Flashback

I saw this idea to do a look back at some moments in life on some other blogs. I was looking at old pictures and just laughing at all the fun times. Today's flashback is of my BFF's. Julie, Christi and Lyssa were my best friends growing up. They still are! I can't say enough about how important these girls were to me during the tough teenage years. They were always great examples and helped me through so much. It wasn't always rosy. We were teenage girls after all, but the friendship have lasted through it all.

We thought we were so cute in our colored sweats.

We were crazy too!
So much fun.

Girls Night!

I have been a part of this crazy and so fun book club for 5 years. We have the best time together. These girls are so wonderful. We have already been through a lot together and we are planning on being there for each other for many years to come. Every month at book club we have the hardest time ending the night and waiting until the next month. That is why we usually don't end until the wee hours of the morning. So last weekend we decided to just get a hotel room and stay all night.

We all gathered in front of Joni's van before we piled in to start our night. We make fun of the 12 passenger van but it was nice to all go together. Good job Joni on driving us safely around. (not easy with loud screaming and talking, and there weren't even kids in the van.)

Julie Fischbeck, Rachel Cunningham, Me, Jen Williams, Julie Spilsbury, Amy Goodman, Christi Jensen, Heidi Millet, Kylie Glover and Joni Krummenacher in the van.
Eda Clarkson was joining us later and Alicia Black just had twin girls a couple of weeks ago so we missed having her along.

We had dinner at Z Tejas. It was oh so good!
After dinner we went to see Mama Mia the sing along version.

We started out the movie sitting quietly like this.

And this. Then....

We really got into the whole sing along thing. We were on the back row so we weren't too annoying to everyone else in the theater.

I love Julie's face in this picture.

It looks like the man sitting in front of us was just thrilled with our enthusiasm.

After the movie we went to BJ's for their yummy pazooki's.

Look at all that ice cream. Yes, we ate it all!

Another great face from Julie. I love it!

After making ourselves sick from the sugar rush we went to the hotel.

Our ride up in the elevator.

We have fun no matter what we are doing. Who knew an elevator ride would be so fun.

We stayed up talking and laughing for hours. Some of us had to leave that night to be home for Saturday morning. I think we left around 3 am. I was paying for the no sleep for a few days but it was so fun and as always worth it. I love these ladies! You are all the best!!!

School Elections

Nicole came to me a week ago and said she was going to run for student council at her school. The fourth graders can run for class representatives. I was happy that she wanted to try this, especially because I was always too afraid to do anything like this when I was growing up. But one thing I have learned about Nicole is that she is not afraid to try anything. I was having such a crazy week last week and told her she would just have to do the best she could on her own. She let me know on Sunday during church that she need to have her posters ready for school the next day. Ahhhh! So her whole campaign was just thrown together. But that is okay because she was happy with it.

Nicole standing by her poster at school!

Vote for me please!
All the 4th graders that were running for representative.

Nicole giving her speech at the school asembly. She did so great. I didn't help her with it at all and she was awesome!!

Nicole was so nervous all weekend waiting to find out who won. I was really nervous for her too. I picked her up from school yesterday and when I saw her she had a huge smile on her face. She opened the car door and I heard all the kids saying, "Congratulations Nicole!"
She won! Yea! She is so excited and wants to do her best. I know she will do great. She is already talking about when she can run for school president.

Friday night Babysitting Group

We have been doing a babysitting group for about 4 years now. Every Friday night we get 14 kids together at a different house. It was our turn last Friday night and it was a party. It gets a little crazy and my house gets very messy. Okay, it's pretty much destroyed. But it is all worth it because Geoff and I get to have regular date nights and the kids all really love it.

Katie and Cade. They have become such good friends.

Nicole and Haylie were into dressing up. They are pigs in this picture. Can't you tell? They have pink buttons on their noses.

I'm not sure what they are trying to be here. Nicole is scary. She is just a little strange.

Katie starts preschool

Katie had her first day of preschool last week. She is at a new preschool this year and she was a little nervous about her new teacher and making new friends. It only took a couple of days and she was jumping out of the car and running in before I could say goodbye. She loves to be a big girl and do things on her own now.