Snow Day

The girls had a great day out in the snow this past Saturday. They built a snowman, shoveled the snow off the lawn (yes, you read that right), and got to try ice skating for the very first time. We met my family over at a local skate rink and spent an hour out in the falling snow gliding on the ice (or at least attempting to). We all enjoyed a nice warm cup of cocoa to warm our insides when we were through. They have been talking about their ice skating adventure non-stop ever since, and somehow when they get better and better at the "tricks" they tried on the ice the more they talk about it. ;)

5 week countdown...

We are expecting to close on our new home in just five more weeks and we are all SO excited to move into our place and get settled there. We have been in a sort of "limbo" stage since arriving here and at last our move will be complete and we can plant deeper roots. While there is a great deal of excitement and anticipation on my part, there are a few drawbacks of leaving our current situation.
I only have five more weeks until:
*I have to communte to Alexis's school both ways
*I have to fold each load of laundry
*I have to cook every night
*I will be responsible for all the grocery shopping
*I will have to clean the entire house
*No more "after we put the kids to bed" babysitters
A great big THANK YOU to my mother-in-law for putting up with our family all this time, sharing her home with us and helping me "lift my load."

new "do"

Alexis got a hair cut today. It wasn't until she was getting her hair washed that I realized it was her first salon experience and I should have taken my camera! She cut off several inches and is quite pleased with the result. She is so excited to show her friends at school tomorrow.

A weekend of culture

This past weekend was very culturally uplifting. My enrichment began on Friday evening when I enjoyed a nice dinner and night out to the symphony with Adam at this fine concert hall downtown.

We attend the "Bravo Broadway" performance which featured songs from a variety of Broadway musicals and were sung by two divas that played the part of "Elphaba" in our favorite musical, "Wicked." Both women were amazing, as was the orchestra. The music was fantastic and we enjoyed the night entirely. The following day, I was treated to an afternoon at "the ballet" as Aubrey and Allie danced and twirled around the living room to the tune of Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" and "Sleeping Beauty" suites. Saturday night, I was accompanied by our friend Aurelie, to a patriotic musical tribute for the Governor at the State Capital building where Alexis's choir performed. It was a LONG day for Alexis with the rehearsal and performance but she enjoyed getting to sing there and certainly looked cute. (Alexis is in the middle of the front row.)




Sunday night, Alexis's choir group performed at the Tabernacle in Temple Square at an Interfaith Concert. It was a really neat evening. Singing and dancing groups from a variety of religious groups throughout the community came together to perform for each other in an effort to build and strengthen diverse relationships. It was stated that "the problems in the world are not with what people believe but rather people not living what they believe." I concur. It would make a difference if there was more "walking the walk" and less "talking the talk." The idea was not to blend beliefs but to appreciate them as they are. The religious groups represented at the performance included: LDS, Islam, Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Baptist, Buddhism, Hindu, Earth, Jewish, Quaker, Muslim, Sikh and Native American. The opening and closing numbers were performed with congregational participation. I was touched and felt a unifying spirit as we all joined together in song. There were a lot of varying beliefs and cultures in the tabernacle that night and we all left respecting and wanting good things for each other. We are all children of a loving God no matter how we choose to represent that faith. "Let there be peace on Earth...and let it begin with me!"

Rapunzel, Rapunzel...

Aubrey turned FIVE this past week! She is enamored with "Rapunzel" right now so we celebrated by going out to lunch and attending the movie "Tangled" at the theater with her grandmas. We enjoyed chicken enchilladas for dinner (at her request) and cake and ice cream in the evening with all the family. She, of course, wanted a "Rapunzel" cake so that it what I attempted to make. I used her gift (the Rapunzel tower) as a cake topper and decorated the cake with flowers. I think she was pleased and I sure had fun learning to make roses with icing with my grandma. Aubrey's favorite things in life at five are: dancing, gymnastics, polly pockets and barbies.


Aubrey as "Rapunzel" (she looks quite different as a blonde!)

(can't pass up cuddly baby pictures)


Four Generations: My grandma, my mom, me, and my girls

Blessing Day

Adam gave Ambria a beautiful blessing this past Sunday at church. I am grateful for the good man that Adam is and that he honors and uses the Priesthood authority he holds.

*All four of our daughters have worn this Italian dress on their blessing day (we have Italian heritage on my dad's side). My mom brought it home from a trip to Italy hoping someday she'd have a grand-daughter to wear. We've been happy to put it to good use.