XOXOXOXO

Happy Valentine's Day! After getting Matthew off to an unexpected Scout Merit Badge clinic, we started our day with a special breakfast: heart-shaped pancakes, bacon, sausage, and OJ. Yum! For the Mia Maids activity last week, I had them make "Love Jars" for somone special. They turned out so cute, that I thought I would make one for each of the kids. It was so fun! I stuffed quart sized jars with candy and slips of paper with special sayings about them. It was something different and the kids loved it! Kynlee and Karley gave us super cute cards they had made. We chilled out the rest of the day and then suprised them with a visit to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner. We haven't been in a long time, so they were all excited! We got so many "Thank You's" before we walked in the doors. The pizza was yummy and they really had a good time spending their tokens on rides and games. They each cashed in on their tickets and got some fun prizes. We'll have to do it again soon...love you guys!

Their cute "Love Jars".

The girls were excited to open their jars full of love. They loved all the treats inside and reading each of their special notes. Matthew enjoyed his once he got back from Scouts.

The girls standing in front of the mechanical Chuck E. Cheese. When the real mouse came out Kenzie didn't want to have anything to do with him.

Dad and Matthew happy with their bellies full of pizza and pop. Time to go play some games!

Kenzie's favorite thing to do with her tokens was to ride in the many cars!

Kenzie usually smiles for pictures when asked...I got a crazy face this time!:)
Kynlee earned lots of tickets playing the fun games she liked!

Karley had a blast! She is being so silly in this picture!

Matthew spent a lot of his tokens on this Basketball Shoot Out game! Each time his score would be higher!

My Little Shadow

I can't believe my baby is almost four. It is just her and I during the day, which I think can be kind of boring for her. She is my little shadow and I love it! If I am upstairs, then she is upstairs; if I am downstairs, then she is downstairs; and my favorite, if I am taking a bathroom break, she is right there with me. Kenzie is my little buddy when I have any running around to do, although she is starting to want to go to a friend's house instead. She is such a good helper in most things. She makes me laugh with some of the things she says in her unique lingo. I can't believe how smart she is getting and how fast she is growing up! It kind of makes me sad to think that I am out of the "having babies" stage. I think that is why I try and enjoy every minute, knowing that each day goes by a little faster. It is not always easy, but I consider being a Mom to this little girl a blessing. These are some pictures that I have taken over the past several months of some of the activities Kenzie likes to do and why she can easily put a huge smile on my face.

Kenzie loves her dance class! She goes every Monday morning. I have so much fun getting her dressed up and fixing her hair cute. She usually has an opinion on what she wants. She cracks me up!

She has so many cute dance outfits to wear that have been passed down from her older sisters. Kenzie likes to bring her stool to the sink and wash the dishes, or play in the water!:)

I love how much bigger her already big eyes look through this magnifying glass. So funny! Kenzie can now ride a bike! She loves going outside to ride it! She likes to play in the snow with our "sandbox" toys. Who knew they would work in the snow too!?!

What a cute snow bunny!Just before Christmas, Kenzie ran hard into the corner of a dresser...it was horrible. She ended up with a black eye. It looked like she had makeup on.

I love this picture of her crazy hair while she is jumping on the tramp. So cute!

Kenzie loves showing me her tricks on the tramp. She can do some pretty cool stuff!Kenzie loves to have her nails painted. It is almost a weekly activity. In this picture, I had painted her fingernails and while I was painting her toenails, she fell asleep! I think that is her way of telling me that I take too long!:)

In this video, Kenzie was showing me that she can do jumping jacks. She has a little suprise! Even though the video is sideways, sorry, it is still so funny. Enjoy!

A'hoy Mateys

We had New Beginnings this last Wednesday for the young women. We did a Pirate theme and talked about how we should "treasure" the Young Women values. It was so fun! All of the leaders dressed up like pirates. I got a black vest from DI, a cheap hook and sword from a party store, wore a scarf as a sash, a bandana around my head, an eye patch, and Donna had the best idea to use canning jar rings as my jewelry (something she did as a kid). I tied yarn through the rings and hung them on my ears for earings and created a necklace using a large and small ring. I also wore a few wide mouth rings as bracelets. Very piratey! Karley has already decided that she wants to be a pirate for Halloween. Anyways, the Laurels did a great job on decorations, the Beehives made the most amazing treasure box cake with coins and jewelry hanging out of it, and the Mia Maids (that's my group) made treasure map invitations and programs. We printed them onto a treasure map template, tore the edges and rubbed ink chalk around the edges to make them have a burned look effect. So cute! The girls and leaders sang "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Righteous Life For Me". Then the leaders participated in a skit. I had fun talking like a pirate...ARRRG...it was so funny!:) We ended with inspirational talks from our Young Women's President and Bishop. The spirit was so strong. I love this calling!