First few years of Miriam

Miriam Elizabeth Ann

2005

Since it is Miriam's birthday, this post will be dedicated to her! I can't believe she is 8 years old! She is going to be baptized and I am so happy for her! She has been growing up so fast and it has been amazing to see since the time she could talk, how fast she learns. She is so smart! So fun! And oh so very helpful! All kids have their moments when they don't like their little sister's or parents really, but she for the most part is kind and creative!

I am not very good with words and even though I have been thinking about this post for weeks, I can't seem to put into words what I want to say about her. I love her! I don't like it when we are apart! She has been so wonderful this last few months while I have been sick in early pregnancy. She gets me things I need, massages my back and head, sings to me, and reads to me! She once offered to totally take care of the girls so I didn't have to do anything. She got breakfast and helped get them dressed! I did help a little but she is getting so independent! She is a great student and all the teachers love her. She is so beautiful and, well, basically one of the best kids you'll ever meet!!

I don't have a picture scanner so I can't show you of when she was born, but I will try to get a picture collage up soon of the ones I have on disc.

We love you Miriam, keep singing, keep smiling and most of all, keep being YOU!!!!

Easter 2010

Tender Mercies Mormon message

Surely I have noticed the Lord's tender mercies in my life. I am so grateful for the blessings this knowledge, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, gives me in my life! Now I just need to do better at bringing myself closer to Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B4El4B9LVw

Camille

The last semester of college at BYU before I got married, I roomed with Camille, Stacy, and Sarah (no last names!) and a year ago I found out Camille and Sarah were living in the DC area. Sarah moved soon after that, but Camille didn't. We saw her a couple of times there and had her come visit us once, it has been great! And now she is leaving... :( BUT it is a good thing because.... SHE'S GETTING MARRIED!!!!

This is a picture of her and her fiance, Eric and us at their engagement party on Saturday! She is moving to Indiana, where he is living. They met through a missionary companion of Camille's.

Sorry about the glare...and we are a lot less dressed up because we spent the whole day traveling and unsuccessfully visiting DC! :)

So happy for you girl!!

time's up!

We were playing a game last night and parts of it were timed, and every time Carlos said 'time's up' Laurie did this...

The first time it was because she thought we were saying 'arms up' but then she just did it for fun! :) And NO I wasn't picking my nose..I had some food on my finger and I was getting it off! LOL, Oh and her favorite song was Let's Groove by Earth Wind and Fire. Laurie loves to be the center of attention. She talks a lot and the girls love her!

The girls have been sickish lately and Miriam, while she feels a bit sick herself, has taken on the role of nurturer very well. She is so sweet! Elaine is very upset she is missing school and Laurie loves to snuggle with mommy so it is ok to her that I will! :)

Carlos got a new responsibility at work and has been very busy! It has been hard for me because with his other jobs I have been able to call him and talk any time. Now..he barely answers his phone! I am starting to get used to it but it has been frustrating.

I am trying to get in a good groove with Scentsy and am getting more ideas and trying to work hard to make it work. I will be going to the training in July so I think that will help me get to be a better sale person!

Ok well that is that... Here is a picture of Elaine's nails! When Mary-Carmen was here a few weeks ago...it was her birthday and she took Rose-Marie and then wanted to take Miriam but she didn't want to so she took Elaine, to get their nails manicured!! They just painted Elaine's nails and she LOVED it! The guy put the design on for free! :)

long time....again

I think about blogging all the time but then...it takes time to sit down and think of something to say that it worth reading...so I don't! However, I need to put up some pics and or videos, which ever I have time to do today.

The girls are doing well in school and Laurie is a talking queen! She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to use force to get it, especially with the girls! LOL Right now they all have coughs, and fevers...but...other than that they are good.

Carlos is really busy with work and scouts, and I am trying to keep the house neat (unsuccessfully) and my Scentsy business growing... it is OK.

I am super excited for Ana-Christine and Abinadi to have their baby this month!! I hope I get to go down and see them!

Well anyway, here is a video of Laurie attempting the 'lizard face' that Papa does! I was trying to get her to do that and also to say 'thats funny' because it is so cute the way she says it!

"dat wonny"

hair!

I was doing an inventory of my Stampin' up stuff to sell, and Laurie was playing in her room... I was done so I came to get her and realized she was on the changing table. I quickly assesed if she had gotten into anything that could hurt her and obviously failed because the next thing I hear is 'schhicht' you know, the sound of scissors cutting something. OH NO!

"Did you just cut your hair?!"

"Yep!" :)

" NO!! Let me see."

I didn't see any place on her head that obviously looked cut, but I did see this:

I know it isn't a lot, but for her who has no hair, it is! Ahhh, Stinker! ;)

Princess Elaine

My sister, Livvy, put up the pictures of Elaine in Florida when she became a princess! :) Click Here!

Merry Christmas!

This is another long one, but better than scrolling through all my pictures! We had a Christmas eve dinner with all 15 of us! Carlos' parents and 3 of his sister's with family, and Sarah and Evoly! Sarah went up to her sister-in-law's after.
Christmas morning was stockings with just Grandma, Grandpa and us until the rest of the fam got there! Then it was presents and eating!!! We had a fun day of games and lots of eating! LOL We still had snow for most of the day. It rained, so after the day was over, the snow was gone. But it was so fun to see snow that day!!

Holiday Baking!!

This year I had Cindy (mother-in-law) to help with the baking! It was so nice to have her expertise! I made the cookies and chex mix but she made the others! :)

Dec SNOW **edit**

Richmond hasn't had December since I think they said, 1917. From the NBC12 site
"In the Richmond area, the last December winter storm event with at least 6 inches of snow occurred in December 1982.

The last December winter storm event with at least 8 inches of snow occurred in December 1966.

The last December winter storm event with at least 10 inches of snow occurred in December 1917."

This time around, the amount is ranked in the top 10 since records began! We made a cardboard sled for Laurie and I didn't get a picture...hmmm oh well.

December so far

This one is long! Livvy has some pictures of when she made Elaine into a princess so maybe she can put them up! :)

November

Desired birthday

I got the desired reaction. She also said "poopy" when she opened the gift from the Reyes' of a Pooh coloring book! :) So fun!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

My friend Emma posted this and I liked it. Here you go! :)

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Today

I am feeling very grateful today. Carlos is such a wonderful person and husband! He has a good job and provides well for us! My girls are great! I started listening to Jim Brickman's Christmas CD. I am having fun with Scentsy, I got the snowman warmer JUST in time! I teach a great Sunday school class. My birthday and Laurie's are coming up in a few weeks! I get to see New Moon tonight with friends and sister. I get to see my mom in FL next month. I get to chat online with my Dad. My great in-laws are coming for Christmas. I have good friends and awesome family! Pretty much my life is good! I know that when I have troubles, worries, doubts, that Heavenly Father will send his comfort through the Holy Ghost and remind me of His love and my worth!
And I found this picture of a quilt on my friend Katie's blog! I love snowmen!

Through the years

Inspired by FINALLY starting course 3 of the Wilton cake decorating classes, I thought I would make a slide show of the cakes I have made through the years. Some are pretty pathetic and one I am certain I don't have a photo of! It was for a wedding of a friend at church and I think only the photographer, Marlise, got a shot of it! OH WELL! Here they are! Also this year's(2009) cake for Elaine was a MUCH better pink princess cake, but our digital was broken so I have only photos of it. Need to scan later, maybe they are on the blog...?
I am not sure what to do for Laurie this year as I will be just finishing my course 3 tiered cake and I don't know if I will want to make another! BUT She sure does like Winne the Pooh so.. ;)

Songs

So who do you think she looks like when her head is turned?

Virginia State Fair

Erin went with us to the fair this year. It was on new fair grounds. It was fun. I had the camera and I am sorry it took this long to upload pictures! We had a good time but wished we could spend more time there! Sorry there aren't more pictures!

September fun

We tried to do a few fun things before school started. We went on outings to the Zoo, Bass Pro shop, Chick-fil-a on spirit day for free sandwiches, and the beach!! And we got our pumpkin early which by Halloween was completely rotten! LOL