Loving me some memories

February updates and pictures

I don't think I've mentioned this before but I'm now working out 2 times a week with a whole bunch of old ladies; and I'm loving it.  for the last several months I've notice in the church bulletin an aerobics group that meets three times a week at the stake center.  I didn't know anyone who went but finally I got up the nerve to go: three kids in tote.  I was mostly worried they would have a heyday that I was bringing my kids but I figured since it was a church activity they couldn't get too mad.  Turns out that these old ladies are AWESOME.  They have more spunk and life in them then I do.  hahahhaha 

They drool over the cuteness of Grace and they love how Gwenevere is such a big helper.  It's amazing how much easy it is to workout with the kids at the church instead of working out at home.   I feel good after working out and I have a good time.  It's a win win.  Couldn't ask for a better workout group, and the best part, I'm not paying a gym fee.

Okay so now to the real exciting news.  Pictures of cute kids.

the other day is was raining and cold so after working I took the kids to McDonald's and we had a blast.  we played for about 2 hours and we had the place to ourselves.  

I decided to do monthly goals this year.  So each month I think of one or two things I want to accomplish.  And I strive to do it for the entire month.  This months goals.  Play the piano everyday and read with Gwenevere.  I'm about 5 out of 7 days a week piano player and it seems to be rubbing off on this sweet thing.  I find Grace playing on the piano more and more.

I find it funny that Everett's saucer is a favorite toy for all the kids.

For the last couple of weeks I've been watching the Box boys twice a week.  It's been fun having friends come to play.  we miss are University Place friends and are glad we still see them every once in a while. 

Grace wasn't feeling well, so this is how we made it till Papa came home.

And this is Moments after Papa came home.

Gwenevere working on her First Primary talk.
Back story:  After Gwenevere's first day in Primary, Gwenevere came home from church and asked me if she could give the talk next week.  She was so excited to be in primary. Unfortunately she never had the chance to give a talk in  Primary....until  last Sunday.  But writing her talk was a great experience for her.  She had fun picking out pictures for her talk and taping the words of her talk onto the pictures.

 Actually Gwenevere was suppose to give the talk last Sunday but instead we got 6 inches of snow and church was canceled.  So we ended up playing in the snow instead.

Everett has grown out of his snow suit so we put him in a Halloween costume instead.

I love our little home

my little bear fast asleep

Favorite

the awesome snowman Papa and the girls made

My favorite part about play time lately is been the dancing.  We've done a lot of ballerina dancing lately. 

All because of this little ballerina. 

last Thursday was Gwenevere last day of Gymnastics so they brought out a huge swing to let the kids play with.  Gwenevere enjoyed gym so much that we've signed up for it again.  this time on Mondays so Papa can come too.  Pretty exciting stuff

Everett doing his stretches at gym time, too

Kat Newman's Best Coconut Bread, EVER

Bake at 350 for about 1 hour 15 minutes (I usually only bake for an hour)

1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 large eggs
1 1/4 Cup Coconut milk
2 1/2 Cup Flour
2 teaspoons baking Powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 Cups sugar
2 Cups  flake coconut
6 tablespoons melted butter

In small bowl, whisk eggs milk and vanilla
In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder and spice; then add sugar and coconut.
Make a well in the center of flour mixture and pour in wet mixture.
Just combine, add melted butter.

Grease and sugar* bread pan.  Pour mix into pan.

*Sugaring the pan:  Pour a handful of sugar into greased pan, shake  around until inside of pan is covered in a thin coat of sugar, pour out the rest into the trash.

Potty Trained

It must be noted (and I can't remember if I've said something already)

GRACE IS POTTY TRAINED!!!!!!

hurray


I knew she was ready because she kept talking about the potty.  but never wanted to go.  Then for some crazy reason unknown to me, I got up one morning and said to myself:  "I'm going to potty train Grace today."

We pulled out the froggy seat, again.  and we took off her diaper.  We put on panties and that was it.

the first two days we had nothing but messes.  And a lot of laundry.  At the end of the second day I told James, "I give up, she is too stubborn".  With a big hug James told me to give it one more day.

On the third day I left the house to go buy candy.  it was a risky adventure but it paid off.  For the first time since Potty training Grace peed in the potty.  VICTORY!

that is all I needed.  from there on out we've come along way.

Today I feel it is safe to say she is potty trained!  Yippee

And here is one of James' favorite pictures.  It's actually from before we potty trained but still super cute.

Papa's birthday

Papa had a birthday shout Hooray!

James birthday was on Monday but we celebrated all weekend long.  Saturday we had a Bee and Cheese party.  Lots of friends came, we sampled cheese and talked a lot about bees.  kids played and we all had a good time.  We also ate James' birthday cake that day when we had friends over to help us eat it.  James requested a Spice cake with his Mom's homemade caramel frosting.  It was a delicious success. 

Sunday went to church and spent the afternoon relaxing.  

Monday morning (James' official birthday) we decided to go play in the snow in the Mt.  But first we needed Donuts.  

doughnut face

Starting to see snow

We had fun playing in the snow for about an hour and then the girls where done.

Everett enjoying the snow

Grace just wanted to walk in the woods.  So Papa turn her  on a walk

Gwenevere and Mama Sledding

Snow Angel

Rudolf the red nose reindeer pulling her slay

After playing in the snow we went back to the car filled up on snacks and drank some yummy hot cocoa.

Once everyone was warm and happy again we decided to go see Snoqualimie falls.  The sun was shining and the girls where having fun running around looking at all the different kinds of plants.  So James took the girls on a hike to the bottom of the falls.  Since going back up would take a lot of effect and the girls  having not napped, we decided to have me drive down to the bottom and pick them up.

It was a beautiful and fun family day.  We came back home ate pizza and gave Papa his presents before he headed out to  his bee meeting.
Grace got Papa a Despicable Me minion Shirt and Gwenevere got Papa a Cat shirt.

We sure love our Papa.

I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for giving me such an awesome hard working man.  James does an amazing job providing for our family.  We love him so much and are glad we could spoil him for his birthday.

Happy 31st Birthday James

PS
things James hopes to accomplish his 31st year.
Make a beehive,
Get bees and take care of them
Work on the list of projects around the house
Eat healthy
Make it through the year and have fun

Picture post

Just a random post of some of my favorite pictures as of late.

Grace's new Hairdo

Gwenevere being silly

New friends at Gymnastics

Play at the gym after Gymnastics

our new juggle gym

making presents for new cousins

This little one is always talking about being a princess

posing in their new swimsuits

Dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory

In honor of James' birthday weekend we took the whole family to Old Spaghetti Factory.  Mostly because I didn't want to do dishes and because Green Grandma gave us some gift cards for Christmas.  Thank you Green Grandma.


The Kids where great and we all had a good time.


Happy Birthday Weekend James