Grandma and Grandpa Don's wedding

On March 4, 2015 Grandma Sharolee was sealed to Grandpa Don in the Portland Oregon Temple.  In sealing room 14.  The same room James and I where sealed in.

The day before the wedding, I went down to Portland to participate in Grandma Sharolee's bachelorette party.  We had dinner at Sweet Tomatoes and shared dating stories.  Then we went to Victory Secret (which I've been wanting to do for a long time).  After that we where all pretty exhausted.  Rebecca and I went back to her place and painted our toes before going to sleep.

The next morning I went and picked up the flowers Gwenevere wanted to get for Grandma's bouquet and meet James and kids and Grandma Sharolee's house before the wedding.

Everett asking for more chocolate from Grandma's moose 

Working on the flowers

Grace's little bouquet 

Gwenevere's little bouquet

On the way to the temple with there favorite things, 

My Uncle Thane and Aunt Colleen came to the temple to watch the kids while James and I were at the sealing.  The kids and a blast with Uncle Thane and Aunt Colleen.  We truly have the best family.

The sealing was simple and beautiful.  Reminding me that the very most important thing we can do in this life is to be apart of an eternal family, and act accordingly.  As the Sealer talked about multiplying and replenishing the earth I couldn't help  but think how our family had practically doubled that very moment.  I gained 4 more brother in laws and two more sister in laws.  The kids grained another Grandpa and a new baby cousin in the next couple of months.  It's really incredible.  I love seeing Heavenly Father's family be joined by temple covenants.

After the sealing Rebecca went to get her camera ready for pictures, so I got to be Mom's (Grandma Sharolee's) escort.  We went back to the dressing room and she changed and ready for pictures.  She was simply stunning and it was fun to watch.

Rebecca did an amazing job with the pictures and these all come from her.  Thanks Rebecca.

I love this picture

posers

Rebecca was so kind as to capture a few family photos for us at the end.  Thank you

I love this man

The day was perfect despite the lack of Lilies for sale, or the power outage, or any other hiccups we might have had.

We ended the day with a wonderful meal at Country Buffet.  Reminiscing about James and my rehearsal dinner and celebrating the new family we have become.

First day of Taekwando: Success

A few weeks ago a friend shared a groupon for Karate lessons.  I've always wanted to expose my children to many actives while they are young.  So I jumped on the chance to sign them up for a month of Karate lessons.  But to be honest I'm a bit out of my comfort zone.  I had no idea what to expect and I know the martial arts are as varied and dance but to me they all seem like the tango.  So when the girls got their uniforms today and it said Taekwando I decided I need to do some more research.  Is Taekwando a form of Karate?  Either way,  The girls are very excited to try it out. And I loved watching them in their class today.

Both Gwenevere and Grace jumped right in and where good listeners.  They started out by reciting their Studio motto (if that's what they even call it.)  They  promise to be good persons, and to not bully and to include others who are being left out and to tell an adult if someone they know is being bullied.  Then they practiced some kicks and some punches.
Then the instructor brought out a manikin and showed them how to do a hit to the shoulders and then a clap on the ears.  Grace did not like the idea of hitting a manikin, I think it look too life like for her, so she shied away the rest of the class; hesitant to do any hitting even to the cushions.   

Gwenevere was a little nervous at first but after some kind encouragement from her instructor she did all the defense moves.  And did a great job following instructions.  The instructor brought out a plastic board for the kids to brake.  After 4 tries Gwenevere broke the board.  

The instructor also handed out High Five awards.  If they are good listeners at home and doing what they need to do the first time a parent asks, and they practice their karate moves then they are given 4 high five awards.  After 10 awards they get a sticker for their chart and it's a big thing with all the parents and classmates watching.  So now when I tell the girls to do something I can say a quick first time asking response will get you a high five at Karate class.  I'm excited to see if this helps, but they are usually good listeners the first time around for the most part anyway.  

At the end of class they pulled out some balloons to practice kicking before doing there motto again and being dismissed.

Learning the correct way to wear their new uniforms.  

building a shed: update March 12, 2015

Monday March 2, 2015
plotted Shed dimensions and built corner posts to help make the foundation level on our uneven grown.

Friday March 6. 2015:  bought grafting paper and stayed up till 2 am getting the months of research he's done summarized onto paper.

Saturday March 7, 2015
dug foundation post holes. Home depot family date night, bought 12, 80 lb bags of cement for foundation posts.  Went back to get an extra 8 bags the fallowing Monday

Monday March 9, 2015
Cemented 9 foundation posts with bolts.   Finally remembered to take pictures.

Early morning, first round of cement

Prepping holes for second layer of cement

a view from a distance, to get an idea of where the shed will be

Helping Papa mix the cement

big hoe little hoe

Everett mixing dirt

Helping papa from a distance

almost 12 hours later

Everett feeding Papa his dinner while he worked.  

James lifted over 3,200 lbs of cement today.  Praying he doesn't hurt his back while working on his project.  so far so good.

March 12,2015

James went to Home Depot rented a big truck and bought a lot of wood.  Everyone helped unload the truck including Everett.  He was very excited to help.

the truck

playing in the warm rain water

After the girl's first Karate listen, we came back home and James tested out his mountings for the floor frame.  It fits perfectly.  James is excited to get to work.

Our life in picture form

Grace loves her bunnies and her bunnies love her.  We've been enjoying some amazing weather this winter.  The bunnies are growing up fast.

Add caption

look mom my bunny can do tricks

Celebrating National Pancake day with free pancakes from IHOP.  It was a fun and crowded experience.

Not sure about the hand thing, just the pose she picked out

Gwenevere was sure she could eat all three by herself.  She came so close to doing it, but Everett wanted more

Yep Everett wanted the same pose as Grace

This boy sure can eat pancakes

James was putting along in the back yard measuring things for the future shed.  Everett was outside helping so Gwenevere and I decided we'd do our school work outside too.  It was a beautiful day. 

We drove down to Portland to Grandma Sharolee and Grandpa Don's wedding.  We listened to books on CD while we drove and we had a blast.  Getting ready for some summer road tripping I hope. 

Gwenevere took this picture of me.  Sometimes I do look pretty.  Thanks for the reminder Gwnevere

Grace was the shortest party guest at Rex's birthday party and so forth the first person the hit the pinata.  Check out that party line.  it was an epic party.  

Everett rocked the dragon throughout the party

Rex opening the girl's gift and saying "Oh you listened and got me just what I asked for,  Thanks Grace."
It was hilarious and awesome

Grace was super pleased with the thank you hug from Rex.  What a good friend.

I love watching her play with her doll house

Gwenevere did Grace's hair and then did a photo shoot

This picture made me laugh out loud

  

Grace giving her bunnies more love.  

Guess it

We where playing our own version of Telestrations.  Grace asked me if I could guess what her picture was.

I guessed Cereal.

What's your guess?


the correct answer is......... inside your stomach.... aka the intestines.


yep that's about what they look like.  way to go Grace.  hahahahhaha  I love kid drawings.