Everyone's an Artist!

I was struggling to come up with a great idea for my mom's birthday when I found this idea online. While we were at their house for dinner {she cooked her own birthday dinner - how pitiful is that!}, we secretly engaged in a little artistic creativity. I purchased 8x10 canvases and the granchildren each painted their own self-portraits. They turned out great!



The kids have a room at Grandma & Grandpa's house that they have overtaken, and we'll use these portraits to spruce up the space. Just one more grandchild to go and we'll have a complete set!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom was a Valentine's Baby. I think it's quite appropriate because she is one of the most loving people I know. She seems to have a boundless supply of energy and she uses 99% of it on others, including us. I feel so blessed to have a such a great lady as my mom. I definitely won the parent lottery!

Two More Love Notes

It's been a quiet, but lovely, Valentine's Day. Brad and I took Camille to see one of her friends get baptized, and then we went to dinner with some friends. This evening Matt took off for the dance, and the rest of us watched a couple Charlie Brown specials and played Wii Ski. I love our little family, and I'm always happy when we just spend a quiet evening at home.

In honor of the holiday, I'd like to share two more love notes...

Dear Matt,
I love you becuase you are fun to wrestle and tackle.
You are cool and fun to play with.
You are smart and nice to others.
I love you!
Love, Camille


Dear Camille,
You are really crazy {NOT weird}.
You laugh so much that it makes everybody else around you laugh too, like a laughing virus.
You're always so playful and funny.
You're really creative with everything!!!!
Love, Adam

Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day as well!

What a guy!

So, this is for you Natalie

{yes, you - the one who said we all had to

keep our blogs updated with happy news,

even though you haven't!}...

I have an A to report!!

As many of you know, Brad has just started working

on his M.B.A at a little place called University of Pheonix.

He just got his first paper back,

and he got an A!

And not just any A,

a 50 points out of a possible 50 points

kind of A!

That would be A for awesome, amazing and A job well done!

Yea, Brad!

Plus, he wrote me this great "love note"...

I love you because

you're stable,

you laugh a lot,

you're smart,

you do my laundry {smile included},

you keep me grounded

and I can talk to you.

Love,

Brad

How did I end up with such a great guy?

I Did, I Did, I Did Remember....

So, I was supposed to rememer to make time

to read a few good books in January...

and I did!

A little read-aloud,

something for my middle one,

and the continuation of a little girl's favorite series.

Plus, a favorite movie who's text I had never read,

a fascinating glimpse into one man's life,

and a really fun read of a storyline I knew NOTHING about

{and totally loved!}

So...

it's a new month...

and that means a new goal.

Being the month that it is,

we have a family goal...

remembering to love.

And just to make sure we remember,

we're writing love notes.

In my attempt to help

"circle the wagons,"

I thought I'd share one --

"Dear Adam,
Muahahahahahahahahaha!
{trademark evil laugh}
Thank you for all the

things you do for me.
I know we fight sometimes,
but it's all over in the end.
Thanks for the laughter

we've shared.
I've had a great time

living with you!
Love, Matt"