Karate

Hiram, Jaden and James enjoyed their last day of Karate this last Wednesday.

They learned a lot about self-defense and self-discipline.

They ended with a pizza party.

They were able to practice what they were taught and had fun beating up on their teacher. 

Even Grant got to get in on the action.

They had such a good teacher who taught them so much.

Happy Birthday, Joyanne!

Joyanne is now officially a teenager.

She's been acting like one for months, but now she IS one.

Joyanne turned 13 years old.

This girl definitely had one happy day.

After opening her gifts, she picked muffins for breakfast.

She got checked out and taken to lunch with Daddy.

Joyanne spent a couple hours with her cousin, Bree.

Then cereal for dinner was delicious for her.

With strawberry cheesecake for dessert, Joyanne was one happy girl.

Chalk Art

The patio out back is the perfect place for chalk drawing.

Joyanne used her creative talent to draw all sorts of pictures for her brothers.

Jaden loved the large piano.

She made a home for Grant complete with a kitchen, a living room, a backyard, a bathroom and a bedroom.

I love seeing my kids use their talents and have fun using them.

Joyanne's Loft

Joyanne let her brothers come up in her loft for quiet time.

I sure need a quiet time when Daddy has to work on Sunday.

I sure love the Sabbath Day and a chance to rest from all my weekly labors.

I also LOVE my primary chorister calling.

I enjoy teaching kids music and helping them come closer to Christ through the primary songs.

I feel the Lord's inspiration as I teach His children.

Game Night

While the kids watched a movie out in the family room, Noah watched a basketball game in our room.

Go Duke!

Daddy and I went to a game night our Stake put on.

We had fun playing "Headbandz" and "Tenzi".

Puzzles and Presents

Daddy has been working on this puzzle for about a week now, with my occasional help.

It has not been an easy puzzle.

So many pieces looked exactly the same.

But today, Daddy had a few remaining pieces and finished it!

Grant and James have been receiving birthday money for a couple of years now without spending it.

I took them shopping today to pick out a few presents.

James picked out a "Lego Movie" lego set and a treat.

Gran was excited about his own flashlight and a sword and a treat. 

Then James and Grant still had money leftover to go and get lunch at Artic Circle.

What a treat!

 

Joyanne had her soccer draft.

She's excited to be getting started in a sport of her own.

Joyanne also started teaching Jaden piano.

She was so impressed with how quickly Jaden picks up his pieces and how well he plays them.

 

Hiram had fun going around with his friends this afternoon.

He played with Ellie today, but also likes to play with Karson and Aiden.

He is making quite a few friends and loves riding bikes or running around outside playing games.

 

Has March Madness started at your house?

It has at ours.

Tonight we watched Cincinatti beat Purdue.

Daddy and Noah really got into it, each rivals against the other.

Daddy, Noah and I filled out NCAA brackets with who we think will win.

Hopefully Kentucky beats Hampton tonight.

Happy St. Patricks!

Happy St. Patricks Day!

We have had some great years in the past.

In 2010 Grandma gave the kids some cute shirts to wear.

In 2011 we owned our own party store, The Ultimate Party Adventure, and had fun hats and necklaces.

 

 

In 2012 we had a pajama day and our dinner was green; green salad, green grapes, dyed-green fetticini and a cake frosted green.

 

This year I almost forgot it was St. Patricks Day until Jaden ran upstairs and started pinching those who weren't wearing green.

We all wore some type of green.

Dinner was once again dyed-green fetticini, broccoli and cauliflower, dyed-green cottage cheese and dyed-green apple juice.

It was a happy, warm day.

The buds on the trees are starting to appear, the grass is coming in green, and flowers are starting to appear.

Spring is coming early and it's looking beautiful!