Today

• Today I loved how my almost three year old says milk, "mulk."


• Today I loved how I finally beat the Angry Birds Birthday level.


• Today I was grateful to realize my 6 year old daughter is not the only kid that doddle's and takes her sweet a** time to do EVERYTHING.


• Today I loved how the Holy Ghost helped me teach my 8 year old.


• Today I had a moment of amazingness when I looked at my 10 year old son and thought, "Holy Cow! I am his Mom!" (Good feeling and yet, a little intimidating.)


• Today I am glad I took some time to write about moments that made me feel grateful for my life on this earth and Heavenly Fathers wonderful plan for me.

Saturday Night Sewing

Lately I've been doing some 'firsts' for me. First loaf of bread, first canning. Last night was my first time sewing with a pattern. I have been looking around stores for skirts for my girls to wear to church. (For some reason the cute dresses in their closest are just too cute I guess.) But if you haven't noticed, stores do not sell skirts that I would want my girls to wear. TOO SHORT. And even with leggings underneath they are still SHORT SKIRTS.

While I was in Utah, I went to JoAnnes with sister #3. She helped me find patterns and pick out fabric. Three weeks later I've finally decided to brave the project.

*side note* A week ago I was looking for something in the medicine cupboard above the fridge. I opened the cupboard and something goes flying off and fell into the garbage. I tried to poke around for it, but I didn't know what fell so I couldn't find it.**

I started gathering the sewing machine, sewing box, fabric and stuff I needed to sew these skirts with. I was going to start with the black one and I went to go grab the black thread and realized that was what flew off the fridge into the garbage can the week before. So black skirt out. (Which ended up being good because I think I'm going to find a different pattern for that fabric.)

I sent the kids upstairs, turned on some tunes and got to work. I enjoyed just about all of it except the hem. What you think would be easy was a big pain in the butt!

Here are a few highlights of my 4 hour sewing night.

The cat, he sprawled out on e v e r y thing. Including the ironing board.

My work station :D

Finished product!

P.S. Don't look close because you will see crooked, messy, double stitches. But hey, from far away they are CUTE!

4 Out of 6 Ain't Bad

I got a Pressure Canner for Christmas......a year ago. Today I finally opened it up and canned my first batch of somethins. Great first experience canning if you ask me. I probably should have started with Water Bath canning but, too late for that now.
I started with 10lbs of Carrots, 6 quart Mason jars and now I have four SEALED quarts of carrots and a big mess. The other 2 jars, well, um, I don't really know what happened. My guess is loss of pressure too fast. But I am not flustered. I'm very happy that the other 4 jars all 'popped' and are sealed. I guess we'll see how they taste later. That could be a whole other story.

Oh Christmas Tree

After 7 years of rotating between two fake Christmas trees at our house, Riggles finally put on his big boy pants and led our family to a tree farm to cut down our very 1st in Washington, real, fresh, sappy, tree! Riggles has been wanting a real tree for the past few Christmas's now, but until now it was just words. I'm glad he moved into action this year. It just might be a new tradition.....depending on the year.
Picking out our tree


Everyone taking a turn to saw it down


Catching it as it falls

Carrying it down to the car


(Oops, No pics of decoration it)
And the cat has a new favorite place to nap.

Braggin about Samantha

November is Sweet. No, not that one movie. But its all about my Sweet Samantha Sha. On the 13th of this month she was born 8 years ago. The most BEAUTIFUL baby girl ever. With 'Just Grandmas' dimple, and heart shape nostrils.

Its amazing how time flies and they grow up so fast. Grow up as in all ready 8 years old. Crazy!To celebrate her 8th birthday we had hamburgers, cake and showered her with presents. Ok not really a shower, but a 3DS is quite spendy. She deserves it though.

Samantha is full of talent, skill, rhythm, knowledge etc. etc. etc. I hate to label my kids, (sometimes,) but I will at the moment and I will definitely label her my Gifted child. She exceeds at everything she does. It is hard to not put her into every sport, dance class and music lesson because I know she would dominate all of them. But as for the one she is participating in this year, Samantha has all ready shown off her talents of the piano. She came in 1st place in her division at Piano Olympics this year. Outstanding!!

I love this Girl!

To make November even Sweeter, Samantha chose to be baptized as soon as she could after she turned 8. And what a blessing it was to have her 'Just Grandma' here over Thanksgiving so she could do it then. I love seeing my Sammy Sha so happy. Her grin was great and the way she hugged me made me melt.

I know that Samantha is going to be an amazing woman someday. She is a great friend, sister and daughter. She is going to be a great mom someday too. Her teacher at school loves how helpful she is with her classmates and how hard she works at doing her best in all she does. This girl is AMAZING! (I will try not to ruin this post by mentioning how moody and dramatic she can be sometimes.)

I hope November was a Very Sweet month for you too Samantha. I love you!

Pirates Poop In the Potty

That is what i told my 2 1/2 year old. And to even prove it I propped Pirate Jack Sparrow, (LEGO form) onto his LEGO toilet and helped him grunt out a turd. That's right a LEGO pirate pooped in a LEGO toilet. (Ssshhh it was a tiny piece of Hershey Bar, but Ben didn't know that.) He was super excited to see Pirate Jack poop! So much that he pooped in the potty himself. Not the LEGO one the real one. Yay! After a couple of weeks of that, and a lot of hit and misses, I hope I'm not jinxing myself when I tell you all:

BEN HAS POOPED IN THE POTTY ALL WEEK!!!!!

He has mostly peed too, only 2 accidents.

(We're not counting nighttime btw)

Whooo hoo!

I went to Target yesterday and I didn't have to buy any diapers.

This picture doesn't give the whole ordeal justice. I have looked for LEGO jack everywhere and can't find him. Amazing how something so little can get lost so easily right?!?

So here is his stunt double.

P is for Pumpkin

Pumpkins picked out.

Pumpkins getting carved.

Pumpkins carved.

Pumpkin seeds roasting.

Munchkins in bed just before 10 pm.

It was a good day :D