I am Thankful

For Thanksgiving 2102, we went to JR's parents. While we were going to be gone our Ward was going on a Youth Temple Trip. This would have been E's first time to go. Grandpa Mike had heard the announcement while he was here for H's baptism. He decided that instead of E missing the trip, he would setup a TeamZ Youth Temple Trip while we were down there.

So, our very first morning we were there we headed to the temple with all our neices and nephews who are older than 12. Mike and Jill, Mark and Jen, JR and I were able to go along. It was a great experience!

 

All the youth from the TeamZ Temple trip

Back: SEZ, JBZ, ZMZ

Front: EJZ, ARZ, AJZ

Veterans Day 2012

In honor of Veteran's Day, the girls' elementary school had an assembly. R was chosen to read her essay about why we should honor Veterans. She did a great job expressing the sacrifices that Veterans have made to keep us free. As her mother, I can say she also did a great job reading her essay as well.

"Veteran's Day is a day when we honor the men and women who served for our country. They also risked their lives to keep us free. When Veterans left it was not easy. They left their home, family, friends and everything else. They did this because they believed in equal rights. Veterans are great people. I know this because my great-grandpa is one. So, I want to say to all the Veterans-Thank you!"

 

Here is H and the 2nd grade singing "It's a Grand Old Flag" 

R was part of a special choir that sang some lovely patriotic songs. 

R, Kennedy L, Brinley, Kennedy C, Sequoia

I survived...

...the birthday gauntlet. All my girls have their birthdays within two and half months of each other. This year everyone had a friend birthday, a separate family birthday, and other birthday activities.

 

E- Surprise Party- Paradise theme, Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner with Minute to Win It games

 R- Owl Theme- Owl crafts & cake,Dinner was pulled pork sandwiches and homemade mac-n-cheese, topped off with watching the Lorax

S- Golden Birthday- Golden Cupcakes with Golden Books as favors(that I somehow misplaced and still have never found) The moms came to this party and had divine cupcakes!

 H- Her theme Movie Night(I really thought the theme was I am big like my sisters)

We served pizza for dinner, played a candy game, watched "Cheaper by the Dozen", and handed out movie sized candy boxes as the favor. (I forgot to take a single picture during that party)

 

Now, I need to gear up for the real or rest of the Holiday Season. By January, I will be ready to hibernate!

It's Time to Get a Little Crazy

The girls elementary school has Spirit Days through out the year. Today is Crazy Hair Day. Always a favorite.

 

Here H is sporting a flower head. She came up with this idea all on her own. She just needed a little help with the back. She is really hoping no one else thought of this idea. She also looked in the mirror and said she looked like one of those swimmer (the old fashion swim caps)

 

The pictures don't really capture R's do very well. In front, she has five sections of hair that are sticking up-thanks to pipe cleaners. They are brought together for a whale spout on the top of her head. Then she has two more spout pony tails down the back of her head. I can tell she is getting older; she was worried that she would be the only one in class with crazy hair but I know she won't be. 

Heading out the door with their crazy hair.

A picture of S because she wanted one 

Bowled Over

While Mike and Jill were here we went bowling for fun.

 

 S was Grandpa's bud the whole outing.

JR and R having a snuggle between their turns

 

Grandpa Mike helping S bowl. H was letting them use her turn. So nice. 

A quick picture at the end to remember it. S didn't want it to be over. Oh,to be 2. 

Celebr8!

Last Sunday, H decided to follow the example of Jesus Christ and was baptized. H was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a fabulous day!

 

H and JR, excited to be able to baptize his daughter.

 H and Karen. A "proud mom" moment.

The whole Team Z looking lovely(even if S is looking a different direction) 

 Grandma Maggie, Grandpa Tom, Grandma Jill, Grandpa Mike all with H on her special day.

 

We were so blessed to have Uncle David and his family, Auntie Beth and her family, and so many friends come join us for the service. The room was full. It was an amazing experience!

And the winner is...

The first party she was a ballerina. The second, a Greek goddess. In the end, for Halloween E was a Gold Medal Winner from the London Games. Thanks Kage for the idea. We didn't see anyone else in the costume.

 

Showing off her gold

Wearing the flag proudly (I need to sew that back on JR's Scout uniform)

The ribbon does say "London 2012" but it is in black, very hard to see.

Easy to see the USA on her back. 

Our neighbors always do a great job of Halloween. This year they did the Zombie Apocalypse. It was amazing! They had the emergency broadcast beep with a warning about the dead coming back to life. There was trash all over their yard, "toxic waste", what looked like bodies wrapped in garbage bags. They even had a car crashed into a tree with the hood up and smoke pouring out. The best part was there were about 10 young men dressed as zombies trapped in a cage and following people around the yard. They were creepy and committed to being zombies! (notice the 80's girl and Dorothy running to be part of the fun) 

I took this pictures early before the fun started. There was always a crowd and it was impossible to get a clear shot.