Dog Sitting

We were given the joy of dog-sitting over Thanksgiving Break. Jared's boss was going to Kansas and his 13 year old daughter didn't want her puppy in a cage the entire time they were gone. So Jared offered to watch him, and we got 2 dogs for the weekend. They got along beautifully. Sicily had a hay-day dragging poor Bailey and Beaux all over the house. Bailey was put in and taken out of his kennel more times than he could count. But he had some good doggy time too! Look how filthy those 2 are. It rained Thanksgiving night, so this is what happened on Friday.

And after a nice little bath, in which he went from black to pink to white, he was clean again. And loved on once more by little Miss Sadie. She even joined Bailey in his kennel for some petting time at one point.
We just love having visitors. Doggies included.

Turkey Trot

I've wanted to run in a 5 K for quite some time now, but always find some reason to chicken out. Well this time I was no Turkey and in the end signed up not for a 5 K but for a 5 MILE. Yep!! 5 MILES!!! Crazy eh?

It was awesome. There were over 1000 people in the race, it was held Thanksgiving morning and allowed me to eat whatever I wanted that afternoon. :) Though after running 5 miles I really didn't Want to eat anything.
Here's the race website with photos of me in the actual race. Personally I think I look a bit of a dork with my bug eye sunglasses on when I run, but that's ok. I did it, I ran the entire time, and I finished.

Oh! By the way, I finished in 46 mins, that's just over 9 min miles for 5 miles straight. Yeah me!

Thanksgiving Day

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had this year. We have some great friends from college, Utah State University, who recently moved to Fort Worth and came down to join us for Thanksgiving. Rachel and Mike it was so awesome to have you guys here. So nice to be able to spend more than a picnic's time with you. You're kids are the cutest and have the funniest little personalities.

So for starters we headed to the park. It has been so beautiful here lately that we had to take advantage. I don't think they make teeter totters like they used too, these are much more durable.

Next up was the coolest monkey bars I've ever seen. We all had to have a go and I think Aspen and Rachel's little Zander were the only ones who made it across. Though Jared did put in his best effort.

Look What Phoenix Learned

We had some friends over to play and they brought their bikes along to enjoy the nice 80 degree weather we've been having. Our friend Molly, had a little 12 inch tires bike that she let Phoenix have a go on. Within minutes he was up and riding and requesting I take the traing wheels off of his bike.
So here they are, empty and alone in the garage.

And here's the brave little bike rider. Since this day, Weds the 24th, he's been out every moment he can spare, riding his bike round and round our circle. We went out on Sunday on a family bike ride. He made it over 2 miles with out resting, smiling the entire time. Way to go Phoenix!!

Go Harry Potter!

More BIG Texas

We find things every morning on our walks, baby turtles, acorns, rocks, sticks and the latest and greatest LEAVES. The biggest ones I've seen in a long time.

New Favorite Cereal

I always wished my Mom would buy these Cereals when I was a kid. I never understood why she wouldn't let us have them. But now that I'm a mom and I realize what fluff these are, and with marshmallows on top of that, I understand.

But they are pretty good. ;)

Sugar Land Science Museum

London had to go to a Science Museum to pass off something for Webelos. So we jumped over for a quick visit.

Come to find out every 2nd Saturday they have a bunch of hands on stuff. This time it was all about Texas Pioneers. We got to build Log Cabins, weave Place Mats, Quilt, and even learn some about Genealogy. Though we didn't really learn much. :) Most of their paperwork had websites and addresses dedicated to our Church. The man just smiled when we told him we were LDS. He said he'd actually been to the Church Family History Library in Salt Lake City. :)This shot's for Aunt Marlene. The Quartz comes from right by her house in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I'd like to go to that mine next time we go for a visit. (hint, hint) Last time Aunt Marlene was visiting and we saw these we both decided they look like Giant footprints (though backwards). I still think they're pretty.

Primary Practice Activity

Our Primary Program was Sunday the 14th. It went amazing, the kids were just awesome. And I was so involved in getting them to sing that I completely forgot the rest of the Ward was even watching. I couldn't stop smiling at them all. And we got plenty of compliments about how loud they all sang and how their annunciation was just perfect. :) :) :)

London got to play the opening song. He played while all the kids found their seats then accompanied the soloists and the whole Primary. One of the younger boys was so impressed by London's playing that his mom now tells him, "If you want to be as good as London, you have to practice." And the Elders Quorum keeps asking when London turns 12 so they can quit singing accapella.

Needless to say the prior Saturday practice wasn't all about singing and reverence. We had pizza with our teachers and friends.

Ran around a bit.

More pizza, which 10 year old boys sure can eat a lot of.

And a little game of Bingo.

Phoenix did NOT want to play Bingo. He always gets a bit beastly in the later afternoons on Saturdays. Just tired out from the week I think.

Quilt Fair

I found out last minute that there was a Quilt Fair in downtown Houston the weekend following Aspen's baptism. So while the older 3 were in school, Sicily and I left bright and early to go have a look. It was wonderful. Absolutely amazing. It was set up like an Art Exhibit and honestly I felt like I was walking through an Art Museum after looking at the work these women put in to these quilts.

These first 2 pictures were in the Americana section.

Some of these quilts were dated into the 1800's, or early 1900's. Quilts tend to get handed down through generations and when fabric is scarce they will make another quilt over the top of an existing one. So as time goes buy and the outer layer starts to fray, their owners will unpick the outer quilt and find beauties like these underneath. Amazing!

Very traditional quilts, these.

I love this Pineapple pattern, with the few squares that are "missing."

This butterfly kaleidoscope was awesome!

The Grand Canyon, can you believe that is a quilt.

This one and many others was quilted with metallic thread giving it a shimmery realistic look, Sicily liked these sparkly ones.

You'll have to zoom in on this. It's like one of those painting made out of tiny dots, except this it made out of 50 cent piece sized circles of fabric. There were some old ladies already looking at this when we came up who, as I told Sicily, "Look at the face," hadn't even realized it was a face. :)

National Geographic anyone.

MOOOOO!!! Was all Sicily said to this.

I think this may have been my favorite. The ship is just magnificent! And each sail is individually pieced and quilted. Amazing!

I took this one for Jared. I don't remember the exact title but it was something like "Guatemala Red." Notice the #1 Blue Ribbon, and the other quilt on the left of the woman's face. Wow!

My boys liked this one the best. I thought it was funny.

I'd really like to hang this in my own personal library. It's just so darn cute.

All in all a good trip downtown. Sicily was so good and kept interested the entire morning. I wished I could have spent more time there. And I wished my batteries hadn't been dieing or I could have gotten you some shots of the quilted bras (too funny) and dolls (really cool). I'll just have to make sure I have extra batteries with me next time.

Cute Little Girlies

Sicily, Kayla and Bailey. 3 little red heads, 3 little friends.With only one child at home now things are rather more quiet during the day than I'm used to. So we've joined another group of Moms to let our 3 year olds play. There's these 3 girlies and 4 little boys. It's so much fun when they all get together. Toys, singing, running and laughing. Love it!

Aspen's Baptism Day

What a beautiful day it was. October 31, 2010. Aspen has grown up so fast and is quickly becoming a wonderfully, beautiful young lady. We are so proud of her and her decision to be baptised.

First things first, some shots I took for her Baptism Invitations.
Isn't she just so big!!

Nana (Jared's Mom) made her beautiful dress. Smocked and everything. She made all the kids blessing outfits and many asked if she's to make the girls' Wedding gowns too. We shall see.

This fit Aspen perfectly, and she was so proud of how beautiful she looks in it.

The day of. Would you look at that smile. No teeth but all excitement! :)

Daddy was so excited to baptise his oldest little girl. There is nothing more wonderful than an Honorable Priesthood Holder as a husband. We are so glad he is our Daddy!

Family Photos!

With Jared's Mom and Dad.

My Mom and Dad and sister, Aunt Marlene.

I didn't get to come in with London, so it was extra special to be there with Aspen. Definitely words exchanged on the importance of her decision. She really is grown up, and really does know what she's doing.

Just before we got started, a little practice with the hands to help calm both Daddy and daughter. She looks so little here to be making such big choices. :) After the actual baptism Jared also Confirmed her a member of the Church and gave her the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Aspen then was able to share her Testimony with everyone. She's borne her testimony many times but I think this was the first time that she truly felt the Spirit. Her lip was just shaking and she really spoke from her heart. We are so Proud of you Aspen, and so grateful to have you as our daughter.

Time to Celebrate! Cake and Nachos for everybody.

Grandpa Kenison smiling just as big as Aspen.

One of our bestest friends, Sophia Strathearn. These 2 are peas in a pod, neighbors and partners in crime. So glad she could be there to see Aspen baptised.

Our favorite babysitters. Brother and sister, Nikki (16) and Ben (12). Their mom already has Aspen and Ben's marriage arranged. She pointed this out to her husband (who happens to be our Stake President) just after Aspen bore her testimony. To which he said, "Hmmm. Now are they the same age?" To which she said, "Think about this Honey, Ben's 12 and Aspen just got baptised....you do the math." Love it!

Playing with Papa

Papa and Nana got here Saturday night for Aspens Baptism which was on Sunday night. After church Phoenix was apparently needing to burn off a little energy. Too much candy I think. Him and Papa went at it with his balloon sword. You've gotta zoom in on that face of his, pure joy and fun.
But after a few good hits from Phoenix, Papa did get back at him, much to his giggling delight!