Thursday, June 18, 2009

Celebrate Men

We live in a society that constantly makes fun of men. Whether they are the buffoon on a TV show, or shown as inept fathers, rarely are men shown as positive beings. I am blessed to have many wonderful men in my life. I have an amazing husband who means the world to me and shows me all the love and dedication that I could want. I have a great step-dad who has been there for me over the years. I have a wonderful father-in-law who has known me for half my life and has been a wonderful influence and friend in that time. I am blessed with good uncles, grandfathers-in-law and many other good men in my ward and neighborhood. I want to thank all of the men in my life and let them know how much they mean to me, and how blessed I feel to know them.

A friend posted this video and I thought I would share it as well. I hope that each of the men that I know have a wonderful Father's Day this weekend.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Choclate cake night

Wednesday night at 8:00 is Chocolate Cake Night. A couple years ago I started the tradition that whenever James works a swings shift I would have a girls night. So that is what this is. If you are interested please come and enjoy cake, talking, friends and a night away from the kids. You are welcome to bring a snack to share as well, but you don't have to, mostly I would just love to spend time with you!

Leave a note if you are interested in coming.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Puddle Fun

I have never been the type of mom to let her kids go and splash in a puddle. Well today I changed that and the girls had the most fun in the world. After the huge rain we had this afternoon there was a large puddle at the end of the driveway and the photos are the result of having fun there. There is also a montage of Bella photos. I love the looks that she gives and how much expression she shows.
Splashing is fun.
Look at us.
"Let's see who can make the biggest splash."
Bums up.
This is Bella's best friend, isn't he a cutie. She loves to play with him, steal his toys and take away his food. When she is sad she will point to his house and say "Baby, please."
She was showing me her wet finger, she tried to put it in my mouth.
Investigating the puddle.
Being the goofy girls they are.
The water's cold.
"Look at that."
Needing a break.
In some places she could be in trouble for pants that sag that far.
My middle name is trouble.
I love these columbine flowers when they bloom, I think they are beautiful.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Man can live by crackers alone

I just got done with this week's couponing. Now if we ever have to live on our food storage we will live on cereal, salad dressing, pasta saled, Macaroni and Cheese, and now crackers. The deals were just too good not to buy a ton. So here's the breakdown for today.

Subtotal: $4.19
Tax: $6.27
Total: $10.46

Purchased
26 boxes of Ritz crackers
26 boxes of Wheat Thins crackers
4 boxes Life Cereal
5 boxes of Granola bars
1 Twix bar
2 loaves garlic bread

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Camping - Wammack Style

We had promised the kids that we would do something fun together this weekend. We were going to go over to the airport and see the B-17 they had on display and then go to the Zoo. Wouldn't you know that the weekend we make plans is the one where the weather turns poor. Instead of the beautiful days of weekends past, we had rain and clouds.

Of course the girls still wanted to have fun and driving over to Fred Meyer to check it out as we had never really done so, didn't really count as fun to them. We decided to have a tea party and an indoor camp out. We had a fun lunch of cheese, crackers, meat, fruit snacks (must have a fruit in there) and raspberry tea. They thought it was a lot of fun.

The best part was that we built the tent and they got to stay the night in it. James hates camping so except for the pampered camping of Aspen Grove, they have never been camping. This however was just about the coolest thing in the world to them. So here are some photos to enjoy.


The girls with their beds, babies and blankies all ready.
Bella had to get in on some of the action.
She really was happy here and saying cheese, despite the angry look.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Update on the girls

This is the second post of the day, if you are interested in May's books that is posted under this one.

This past month was an eventful one which is evidenced by my lack of posts. So here is a big update on everyone.

MacKayla: This month MacKayla graduated from kindergarten. The kids had a fun little presentation where they sang the songs to us that they had been working on all year. The kids then each received their "diploma." Unfortunately I don't have a picture when MacKayla actually received her certificate as for probably one of the only times in her life, her name was called first. We were expecting that as she has a W last name she would be called last and the camera was not ready. We did record the show and can show that to interested grandparents when we see them soon. MacKayla also received an award at school for having perfect attendance, quite a feat!
With some of her best friends
With her teacher Mrs. Taylor
Another great friend. I was able to get a picture of them together on the first day of school as well...look how much they grew.

MacKayla also performed in her third dance recital and enjoyed it greatly. She received a trophy which she thinks is just about the coolest thing in the world for her third year of participation.
What a ham

Lastly today MacKayla got her third haircut of her life. She again donated her hair to locks of love. We are proud of her for being willing to give of herself.
BeforeAfter
Way to go MacKayla.

Annika: This past month Annika finished her first year of preschool, and boy did she love it. She was very sad to learn that the week after she finished the three year old program that the four year old program didn't start until after the summer. She was ready to go back the next week. Annika has learned how to count to 100 (with minimal help on some transition numbers), all of her letters and most of their sounds, as well as the usual of colors and shapes. She has also learned a lot about reading while we were working with MacKayla and at times she is the better one at sounding out a word.

Annika also finished her second year of dance and had a blast in her Beautiful Baby dance. She looked so cute up there and smiled and danced really well this year. She received a medal for her hard work and participation this year.
Such a ham
Showing off her medal

Annika has also reached the wonderful "why" stage. We were able to skip that with MacKayla, but every other phrase out of Annika's mouth is why. "Why is there a mirror" "why is there a line in the street" "why can't we hit other cars" "why do they have sinks here"...these were just a few of her questions while we were out today.

Arabella: This past month has found Arabella improving her walking and taking off. She is developing quite a little personsality as well, she knows what she wants and she will get it. We have also worked on signs with Bella and she is doing really well at communicating what she wants, especially eat and please. She will sign and say "ple" whenever she wants anything. When she is hungry or thristy she signs eat and please.
Hot stuff coming through

Books read in May

Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus
Orson Scott Card - 416

This was a great story about a world that could have been. I love that here Columbus is a good guy, the story does not make him out as the evil white conquering man. This was a lot of fun to read.

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
Rick Riordan - 392

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2)
Riordan - 304

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3)
Riordan - 336

The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 4)
Riordan - 368

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 5)
Riordan - 400

Thanks goes out to Brad R. for introducing me to this series a few years ago! I have really loved these stories. And as glad as I am that the series has concluded and I am not on the edge waiting for the next one, I would still like to see more of Percy and his friends.

Breaking the Silence
Jersey - 89

The conclusion to the online story that I had been reading. The author tied the whole thing up nicely.

The Memory of Earth
(Homecoming Saga Vol. 1)
Orson Scott Card - 332

The Call of Earth (Homecoming Saga Vol. 2)
Card - 352

The Ships of Earth (Homecoming Saga Vol 3)
Card - 384

Earthfall (Homecoming Saga Vol 4)
Card - 384

Card is one of those authors with the Midas touch, I love his books, they are imaginative, they make you care about the characters and he is always true to his characters. This series is no exception. The books are somewhat of a retelling of First and Second Nephi in the Book of Mormon. They tell the story of a family that had been commanded by the Oversoul to leave the city, create a haven in the wilderness and eventually leave the planet of Harmony altoghter to return to Earth. If you are looking for something fun this series does provide. I will admit that I have had a harder time getting into the last of the series Earthborn as the characters are new ones and the story is set farther in the future.


Total for May: 3757
Total for 2009 thus far: 16636