What's Up

Things around here have been busy, but not too exciting. We had a big ward split/shake-up and so things became super busy when I got my new calling. I really like the new ward and am super excited about the row of older sisters that laugh and tease each other during the lesson. Miya was not excited about the ward change and leaving all her friends. I tried to talk it up that we would have grandmas in the ward, but it didn't help the situation. We are down to one class per age group in primary (which is really fantastic) and dropped the jr. jr. primary with a million little kids ages 3 and 4. We moved to a different building that is smaller and pretty cozy for sacrament. We have only been to one week and this next week is Stake Conference, but I already know I am going to LOVE it. I felt like I had moved back to Seattle and my old ward (plus about 150 people) but it was so great to have variety in the ward. Missed seeing a lot of people at church and I totally missed my calling in primary. Who would have guessed I would miss it when I was totally freaked out about teaching primary kids. I love singing time and wish we could pull something like that out in RS.

Miya's 9th Birthday Party

Miya was so excited to have a party this year for her birthday and wanted to do a blindfold make-up game. The girls decorated Christmas tree ornaments, did make-up, ran around crazy and then ate ice cream cake. I had told all the kids to not bring presents, but of course everyone brought something. Miya had a great time and got to have Cora spend the night the night before and Maggie stayed the day of the party. She had a super special day and loved having all of her friends over.

Christmas

Christmas on a Sunday is fantastic and we had a really low key Christmas this year. An hour at church followed by time spent opening presents. Once we had things cleaned up we headed over to Vashon for family dinner and hanging out with everyone. We decided we would let Miya get her ears pierced and she was super excited to do it with her cousin, Maggie. We thought it would be a great Christmas present, but when the time came around to getting her ears done she decided she didn't want to do it. Maggie went first and Miya thought she was going to throw-up. I have tried taking her back another time, but the same thing happened again so Christmas ended up being a bust for her with just a few pairs of earrings to remind her how much she wished she could be brave enough to get it done.

Cannon got a snaptricity set and he has played hours with that thing. He is even using it for part of his science fair project this year on electricity and currents in water.

Lyla got a make-up set that she was super excited about and Miya has been enjoying doing make-overs on all their little friends when they come over.

Noah

Phil was asked to help out in Primary on Sunday and come in as Noah. He is always so great at helping out and making things fun. Our ward is splitting later this month so it was fun to have Phil do this with the many kids we have in our large primary. Plus Phil had glued the beard on and wanted to sit in the back during Sacrament meeting, but when we walked in he was asked to be in the circle for a baby blessing. He looked really funny with a fake beard, dark hair and a nice suit.

Radom Photos

Cleaned off Phil's phone and the camera and came across these pictures from this summer. The kids at the Puyallup fair.

Cannon, my surfer dude boy. His long hair this summer that bleached in the sun. You would never guess I was a person that didn't find long hair attractive on boys.

Lyla and I went to the farm this fall to get apples and look at the animals. All the other kids at play group got stung by the bees outside the store.

This year has been going much too quickly and I am sad to see this last year of Lyla home with me disappear. She is so fun to have around and is super good at keeping herself busy if I need to get work done. I have been working hard out in the yard pruning trees and cleaning up branches from the winter ice storm and Lyla comes out and talks to me or entertains herself inside playing cars. She is really worried that I wont know what to do with myself next year while she is off at school and I am beginning to realize that it will be hard to have all my kids in school.