Davin the Chef!

Davin has always liked to help in the kitchen. He even once took some cooking classes, but got mad because they did not actually let him cook (use the stove). So he asked me this week if we could make homemade pizzas. I wasn't feeling good on Sunday (Valentine's Day) but he really wanted to do it, so he basically did it all himself. He made the pizza dough and then spread them out and added all the toppings. He even took things in and out of the oven and cleaned up after himself. I told Shane that now there was a chance that a man would cook me a meal in this house! (ha, ha) Oh, and Davin cut all of his hair off. He looks way too old for me!

Sophia's Valentines Spa Day

The kids have D track this year, and the one down side to that is that they don't celebrate Halloween and Valentine's Day at school. So I thought it would be fun if we invited the girls in the ward that are also on D track (there are 6 just on D) and have a little party. Of course, if you know my Soph, everything is taken to the next level. The fancier,the better. So we started by doing a craft (everything chosen by Sis) where each girl could decorate their initials that we had spray painted white with jewels and glitter glue. Then we frosted cookies. Then we painted finger nails. Then it morphed into, "Why don't we do a spa day and don't you have a cucumber for our eyes?" Well, I had to improvise there (hence the apple slices) but the girls had fun laying on the beach towels, getting their toe nails painted while they read magazines and relaxed. It was a huge success. Watch out world for this group. Can you say high maintenance? Actually, they are all really sweet, but definitely like to be pampered. Don't we all?

More of Harry's Birthday

Harry's 4th Birthday

We have a tradition in our family that we only do friend birthdays on the kids even years (which is helpful when you have 4 kids), so this year would be Harry's first. He has become obsessed with all things Star Wars (which doesn't thrill Davin, since Star Wars has always been his thing)but Davin thought having a "Star Wars Training Camp" party was a great idea. Shane made these great invites with Darth Vader on them, we hung black balloons from the ceiling in the family room so they could practice their orb training. We had a pinata, pizza and lightsaber breadsticks (aka crazy bread) and of course, a special visit from Luke Skywalker himself. Harry and his buddies had a great time. Harry said his favorite part was when they all attacked Davin with their lightsabers!

Harrison- My Baby

Harrison-My Baby
(Don't tell him I called him that)He is no longer a baby. He is a big boy who is trying hard to make the right choices. He told me the other day he wanted to be Batman when he grew up, but then asked, "I can still live at home, right?" I told him I would build a batcave in the garage. This last year has been a lot of fun. Having the three older kids in school all day has allowed me some much needed one on one time (or dates as Harry likes to refer to it). He is just as passionate and intense as his older siblings, but with a very endearing softer side. He has this smile (the picture almost captures it) and he has this way of wrapping his arm around my shoulders and playing with my hair- I hope he never grows too old to do that. I hold him in lap every chance I get, because I know those days are slipping away.

Soph the Moph- The Star

Sophia- The Star
You know that song from Sound of Music "How to solve a problem like Maria?", I like to sing it for Sophia, "How to solve a problem like Sophia, how do you catch a cloud and pin it down." You can't hold a candle to Sophia's bright spirit. She is imaginative, passionate, dramatic, intense and can give all the love you could possible need. She wants to please us, wants her older brother and sister's approval, and wants nothing more than to have her birthday every day. I look at these pictures and think, what am I in for?????????

Davin- The First Son

Davin-The First Son
The first thing everyone notices about Davin are his curls. The second is his smile. The third- which I hear from most adults that interact with him, "What a nice kid." There is nothing wrong with being the nice guy in this day and age. Davin has carved himself a nice niche in this family. He is the consummate big brother (who teases)and yet is adored by his younger sister and brother. He sensitive soul always keeps him close to nature, the outdoors, animals and those in need. He has a strong spirit to go along with that sensitive soul.

Madelynn- The Eldest, The Teenager

Being the mother of a teenager has added a whole new list of challenges to my role. She has always been a mature minded child, so it hasn't been a difficult transition for her. She is bright, funny, sarcastic (like her father) difficult, imaginative, passionate, creative, messy and so full of potential. I wish I had half the confidence she has at that age. Oh yeah, to top it off, she is absolutely stunning. (and one heck of a soccer player)

Our Family