Time on our hands

Sometimes, we have a little extra time on our hands. What do we do with it? Arrange pizza rolls into neat little rows? Well, I did, but Marissa was more ambitious. She got ahold of my bucket of crayons and really went to town! Now I can find any color I want!!! :)

Rob has extra fun peeling potatoes. . . .

Nichole just kicks back for a few minutes. (What a normal thing to do!)

Jamie

Jamie has been really enjoying school this year. It is no surprise that her favorite subject is in performing arts. . . specifically choir. So far, the school has had two public performances. The first one was done on Veteran's Day. She even had a solo speaking part. Since it was during the day, Marissa, Nichole, Selena, and I were the only ones able to attend it. Happily, the second performance was a Winter Holiday Concert performed in the evening. As it was rather late for the littler girls, Rob attended this one with Rachelle and Marissa. The choir even repeated many of their Veteran's Day songs, so Rob was able to hear what I heard. Jamie also participates in our Church choir. Not surprisingly, we often hear her singing here at home--in her room, at the dinner table, in the shower, while reading a book, when taking a walk--pretty much all the time!

Eshter

Our little Eshter is really growing up fast. I keep trying to get the kids to slow down that growing down stuff a bit, but do they ever listen? No! In fact, I think they grow just a little faster just for spite! Eshter really is a wonderful little girl with many interests. She enjoys running around and making noise with whatever might be handy. She will spend a great amount of quiet time coloring a picture or two. She can regale us with clever stories for hours. . . yes literally hours! She also likes to help out with the chores. Her favorite chore is vacuuming. Surprisingly, she is strong enough to do the entire family room. She does a great job too!

Until recently, Eshter went to a different school from her sister, Cerena. Eshter loved her teachers and friends. But, Esther is so bright and helpful, it was decided that the time had come to go to the school closest to our house. Good byes can be very difficult. . . especially when the teachers are so very wonderful! We all really loved Ms. Amundson. She is an amazing woman who does much for the children of our community. Anyone is lucky to be taught by her!

Another wonderful teacher is Miss Tanya! She is just full of energy and life. Esther enjoyed working with her as well.

Miss Danielle is one of the sweetest women we could ever know. Her calm and tender nature will be missed greatly. She even helped the students communicate in sign language!

I wasn't able to catch all the heart-felt and tearful good byes but this one was repeated several times.

Esther actually went to two classes at her previous school. This was the little class that she visited for just a few hours each day. The other class was still busy getting ready for the Winter break when we were there, so I didn't get any pictures of them.

Change can be a scary thing, and this change is no exception. But we are very excited to have Esther and Cerena at the same school! Mom and Dad will be able to participate in so many fun things with both of them now!

Stacko Uno/Jenga

So, one day Marissa and Cerena decided it would be fun to play Jenga with the Stacko Uno blocks! It was amazing how long this tower remained standing! It literally swayed back and forth till I was certain it would crash to the table, then simply stop wobbling at all. Check out the foundation. . .

Cerena and Marissa have very different Jenga styles. Cerena's style changed throughout the game. At first, she held the tower still while she carefully pulled a block out. After we explained that holding the tower was sorta cheating, she completely changed her tactics. She chose a block and pulled it out so fast, we hardly knew that she had begun before she was done. That is when the tower would get to rocking back and forth and we just knew that was the end. . . when suddenly Marissa got another turn!

Marissa was very careful, tapping to find any loose blocks before gently sliding it out of the tower.

However, all the care in the world couldn't protect the tower from Cerena's wild approach for too long. Everyone jumps when the tower comes crashing down!

The girls had a great time playing their game!

WARNING: Many posts ahead

Just a little warning for the faint at heart. . . there are SEVEN (yes, that's right, SEVEN) posts for one little tiny day. Please allow me to explain. There seems to be some sort of vortex, black hole, gremlin type thing that happens between my camera and this computer. Any pictures not immediately used just evaporate into thin cyberspace! POOF!!! My first remedy to a problem is always to put it off till tomorrow, but my camera was filling up, so I had to make room by downloading the pictures. I had two choices . . . one hideously LONG blog posting, or several (SEVEN, to be exact) shorter postings. I went with the latter. Enjoy. Oh! And you may want to do so quickly because more are on the way!

We just celebrated Rachelle's 18th birthday!!!! I tried to persuade her to put this one off for just one more year, but she simply could not be prevailed upon. Why MUST our children grow up anyway? Oh yeah! So they can serve missions, go to college, get married, bring grandchildren into the world, and become amazing adults! So, go ahead, turn 18, Rachelle. I guess it is ok, THIS TIME! Jessica, the first two pictures are for you. We know how you love pictures of food. Rachelle requested chicken florentine for dinner. Garlic bread and broccoli were served on the side. Mmmm-mmmmmm-good!

Nichole's 'pumpkin smash' was such a hit, Rachelle requested one for her birthday. Rob is determined to layer two pumpkin pies with an ice cream filling. It worked beautifully for him once years ago. I think we prefer the smash to an actual layered cake type dessert.

We had to really hustle to light all the candles. The pie was sliding off rather quickly. Hurry everyone. . . sing. . .sing. . .sing.

Once the song was sung, Rob dumped his concoction into the big bowl where it officially became 'smash'. Our favorite part. Nichole nearly forgot her tradition. For those of you who haven't heard, several years ago, Nichole quietly slid Rachelle's birthday cake over to rest in front of her as we sang the happy birthday song. Sadly, some of us became a little confused, and actually sange Nichole's name. We all had a big laugh, then put the cake in front of its rightful owner and sang to RACHELLE. Ever since that day, we gt a picture of Nichole attempting to 'steal' someone else's birthday cake. No one is exempt. It happens to all of us. Beware, Nichole, beware.

Rachelle has learned to be a little feisty when needed. Especially when the old sad face ploy doesn't work.

I happened to just set the camera on the table and caught Esther waiting patiently for her birthday smash. She looks positively bored. But really cute!

Happy birthday Rachelle! Maybe we can persuade you to hold off on 19 just a little longer?

Trick or Treat

Such cuties on Halloween (actually, this was Friday night--since Halloween fell on Sunday, our Ward hosted a Trunk or Treat night). Introducing our little mime and fairie! We loved this costume! She was so adorable. Of course, she was given way too much candy.

Same story with the fairie princess.

Jazmin (aka Tinkerbell) came over to show us her costume. Great job Selena! I love how the leaves just frame her so beautifully!

Cynthia and Devon! Thanks for smiling. . . . FINALLY!

Exercise

Marissa has decided to whip us into shape. We call her our "Personal Trainer". Here, she is challenging Rob to a push-up contest.

Excellent form. . . both of them! Marissa really is very strong. . .

I can't remember if Rob did more, or if he started over. . . maybe Marissa will tell us on her blog?

Bumblebee Tuna

So, Jamie has been coming home singing songs from her choir class. One of their warm up songs is the Bumblebee tuna song (is there really such a song?). Cerena picked right up on that one, and decided (with Dad's help) to use it to get a can of tuna all to herself. Needless to say, it worked!

Cerena also likes Rachelle!

Turn your volume way up. . . you MIGHT be able to hear her sing the tuna song. . .

A little sweetness goes a long way

As mentioned in my last blog, the girls recently participated in a Primary Program. Primary programs are very special in our church. This is the time when children get to show the songs and lessons they have been learning throughout the year. Each of the girls had her very own part and did an excellent job. It really is one of my favorite meetings of the entire year.

This picture was just so sweet, I had to include it!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Esther and Cerena absolutely LOVE it when their cousin Jazmin comes to play! Sometimes they can be the silliest girls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. (Just a few words by way of disclaimer. . .Rob took the old Christmas tree out for a skit he did at a Church activity. It has been safely stored away till we have a chance to enjoy Thanksgiving first.)

Jessica, we decided to try for some really cool action shots just for you. . . .

This is what happens after a long day at church. . . especially when that long day at church also involves a Primary Program in which all three girls had a part of their very own.

Notice how Ivy tries to sneak into some of these pictures. . . she is pretty good at action sometimes too! I love Jazmin's unintentional ballet pose. It actually looks rather pro, doesn't it Cynthia?

Um, this next one looks rather familiar. . . too bad I am not very adept at editing my blogs. . .

This next little series is so dang funny. . . I had to put it all in. Esther is such a camera ham!!!!

Not one to be outdone by her sister in anything. . . especialy silliness. . . . . . . . . . . . . The girls really had too much fun creating these blog photos, especially since we got crazy in the "Quiet Room".

In the end, I believe it is true. . . girls just wannna have fun!