Week 36-Chalk Art Festival

One of the best ideas I've ever had.

...

Well, maybe not. 

But the Kartchner Chalk Art Festival turned into a big hit!

I was proud that everyone took it so seriously!

The precursor to this festival started with a few rough sketches on our front walk:

I watched some of the neighbor kids and they brought over their awesome and varied chalk art set so I got a little more ambitious (black makes all the difference). Couper saw how much fun I  we were having so one day I came down to the kitchen to find this:

(super cute, I know)

So my ambitions grew:

What else could follow except for a Chalk Art Festival to end the summer's dusty art with a bang!

Results of the Disney themed Festival:

Toy Story

Giant Chalk House (pretty sure there was some Disney mixed in there...)

Frozen

Cars 2

Peter Pan

Little Mermaid

Ichabod Crane & Timon

Winnie the Pooh & Friends

 (I didn't get a "during" photo)

Lego Ninja

Genie


We even got some participation from Down Under! However, I can't find the email with pictures so I'll have to add those later.

Happy Chalking everyone! You never know what you'll be able to create!

Week 12- A Caterpillar

The one of the hungriest kind.

Extremely talented, and amazing cousin Annie (previously mentioned) threw a killer first birthday party for her little one a couple of weeks ago. Em and I went to have a sleepover and party fun while Couper was out of town. The party theme was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" which I'm sure you're all familiar with. I wish I had taken pictures of everything because Annie seriously needs to be a professional party-planner. It was jaw-droppingly cute! I'm for real.

To top it off, among other cute things, there was HOMEMADE play dough in the party gift-bags designed to help make a caterpillar at home. LOVE.

This was Em's first experience with play dough. I didn't know if she would care for it, or just try to eat it. She totally got the idea and squished, squeezed, and pulled apart that play dough like a pro! She had such a good time, and I was elated watching her. She did sneak in one little taste but quickly realized she wasn't a fan of the flavor and continued playing like a big girl. So much fun to watch her grasp onto such activities; so emotional to realize it's because she is growing up SO FAST!

3/21-Crazy sock day to show our love and support to friends and family with Down Syndrome.

 A special shout-out to our sweet nephew Porter. Life is so much better because you're a part of it!

Week 11-Going Green

For St. Patty's Day.

Seems like a silly holiday, because I don't really know the history of it well. But, there are some fun traditions you can make out of it. The biggest tradition for this minor holiday that we had in my house growing up was having a green meal. So, that's basically what we do :). The main dish of our leprechaun dinner consisted of these "green noodles", with a few other fun things. We went green the night before St. Patrick's day because Coup has class for 5 hours on Monday nights. Therefore, we didn't bother to wear green. We were glad Shantel could join us while Grant was in Salt Lake.

Em isn't sure what to think of avocado...

(Sorry this post is a) late, and b) not very exciting. I tried to convince Couper to blog for "week 11" about his adventures in Vegas for the WBB tournament, but when I relayed when I wanted it done by, he said "Not gonna happen..." I even offered to organize pictures for him ;). Although we are super, EXTREMELY grateful for a break from basketball and more time with Couper/daddy, and we do get to see him more...in all honesty he still really doesn't have the spare time to blog. So use your imaginations to conjure up how his last bball trip was, and be grateful I decided to put forth the effort for "week 11" anyway.)

Week 10-"C" is for Cookie...

..and C-ya Crawling and sCooting. Em has taken great STRIDES this week in a new aCcomplishment.

If you've made the time to SAUNTER over to our little JOG of the inter-web, you will be to happy know it's TROT a joke that little Em took her first independent STEPS this week! However, inTREAD of PARADING around the house, she STROLL prefers the scoot and crawl. We've only slowly HIKED through the beginning of MARCH though. There's plenty of PACE in the days to see her successfully PROMENADE around each room in time. We're so proud! But not looking forward to the bumps and CRUISES. 

(I know, I really over-did it ... not in a good way. It was late. Good luck interpreting them all.)

Her daddy picked out the adorable shoes. Although Sesame Street is still foreign to her, she is IN LOVE with these! Her precious teeny feet are compliments of Gramma Nec's genes!

Week 9-Not a Leap Year

Did it not feel like February came and went in the blink of an eye?! How is it that a month only being 2 or 3 days shorter can feel like you just went over a small speed bump, and then just as quickly it's behind you and you've forgotten about it? I'm kind of perplexed it's over, but I welcome March and the hopefulness of spring it brings.

~    ~    ~

We had a spontaneous visit from cousins Annie and Charlotte. Annie and I are just a few months apart in age, and so are our girls (you may recall seeing them here). Living almost two hours apart, and leading busy lives, has left our play-dates few-and-far-between! So grateful for some sunshine and Annie's willingness to leave her house at 6 in the morning so that we could have a breakfast/morning play-date. Seriously, doesn't that just make her the most awesome cousin human being on the planet? It felt like it to me. I sure love her and our sisterly/cousinly bond. Can't wait to watch a similar friendship unfold with our girls.

(Side note: Em loves balls and would play with them all day long. She's getting a pretty good arm, so, we're grateful that warm weather is approaching and we can prevent any major damages by playing outside.)

With every tearful episode there needs to be giggles and smiles to exceed the sad, or at least even it out. We finally had to cave and purchase Em a convertible car seat this week (is this a painful experience for anyone else?!). The jumungo box the car seat came in was the perfect size for Em's first cardboard house. (Some of my best childhood memories were made in such houses.) Said house was the perfect remedy to a tearful afternoon. Throwing balloons in and out and playing peek-a-boo through the window were just what the doctor ordered.

In other news, Couper had his last home game with the WBB team Saturday night. Before he left, he leaned over to kiss me goodbye and said, "It's weird, tonight is kind of like my "Senior Night" too." Very surreal. I'm glad they could pull a fun win and that Em and I, along with many family members could attend to support our Coup.

(This pic was taken before Christmas.)

Our 14 month Em


*Getting sillier and smarter everyday.
*new signs: bread, bird, poop (which we joke looks like "ole!"), and she created her own signs for binky and music/dance, I think they both fit the mold quite well.
*words noises: "bye," "da-da-da," "mam! (amen)," "kkkhh (yuck)," "wussat? (what's that?)" but..if we're going to be honest here she mostly grunts and uses her signs.
*She cracks us up with endless jibber-jabber and fake laughing, usually on car-rides.
*She's a little too good at the stairs (only up, still working on down).
*She is skillful at testing our patience: standing in the tub, getting into the fridge, baby-wipe parades, food confetti off the highchair, all of which provide good learning opportunities.
*She is fixated on remotes and phones and can locate them immediately up any room she enters.
*Two of her top teeth are trying to make an appearance but are being bashful, so she still only has two teeth!

Week 8-Toddally for tots

(whoops, time got away from me)
Week 8-Toddally for Tots

We are ecstatic about the unusual and premature February sunshine and above freezing temperatures...however, it has still felt like a long winter. Em turned one and seriously flipped a switch into toddler-hood. No, she's still not walking on her own, but she became busier, faster, curious-er.., sassier, smarter, etc. over night. The past couple months of unpredictable weather and chill-you-to-the bone temps have left me thinking up random indoor activities to keep my little one entertained, and away from trouble :).

Here are some things we've been up to that are

Toddally for Tots:
--disclaimer: all things are supervised--

(unfortunately there are limited pictures)

*play house/dolls (short-lived but she is so sweet to those babies)
*bubbles in tub or tiled area

*read-a-thons and flashlight activities in various forts



*music/signing dancing time (this girl has got some wicked dance moves, she does an invented sign consisting of an amazing hands-up-shimmy to ask us to turn the music on, I can't resist.)
*"Baby Signing Time" and the occasional "monkey" (Curious George)
*"organize DVD's" --I guess this could be considered trouble, but she is so gentle with them, treating them like her books, and "talks" up a storm. Not to mention she'll often help put them back.

*visit grammies and grampas (or should I say "visit Sadie," the dog)
*have playdates with little friends and cousins (when everyone is healthy; sheesh!)
*or have skype sessions with distant cousins or when there's a bug going around
*balloons--serious entertainment, all three of us were cry-laughing.

*exercise. I worried about exercising before nap time, but the special occasions we exercise together turn into major core work out and tone-age due to serious giggles or Em wanting to go up-and-down while I squat. (there are plenty of games of peek a boo while doing yoga or other forms of floor workout too, I highly recommend this experience to anyone. So. funny.)
*help mommy bake, flour is amazing (and messy)
*getting things out of the fridge (...stinker)

*stickers--fascinating
*chase, and hide and seek with mom and dad (oh the giggles that result!)
*magnets! (there are many more on the fridge...but sitting on the cold tile gets old, score for the pizza pan!)

*one word sign: fish

What do you do with your little ones in throughout the cold months?

Week 7-Love Day

Love Day

Bright and early V-day morning (even before Em was awake), Coup headed to Vegas with the WBB team via bus..yuck. Em and I were sad we wouldn't get to spend the day with him but tried to make the most of it. I surprised her with her favorites for breakfast: pancakes. I attempted the heart shape (which I found was quite popular as I scanned the virtual world Saturday morning), in which I was partially successful. As the pictures indicate, I don't think she minded what shape they were in :). Later in the day we watched a slideshow of videos from her first year that I made for her, Coup, & the grandfolk and we spent some time helping Aunt Shantel move into her new apartment.

We've been trying to eat a little more nutritious (from scratch) and on a budget (the two don't go hand-in-hand very well) the last several months. Our minimal amounts of food storage have come in handy though to support both accounts; nutritious/thrifty. So these are homemade wheat pancakes (ground white wheat), smothered in low-sugar home-canned strawberry jam (thanks Summ :) ) with some banana slices on the side. They tasted quite fantastic if I do say so myself!

I actually made a pretty big batch of the pancake mix early in the fall so that we would have it on hand; it's been great, and made eating healthy pancakes more convenient. The recipe is listed below if you're interested. Side-note: I actually never really liked pancakes. (More of a waffle person..and even then I maybe had them a couple times a year.) Ever since I had Em I've warmed up to them, and these are my favorite.

This is a 3x5 card if you want to print it.
I originally found this recipe on Allrecipes.com
~ ~ ~

So...with LOVE, OPPOSITION is always present. (If you don't believe me, read the scriptures -just read 2Ne Ch.2, Lehi sums it up nicely-, or just take a closer look at your own life ;) ) I've been constantly reminded that the grass isn't always greener and we need to be consistently helping one-another. 2014 has already had a lot of ups and downs for our families, and even close friends. Sometimes it feels like more than our/their fair share, and there are moments I feel my heart may burst with sadness, confusion, and helplessness. Many days it has felt like the downs-the OPPOSITIONS-have outweighed the ups-the LOVES. I know those days are the days the devil is getting into my head and controlling my thoughts, but in those moments, even realizing that doesn't change the overwhelming feelings of anxiety, sadness, fear, and doubt.  

With that said, I am so grateful for the moments of LOVE; the days I become clear-headed. There is opposition in all things so that we may love deeper, be humbled, learn to use our agency wisely, and use the gift of the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. Whether it be to forgive, ask for forgiveness, or find comfort, love, and peace to let go of the hurt. I hope we can all search for the LOVES in our lives, enough to outweigh the OPPOSITIONS, even when there isn't a holiday to remind us to show others we love them, and to feel loved.

~ ~ ~

Hmm..to lighten the mood that I didn't mean to let get so heavy, a minor OPPOSITION (in comparison to what may others are going through) that faced us this week is partially explained in this picture:

I purchased Shirley from my Grandma Lucy the summer of 2007. Grandma passed away a few months later. I have loved having Shirley as part of my life for so long; a temporal way to keep memories of my grandma close. We've had a few close calls with Shirley, wondering if she would make it through another year. (Mostly Couper's doubt, I've always believed in her. ;) ) For the past three summers we I have gotten sick for a good month before inspection, crossing my fingers that we could prove Couper wrong and make another years worth of memories (without having to pay an arm and a leg). And for the last three years, all we have had to pay for is the safety inspection and renewal fee. Truly, she's amazing.

On Thursday, Em and I broke down in Shirley and had to walk home (..okay, don't feel bad for us. It was at least 40 degrees and sunny, and we were only a block away from our front porch ;). )  A kind neighbor out working on his own car took a look and said he was almost positive my transmission was shot. That didn't sound right to me, but I won't pretend to be an expert. It made me nervous, and I was upset, but I didn't shed a tear. I was keeping my faith; this is much too inconvenient a time for us to go down to a one-car family (is there a convenient time?). Anyway, to wrap up, Shirley will once again be resurrected! She has just been well used (and is a quarter of a century) and the passenger CV axle had served it's time, but it wasn't her time. I couldn't be happier, and neither could our bank account! Hip-hip for Shirley (and a quiet 'thanks' to Grandma ;).)

Week 6-snoow, snoOW, snoOW, SNOW!

When I was thinking what to title this post, the song that is sung on the train in the movie "White Christmas" kept playing in my head for some odd reason. So, you should be singing the title, not yelling it.

This was the only picture I managed to snap of the snow that blanketed Cache Valley the latter end of the week...of our side-yard...I wasn't going out in that! Not to mention it was foggy...lame excuses I know, the valley was beautiful, so just use your imagination.

I feel it important to note this snowstorm because it was a result of combined faith.

To my knowledge, snow was not in the forecast for this past week. Two weeks ago, our church leaders announced that our Stake had been asked to join together in Fast and prayer the first Sunday of February. The focus for this group Fast was for the valley to receive much needed precipitation. On that Fast Sunday, and through the beginning of the week, we heard stories of other Stakes asked to Fast for the same purpose. I wasn't at all surprised when the cold, white flakes started to fall, but did get the chills. I was surprised that Logan got 12" in 48 hours! And it continued to lightly snow and rain after that. I believe that's more precipitation than we've received all season!

Needless to say, church leaders that are in-tune with the Holy Spirit are inspired. Congregation members that are willing to act and pray in faith receive answers. And many are blessed. What an amazing testimony builder for so many.

Little Wof W

Context: There is a cute story about Beethoven (Ludwig Van ;) ) that I have been reading with a couple of my elementary school students to expand vocabulary, make connections and inferences, and work on non-fiction story comprehension. For a pre-reading activity, we drew a graphic organizer on the whiteboard with black that we were going to write everything we already knew about Beethoven, then after the story we were going to use blue to fill in more of the organizer with things we learned. I got almost the exact same response from two different students in two different groups:
'Today we're going to read a story about Beethoven; what do you already know about him?'
"Hmmm...well, I know there's a movie about him...."
I have my black marker to the board about to write 'in movies' when they continue...
"...and he's a dog. Like a really big dog. And umm...well, I don't really remember why he's important, he saves people or something...."
Love the way my students make connections :).
*Disclaimer: "Dog" was not written on the graphic organizer. Also, it was full of flashy blue :).

Week 5-books

We have several bookshelves in every room of this little condo; 

each stuffed with more than it's fair share of reading material. 

I took a good look at our makeshift nightstands this week as I was cleaning our room (I should take a picture). I found that the weak plastic shelf that makes up the top is concave due to the weight of stacks of books. Some may call it clutter, but I call it refreshing & enlightening. We like having the one book you can't put down (so it's constantly changing), the...2 or 3 books you can read here and there for inspiration or a good laugh, scriptures, a journal or two, one from the library, the one borrowed from a friend, a kid's book or two...seriously, made me smile all that we had going on on our about-to-collapse bookstands nightstands. You can probably tell a lot about a person by what's piled next to their head where they sleep. (You should take inventory, what did you learn about yourself?)

We're so glad that Emelia caught the bug.

It is not uncommon to find Miss Melia sitting in the midst of a pile of books, thumbing through each page and talking/signing to herself.  She's been this way since she was about 7-months; who needs toys?! We absolutely love sharing this part of life with her.

13-months

Some fun things to note this month about our little Em:

*She is still completely obsessed with dogs and signs it well

*She trys to bark like a dog...hilarious

*She most clearly says: "Uh-oh!" "Hi!" "Wow." "Ma-ma-ma."

*She says an airy, "Aahh!" after EVERY time she..or anyone else, takes a drink, how refreshing!

*She has THE BEST belly laugh; every cell in her body is helping to produce that beautiful sound, I'm sure of it.

*She can point to 6 body parts when named, on herself and others-sometimes

(nose, hair, belly-button, ears, knees, toes)

*New signs she has added to her vocab: banana, car, up, bus, cat

*She has often signed 2 or 3 phrases! (cold snow, more banana please, etc)

*She is only nursing mommy's milk two times a day

*She loves mommy so much she has to be hugging her legs constantly :)....even when mommy's going to the bathroom :(

*She loves daddy so much she plays all sorts of fun games with him

*Em is such a good helper! When she signs "all done" with an activity we sign "clean up, please" she signs "clean up" and happily helps us put her toys away. Her chores include putting her diaper in the bin (she started this on her own, signing "help" one day and never looking back) and her clothes in the hamper (I have to note that she cannot have even a string hanging over the side of the hamper, it's very serious work)

*Still too nervous/cautious to walk alone but is a pro with her birthday stroller!

*She loves balls and is getting really good at pass; good thing warm weather is coming

*We actually think she has an obsession with circles of all kinds

*We love when she does "kooks" to show affection

*She's getting really good at blowing kisses

*She hates getting messy diapers changed and will only eat meat when it's disguised

Little WofW

"If you eat a penny and poop it out, will it still be a penny when it comes out?"

--Amber-9

Context: Over dinner at my house, Kionna and Amber were asking me what I thought it would be like if I had triplets. Before I could even really give an answer, they were spouting off what they thought the pros and cons were. (Really wish I could have just recorded this whole conversation.) One question Kionna-13 asked was, "Would you rather have four-girls the same age, or three-boys?"

Amber's-9 reply, completely confident in herself, "Well, the girls, duh! Guys are 20% more likely to do stupid stuff than girls." Oh really? Where did you hear that statistic.

"Myself."

Week 4-Firsts

"First-time" adventures are so much fun!
Although I was very disappointed that Merlin Olsen Park was out of ice-skates to rent, this turned into an enjoyable alternative; and Em's first thrill.

Em was elated. She was clearly cold, but enjoying herself. She would sign "more" at the bottom of the hill; her hands barely able to touch due to her puffy, pink, marshmallow coat. The kids showed off on their new snowboards. It became clear I am a completely inexperienced novice when it comes to snowboarding. It was cute how willingly my 9-year old sister gave me pointers and offered to be by my side the whole way; endearing and possibly embarrassing ;). Bring on the sledding!

The Proposal

The Thesis Proposal that is. Glad you got your proposal turned in on time. Let's keep the ball rollin'!

not so Little W of W

Context: I was telling some people in the family that both sets of Emi's cheeks have been getting chapped due to this freezing, dry weather.

Someone: "Why are they both called 'cheeks' anyway...?"

In all seriousness, "Because they both get chapped."--Anonymous
Sound logic.

"Bet you didn't know that microwaves have 'POWERS'" --Anonymous

Week 3-Final Count Down

It's the 'Final Count Down'

Remember making countdown-chains as a kid? A colorful, fun way to lead up to any event. Although, really there must be some hidden lessons with countdown-chains for children. Such as learning time; how long a day is, so that the adult can stop listening to, "Is it my birthday yet?" (Light bulb! Maybe we should make chains by the hour on long road trips so we can veto the nagging, "Are we there yet?!") Practicing the fine-motor involved with the making of the chain itself. Or, maybe just an overall lesson of patience.

Since I am still learning some of those things (well, mostly just the art of consistent patience) I still like to make the occasional infamous count-down chain.

Em and I made this chain Couper's first day of class. Since once of us has been in school at any point in our nine year of knowing each other, it seems appropriate. We decided to do one link per week to save the Rain Forests. Deep breath...it is Couper's LAST semester of college! He will be receiving his Masters degree in May! We are beside ourselves with an array of emotions. We're in for a grueling semester; ending with a bang that's for sure! Coup has some pretty time-sucking classes, and is working on the heart of his thesis. He is also traveling nearly every week with the Women's basketball team. His constant absence is already weighing on wife and baby but we are SO very proud of him! We are grateful for his work ethic, intelligence, patience, light-heartedness, etc. and love him very much! Way to go Couper-Daddy! We're excited to see you break the links off of this chain!

~     ~     ~

I decided I'm bringing back "Little Words Of Wisdom" to the best of my ability and memory.

Since I'm doing weekly posts anyway, hopefully it will be easier to document. I'm guessing most of the Wisdom's will come from the mouths of family, but I may include some anonymous students still as well if their Words are just too funny to keep to myself.

"Caterpillars"

Little W of W

*Do you know what a catapult is? That's what we're going to make today!

"Yeah! It's like a caterpillar!" --JoJo, 5

I may be slightly mis-quoting, but this is the muffled version I caught at the other end of the phone.
What are you doing out of bed? "I was saying my prayers..." Honey, we already said prayers, go to bed. "No, I was saying my prayers again and Jesus just helped me get to my feet!" --Ryder, 4

*What do you want to name your bunny puppet?

"Uh...RIBBIT! Ya, Ribbit." --Ryland, 2 1/2 in his deep, sure voice.

*"Be careful with Lilly because she is real." -Kalia, 5 

"She is not real!!" Choruses of the other children. It's okay, I used to pretend that my dolls and stuffed animals were real when I was younger too, it makes it more fun.

Hands on hips, foot stomp, enlarged eyes, completely offended and appalled. "Um, what?! I am NOT pretending. My Lilly is really REAL, really." 

I'm not one to compete with a child's imagination. 'She's real guys, be careful with her.'

Week 2-Chariot Racing

Chariot Racing you say?

 Yes, that's no typo. Also known as "Cutter Races" and still a popular sport in a few states including Idaho. Lucky for us we live near the Idaho boarder and they have a pretty organized set up of Chariot Races just outside of Preston. The winter races run on Saturday afternoons. Gregg & Denise came to Cache Valley for the weekend so we met up with Baylee & TC and headed to the races. Almost all spectators watch the horse drawn chariot's fly by from their vehicles. I didn't think Em would get much out of it, and she was a bit antsy, but picked the horses out in the distance and even signed "horse" for the first time! She loved having the dogs' company in the car!

We also cheered on the Women Aggies at the basketball game Couper had to work. Too bad it couldn't have been a win.

Cousin Surprise

Friday morning we were excited to find four cousins on the doorstep ready to play! It was a bit unexpected but turned into a fun morning filled with balloon fights and homemade puppet shows. Puppet show skills are a little rusty, but we've got time to work on that. Made us miss our cuzzies in Australia that's for sure!

Week 1--Leafy

What does baby-girl love almost more than food?

Leafy

 Em has been snuggling with Leafy almost ever since she was sleeping in her own room, around 4-months.  Leafy became a real necessity once we dropped night-time feeds around 9-months.  Now she signs "bed" when she wants Leafy and gives it a big smile, hug, and rub to the face. She has to know exactly where it is before we leave her room. Couper and I also love Leafy and are glad it helps our baby-girl find comfort and get good rest.  And it's just adorable to watch her with it.

2014 

52 week challenge

I'm not sure what kind of adventures this year is going to bring us.
I'm honestly not sure what next week...or even tomorrow will bring.
Life as a Mother really changes your perspective on life.
I'm trying to live each day at a time and soak in the special small moments.
This isn't always my strong point because I'm a planner, doer, and always looking to the future.
I think I'm getting better.
Thanks Em.

My sister did a 52 week blog challenge a couple years ago.
It was very fun and captured big and small moments each week.
I've decided that's how I want to document our 2014.
It will be the most blogging I've ever done...ever.
I hope I don't burn out.
I hope I don't burn you out.

All-in-all I'm very excited about this challenge.
It will practically double as my family history/scrapbook for this year.
Hopefully that will take one thing off of my to-do list :).
Excited for the unknown of 2014.
Ready or not, here we come.

Cheers to a new challenge!

Some small and precious moments of Em growing up in 2013.
These pictures aren't the greatest.
And I didn't always bother to get her dressed or make her smile.
But they are special to me.
These moments happened in a flash.
Each time she grew a month a older.
And I love them.
Something that makes these pictures extra special is Leroy the Bear.
Couper gave me Leroy on our first Valentines.
That was in 2005.
Wow. Nine years ago.
If stuffed animals could speak.
I'd love to hear the stories he had to tell about the progression in mine and Coup's relationship.
And now he would have so many stories to tell about Em.
Of the small, day-to-day moments.