youth temple trip

Last week we had a youth temple trip and I had it all set for every one of our young women to come.  At last minute they were dropping out like flies.  We have a small youth group as it is so when a few get sick or have other things come up our attendance looks pretty sad. Here is Sadie surrounded by most of the adults who came.  We had another couple and their daughter show up after this photo was taken.  Sadie and Jenette enjoyed it even with the small numbers but hey we were quite prepared with adult help.  

Dragon

Any student could submit their own drawing of a dragon in the middle school contest.  The winner would get a big picture of it put in the year book.  Josiah entered and got third place out the three grades.  I was able to finally get a picture of it. 

Mountains

One of my favorite features of living in this area are the mountains that surround us.  I love them.  Mt Rainier has taken a back seat for me this winter with the snow covered Olympic Mountains.  It has been colder here than usual which has brought clear skies and sun.   This means that we have a VIEW of the mountains and they are impressive.  My pictures don't do it justice.  I am glad I was able to get a few pictures because our view is all clouds and lots of rain as of yesterday.  It is warmer though.  

Pictures of kids

I seriously CAN NOT get a good picture of my boys anymore.   It is maddening, frustrating, and not funny anymore.  SO.. .I gave up and these are the pictures that will be adorning our walls for the next year.  Lovely huh?   One positive of them is that it does show their true personality.  In defense for Sadie she did corporate.  Next year I will hire one of my friends to do the job so I don't burst a vein trying myself.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SADIE!

This girl is 14.  Sadie may be hard to wake up in the morning and has opinions of her own (darn it) but she impresses me every day.  She has a very good heart.  She is a great friend.   She keeps confidences.   She is a great sister and always looking out for her brothers.  She is so trustworthy which is a big thing in this world we live in.  She has more talent than she realizes but will discover it all one day.   I am not sure how we got so lucky to have her as our daughter.   We do love our Sadie girl.  

One side note about the candles.  I found them earlier that day and was so excited they had the correct number as her age.  However after getting them on the cake, Sadie counted them.  While she counted I commented how great it was that the letters were the same number as her age.  There was some silence but then Sadie says "mom I am 14 not 13."  Well duh I knew that.  GRRR.  I grabbed another candle so it would be official.  

It's cold out there

Wow I think we might freeze to death.  I know we aren't near as cold as some areas in the country but man it is cold outside.   We can't handle anything below 35 and anything above 68.  

These boys happened to all be wearing nearly everything grey.  Maybe they were trying to match our normal grey dreary days.   I have even had to buy a few warmer clothing items for the kids since it has been so cold.  I know boo hoo.  If it helps to feel slightly sorry for us the airport said it was 18 degrees yesterday.  

Sleepy man

This is what happens when you get to have 9 am church time.  Ha Ha!  This is very rare to see this guy taking a nap so we have to capture it on camera.  I am not sure he got a very restful nap though.