Lincoln Logs and Wrestling

Parker got Lincoln Logs for Christmas so for family night this past week we got them out and made the entire little town, which was great fun! It is too bad Lincoln Logs are not just a little more sturdy though. Josie kept yelling and worrying that Parker was going to knock something down, but I guess that is what big sisters are for!
Since Daddy is studying so much the children rarely see him, but on the occasion that they do, the first thing out of Parkers mouth is "Daddy, you want to wrestle?" So the other day Stephen indulged Parker and even put on the spiderman mask! What a good Daddy!

Jesus wants Parker for a Sunbeam

The day has finally come, Parker is a Sunbeam! He has been the biggest kid in Nursery for quite sometime now! He was very excited to say good bye to nursery today and hello sunbeams. I was a little worried about how he might do since it is right in the middle of his nap time, but his teacher said he did great! It is amazing how well children do when their parents are not around! We got him a haircut yesterday and put on his suit so that he would be the most handsome Sunbeam around, I think our mission was accomplished!

The Getty

On December 28th my sister wanted to take her boyfriend who was here visiting from Seattle to the J. Paul Getty Museum. I had not been to the museum in 7 years so I thought it would be fun to go with them. I also thought this would be an amazing experience for my budding little artist Josie.
However, I could not have been more wrong! Granted she tried to hang in there through the medieval period artifacts, she enjoyed the suits of armor and was mildly interested in the french tapestries, however a six year old can only appreciate one or two tapestries not forty or fifty! Luckily for us, we found this wonderful exhibit called the family room which helped out greatly. Josie was able to make a mask and become part of the painting "Christ's Entrance Into Brussels" and she was able to play on a replica of a french aristocrat's bed. However, when she got home she didn't hold anything back and told Grandma "I am never going back to the Getty again!" So I guess this mother's attempt at expanding her daughter's horizon's is one for the books!

Sunny California

Yesterday was such a lovely California day, 71 degrees, that I just couldn't stop talking about it! I am in constant amazement that I took this weather for granted all growing up. Anyway, why I wanted to write was because Josie made the funniest comment yesterday. We were driving home (aka my mom's house) from unloading all of our belongings into the storage unit and I said to Josie "isn't today so beautiful and warm?" and she said "Yes mom I could just rip my shirt off!" Well of course we won't encourage that but I thought the comment was hilarious!

Family Photo Fun

My mom decided quite suddenly that we needed a group family photo, since all of my sisters and brother-in-law (Yes that means you SAM!) are very rarely together at the same time. First we called a portrait studio but then decided the times available just wouldn't work out. So last minute we all threw on some white shirts and jeans and went to the church and took some photos in front of the stage. The photos didn't turn out the best, however atleast there wasn't too much complaining about waiting at a portrait studio!

Christmas Fun

Well last week was our ward christmas party! We had a lovely program and Josie got to sing with the primary and then be in a little nutcracker ballet portion of the program. She was excited to wear her dance stuff and then they gave all the little girls matching wands, which they got to keep, which is now a big piece of contention between Josie and Parker. After the program we had treats and of course Santa came! Poor Parker, he is still scared to death of the big man, hence no picture of Parker with Santa! He was also equally horrified of the Grinch A.K.A Brother Webster. It was quite hilarious because it was obviously Brother Webster, all he had was his face painted green, but Parker wouldn't even look at him and wanted nothing to do with him. So I have added a picture of Parker in Josie's Rudolph hat from school, I was feeling bad that all the latest pictures have been of Josie!

Josie's 6th Birthday

Josie had a terrific birthday, thanks to all of our family and friends! She is one lucky little girl to have so many people that love her! I would just like to take this time to write just a few things that I love about my little girl! 1.She is the most creative person I know! (She can make a christmas tree topper out of straws, amazing I know!) 2.I love her infectious giggle! (She makes me smile) 3.She has a love of learning that I admire! 4.She isn't worried about what people think of her, she is who she is and that is special! 5.She loves almost everyone and isn't afraid to show that love!