Payton turns 8!

Two days ago, Payton turned 8 years old!

The two things she really wanted were rollerblades...

…And a FurReal Walking Puppy…

It was nice to see that Charlie, our Elf, had a birthday greeting for her when she woke up...

I took her class mini cupcakes so they could celebrate with her.  After she was done with school, we headed to the movies to see Frozen.  It was a cute movie, we all enjoyed it!  After the movie, we went out for Chinese food, per Payton's request.  We have a family tradition that we always go out to dinner wherever the birthday girl/boy wants to go.  My kids ALWAYS pick Chinese food!  For us girls, we also have a tradition of getting pedicures at the salon on our birthdays. Yesterday we ran out of time to get to the salon, so Payton had the idea that I give her a pedicure at home which is exactly what I did!  She chose bright blue toenails with snowflakes on her big toes, because she named her new puppy "Snowflake." After dinner, we headed back home to celebrate with Grandpa and Grandma and had Banana Splits. 

This is an extra special birthday also because it means she can be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She is going to be baptized this Sunday, which we are so excited about!  We have a lot of family coming to town, so it will be extra special to have them all there so they can share this very special experience with her.  

I still can't Payton she is 8 years old!  She sure is a special young lady.  She has a huge heart, and is always thinking about others. She is lots of fun to be around and has a great sense of humor.  She just has a sweet nature about her, and I love her so much!  I'm so grateful she is mine, and I can be with her for eternity!  I'm so lucky to her her mother!

We've Been Busy Making Things…

It's been a really busy and productive past few days.

Last Saturday was one of those days where we literally had something scheduled every few hours.  It was crazy!  But before the madness began that day, I whipped up a batch of homemade laundry detergent. I used this recipe that I found on Pinterest. I've made it once before, and so I had all the ingredients already on hand (it makes 2 quarts at a time). It is super cheap to make, and lasts for a long time because you only need 1 tablespoon per load.  And because I've made it previously, I can tell you that it really does work very well!

I think I'm becoming addicted to Ana White's website.  I've got a whole list of furniture for Danny and I to build.  Danny built me a Farmhouse Table over the summer that turned out so beautiful using plans from her website.  I'm so grateful Danny is good at building things! I also want to learn to build things myself, so our next few pieces I plan to build along with him.  It's the power tools that get me.  I don't know how to use most of them, and some of them are so heavy!  On Monday while Asher was napping and the older kids were still at school, Danny and I braved the freezing cold outside and built a bench.  I need a bench to sit in this little nook area in our bedroom, and then I will need another one at the foot of our guest bedroom.  I chose a plan that only required 6 2x4's, so it made it easy for me for Danny to teach me a few things.  Yesterday morning, while I was sanding it down before staining it, Asher decided to take over the sanding.  

This week has been Spirit Week for the kids at school.  Every day this week, there is a different theme for the students to dress up as. Yesterday was Crazy Hair and Pajama Day.  We went all out for this day...

Today was Superhero/Character Day, so Sawyer went to school all decked out in Batman attire, and Sage went to school dressed like Fancy Nancy.  Payton chose not to dress up because she wanted to be Bridgit Mendler from Good Luck Charlie, but realized she didn't have all the things she wanted to wear.  I didn't take a picture this morning, but I should have.  

Guilt

I just got the kids tucked into bed and I'm feeling guilty.  I wasn't as patient as I could have been this evening.

However, I am grateful that I recognize when I fall short.  When I have these realizations, it makes me reflect on how I can handle similar situations in the future.

Whenever I look through old pictures, I get sad at how fast my kids are growing up and I strive to do better.  I just came across this one of Sawyer and Sage from Christmas 2009…

They are so so cute, but how sad that they have grown so fast!

On another note...

Danny and I went on a bike ride with Asher this morning.  It was so beautiful!

My sister Chelsey took this picture when she used to live here.

We definitely live in a beautiful place.  We parked at one end of the beach and rode to the lighthouse and back.  It was sunny and bright,  with a crisp chill in the air.  Asher loves riding on his little seat on my bike.  He was all bundled up with his Spiderman beanie, feeling as cool as ever.  During the summer months, I would ride him all over the driveway because he loved it so much.  He sure is a fun little dude to have around!

Christmas Time!

Thanksgiving was great!  It was so nice to spend time with family.  As usual, we ate way too much.  Thank goodness for Maxi Dresses.

I made Squash Rolls (a recipe from a close friend, and they are so so good), Orange-Cranberry Sauce, and Pioneer Woman's Broccoli Wild Rice Casserole.  It was so good, but we ended up eating it the day after for lunch because we had way too much food!

And I may or may not have made myself a plate of deviled eggs and eaten it myself.

I have done so much online shopping this weekend that I am now officially done with all the kids and Danny.  The only thing left is for Danny to build Payton and Sage their own doll cradles.  I bought them American Girl Dolls that look like them.  They are spendy, but my girls love playing with dolls, and they can eventually pass them down to their daughters someday.  I'm excited to start sewing little skirts for them and their dolls so they can be matching.

Our Elf Charlie came back to us last night, and the kids were so excited when they woke up this morning to go to school!  He brought them a special breakfast, which of course they devoured because we rarely ever have donuts!

This was shortly after they woke up, can you tell? :)

Sawyer was mad about something this afternoon and was starting to yell, but when I reminded him that Charlie was watching, he quickly changed his attitude. Having an Elf around that reports to Santa every night is sure helpful!

And then tonight, before Family Home Evening, we made snow globes.

I love having my energy back now that I'm in the 2nd trimester.  I plan to do so many fun Christmas projects and activities with the family!

This time of year is so special!