Hearts, Criss-Cross and Wreaths

One of the many, many awesome things about having girls... is doing hair! Ever since I was about 8 or 9 Ive been practicing hair styles on my Cabbage Patch dolls and Barbies. Emi and Clara have been trained from a young age to 'play beauty parlor'. I love to do my girls' hair! This morning Clara chose Criss-Crosses and Emi wanted a Wreath. One of my favorites is the Heart (which we did quite a bit during Feb). We took a picture of James getting ready for church too - he wanted to wear Jim's shoes to church!

Okay, so I better add a front facing picture to go with all of these 'back-head' shots! Their faces are this MOST beautiful part of all!!!!

The Sound of Music

About twice each year, all the sisters in our ward get to go to Relief Society together and the men take over the responsibilities in Primary and Young Women's. Today was one of those days, and Jim was asked to be the music leader in Primary. Jim goes all out in preparation - and this was no exception. He took a duffel bag of unusual instruments to primary. I think one of the favorites was the Stonelaphone (how do you even spell that!?) It's like playing a marimba, but with pieces of stone! Jim is quite remarkable at it - he can play all the primary songs on it. James loved helping Jim 'prepare' the stone songs and the girls both loved playing songs on their auto harps. Between the stones, the harps, the piano and the rain stick....we had quite the 'musical' house this morning :) The kids loved it, and it was a great was to pass a Sunday morning.

Kit Twins

Emi loves American Girl Dolls! She loves to play pretend with Kit (her doll)....she and Clara spend hours playing with their dolls. Yesterday, Emi and I went to a local childrens consignment store to shop for dance shoes. (The consignment stores in CT are fabulous!) They didn't have her size in shoes, but we did find this American Girl Kit outfit! Emi was thrilled!

Ice Skating

New Englad and ice skating just go hand in hand. The girls have enjoyed many ice skating outings this year! Last night we went ice skating at Simsbury Farms. It was a super fun family activity and to make it even better, some of our wonderful neighbor friends came too! Six adults, SEVEN little girls and James :) Emi was flying around on the ice! I was absolutely amazed at how good/fast of a skater she has become. She and her friends were playing ice tag. Clara began the evening by skating with an 'ice walker' (it's a metal frame that looks kind of like a walker....to help beginners learn to skate). She and her friends were having races. By the end of the night, she was skating on her own, and doing a fantastic job! It was cute to see how proud she was of herself.....skating on her own without any help. James did pretty well, considering he's two. His little skates were adorable. Jim's back is a bit sore....from leaning over to help support James as he 'skated'. We all had such a fun time!

James and "the pink donkey"

My Dad sends us the greatest gifts. They are always fun, random and completely unpratical. The kind of gifts that only cool grandparents spend their money on! Well anyway, my Dad sent the girls this pink 'Rody' a few years ago. At the time, we were in the middle of moving and beginning major renovations on our home, so I packed it away, and forgot about it. Well, three years later the Rody has been found, opened and inflated. The kids are now bouncing around the house and are absolutely delighted with their new toy. James calls it his "donkey" and won't let the thing out of his sight!

Emi's Baptism

Welcome! First of all, thanks to all my friends and family who have been blogging forever.....and finally convinced me to give it a try! Just remember, I'm new to this!!!

Last week was a very special week for our family. Emily was baptized! We enjoyed having Jim's parents, my parents, my grandparents, and my brother and his wife come visit CT for the special occasion. We truly appreciate the love and support of our families. It was wonderful to have so many visitors!!!

I can't believe Emi is already eight! She has been anxiously looking forward to turning eight and getting baptized! It was a beautiful day. Today was fast Sunday and Emi chose to fast for one meal and she also bore her testimony during sacrament meeting! She did a great job. We are so proud of her. She is such a delight.