The Grand Opening

Ashley took this awesome picture of the horses when she was here during Christmas break. I love it! It's so beautiful. It's breathtaking!

Dan, Nathan and I went to the grand opening of Mike's new store, The Board Barn, yesterday. They were really busy, and it seemed to be going really well. Dad was cooking hot dogs and Hilda had made lots of food. It's a beautiful building. Lots of people came to support him. All the girls came, Mom, Dad and Gram Record. Some of Hilda's family came, too. We all got free hats, which was fun.

Nathan was having a great time. He loved his new hat and he loved checking the place out. He loved walking around with Mike and Grandpa.

• Nathan lost his other front tooth this week. He had a dentist appointment to fill a couple of cavities, so the doctor pulled it when he wasn't paying attention. H looks so adorable! The new ones are already coming in. He had been quite annoyed because everyone kept asking him about his loose tooth, but he wouldn't wiggle it or try to get it any looser. I'm glad the dentist pulled it because I don't want his adult ones to come in crooked. No amount of talking could convince him to lose it. We reminded him of the tooth fairy, but he said, "I have plenty of money." He was pretty excited about the five dollars that the tooth fairy left, though, and wanted to spend it right away on a train.
• I thought it would be fun to keep track of what we do for Family Home Evening this year. For the first couple of weeks we finished up the Christmas ornament calendar from the Christmas season. There was an ornament for each day of December, which Nathan could put on the paper tree. Each day had a question about the Nativity story and a scripture to read that answers the question. The next week we used some pictures to tell the story of Lehi's dream. We also read a story from the Friend about the scriptures (It was called Sammy's Scriptures). This past Monday we told some stories from the scriptures of acts of service that Jesus gave. Then we played a matching game to learn about some acts of service children can perform.
• Dan came home yesterday with my Valentine's present. He said he had to give it to me early, and I couldn't imagine what it could be. It turns out that he bought me a new cell phone! It's much nicer than my old one. He had to give it to me early because he brought my old phone with him so they could put all my numbers and information in my new one. So my old one isn't active anymore. He is so sweet!
• Nathan decided to give one of his trains to a little boy at church. Then he said, "He needs some track for it" so he got enough pieces to make a circle. I was so pleased that he was willing to give something away that he likes. I think we're making progress. He also wanted to come with my mom and Emily and I when we went to clean the chapel last night. I was so glad that he wanted to give service. Yay!
• Nathan and I just finished watching some Little House on the Prairie episodes from Netflix. I love Netflix.
• I'm really enjoying my Primary class. They are so adorable. I had six children today, but two of them are visiting, so I won't have them most of the time.
• This time of year always makes me want to travel. Here are the five places I'd most like to go: Prince Edward Island, Utah to visit family and go to Education Week, China with Mike and Hilda or to volunteer at Starfish and someplace tropical in the winter
  

Snow Day!

Today is the first snow day of the year! Happiness! I was so excited when I got the call this morning. There's nothing better than a snow day. It's like a gift of 8 hours. Nathan and I have been hanging around, watching tv, building with Lego's, making concoctions with lots of ingredients from the kitchen (his idea, I just supervised), digital scrapbooking, and making bread. Yum! Life is good.

I've got a game on my itouch that I'm getting totally addicted to. It's called Pocket Frogs and was free at the app store. You have to try to collect certain breeds of frogs, breed them, sell them, keep them happy by bringing them to the pond, and playing games with them. Even Nathan and Megan and her friend Taylor love to play it. I have to be careful that I dont' spend too much time on it. It's addicting!

Only a few more months and I'll be done my Masters! I start class in a couple of weeks. I've enjoyed it for the most part, but I can't wait to be done. I'm thinking of joining a community orchestra when I'm done. I'm ready for a new adventure.

I haven't had any sweets since December 31st. Yesterday and today have been the hardest days so far. I want sugar so badly. I know myself really well, though, and I know that I can't let myself have any. I can't seem to stop once I start. I'm better off having none at all. I've already lost weight and feel so much better. Yay!

Megan's birthday post

Megan on her first day of Young Women's! She was so excited.

I want: Justin Bieber
I have: a labradoodle
I wish: I had a million bucks
I hate: cauliflower
I miss: Chico
I hear: Nathan talking
I wonder: if unicorns are real
I regret: not singing at the Jonas Brothers concert
I am not: 11 anymore
I dance: to rock and roll
I sing: pretty good
I cry: when I'm sad
I am not always: nice to Nathan
I make with my hands: hearts
I write: journal entries for school
I confuse: carnivores and herbivores
I need: my friends
I should: exercise more
I start: smiling when I hear Justin Bieber singing
How old will you be this year? 12
Nicknames:Meg, Meggie, Noodles
Are you taller than your mother? no
Do you cry often during movies? yes
What is your biggest pet peeve? when my hair sticks to my lip gloss
Favorite color: neon orange
Favorite foods: lobster, steak and pasta
Favorite beverage: fruit smoothies and OJ
Favorite cold cereal: Count Chocula
Favorite Smells: laundry detergent
Favorite time of day: gymnastics time
What is your favorite game? Mario Kart
How many pillows do you sleep with? One
Do you play an instrument? No
What was the last movie you saw? State of Mind
What is your favorite article of clothing? Abercrombie and Fitch tshirts
What is your dream vacation? Probably Hawaii
What do you love most about Dad? He's funny and will play with us
What do you love most about Mom? She loves and helps me
What do you love most about your stepmom? She's nice and funny
If you were an animal what would you be? a tiger
What is your favorite "me- time" activity? going on the computer
What is one of your weaknesses? my left leg split
What would you choose for dinner every night? steak
What is the emotion you feel the most? happy
Do you consider yourself outgoing? sorta
What are some of your talents? gymnastics, Just Dance on Wii
What is a word or phrase you overuse? Dude!
What was the hardest thing that happened to you this past year? I broke my toe
What is the best thing that happened to you this year? went to the Justin Bieber concert
The best thing you learned this past year? Move on
What was your favorite thing about being eleven years old? Going to middle school
What are you most excited about being twelve years old? being able to go to Girls' Camp
Is there anything else you want to say about turning twelve: Peace out, suckers!

Staying home today

We're home from school today. Nathan got sick right after school yesterday. I was talking to another teacher when Rhiana came running up to me, saying, "Nathan just threw up in your room!" He was sick all evening, so we're hanging out at home today. Last night he said, "Mom, you sure know how to take care of a boy who's sick." This morning he told me I'm nicer to him when he's sick.