yesterday i took a nap...

and woke up with two little squirrels in my bed. I took each picture from the comfort of my pillow, and didn't bother to sit up. This, more often than not, is my view in the morning too.

Sweet boy who sucks his thumb,

and has smoochable lips,

brought his own cake. He sang to himself and blew out the candles too!

He's a heart-breaker for sure.

My little love so full of feeling.

She pulled all these faces in a matter of seconds.

watch out.

A sunny afternoon in January.

The big 3-0

David turned 30, and to celebrate, I threw a party.

My parents (out of town) offered their home, and we packed it in with dear friends and food.

There was a shuffleboard tournament and David-trivia quiz.

The after-party got pretty crazy with the Kinect Dance game. oh yeah we did.

David would like me to state for the record that he won his Dance Battle

(Soulja boy - level medium)

Apparently, the boy has moves.

It was a great night, and I really wish I would have taken more time to photograph.

So on Sunday, I told him I needed a picture to document 30 years.

We aren't exactly dolled up...

but it's us.

Happy 30th Birthday my love.

Baaa-d and good.

Oh what a week.

Has it been a week?

There are a lot of things I'd like to forget about the last 7 days.

Mostly, the stomach flu.

But here is one I want to remember.

Family Home Evening. These are Ammon's sheep...cute right?

Toilet paper roll - cottonball - q-tip - elmer's glue - black bean eyed sheep. legit.

We've been following along with plans found here.

(so organized, so theme-tastic, so perfect for my kids ages)

But if you want to know the truth. Last week was about the Tree of Life.

We held on to the iron rod and were rewarded with all manner of (gummy) fruit.

It haunts me.

Because it turns out gummy fruit throw up is incredibly disgusting.

(darn that red #40)

And there I go again, back to the stomach flu.

It's going to be hard to forget.

Snow Day

Lots of snow.

No school.

Sledding.

Hot chocolate.

It's good to be a kid.

Fresh starts

Winter break is over, and tomorrow it's back to school.

At dinner, David asked Zachary if he was excited for school and to

"get back into the swing of things".

Zachary said very matter-of-factly, "Dad, we don't even have swings at our school".

True, true.

But seriously, I'm a mother hen at heart.

I love when all my chicks are together, all day long.

Sure, it's been louder, and probably more chaotic, but it's been fun.

As part of our last hurrah today, we planted paperwhites.

A pot for each babe.

While they were making the mess, and arranging their bulbs,

I thought about how fast paperwhites grow.

It's incredible really.

My my, how appropriate.

I feel the same way about my little sweeties.

**tip of the day**

these paperwhite kits (that come in a great silver, red or cream planter) are on Christmas clearance at Target. But they aren't with the Christmas clearance. They are hiding in the Smith & Hawken aisle. Some stores haven't even posted the sign, but they ring up at $2.49.

The planter alone is totally worth it!

Lily's time to shine

A few weeks ago, Lily had her "Christmas Extravaganza!"
(i just like saying the name of it).
It was basically a "meet-like" performance for the littlest gymnasts.
She was well supported by all her grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins.
We cheered like crazy and Lily loved performing in front of everyone.
She had her tongue in the side of her cheek the whole time, the only sign of shyness she showed.
I think she was trying really hard not to smile too much. haha.
She absolutely loves her gymnastics classes, (and because I know nothing about gymnastics), I think everything she does is astounding, impressive and amazing!
go go go my little girlie!

Merry Christmas

I'm feeling so much peace this evening, and for that I am grateful.
This season is wonderful, and having my little ones around makes it magical.
We've read books, opened the advent boxes, delivered goodies, visited Santa and prepared a manger for the baby Jesus (adding a piece of straw for each kind deed done).
We've listend to our pandora (Classical Christmas) station all month long, and read the accounts of Christs birth in our Bible and Book of Mormon.

And now the children are asleep, Santa's cookies are nibbled, the reindeer devoured the carrots, and the Christmas tree will stay lit all night long.

Sometimes you think it's only kids who stay awake with merriment on Christmas Eve, but as I've discovered, parents do too.

Much love from our home to yours
and
Merry, Merry Christmas

xo
the Painters