I've all but given up on my old, slow shutter speed, pain to drag around camera.  But, I haven't given up on taking pictures and capturing memories.  Yet, I still don't have a smartphone (mixed emotions about that one), so I carry around the next best thing--my iPod touch.  So, the picture quality may not be great, and there is no flash (remember, no smart phone), but, I get to capture all the memories I want, because it's so convenient.

So, please hang in there, as I attempt to "catch up" on 2013.  Chances are, you've seen most of this already on Facebook or Instagram.  But anyway, here goes!

Carson, our little "fix it" man.  He loves to tinker with anything and everything!  Always curious about how things work!

The countdown chain for (hopefully) Brian's last test, began in January.  We all had fun watching it shrink over the next 4 months.  He took the test on May 1st, and, results came July 12th!  HE PASSED!!  Brian completed his ASA, EA, FSA and CERA credentials!  Way to go, sweetie!

One morning, I came downstairs to this precious sight.  Morgan and Sadie were having a "reading party", as they called it.  Sweet big sister, Morgan, was reading to little sister, Sadie.

Only this kid can pull off a pink helmet and a purple tricycle!

Trains, trains, trains!  Oh, how he loves to build!

Our friends from Colorado were in CA to spend a couple of days at Disneyland (back in Feb).  We met them for dinner and then took them over to the Big Orange Balloon at the Great Park!  Thanks for a fun night, Wrights!

Left:  My version of organizing Legos; Right: Sadie's (according to the Lego brochure) version of organizing Legos.  And, sure, enough, if you look in the booklet, step one shows a picture of all the legos in a pile.  Below:  Sadie followed the instructions and built this car entirely by herself!  

Carson and his "blankie".  Sometimes, I won't let him drag the big one all over the house, so he finds a suitable replacement: the burp cloth from the same print, and cozies on up

Even though he has very little hair, Carson insists on fixing it with Mommy!

We made a city one morning for the cars to drive on.  Such a hit with this girl!

California "snow" (i.e. hail).

As I was talking on the phone with my sister one afternoon, Sadie proceeded to pull out a random assortment of ingredients, solutions, objects.  She was "experimenting."  Good thing powdered sugar and soap don't react to water!

My new shoes!  Love them!

Carson watches his sister practice piano every day.  So, he decided to join in with his own book, The Napping House.

Countdown to Daddy's (hopefully) last exam!  (Which, it was!!!)

Every spring, when strawberries go on sale, I stock up with 24 jars of freezer jam!  By the end of the day, I don't want to look at strawberries for a long, long, time, but, the year's worth of jam is done!

At Easter time, Sadie and I were talking about how Jesus died on a cross.  I'm sure the conversation went much deeper than just that, but, apparently, that's the main point she got out of the lesson!

This water table is a big hit, with EVERY kid!

Puzzle time

April 30, 2013.  ONE day left!

Don't you sit in the laundry basket to watch a movie?

Morgan's (age 7) drawing of Christ.

Missionary Moment

The missionaries stopped by one night last week, wanting to share a Gospel message with us as practice, before sharing it with others.  (After about 10 minutes of small talk, we found out that their dinner appointment had fallen through and this was their lead in to being fed.)  Nonetheless, we fed the poor, hungry elders and they shared with us their message.

Here are the girls modeling what we talked about.

Ephesians 6:11-18

11Put on the whole ^aarmour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 12For we ^awrestle not ^bagainst ^cflesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the ^drulers of the ^edarknessof this world, against spiritual ^fwickedness in high places.

 13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 14Stand therefore, having your loins ^agirt about with ^btruth, and having on the ^cbreastplate of ^drighteousness;

 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of^apeace;

 16Above all, taking the shield of ^afaith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery ^bdarts of the wicked.

 17And take the helmet of ^asalvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

 18^aPraying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all ^bperseverance and supplication for all saints;

Have you put on the whole armor of God??

The Prophets! The Prophets!

That's what the girls have been exclaiming all week!

Here are some of my highlights from conference, both from the actual conference and the "audience" in our home:

Morgan got excited when Jeffrey R. Holland spoke Saturday morning.  But, for the rest of the session, she kept making the comment, "He's not cool at all," referring to the latter speakers.  Afterward, I asked her why the other speakers weren't cool.  Her reply: "Because they don't have cool hair like Jeffrey R. Holland."  

"Studying the scriptures trains us to hear the Lord's voice."  --David McConkie

My favorite talk from conference was President Uchtdorf Saturday morning.  If you missed, take the time to read it, or listen to it here.  Here are a few of the MANY things that I liked:

"A prophet of God has said, 'Men are that they might have joy.'  A joy that includes a fullness of life. A life dedicated to service, to love and harmony in the home, the fruits of honest toil, an acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, of its requirements and commandments.  'Only in these,' Elder Evans said, 'Will you find true happiness.'"  --D. Todd Christofferson, quoting Man's Search for Happiness and Richard L. Evans.

"...it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course and focus on the essentials when we are experiencing adverse conditions.  Dallin H Oaks said in a recent conference, 'We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.' 

...the humble man of Galilee stands with outstretched hands, waiting...my dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little. Proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. 

...diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world.  

...in family relationships, Love is really spelled, T-I-M-E."  --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Towards the end of  the session, both girls were getting a little antsy, so we told them that we would have lunch right after the song and prayer.  As we were preparing lunch, Morgan said, "Mom, I think President Monson and President Uchtdorf and President Eyring are going to have lunch at President Eyring's house because they are friends."  Then, as the afternoon session began, she said, "I think they had a good lunch and President Eyring's house."

Sadie gave us a play-by-play of each session by shouting out, "Prayer Time!" or "Singing Time!" or "Prophet Time!"  Cute kid!

My most precious memory:  Morgan was quietly coloring during one of the speakers.  She paused, looked over to the screen, then to me and said, "Mom, he's talking about the Lord!" To which I replied, "Yes, he is."

"Do we remember to give thanks for the blessing we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God's love." --President Thomas S. Monson

"When you walk with gratitude you do not walk with arrogance, and conceit, and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your life." President Hinckley, quoted by Thomas S. Monson

The Twelve and First Presidency

In our search for fun activities for Morgan and Sadie during General Conference, Morgan and I found this video.  It's only a minute long, but has a catchy tune!!


http://www.bookofmormondiscovery.com/conference.html

For this week's family home evening, we learned about keeping a house of order.

D & C 88:119 reads: Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.

The main (okay, probably only concept) the girls gleaned from this scripture was the house of order. So, for our activity, we "cleaned" the house. Give these girls brooms and away they go! They love to sweep!

And vaccuum. (Although, vaccuuming with a 2 year old is very inefficient! This rug took almost 5 minutes!)

Morgan's version of When We're Helping, We're Happy: