Top Ten Thurs.

Top Ten moments of this week....

1. Our first snow storm arrived today. I wasn't sure we were going to see any.
2. My first official photography class. I'm learning a lot of new secrets.
3. Easton admitting to going to see the nurse at school because secretly he wanted to come home to play the computer. " He was bored of school".  It's gonna be a long ride with this boy.
4. Sierra pulling out Easton's tooth for him. She wanted payment for her work. Sound familiar?
5. Finding Dillon still reading at 10 p.m. because his book is so good. I love that feeling.
6. Sydney requesting "Mom's Homemade Apple Pie" for her birthday. Melts my heart.
7. Watching Easton at Karate. He is a cute little bugger. Yes, he has been practicing on his older brothers and beating them both.
8. Anna being invited to Pre-team gymnastics. She is so strong and has no fear (none of my children have any fear, I'm so lucky!). I'm afraid this is going to be a rewarding and expensive and time consuming extracurricular activity. 
9. Feeling true love for...MY CROCK POT. I know it's weird. But you get me if your a crock potter like me. I use it 2 times a week at least. Fix and forget is fabulous.
10. Connecting as a family around the fireplace while we read scriptures. They will do anything, including bible study to prolong bedtime. I think they read slowly on purpose. No, it gives me the warm fuzzy feeling, I am so blessed. 

Top Ten Thurs.

1. This is my newest creation in the kitchen. Do you like almond joys like me? 

 2. The spring like weather has been so great. Easton asked if we could go to the pool today!
 We went for a picnic and a walk instead.

 3. For Gretchen, you have introduced me to YOGA..I knew we would be great friends!

 4. My creative daughters...they can sew, crochet, knit, cook, paint and make beautiful vases.

5. My New Photography Business launching this Spring. "Sweet Madness Photography".
6. Fandango APP.  It keeps us up to date on new releases and whats playing around town.
7. Angry Birds. Who new Pigs and birds would be so popular. They are sure entertaining.
8. Security...
9. Remembering that all my children really want for dinner is...ME. This is a quote by
     Thomas S. Monson on giving our children attention and affection everyday.
10. Timeline on Facebook. I like the change.

Hello 2012

Happy New Year!

 What lies behind us and what lies before us are

small matters compared to what

lies within us.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What lies within you this coming year?

Sincerity

Friendship

Creativity

Learning

Patience

I hope we can all go confidently

towards our dreams.

For me...I dream of finally self

publishing our adoption story. Look for it

this coming Fall.  I also dream of having a photography

company "Sweet Madness Photography" and selling my photography on

Etsy.com and through local art galleries. I think I will have a show in the Fall.

Let me know if you want an invite. If you have a "gallery" connection

I would love to hear about it.  May God bless us all this year.

FYI Friday

I'm Adding FYI Friday.
I hope you enjoy learning something new.
It may be a recipe. Something new online, or
just crazy news. Stay posted....

2011 in Pictures

Good Bye 2011. 

 After the holidays we packed up and moved

from 11665 Joyful Way. It was a tearful good bye. We

have missed our country life.

 Spreading Love and Hugs. Look how small and little

Easton is. He did a lot of growing this year.

 We were blessed to find a nice neighborhood and good

schools in Leawood Kansas. We love that we are so

close to the library, shopping and friends.  There is always

someone to go to the pool with or to play basketball or

flashlight tag.

 We have enjoyed the Kansas City Zoo.

 This building and the people who come here to work and see Dr. Wilson

and Dr. Julia are why we are here.  It has been successful and extremely needed

in this community. Thank you Independence Missouri.  

 Ian decided to be Baptized. We are proud of him.

 I was lucky enough to go to

Moscow and St. Petersburg Russia with girlfriends

for ten days. It was such an amazing experience. I enjoyed

St. Petersburg the most.

 We spent a lot of lazy summer days at the pool. Everyone

swims so well now.

 California...our second love. How we love you.

 This is where I love to be. Watching and playing the days away.

 Early morning walks on the beach with our "early riser" Sydney were

such a great time.

 We were able to visit the ranch in Vernal for the Fourth

of July. We ran the four wheelers out of gas. We also emptied the refridgerator.

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Southam. You always show us a good time.

 This bowl of fresh picked raspberries with yes that is

half and half, were my muse every morning.

 My little boy started Kindergarten. He asks his teacher

everyday..."when is it time to go home?" I'm secretly

glad he misses home and his mom so much.

 Two kids almost learned to waterski this summer. Maybe 

next year they will master it. I have to admit I enjoyed being able

to do something they can't quite do yet...I'm so mean! Anywhew...

 Fall in Kansas was spectacular. The reds and orange colors were

breath taking. We enjoyed how long it lasted.

 Halloween..the candy holiday is loved by all in our home.

SURPRISED? At least we have a great Dentist.

 We always have an enormous amount of pumpkins. I'm glad

we all like roasted pumpkin seeds.

 This fall I snuck (is that a word) away to Denver

with some girlfriends. Never is there a dull moment with this group.

I came back to Kansas not rested but restored. Thanks girls.

 This is the group I am lucky to be around. 

 Thanksgiving in Provo Utah was such a treat. We have so much

fun with Ben's Family. We are so lucky to have such fun cousins.

You were all worth the 36 hour road trip. We would do it again....just 

not real soon.

 Christmas in Kansas City. It has been memorable in many ways.

We have shared the holiday with many new and special friends.

We also made a new Tradition. Cupcake Wars. The boys made the cutest

pig cupcakes. It is always competitive at our house. But

the girl lost with class and we will just take the winners pot next year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

I hope that you received the same gifts as me, Kindness, Charity,

Love, Hope, Forgiveness and Friendship. May god bless you all.

Christmas Tour

Merry Christmas!

I had a conversation on the phone with my parents a few nights ago.

The conversation went mostly like this...

I miss you, I miss you too.

Will you come for Christmas?

No, I'm too old. It's too far. 

Will you come home for Christmas?

No, I'm too grown up and have to be a parent to

six great kids who are counting down to Christmas.

I don't want to drive THAT far. I just did at Thanks giving.

They asked if I would post more

Christmas picture to my blog. So this is mostly for them.

I love you and miss you a lot this year.

 A City Christmas for us.

 The hustle and bustle, bells ringing and music has been fun

The traffic everyday I can live without. Where do all these people

come from?

 This is a shot from my favorite Restaurant RA.

The best calamari and sushi on the planet.

Ben and I love to have lunch there on Fridays.

 Leawood is full of Art year round.

 This is where my team won at scabble last weekend.

We didn't have dinner dish duty for a week. Ben's team

wants a rematch soon.

 This is Ben's Christmas gift...he loves his new recliner.

 Look out the kitchen window, there is no snow.

The kids keep hoping for a white Christmas.

 I got a new nativity this year. Jim Shore is one of my

favorite artist among many.

Come on Over. We love visitors. If you can stand the volume and chaos.

Do you see the mistletoe?

Utah would love a kiss.

Happy Holidays to all our friends and family.

My Three Wise Men...

 Dillon Ruslan

Never Ever complains...I mean never.

He is my angel.

Easton Benjamin
Always has a hug and kiss for me....Always. I'm so lucky.

Ian Iliah
The biggest, strongest helper on the planet.

I never carry in the groceries thanks to this strong guy.

Did I mention there is nothing this kid can't do! Amazing.

I am so luck to be surrounded by such great guys. 

It is my biggest joy. They were so cute today. They surprised

me with breakfast in bed. Thank you God for great boys.