Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Okay, so I decided that I got too full of myself. I was too proud that I got Alivia's hair into ponytails. Yesterday while we were doing preschool, she grabbed some scissors and cut off her bangs! If you look closely at her picture, you can see the hack marks at the top. Oh well, I guess... we'll just start all over!

Amazing Deal

I don't usually get excited over vegetables, but this is such a great deal! My friend Melanie told me about Bountiful Baskets. You get fresh fruits and veggies delivered to a site in your town and you take your own basket to fill. The basket is $15, plus you can add on other options each week. This week one of the add-on choices was 12 lbs of strawberries for an extra $8! There actually ended up being 16 lbs! The stuff on the bottom of the picture is what came in the basket: mangoes, bananas, apples, tomatoes, those little squash thingies, lettuce, celery, little oranges, and there were 4 artichokes, but I gave them to Melanie because I don't like them! Anyway, such a great deal and amazing produce! I'm making jam. Check out the website here for instructions and drop off sites!

Big Accomplishment

I know that there are so many other things to get excited over, but I am really proud to announce that I got Alivia's hair into 2 complete ponytails this morning. If you know her, you know that she has struggled with little hair ever since she was born. I think I had more of a problem with it than she did! Now, she's almost 2 and it coming in. Yeah!

Merry Christmas in February!

Do you ever feel like life gets so busy that you just have to take one day at a time to try to get by? Yeah, that's how I have felt these last couple of months! Crazy that February is half over and I am just posting Christmas pictures. We had a great Christmas. It's fun still when the kids get into it.

We've had a crazy last couple of months. Gus got called to be the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric. That was a complete surprise. I guess it's not really--if you know Gus. That's what I get for marrying a goody-goody. (I'm really just kidding about that). That keeps him busy and me busy during Sacrament meeting!

All in all, we are still alive and doing well. We are making the rounds for being sick now, but we are doing well. I promise to try to stay updated!

Merry Christmas 2009

Here is our 2009 Christmas card for all those who I missed!



‘Twas the days before Christmas,
And all through the year
The Blads have been busy
Having family cheer.
The kids keep on growing
And getting so big.
Zach is now 7
And a 1st grade big-wig.
Parker turned four
Has a mind of his own.
Alivia is 1
And has really quite grown.
Gus went back to school,
To follow a hunch.
And Melanie is still
Taking care of this bunch.
This year has been busy
We traveled a bit.
Took a plane ride to Seattle
And saw the Mariners get licked.
So with the kids all nestled
Snug in their beds
With visions of Transformers
Dancing in their heads,
We remember our family
And our friends so dear
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year!

12 Ways of Christmas

I know I should have posted this a while ago, since 5 days has already gone by! There is an amazing lady, Andi, who has an amazing blog called LDS Creativity Corner. For the 12 days of Christmas, she is doing the 12 'ways' of Christmas. Each day different bloggers have come up with ideas, inspirations, lessons, scriptures, and stories to help us draw closer to Christ this Christmas. She invited me to present a day, day 7, through my other blog LDS Handouts! I am super excited to be part of this wonderful thing. I have been posting all the days on my other blog. You can go here to see the amazing stuff that these ladies have come up with. Have fun and remember to be sure to check out Day 7 from yours truly!

Parker turns 4!

Where does the time go? I was just looking at Parker the other day and thought 'he looks so big'. Now he is 4! I can't believe it! Four years ago I took a nice slip on the ice and I swear that's what sent me into labor that night. Easiest labor so far.

Here is the little munchkin with his cake. It's Optimus Prime if you can't tell! We live and breath Transformers around here these days. Gotta love that smile! I think he was trying to make himself smile. Oh well, that's Parker! We had family and friends over for cake and ice cream. Mamoo, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, the Manglesons and the Reinholts were all here to celebrate Parker's special day. We are so grateful that Parker is part of our family. He is a very unique and special little boy and we love him greatly!