Lucy's 3rd Birthday!

Lucy had her first birthday party with her friends. She invited many of her friends from Nursery. She was so excited sending out her invitations.

Blow out the candles, make a Wish!

Time to open presents. We tried to pile all the kids onto the couch for a picture. It was a little tricky.

Becca Robison, one of my very first friends when we moved here last year, helped me decorate the cake. she loaned me her pan and equipment too. I was delighted with how well in turned out. Lucy LOVED it!

Relief Society Commemoration

We visited Grandma in the Sarah Granger Home.

Mom said this was the best spot for a family picture. Its just outside the Sarah Granger Home and you can see the temple in the distance.

It was Grandmas Birthday while we were there and Lucy was coming right up. We had a small party. Hopefully Lucy will always remember her birthday with Grandma when they were serving their mission just 2 short hours from us.


II decided to come spend the week because I wanted to come to the Relief Society Commemoration. It was on March 17th--The day the RS was organized. It was wonderful. I felt so blessed to be there. Mom had quite a part to memorize. It was done in readers theatre. They had a small choir and a beautiful solo performance as well. Wonderful stories were told of the women of RS and their sacrifices. In closing we sang "As Sisters in Zion". It was one of the most touching spiritual experiences I have had. I felt so grateful for this inspired organization for women.

Sad but I didn't take any pictures of the other reason I went for the week. Mom and I spent all our time together sewing diapers. We made 29 cloth diapers! We stayed up late and got up early. Mom would leave for the sites giving me my assignments while she was gone and I worked tirelessly to accomplish them. We set goals each day to see how far we could get. It was a bigger project than I thought. We finally finished all but the velcro tabs and that was more than we could have hoped for. She was so kind to help me do it. I wouldn't have attempted such a task if she weren't here. It is so wonderful to have my mother here to teach me so much.

Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Greta loves the Animal Train!!

Grandma and Grandpa Hill gave the girls a kitchen. WOW! They were so excited!

We've been so excited thinking and planning our first Christmas home. I've had to keep reminding myself that there's always next year. We don't have to do everything this year. We can start new traditions every year and we will.

Christmas Eve we had our candle light dinner with Sparkling grape juice - a woodhouse tradition. We read the account of the Savior's birth. We let the girls open thier new pajamas and put them on. When they were safely tucked in bed, Santa's workshop was in full swing. Louis put the kitchen together and Ginger wrapped presents and put them under the tree. We wearily went to bed. Greta was up bright and early as normal and Lucy slept on until 7:30. Grandma and Grandpa arrived from Nauvoo to watch the excitement blast! Ginger intentionally primed Lucy for a doll she saw at the store. We conveniently walked by often enough for Lucy to really want that particular doll. Lucy decided that if she ever owned that doll her name would be Jenny. Louis and I were so excited to watch the excitement on her face. It was great! We had a nice breakfast and ate leftovers and watched the kids play with thier new toys. We learned an important lesson for next year. Santa should have purchased 2 of the Jenny doll. We underestimate Greta and her wants which is always whatever Lucy has. Greta got the animal train that sings and moves with the animals. She was excited. Her biggest and best gift was an upright carseat. She wasn't quite as excited as we were, but she likes it.

Sharing is still a new idea at our house. Suprisingly Greta can hold her own. She has a solid grip and is quick on the move keeping Lucy on her toes. It's so fun to watch them learn and grow.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Savior of the World

Ginger as an angel and Louis as James in Savior of the World play

Going back to Fall days

Greta was all smiles in the pumkin patch!

Since we started our blog I had to post the great pictures we took this fall. We got some good ones at the pumkin patch. We went to the petting zoo and corn maze too, but mostly we took pictures.

Nativity craft

Lucy and her Dad made this nativity from the Friend Magazine on Sunday. As you can tell she was soooo excited!!

Thanksgiving

All the missionaries sang "Light up the Tree" for the tree lighting ceremony. It was a treat to be with them.

Lucy loved our visit.

Going for a ride on the wagon.

Grandma multi-tasking as usual. Greta is having the time of her life playing in the sink

We went to Nauvoo for Thanksgiving!! It was so fun to be with Mom and Dad. We went on the wagon ride and had dinner with all the missionaries. They had a program for entertainment including a gobbling contest, poetry and singing. We had a good time.