V-day shoot

My brother Troy sent the girls in the house a Valentines Card. I decided to try out my new background stand and take an impromtu thank you picture to send to him. I can't wait to get a few different colors for the background since white is really hard to photograph with natural light. Anyway the kids had fun in front of the camera...again! Don't you love Emma's socks and tights look. We're bringing the 80's back.

First Dance Competition

Madelyn had her first dance competition of the season on Saturday. She did a great job and she had such a great attitude all day. We didn't have to rush too much and it wasn't too stressful. It was a nice way to start out the competition season. This is a picture of her in her last costume of the day. This is for her lyrical dance Fields of Gold.

Valentine's Day Treats

Here is Madelyn and Ethan with their stash from school.

Hide and seek...or just hide

This is what Emma does lately when she has something she knows she's not supposed to have...which is quite often. She started out just grabbing something, running a few steps away and just closing her eyes. I think she figured that if she couldn't see us we can't see her, even if she's just a few feet away. She now loves this hiding spot between the couch and ottoman. The funny thing is, when we find her she usually gives up the forbidden item easily. It must be the thrill of the chase. P.S. Don't mind her crazy hair!

How will you answer Dr. King’s question?

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is : What are you doing for others? "
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

What a great motto to live by! I've tried to start the tradition in our house that Martin Luther King Day is " a day on, not a day off". You can see what we did last year here. This year I knew we wanted to do some service but I was having a hard time finding something organized in our city. We decided that we would again take pictures the kids colored around to residents at Chad's care center. Maybe that will be part of the yearly tradition. We also went to the store and bought some items to send in a soldier care package. Maddie and Ethan then made some cards to put in the care package. I also tried to evaluate how we did last year as far as service goes. While we did do some great things. We could have done more! I would love ideas for this year!

We are so blessed and know that there are many others who are suffering and in need around the world. What's happening in Haiti and around the world like in countries in Africa just makes my heart break. I know that some people get caught up in not wanting to help or contribute because there is so much corruption, but not helping in whatever way we can just hurts those who are suffering the most. Our Savior is of course the best example we will ever have of providing great service for others whether we receive it in the way He would prefer or not. He is unconditional love. Soooo...count your blessings....and share them with others. It always puts a smile on everyone's face. :)

"The time is always right to do the right thing"

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have a 9 year old!?

Madelyn turned 9 a week and a half ago!! I can't believe I have a 9 year old. Our little Iowa baby is growing up too fast. We gave her roller blades for her birthday because she found my old ones and kept trying to wear those in the basement. She also got elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards. We also have the orthopedic doctor in our ward on speed dial. :)

Madelyn can be described as: smart, happy, grumpy, determined, talented, sassy, dramatic, spirited, helpful, capable, & fun.

Madelyn loves to: dance, play soccer, write song lyrics, go to school, eat junk food, listen to music (Taylor Swift), be with friends, visit grandparents, play with Emma, play outside, & play with her DSi.

Madelyn is: in 3rd grade, loving her teacher, loving dance, working on a solo dance she will compete with, very brave, helpful with Emma, going to be a great babysitter, good at tumbling, a good reader, great at math, and a super blessing in our family!

Snow Fun

We went tubing for our family acitvity on Madelyn's birthday. They were all in heaven. Some boys nearby spent a lot of time building up a snow jump and then kindly invited Maddie and Ethan to use it with them. Madelyn is pretty fearless and giggled and screamed everytime she went off the jump. Ethan not so much but he bravely kept going. Emma was pretty content just standing or sitting in the snow eating away (which really grosses me out). We all had a good time together. I had a hard time choosing just a few pictures so sorry for the pic overload.