SUPER NOAH

On Friday we had Noah's Birthday Party. We decided on a SUPERHERO theme (by we, I mean I gave him a few suggestions and he got to pick which one he wanted). I really was trying to stay away from any specific Superhero, so coming up with a cake was tricky. I think it turned out cute, but it was a lot more then I wanted to do. Plus it was crooked...that is why I took the picture at that angle. I think the goody bags turned out cute, simple. Inside were some superhero gliders, figures and stickers all purchased from Oriental Trading. The capes, this is the whole reason I wanted to do this party...I saw a picture of a bunch of bright colored superhero capes and I wanted that. So they were super easy to make and only slightly time consuming. I kind of lost my excitement with the decorations, just some crepe paper and balloons in yellow, red and blue.

For the games we started with a game called Saving Superman. I had my older son Tanner lay on the ground with a Superman cape on. I told the kids that Superman needed our help. There was kryptonite (rocks painted green) everywhere and we need to pick it all up and put it in a lead pouch (made out of construction paper-very fancy). The kids ran through the house and picked up all the rocks.
The next game we headed to the basement for the Bat Cave. I put dark colored blankets over our pool table and hung some construction paper bats. I purchased some bat rings from OT and painted them 6 different colors. The kids would take a flash light into the cave and grab a green and red ring (or whatever colors I said).
We headed back upstairs for some Bean Bag Wham (I know my game names need some help). This was just a simple bean bag toss game. My 8 year old son needed to make a bean bag to pass off some cub scout requirements, so I put him to work. This game cost nothing to do and it was a huge hit with the kiddos.
Next we went outside for some Villian Blaster. I got silly a can of silly string (renamed and labeled Super String) from the Dollar Store for each kid. I also had 6 helium ballons with pictures of "villians" on them. The kids used the string to blast the villians. They all had fun but many of the 3-4 year olds struggled to push the sprayer.
We ended our games with the pinata.

Christmas is Over...but I'm not Done Blogging about it.

These pictures were taken Christmas morning. We had to kind of rush through the morn, because we left our house at 11 am to fly to Pennsylvania. We still wanted to keep with some usual traditions, so we still took lots of pictures and had some yummy breakfast scones. The kids got to play with their new toys for about an hour and then we headed out.


The highlight of our trip to Pennsylvania for me was definetly the girls day out day trip to NYC. We had a great time and laughed ALOT. We had lunch at Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill, we saw the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, ate cupcakes from Crumbs, rode the subway and enjoyed lots of talent there, shopped, ate roasted almonds and hot dogs from the street vendors, and of course we modeled in front of a big blowing fan in the train station. It was a cold day, but we all had a blast.

Because the weather was so cold, we tried to think of some fun things to do indoors to keep the kids entertained. This was a highlight for the boys.

At about 9pm on New Years Eve we decided to celebrate with the kids. They marched around the house banging on pots and pans. They thought that was so fun. And we thought it was fun that they went to bed at 9 pm.

Well I think that wraps up all our Christmas fun. We had a really great trip to PA, it was one of those trips that make me really wish I lived there, close to my family.

Christmas Recital

The boys had their recital and of course mama (and dad) were really proud. They worked really hard and their hard work really paid off. They complain a lot when I ask them to practice, but in the end (I think) they are glad that they did. Tanner has been taking lessons for 2 years and Isaac for 1 year.

They had a lot of fun at the recital because a lot of their friends take from the same teacher. It was fun to see all the kids play.

Here is Isaac playing Silent Night.

Here is Tanner playing We Three Kings.

Here is Isaac playing Frosty the Snowman.

Here is Tanner playing Up on the Housetop.

Nevermind...after several attempts and way to much time, I have given up trying.

(After uploading all of these videos, I am convinced that Blogger needs a new system....it really should not take hours!!!!)

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas

Here are all the kiddos dressed for Christmas Sunday. Look at the 3 (little) men and a lady. Sydney loves to dress as a princess.


After church on Sunday the kids got to make their annual Gingerbread house. This year I let them have complete control of the decorating, hence the chaos all over the table.


Noah had his preschool program on Monday night. He was so cute singing all the songs.


After all the snow we got, we thought it would be a perfect day for sledding. The kids had a blast. It is nice to be able to be out in the snow and not freeze.

This wet snow was perfect snowman snow.

The kids spent the next several hours enjoying the snow.

We still have lots of Christmas fun to come...Wednesday: Tanner and Isaacs Recital, Friday: Jacobson Family Christmas, Saturday: CHRISTMAS and we leave for Pennsylvania.

My Birthday is Done!

Yesterday for family home evening, we put together all 35 (plus 3, so 38) hygiene kits. It was such a great experience for our kids as we sat all around the table and filled the bags. They asked lots of questions about why people would need them and then realized how blessed they really are because they don't need them. We had to explain to them that sometimes if there was an earthquake or other disaster, we may be in need of a hygiene kit. Tanner and Isaac were quick to point out that we have our 72-Hour-Kits, so we would be fine if there was an emergency. (Note to self...add hygiene things to 72-hour kits, sorry boys we would have food and water but no toothpaste).

Here they are all packaged up. Don't they look fun.

Today I dropped them off and from there they will be shipped off to where ever they are needed.

This has been such a great experience for me. Not only did I get to participate in this humanitarian project, but I also felt the love from so many wonderful friends and family. Everyone was so generous and that was a bleesing to see.

So thank you to Kay, Tina, Amara, Kim, Lisa, Joanne, Sandra, Brenda, Becky, Ceci, Kelli, Kris, Jaime, Kelli, Kristy, Pam and Elna. You all made me feel special and helped with this great cause.

I still need A LOT!

Incase you care, this is what I still need for my hygiene kits:

0- 1 gallon ziploc bags
0- Unbreakable combs (they have packages of 12 at Walmart for $2.50)
2- Toothbrushes
0- Tubes of toothpaste (6-8 oz.)
0-bars of soap (4-5 oz.)
0-Handtowels (not dishtowels or wash clothes) They have these at Dollar Tree.

I'm getting closer, thanks to so many people. If you have gotten something I no longer need, no worries I'll just make more kits or donate them to the humanitarian program.

Happy Birthday to me....almost!

A few months ago a friend of mine decided to put together 40 humanitarian infant kits to celebrate her 40th birthday. I liked the idea so much that I decided to copy her (sort of). I say sort of because...well, 1)I'm not 40, and 2) I have decided to put together hygiene kits instead.

A few years ago I heard this story of a young girl named Mariama Kallon who recieved a hygiene kit that saved her and several other women. Please take the time to read her story it is truely touching. The first time I heard it it brought me to tears.

Well last weekend, I attended Time Out for Women in SLC and Mariama was there to tell her story. I felt such a bond with her because I had heard her story a few years back and we also served in the same mission for the LDS church (although not at the same time). She still carries around her little hygiene kit as a reminder to her of how blessed she was to recieve it in her time of need.

So anyhow...to celebrate my 35th Birthday, I am going to put together 35 Humanitarian Hygiene Kits, these kits are handed out to those in need throughout the world.
So instead of gifts this year, I am asking for my friends and family to donate some of the supplies that I will need to put these together.

What I will need is:

35- 1 gallon zip lock bags
70- Unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
140- Toothbrushes (packaged)
35- Tubes of Toothpaste (6-8 oz.)
70- Bars of soap (4-5 oz.)
70- Hand towels (new towels, approximately 15'' by 25''. Please do not use dishtowels or washclothes)

So if you were planning on getting me a present (or even if you were not and you want to support a good cause), that was my list.

I decided Thanksgiving Day would be a great day to type up this blog post. As I sit and reflect on all the things I have to be thankful for...I am so incredibly blessed. I hope that in some small way I (with your help) can help others like Mariama.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and Happy early Birthday to me.