New skirt!

I made Hazel a skirt and I thought it ended up so cute! I was worried for a while, because I was thinking I might as well give up sewing, considering I apparently can't cut straight, sew straight, or follow directions correctly the first time. But after you get the elastic in so that it bunches up, you really can't tell if anything is straight anyway. It was really easy and I think it would be super quick, except I didn't really do it all at once. So, if you want to give the Twirly Skirt a try, here's the tute. Of course, part of the fun of sewing is making sure you have a matching hair accessory, so here's the link for the fabric flower that I used.


And here's some more fun pictures from our day. I love this one of Jethro and Ethne, because it REALLY shows how their relationship is lately. Jethro is such a BROTHER!!! He's always bugging her, poking her, flicking her, bouncing something off her head, etc. etc. etc.!!

And here's a cute funny picture. Daddy LOVES piggy tails, so he requested them today. They were pretty darn cute.

And me and my sweet girlie.

Yesterday was a fun, full day. In the morning I had a stake RS thing to go to, and Brett took the kids to Lowe's where they made a little bird feeder. Then they met me up at the church so we could clean because it was our week. After that, we went to the library for a while and picked up our prizes for a reading thingee. Then we decided to go use our prize at Culver's Frozen Custard. We got there right at the same time as another family in our ward, so we had fun sitting by them and visiting. Then we went to a few stores to look at shoes for Brett, and then we came home and by the time we had dinner it was time for the kids to get bathed and in bed. So. It was a nice bright and sunny day--perhaps my rant about the snowy coldness was useful.

Snow

Snow, perhaps you are just sticking around because you feel underappreciated. Well, I think you are lovely. You cover the bare branches and yucky brown earth that has no color and you make it special. Your flakes fluttering down are magical and you make it so that beans on bread sounds cozy and wonderful.

Now, you've had your tribute.

GO AWAY!!!!!!

p.s. Right now Ethne is squawking because Jethro tied a rope around her and is trying to "walk" her--like a dog. Poor puppy.

Midget girl

Just wanted to tell everyone that my daughter is a MIDGET! She was weighed yesterday and she was at .6 percentile!!! Yes, POINT six! So, I know little things can grow, but I am kindof thinking she'll never be large. :)

She is too funny. The other night during family prayer she was giving Jethro and Hazel hugs, only 'hug' meaning---flopping onto them. Jethro could hold her up, but then she went to Hazel and bowled her completely over. (The picture was a different time obviously, but similar idea.) It was hilarious. Then, another night during prayers, she went to Jethro, flopped onto his lap (knees), and was twisting her head and craning her neck trying to see up to his face. We were all giggling. She can fold her arms...it lasts all of .3 seconds. Silly billy.

Merry Christmas?

Yeah, so I was meaning to post this a very long time ago, but never got around to it. Some friends gave me a LOT of help making it, and I think it turned out so great. So. Happy Holidays! :) (click on it to see it bigger)

Whining and Be the Creature

Isn't this a cool picture? I think it looks moody, or something like that. Maybe I should have a name that picture contest like Pioneer Woman. Except I certainly wouldn't give away $500 or anything like that. So, maybe no one would want to play my little game.

Anyway, I've been meaning to write something for a while. But now, I'm kindof coming up blank. Most of what I'm thinking now are complaints. I'm tired of the freezing cold weather, AND I lost one of my mittens RUFF! And I'm tired of my hair being ugly. I really hate this stage. I don't know what to do with it, but I can't cut it because I'm trying to grow it. But did I mention it's ugly. Grrr. And I'm tired of nobody in this house picking up after themselves (including myself oftentimes). Ruff.

But, really, I'm not having a bad day, just a whiny day I guess.

We had a fun weekend. Brett went here, and we also went here (you should click this one if you want to see some awesome pictures including some of me and Brett, and some of Kami and Leo). And I was really excited that another of my sisters got to do this.

Oh, now I do remember something I was going to write so I would remember it. So, at the library, we got the first season of the Kratt Bros. Be the Creature shows. Jethro watched them over and over and OVER. Seriously, he could not get enough of it. Especially (of course) the lions-who ate lots of elephants, the sharks, the bears, but all the other ones too.

One morning while Jethro was in the tub, and Ethne came into the bathroom and started pulling everything out of the cupboards, I said something about how she is always making messes. And Jethro said, "Yes. She's very curious, like a wild dog yearling." Okay. :) And another time, he told me that Great White Sharks can hunt sea lions in any weather except very windy, because then all the waves mess up their smelling. I asked him about that again, later, and he said, "No--Great White Sharks hunt fur seals, and they can hunt in any weather. ORCAS hunt sea lions, and they can't hunt in very windy weather." Hmm, pardon me.

Well, that's all for now. Stay warm! And let's all pray for spring to come soon.

Jethro's funny.

I am fairly certain that Jethro has now recovered from the badist da uv his lif (actually, I'm fairly positive he recovered as soon as Brett woke up from his nap last week and started playing with him), because last night after the kids had been in bed a couple hours, we heard some whimpering. Brett thought it was Hazel and he went in, and then Jethro started laughing and laughing and laughing. Brett said to me, "Come here," so I went in, and Jethro was totally laughing in his sleep!! It was soooo funny!

We said, "Are you awake?" and he kinda mumbled, "yeah," but then I said louder, "What are you dreaming about?" and he said, "what?"

I asked him this morning if he remembered what he was dreaming about, but he didn't. Sheesh, it was so funny though. Kids. Hilarious.

Movies

Here are some of my favorite movies in no particular order. Some of them are classics, and I'm sure you've seen them--in which case, you'll enjoy reminiscing reading the quotes. But if you haven't seen one, you really should!


(By the way, Brett's favorite part of this movie is at the beginning when Willow is plowing with a pig. Guess it comes from his pig-farmer roots.)
Madmartigan: Did I really... Did I really say those things, last night, in your tent?
Sorsha: You said you loved me.
Madmartigan: I don't remember that.
Sorsha: You lied to me.
Madmartigan: No, I... I just wasn't myself last night. Sorsha: I suppose my power enchanted you and you were helpless against it.
Madmartigan: Sort of.
Sorsha: Then what?
Madmartigan: It... went away.
Sorsha: Went away? "I dwell in darkness without you" and it *went away*?

[Willow has unknowingly turned Fin Rizelle into a goat]
Fin Raziel: W-w-i-l-l-o-w! You i-i-i-i-d-iot!

Madmartigan: What are you going to look like if this works?
Fin Raziel: Don't interrupt.
Madmartigan: Sorry.
Fin Raziel: I'm a young, beautiful woman.
Madmartigan: Concentrate, Willow!

Rool: [to the tavern cat] You are so beautiful! Your eyes! Your whiskers! I have to kiss you!

This movie honestly is SOOO good! It makes me cry every time I watch it (and I don't cry often in movies). Plus, it's the movie that made me really want to name one of my sons Wiley, but since Brett adamantly vetoed that idea, I guess I'll have to settle for something else. Anyway, if you haven't seen this, WATCH IT!

Lucille: I'm the kind of girl who can resist anything but temptation.

Peejoe: Uncle Dove, do you really think Aunt Lucille stole that car?
Dove Bullis: Absolutely. Baby sister wants a car, she's gonna get one!





Robin Hood is SOOO good. Loved it since I was about nine or so. But it's still good now. Make sure you get the right version.

Maid Marian: And you, good rogue, have my gracious leave to pine and fret till my return.
Robin Hood: Oh, why should I?
Maid Marian: To please a lady.
Robin Hood: I could please myself to take up the cross and follow my king to the Holy Land.
Maid Marian: 'Twould come to the same thing in the end. Chop a few heads enough you'd come back a knight. As a knight you'd go jousting a tournament, to please a lady, and have your own head chopped off.
Robin Hood: It would be worth it.
Maid Marian: Is she so passing fair?
Robin Hood: Aye
Maid Marian: Describe her to me, Robin.
Robin Hood: Well... she's....
Tyb: Marian! Come now!
Robin Hood: You're father's waiting.
Maid Marian: I know, I know. Tell me quickly.
Robin Hood: Well, she's tall and stately with bonnie blue eyes and golden hair. (Maid Marian has dark hair and is short and small.) And above all she's sweetly tempered. [Marian kicks Robin in the shin]
Robin Hood: Ooooh. Owe.
Maid Marian: Farewell, old clodhopper!



Two Weeks Notice-- This is, in my opinion, the funniest chick flick ever. I LOVE how funny Hugh Grant's character is (shown by these many quotes).

George Wade: Before you came into my life I could make all kinds of decisions now I'm addicted I have to know what you think. What do you think? [holds up cufflinks]
Lucy Kelson: I think your the most selfish human being on the planet.
George Wade: Well that's just silly. Have you met everybody on the planet?

Lucy Kelson: You called everyone but Slurpee Heaven.
George Wade: That is not true. I did call Slurpee Heaven. They didn't want you. Heard you had attitude. Said you weren't "Slurpee" material.

Helen Wade: Would you like anything?
George Wade: I'd love some Milk Duds.
Helen Wade: We don't have any, I could send out for one.
George Wade: Oh, no, don't be ridiculous. If you're going to send out, get a whole box.

George Wade: And did you tell Billy you loved him? Did you say, 'Billy, I love you'?

George Wade: This apartment is amazingly small. [walks off]
George Wade: [comes back] It's a good thing your parents went to the movies, we would never have been able to squeeze in. [walks off]
George Wade: [comes back] Did you know it only takes me six seconds to walk across the entire apartment? Watch. [walks off]


A movie with lots of red-headed Irish boys fighting each other. What more could you want in a movie? Another one that is SOOO SOOOO funny.

[to Tim who's in a tree]
Geronimo: You're gonna have to come down sometime.
Tim: I'm gonna have to pee sometime and I know where I'll be aimin'.

Fergus: That's right, don't show your ugly mugs, the shock would sink our boat.

Little Con: [after being given some whiskey] One for the road?
Big Con: My brother, he's as drunk as a skunk.


A clasic. I just love it. Every time she jumps, I yell "Close your eyes!!" but she never does. I remember the first time I watched this movie when I was little, my sister Amy was on lesson for FHE. She said, "My lesson is on perseverence," and then we watched the movie.

Marie: You poor thing. Who does your hair?
Sonora: Well, I do.
Marie: Sonora, you have to be extremely careful with your appearance. I mean, having no natural beauty of your own you really need to help yourself.

Doctor Carver: Can you shovel manure?
Sonora: Manure just happens to be my specialty.

Clifford: [to Sonora] Thanks for... spittin' on me.

News of late.

>I *LOVE* Ethne's nose-scrunch smile!!!!! IT is soooooo adorable!!! (once again, however, they turned out blurry. RUFF!!!) She is so cute and happy looking!<


So, I've been meaning to do a catch-up post. So I guess here it is. Only I can only remember as far back as Saturday, so that's where I'll start. Brett went sledding with his Scouts and he took Jethro and Hazel with him. I went to practice the organ while they were sledding, but couldn't because of the broadcast of Pres. Hinckley's funeral. Whoops. Anyway, no one had broken any bones while I was gone, so I was happy about that.

Then we went to the library and they were kicking off the start of the Read-Aloud month. So there was a drawing and the prize was a $10 gift certificate to a candy store downtown and I WON!!! Woohoo!!! I was sooooo excited!! Oh yeah, that makes me remember the other thing that I wanted to write about.

Jethro can read!!! The other day I was printing a few worksheet-type pages for Hazel off the internet, and I saw a link that said something like "early reader story" so I clicked on it and printed it off. When Jethro got home I told him to read it and he totally did!!! It consisted of really easy words, of course, like "Zac is a cat. Zac is white." (He learned color words in school.) So then at the library I found some other really easy books (three/four letter words)--they're called Bob books--and he totally read them no problem! It's so exciting.

Anyway, we got home and we had a check in the mail from some property tax rebate. It was so awesome. And our state tax return had been deposited in our account, so we felt rich rich rich!

Sad thing on Sunday...we had finished dinner and Brett went in the front room and fell asleep on the floor. I read the kids a couple stories, and then I told them I was going to go have a rest too. So I went to my room and got in bed, and Hazel came with me and napped with me, but Jethro was sad that everyone was asleep and not playing with him. So he went out and harassed Brett a bit, so of course Brett got after him because who likes to be harassed while sleeping? Anyway, by the time I got up from my short nap, Jethro and Brett were playing Chess (Jethro loves bringing home these games from the school library but it's soooo frustrating because he can't play them and he gets upset! anyway.) and were happy. I went out into the kitchen, though, and saw a piece of paper on the fridge that said, "THiS iS THe BADiST DA UV Mi LiF." It was sooo sad!!! I was telling my brother-in-law about this, and he said, "Yeah, the poor guy doesn't have any parents that'll take care of him." Ouch, Blake. Ouch. So maybe having kids learn to write has its downsides.

Anyway, today was crummy cause I felt so sick! It was awful. I woke up feeling so hot, like I had a fever, and my muscles EVERYWHERE ached, even my jaw, and especially my lower back. I had a terrible stuffed head and just felt yucky. Luckily, my generous friend Katrina came over to share some DELICIOUS cookies with me, and so I actually did get dressed (otherwise I don't know if I would have) and even went to the store cause we were out of milk. I HOPE I feel better tomorrow. The worst was right as I was trying to get dinner ready and Ethne was unhappy and screaming and I was frustrated and I was talking to my sister Kami on the phone and I was like, "I'm just so glad that I know Brett will be home in a few minutes---I can't imagine if he were a pilot like Leo and wasn't coming home. I think I would just go hide in my bed." And Kami was like, "yeah, I don't get to see Leo for 10 days!" I don't know how she does it.

Anyway, enough complaining, Brett came home and finished dinner for us, did the dishes, and bathed the kids and put them to bed. YAHOO for my wonderful husband!

Oh, and here's what Ethne looked like after getting into my make-up. Ruff!

Since Feb. is the LOVE month...

I would like to highlight two of my FAVORITE people who love each other. Jethro and Hazel. They both love Ethne a lot too, but it just seems like it was just Jethro and Hazel for such a long time. (By the way, this post shouldn't imply that they always get along...cause they don't. But they do sometimes!) Anyway, here they are in all their lovey glory. Awwwwww!!!