So this is love...umm mmm umm mmm.

Tess holding the flosser that Marie gave her. I don't think its a match for all the junk they've had on Valentine's Day.

Ben modeling his new "Woo woo shoes."

Check out those eye lashes!

Marie, after school. She scored quite a few Valenties. (You should see the list of names Marie brought home from school. Tirzah? Itzel? Ysidro?)

Ever wonder what RED #40 looks like in cake batter?

James gets ready to pour syrup on pancakes. He surprised everyone with a rather festive breakfast.

Tessa and Marie up early for the pancakes James made.

This picture, slightly blurry because Marie took it, captures my new chair from James. Ever since we have been married, we've wanted a second office chair so we can work at the computer together.

A "Dirty" Little Secret

Now I realize that I am often mistaken for Martha Stewart. Many people believe that our house has never been messy. Well, folks, I have documented proof that I am, at best, sub par compared to Martha (plus the fact that I've never been in jail). The good news is that we worked really hard yesterday and got everything back to order in time for Sunday.

A Little of This and That

Over Christmas break, James started a project he has wanted to do since we moved in. Now that it is finished, I thought we'd share some before and after pictures. BEFORE: You'll notice in this picture that the bar is WAY to tall for any adult--let alone a child--to use. The stools are, in fact, bar stools.

AFTER: The height is considerably shorter, and the kids can now enjoy helping Mom cook.

Ben and James about to dig into a large pile of cookies.

So apparently if you want to attract guys, these Walmart-clearance shoes are the way to go. James' first comment when he saw me was that they were darling, and even the executive secretary came up to me today and told me that I had really great shoes.

Off to the Grocery Store

By our standards, it has been freezing here. Others would call it balmy. I just thought the kids were looking cute all bundled up for our outing.

Family Fun

Marie and Tessa wearing Valentine's Day PJ's and ALL their hair bows from Grandma Jane.

Little Miss Gracie.

She is just so small and delicate.

The kids work on an art project with James.

Family Home Evening

James: Girls, did you know that President Hinckley died?
Marie: Who killed him?

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James: We should help everyone.
Marie: Except for Spanish people because we can't understand what they want.

Party Time

Friday was a pretty fun day. While Marie was away at a birthday party, Tessa and Ben had some friends over for their own party. Then, James crashed the scene by coming home early.

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A pretty profile that looks a lot like her mother's at that age. (And no, she is not wearing makeup.)

Ben tries to make fishy lips.

Daddy immediately tackled Ben.

Marie and Tessa pose in front of a picture that they both helped color.

Tessa squeezes frosting onto a sugar cookie.

Ben didn't want pink frosting on his cookie.

Marie talks to Grace in the "girls" bedroom.

Tessa's Question

A few days ago Tess pointed to a placemat with all the presidents of the United States and asked, "Which one is Mitt Romney?"

Then, referring to the "thee, thou, thine" language found in the scriptures, Tessa asked the following question last night:

"Mom, why do people in the scriptures use glorious words?" She is so sensitive to the Spirit. She also told me that she often hears someone talking to her but that she doesn't know if it is Jesus.

Little Picaso

This is Marie's gallery--up on top of her bed where Ben can't rip down her art. She is now running out of wall space and wants to put some of the furniture in Ben's room. In the mean time, however, she is taping new pictures over older ones.

Pretty in Pink

Allie and Grace pose just after arriving home from church. The three-hour block passed remarkably fast. (Ben and Grace have nasty colds, and I told James I wasn't waking them up to get them to 8:30 AM church. We never got there until well after Sacrament meeting was over.)

A Cute Moment in the Kitchen

What can I say about our sweet, little Grace Renee?

Cozy Winter Morning

Tessa enjoys warm pajamas and a blanket. (Marie, away at school, misses the leisurely mornings.)

Ben thoroughly enjoys his peanutbutter sandwhich.

Goldilocks and goldfish.

Winter Festival

The weather today was beautiful, and there was a multi-cultural fair at the clubhouse.

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Marie got African face paint.

Tessa wanted to be a butterfly.

Marie, the leopard.

Butterfly and Leopard.

The kids watched a group of Irish dancers. Why don't they move their arms?

Tessa in a jumping castle.

Friday Night at the Bowling Alley

Mommy helps Ben roll the bowling ball.

Marie just before her turn.

James points to the score board.

Tessa couldn't contain her excitment when a couple pins were knocked over.

Waiting for the balls to come back.

Daddy helping Tess get her ball rolling.

" Yea!" (Running to get a second ball)

Ben the Accupuncturist

Ben punctures a clementine with crayons.

Grace's New Earrings

I decided that since Grace doesn't have enough hair for clips, she needed something else to help her look feminine.

Tessa Feeds Grace

Finally a little investment that is starting to pay off!