Kaley's Dance Class

So, this week, I started a dance class for Kaley. Yes, I put it together and held it at my house! It was for purely selfish reasons. I wanted to be able to say how much it would cost, what the girls wore, and what they would dance to. So I "hired" Danielle, my sister who is a freshman at BYU, to be the instructor. She is MORE than qualified, and was so excited! Basically, I am the "manager." I just run the show and hold it at our house, and Danielle does all the dancing! It works out perfectly! The girls all came in their black leotard, tights and ballet shoes. They all looked SO adorable! Kaley had her outfit on 5 HOURS before the class started, just to make sure she would be ready in time! She couldn't wait! We even put her hair in a "messy bun" so she could be a real ballerina! Wow. I love that she is so girly!

Thomas had a hard time understanding that this was just a class for girls! He saw Kaley getting her new outfit and she was so excited for it, he just thought he could play along too! It broke his heart to not be in it, but I think he will be ok with it. I am going to have to set up little play dates with him on Dance days. I let him get dressed in his "exercise clothes" so he could feel special too! What a kid! He stayed upstairs and played puzzles, ate popcorn and watched a movie with Gram Gram and Bella.

Miss Danielle did such a good job and all the girls LOVED her!

She went around and "fixed" their hands. They are all so eager to please! So sweet!

Here's Kaley making sure she is doing it right! Precious!

Doing the "across the room" section of Dance class. (I moved all the furniture around so that there would be enough room for movement!) :)

Last little part, learning how to curtsy. Oh. My. Goodness. These girls are too stinkin' cute! I am so glad I started this! The best part of my day was when Kaley was doing her "across the room" something or other and gave me a big kiss on the cheek at the end and said, "I love you Mom!" It made my heart melt! Worth all the work!

Another bonus about having Dance class is that Kaley was EXHAUSTED by the end! She changed right out of her leotard into her pjs! She was BEGGING to go to bed by 6! She is such a sporty little gal, and can certainly dance!

A Sneak Peek!

(Click to enlarge - you don't want to miss this cuteness!)

I had a little photo shoot with Bella this week in anticipation of her 2nd birthday! I am so happy with how they turned out! These are just a few! Bella loves to talk on her phone, so I had to capture this moment in her life. Stay tuned for the rest of Bella's pictures - coming January 25th!

Sometimes they play so nice...

I was upstairs switching the laundry load, and I thought that the kids had become a little too quiet. I went to investigate, and this is what I found. I overheard Thomas say, "OK, we will play dollies first, then you can play race cars with me!" Bella says, "OK Tom Tom!" They were so sweet just playing dollies together! You can tell that Thomas wanted someone to play with him, but knew he had to bargain a little with his sister! What a good big brother!

For FHE this week, we did exercise! Everyone got in their exercise clothes, we put the girls hair in pig tails, and we WORKED IT! :) The kids always love it when we do something active for family night! With it being Winter, we have had to get creative! This one, game night, and indoor hide and seek are their favorites right now! Easy to please!

Living in the Moment

After much thought, I have decided what my "theme" for this year will be! I will

Live in the Moment!

To me, this means if I am with my kids, I will enjoy the time with them, soak it in and remember! If I am on a date with Josh, I will not think about other things, just enjoy my time with my hubby. If I am at church, I will think about my Savior and the blessings I have been given...etc. I have a friend, who did this last year as a goal. She took time every night before she went to bed to write down a "little moment" from that day. It didn't have to be big, just something to remember. I feel like I have so much right now, and want to be able to remember all these cute little things my kids are doing with me. And so it starts, I will keep a log of my "moments" with my children, spouse and self and hopefully will have something to show for it at the end of the year!

Anna Quindlen: The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.

Growing kids!

I try to shake up the twins routine a little by propping them up with pillows on the couch. They seem to like to look around.

Sweet Bella is getting back to normal after having a double ear infection after her bout with croup.

Jace and Sophie are getting better at tummy time, and starting to enjoy it more! They like to lay on the quilt that Grandma Cox made for Jace.

Josh says all 5 kids barely fit in the frame of the camera lens! Can you believe how big our kids are getting? So much personality in 5 little bodies! Can you see it?!

I just love dressing the babies in their matching pink and blue jammies! They are growing so fast! They both roll over from tummy to back, and Sophie is getting close to rolling from back to tummy! They couldn't look or be any more different! We love our crazy kids!

Celebrating Josh's birthday

We celebrated Josh's birthday with presents, a yummy turkey steak dinner and yogurt pie! Jarilyn came down on Friday and watched the kids so Josh and I could have a lunch date as well. We went to the Olive Garden and had a good time. Josh says that 30 isn't what make him feel old, it's the fact that he has 5 kids! I would have to agree with him!

Happy Birthday Josh!

Josh is the BIG 3-0 today! (30 really doesn't seem that old anymore!) :) I am so grateful for this guy! He is a great husband, Dad and friend! Love you dear! Happy Birthday!

Drew and Emily's Wedding Day!!!

This was a great day, filled with many pictures, laughing, crying, and little napping. I tried to capture it with as many pictures as I could! Dani and Lyss stayed with our kids in the waiting room during the ceremony. They had a few extra hands with Mikesell and Austin there too!

Coloring

A favorite picture from the day! This is my grandparents, my kids' GREAT grandparents! This is a special picture! Now Grandma and Grandpa have their very own to show off! Grandma said she can't wait to show everyone during "good news minute" in Relief Society! :) That's one proud Grandma!

rocking the babies

Danielle and Bella

Aunt Lyss with the kiddos

Getting out some wiggles!

Sweet Sophie

A "sister" picture is always a must!

My attempt to capture the beauty of the Temple that day. The weather report called for snow and cold all day, we lucked out with blue skies and not too cold!

My little Sophie Del

Coming out of the Temple...

Me and the Groom

Kaley was VERY excited to see Drew, but clearly not as excited as Drew was to see HER!

Beautiful Em

A new sister-in-law! So excited to have you in our Family!!!

These two are the cutest little friends! McCall is my cousin, that is just 2 months younger than Kaley. They held hands the entire day, and just played! I couldn't decided which picture of these two was my favorite! What sweet girls!

Tired Bella Rose

Aww. I love these two!

Another absolute favorite of the day! Bella LOVES her Grandpa! She didn't really want to let him go to take these next few pictures without her!

Handsome T

Em's Mom and Dad with the Bride and Groom and My parents

Jace and Mommy

A little fuzzy, but you get the picture!

Aw, my little brother is all grown up!

Father and Son. I love these ones! It makes me think of something my Grandpa Putnam wrote in his journal when his sons got married. He was sad that he was losing his friend, buddy, camping companion, basketball team member, and golfing buddy. So these pictures now mean a little bit more from a parent's perspective!

Siblings! Yes, I am wearing short sleves, but my coat didn't match my dress! :) I just took it off for the pictures, then put it right back on!

Our family - Josh and kids were added later, but no pics on my camera from that!

Bella zonked as soon as we got in the car! This was on the way to the luncheon. Sweet girl.

Me and Momma at the luncheon.

Kaley's letter to Drew and Emily. Kaley wrote the letter, and her and Call drew the picture of Drew and Em hugging. Funny.

What a stud! Our kids were pretty much DONE by this point, so don't expect smiles!

This was Bella's face for most of the day. She was just exhausted and sad, unless Grandpa was around, in which case she would snuggle with him.

Drew and the boys - minus Jace.

Our family.

Em and the Bridesmaids

Visiting

This is a picture from Sunday morning - everyone wanted to wear their dresses again. Bella is smiling and somewhat more happy!

Yea! We are so excited for Drew and Emily! Congratulations!