the story goes . . .

When I was a young girl (less than 5), my mom ran an errand and left my dad in charge of the kids. We were all outside playing except for the few minutes I slipped inside, combed my hair down in front of my eyes, cut it all off, swept it up and put it in the garbage, and returned the scissors to the closet. When my mom came home and saw the damage, she questioned my dad who, of course, was oblivious to the entire thing. I'd heard the story over and over and never thought it was such a big deal, until . . .

I found the evidence on the floor of the entryway after cleaning up the huge boxes they had been playing in for the past week. At some point these boxes were steam trains and palaces, storage units and race cars. Evidently, they once served as a salon too.

McKenzie took off about 2 1/2 inches right in the front. After a little blending, I quite like her new look!

empty boxes

One way to fill an afternoon . . .

And empty piano room . . .

LOVE after-Thanksgiving sales!

Book of Mormon stories

Thanksgiving weekend we finished reading the Book of Mormon for the first time as a family. We started reading five versus a night with Justin when he was I-don't-know-how old. We decided it was important to read the actual scriptures instead of a reader or other version even though he was so young. Most nights, I wasn't sure he was even paying attention but then he would ask a question or make a comment that let us know that he was. Naturally, McKenzie and Josie joined us when they joined our family.

I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon. I know it is the word of God.

I'm thankful for my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I'm thankful for the family I have to share it all with.

Last year's Christmas present

We bought this house over a year ago and right away set to making it our own (remember this, this, this, and this?) but the stairs were to be our first major project. In fact, they were to be my Christmas present! The goal: rip the carpet off, buff up the oak underneath and replace the white wooden spindles with black iron spindles. Didn't happen. Until now!

Before:

During: Justin got to help Handyman Hill replace the poplar treads with oak treads (James, he can join your team any day - he's already got the shirt!) and drill the holes for the iron spindles . . .

add a new chandelier . . .

and, viola!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Merry Christmas!

First foods

Josie's first go at rice cereal and pears! I think she was hungry . . . she ate the whole thing! She's still a great eater - loves pears and bananas - green beans, not so much and we've even tried a few Cheerios. In the words of her older sister, "Go Josie!"