Pasta!

For his birthday, Alex wanted a pasta maker. I was a bit skeptical at first. We have a favorite restaurant that serves homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and I love the broth and the chicken - hate the noodle. Too thick. Too soggy. So I wasn't completely sold on the idea of homemade noodles. Well . . .

LOVE the noodles! The first time he made speghetti and it was delicious! Once again, Alex dominates in the kitchen - happy birthday honey!

The kids agree too!

P.S. For our anniversary, Alex got a new grill . . . imagine the possibilities . . .

Quilt Squares

Our ward has a quilting group that decided at the first of the year to make a Christmas friendship quilt. The goal: make twelve 12 1/2 inch squares to exchange in September. Here's my contribution. Stay tuned for the finished product!

And the rains came a tumbling down!

Last week we had a flash flood that made national news.

Thunder shook the house and lightening made it possible to see across the room in the dead of night, while the rain sounded like it would crash through the windows any minute. We watched and listened all warm and snug in the safety of our bed. McKenzie was in our bed too (Justin and Josie slept right through). We thought it was a pretty cool storm and questioned the county's decision to close school for two days. Our home didn't sustain any damage. Some of our friends were not so lucky - basements were flooded and backyards were washed away. Then we saw on the news the damage done in nearby counties: whole communities were under water - people were taking boats to salvage what they could from the second floor of their homes, an entire elementary school was destroyed, a major interstate was flooded. We are grateful for our good fortune and pray for the safety and future of those who lost everything.

Sisters

I was only going to post one of these pictures but, they're all so cute! I love all their different expressions!

Josie fix

That's my baby!