HEB

One thing I miss about Texas is HEB.  It may sound strange to miss a grocery store, but it wasn't your average supermarket.  For instance, one day they had face painting and balloon designs for free. Here are the kids sporting their face-painted look:

 

Solo & Ensemble 2014

 This year, the both of the boys participated in solo & ensemble for violin.  Erik played "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and Jonathan played "Perpetual Motion." They both received a 1 which is the highest rating and earned a metal.  We sure do love our teacher, Maren Wunderli, and we miss her and her kids.

Jonathan's Baptism

On February 15th, 2014, Jonathan was baptized. This is the invitation I made for family and friends--one in color and one in black and white:

 

Jonathan was baptized by Landon.

 



 

Both sets of grandparents came out for the baptism.
 

Grandpa Orlo & Grandma Fina with Jonathan and Landon

 

 



Grandpa Lee and Grandma Karen with Jonathan and Landon



The whole family including Marcus who was born a month and a half later.

 It was a stake baptism, so I was given the assignment of arranging a musical number.  I asked Sage, a daughter of some friends in the ward, to play "Baptism" on her harp and a friend played flute.  I was also asked to give a talk.  I was really glad for the opportunity since I wanted to be involved in Jonathan's baptism.

 

The only unfortunate part was that the water was really cold.  I felt sorry for Jonathan because it really upset him.  I am glad, however,  that he had the support of his grandparents and friends. 

Ella's 3rd Birthday

For Ella's 3rd birthday, I had to keep things simple.  I was less than a month away from giving birth to Marcus, and I was tired!  So, I asked a few of her big girl friends if they would come over for a tea party,  I knew she'd be delighted and she was.   I just love this group of girls. They are so sweet and treated Ella like a little sister. 

 

 

I can't tell you how much she loves balloons. To get one with princesses on it just made her day.

 



 

I normally like to make they cakes myself, but since this year called for simplicity, we simply bought one at the store.

 



There she is.  Three years old already.  How I love this little girl.

The girls were so sweet to bring her presents even though it was a last minute invite and it wasn't expected.

 



Happy birthday, Miss Ella!

Cub Scouts!

Another great benefit of turning eight? You get to join scouts!

 

 

Isn't scouts just so much fun?!?

Eight is Great!

 

In January, we celebrated Jonathan's 8th birthday.  We started the morning with our "balloon waterfall" tradition.  It's so much fun and the kids really look forward to it.

Then, for his birthday breakfast, we had pancakes, eggs, bacon and cantaloupe.  Jonathan is all dressed up because he was chosen to be a greeter at his school today.  Las Lomas Elementary is hosting teachers and administrators from all over the country because they received Lighthouse status as a"Leader In Me school.  (Basically the 7 Habits for kids.)

His gifts include a remote-control machines that he can build, spy gear, and his own set of scriptures.

For his birthday bash, we threw a super-cool spy party, complete with confidential invitations, spy training, clues to solve, and a mission to complete (to find the stolen presents).

 

All in all, it was a huge hit.  A few days later, we went to the temple to take pictures for his baptismal invitation.

 

We ended up using the picture below.