CrEePY

Okay, so it's Tabetha's job to do the dishes after dinner and when I came into the kitchen the other night after she had gone to bed this is what I found.  At first, I was quite happy that she had taken that much pride in her job to make sure she had gone above and beyond what was expected to make it look so nice and orderly.  (Which isn't always the case.)  But, the more I looked at it the creepier I thought it was.  To me it looks like a surgery tray.  I was a bit worried she might be preparing for a late night surgery and that I might not wake up with both of my kidneys.
Maybe this is her subliminal way of getting out of doing the dishes.  Have I mentioned before that this girl is smart.  Maybe too smart.

Chocolate Cake in a Cup

This is the perfect recipe for anyone who a) likes chocolate, b) likes cake, and c) likes chocolate cake.  I will confess that this is Tabetha's recipe.  I found out that she acquired the recipe while online one day and then was making these for herself when she was  home alone.  That girl is smart I tell you.  It's like a mini little party by yourself with very little evidence left behind for others to notice.  She also makes these for the kids she babysits.  Is it a bribe to get them to want her to babysit again?  Could be.  Smart remember.  She finally made one for me the other day and mmmmmmm was it good.
You want me to just get to the recipe already.  Okay, here it is:

Chocolate Cake in a Cup

1 T. + 2 t. cocoa powder

3 T. flour

dash of salt

1T. + 2t. sugar

1/4 t. baking powder

1T. oil

3 T. milk

1/4 t. vanilla

Mix all ingredients in a mug.  Then sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Cook in the microwave for 30 seconds.  Voila!  It's done, and it's so quick and easy.   Tabetha says it won't look cooked from the top but it is.  Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Tab-a-lou

Favorite Color:  Green

Favorite Food:  Mom's Potato Soup

Favorite Primary Song or Hymn:  If You Could Hie to Kolob

What do you want to do when you grow up: 

Study hurricanes as a meterologist

Favorite Game:  Settlers

Best Friend:  Katelynd

Favorite Book:  

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations

Favorite Movie:  

Pride and Prejudice (The A&E Version)

Favorite Scripture Story:  The Story of Esther

Favorite Soda:  Sprite

Favorite Candy Bar:  Twix

Favorite Family Activity:  Going Swimming

Favorite Animal:  Horses and Dogs

What Makes You Happy?  

Reading a good book while drinking hot chocolate

What Makes You Sad?  Doing the Dishes

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?  Egypt or France

What do you want for your birthday?  I don't know

Other facts about Tabetha:  

She is learning to play the violin this year.

She is becoming quite the piano player and plays each Sunday for Young Women's.

She just completed her first semester at Williamsburg Academy and did very well.

She loves doing any and all things crafty.

She is a wonderful young lady and it is fun to see her talents and passions come alive.

Happy Birthday Tabetha.  We love you!

Horse Lessons Again

With the arrival of spring, Tabetha and Hannah were anxious and excited to get back to their horse riding lessons.  I took my camera to their lessons the other day and had fun taking pictures. 

Growing Up!

Over the last couple of weeks we have had a lot of growing up going on around this house.

First, Tabetha got braces.  

So far she thinks they are very annoying.
I don't blame her.

Next, Jarom turned 12!

Happy Birthday Jarom!  

Then, Jarom was ordained to the office of a Decan in our church and was able to pass the sacrament for the 1st time last Sunday.  I was so proud of him.  He also had to give his first talk in sacrament meeting that day.  He was nervous but he did a great job.

Next, Mya Gracie Pooh got her own big girl bed, AND has been sleeping in it all night long by herself.  Yah!  It is so awesome not to be kicked in the head and in the back all night long!  

Picture taken on 2nd Birthday

And finally,  Miss Mya is (drum roll, please)  

POTTY TRAINED!!!!!

My secret is.....LOTS and LOTS of CANDY!

These kids are growing up way to fast!  

Birthday Season Continues

Stay off the roads, because looks who's old enough to start driving!

Tabetha, once again, chose chocolate pie over cake for her birthday.  She truly is a girl after my own heart.  I've trained her well.  (not that I don't like cake, I do.  It's just that chocolate pie is about 1000x better then any cake.)

Why is it that every year my oldest has a birthday I feel like I age 10 years?  Having a 14 year old makes me feel so old.  

Happy Birthday Tabetha!  We LOVE you!

"This Month (December) is Such a Special One;" (Okay so I'm a little late)

"It's birthday time for you" (the two of you, Katie and Tabetha.)

"We'd really like to celebrate your happy day(s) with you."   By going swimming, opening presents, and having cake and ice cream, and chocolate pie. Tabetha opted to have chocolate pie instead of cake and ice cream this year, FINE BY ME.

"Zip-a-dee-ah and heigh-dee-ho, Here's something we can do,"

We'll sing a song that we all know, Happy Birthday to you."

p.s.  The chocolate pie is to die for, and if anyone wants the recipe I may be persuaded to post it, but it'll cost you though. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLIES!  

(sorry it was a bit late)

A New Blog

Tabetha started her own blog. She is very excited about it. Check it out here, and leave her lots of comments.

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Tabetha!!!

Hope you have a great day!!

We Love you!!

Missing You!

Dear Children,

I couldn't sleep tonight because I was thinking about you and missing you. I hope you are having so much fun at your father's house. Tabetha, don't boss Logan too much, -k-. Jarom, pull your pants up. Say "no" to crack buddy. And Logan, remember to wash your hands and listen to Tabetha, she probably is right. Have you guys been saying your prayers at night? Put your DS games down and go outside and play every now and then, you don't want your brains to turn to mush do you? I thought about you a lot today and every time I thought about you I missed you.
I thought about you this morning when I got up and I had no big kids to wake up. Your rooms were empty and I was sad.
I thought about you when I only made half of the oatmeal I usually make, and Logan, I thought that you would probably be glad you weren't having oatmeal for breakfast today.
I thought of you when it was time to have school and I had no kids to read to me or ask me to read to them.
I thought of you Jarom when I looked at the piano and no one was sitting on the bench practicing Christmas songs. We'll have our Christmas concert when you get back okay.
I thought of you Tabetha when I looked at the big chair you like to sit and read in and it was empty. Have you found any good books to read there? Have you gone to Barnes and Noble to spend your gift card yet?
I thought of you Logan when it was lunch time and you weren't there to ask me if you could make mac and cheese. By the way, I need to get more, we're out. Remind me when you get home.
I thought of you when I got Katie ready to play outside and she didn't have anyone to go outside to play with her. It's supposed to get to 25 below tonight. Are you enjoying the warmer weather there?
I thought of you when your Grandma Lois called me today. She told me that you are such great kids, and she enjoyed spending time with you on the boat this summer. I smiled to myself because I know you are great kids.
I thought of you when I called Grandma Nancy this afternoon. She told me about you loosing your heelies when it was time to go Logan, and how you searched and searched the house and then they were right in your suitcase where they belonged. I laughed.
I thought of you Tabetha when it was time to go to your swimming practice and I didn't have to go out to start the car and let it warm up.
I thought of you, Logan, when Hannah asked if she could watch a movie and you weren't there to try to talk her into watching Star Wars.
I thought of you when I tried a new recipe for dinner tonight. I wondered if you would like it. Daddy didn't. I did. I bet Tabetha and Jarom would and Logan probably not.
I thought of you Jarom when we went to your hockey game and you weren't out there with your team. Your team won 8-0. I bet if you had been there it would have been at least 9-0, right.
I thought of you tonight when Daddy and I went Christmas shopping. I looked for just the right things to get you. It made me happy to picture your faces opening them up. I think you'll like what I got.
I thought of you when Katie and Hannah were going to bed and I was sad that I only had 3 kids to kiss goodnight instead of 6. I missed our secret bedtime handshake, Logan.
And, I thought of you when I said my prayers tonight. I asked God to keep you safe, and to help you know how much I love you.
Be good.
Lots and Lots of Love,
Mom

One Year Older and Wiser Too!

We celebrated Katie's and Tabetha's Birthdays on Sunday.

I can't believe that KateLynn is 2 years old,

and that Tabetha is going to be 12 in a few days. I don't feel old enough to have a 12 year old.


Grammy came to celebrate with us, so did Shawn's brother Tony and his family.


Wow, look at all those candles.

Katie recruited Uncle Tony to help her with the play dough. She likes that Uncle of hers.

Logan and Justin also had fun with Katie's new play dough.


Happy Birthday to you. I love you.

Kid Tag Tabetha

We got kid tagged from Aunt Cordie, and since we have so many kids at this
house I thought we would spotlight one kid at a time over a few weeks (maybe
months). So without further adieu ... here's Tabetha!



Favorite color: Aqua-blue
Favorite food: Homemade chicken noodle soup
Favorite movie: A Christmas Story
Favorite book: Black Beauty
Favorite pastime: reading (big surprise)
Favorite sport: swimming
Best vacation you have been on: Disneyland
Favorite primary song: A Child's Prayer
Favorite scripture story: Story of Ester
Favorite Nintendo game: Nintendogs, I
own 2 out of five but they are both lost.
How did they get lost: They were with the
rest of the games that we lost, and we don’t know what happened to them.
Favorite subject in school: Art
Favorite thing to do in the summer: BBQs at the pond, because you get to swim.
Favorite thing to do in the winter: Play outside, if it’s not too cold.
What is too cold? -30 and colder.
What do you like to collect? Breyer Horses. Why do you collect them? Aaah, because
they're cool and I like horses.
What do you want to be when you grow up: Archaeologist. (Hannah says she wants to
be a ghost when she grows up.)
How do you feel about being the oldest of 6 kids? I don’t know (as she rolls her eyes)
Who do you want to be like when you grow up? Mom and Grandma Nancy (Wow, That
makes me feel good)
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Hawaii Why? The beach,
the sun, the trees, the sand, everything. If I could visit any place in the world, not live
there, it would be Egypt. Why Egypt? Mostly the Pyramids, and I want to see King
Tuts tomb.

As part of the tag I am supposed to list 10 things that I love about her. Here they are in no particular order:
1. Very tender hearted
2. Great big sister
3. Loves to Laugh
4. Once you're her friend you're her friend forever
5. Very creative and crafty
6. She is a super big helper
7. Loves learning
8. Trys hard to do what's right
9. Couragous
10. Super Smart

We tag the Earles, the Tates, and the O'Niels.

Caught Ya!