Bishopric Life - Church Cleaning

When your husband has a bishopric calling and it is our ward's time to clean the church. 

You spend Friday night cleaning a 6000 sq ft building with your crew. 

Hopefully, by the next time we will have other volunteers who have learned the ropes. 

We rotate between other wards in the building so we won't have another cleaning night till Spring. 

We don't hire people to clean our church buildings, it is the responsibility of the members. 

Favorite Quotes.

Newest Walker!

Newest Evans' Toddler in the Library!

She went and got right on up on the chair. How Cute!
Then of course Mother Hen Coraline headed over to help. 

Smith Family Tradition

We went and had our tradition of family fight night at the Smith house! 

They always invite us over for the UFC fight night. Although this year we didn't stay all night because Levi was conducting church on Sunday and the fight didn't start till midnight. 

They have technology everywhere in their house so the kids get to enjoy playing all sorts of games on all sorts of devices. 

Cecily and Jagger

Jaxen with Coraline and Cabella 

Clairana and Nephi playing basketball with Keatyn and Jace. 

Pen Pal - Mama Bon

Clairana was so excited this past week when she received her Pen Pal Letter from Mama Bon. 

Nephi wrote to a girl he was really good friends with in Arizona - this has been a great way to encourage typing and everyone LOVES getting mail. 

Classical Conversations Catch Up!

We Start our Morning Assembly with Pledges to the Flag and the Bible.

Nephi and Emma

Drawing Self Portraits while learning about Rembrandt

Science Experiments on Molecules - Water, Soap, and Pepper
Liam & Coraline

Painting of Landscapes - Learning about Gainsborough

We start each morning with New Grammar. That is me attempting to keep all the English Memorization exciting. 

Clairana and Nephi did a slightly different art lesson this week - They learned about Degas a French Painter who drew with chalk on cloth and mostly models in motion. 1834-1917 

Clairana did a ballerina and Nephi did a Missionary knocking on someone's door to share the gospel. 

Science Experiment Time - Coraline's Class

Nephi's Class - Bottle Organ 

(One of the disadvantages to teaching is that I don't ever get to see C & N so I am very grateful for others who take pictures) Although, I love the idea of them learning once a week from someone else. 

Number 5 is WALKING!!

She has been taking little steps for maybe a week or two now but as of yesterday it is becoming all too real. 

Everyone wanted to be the official one she walked to although I did remind Clairana and Nephi that once she learns to walk she wont want you to carry her as often.... or ever. So she has been held/totted around lots this past week. 

We were talking last night that Cecily & Nephi walked their first steps in our current house. 

Nephi walked for a twinkie to Aunt Woody when we were visiting 7 years ago. 

Bath Time!

Now this little one in the middle can join in on the bath time CRAZY although like Bella she still prefers the shower. 

Bella These Days.....

She has been getting dressed like this the past couple of weeks - regular clothes then she will randomly go get a dress to put over her clothes. 

We went over to have dinner with new friends from church and Clairana kept saying 

"Are you REALLY going to let her wear that to their house!" 

Me - "Yep, she is Three. You all have had your moment of fashion"

Bookclub - Nancy & Plum

We had bookclub last week and of course it was perfect. I can't believe we have kept this bookclub up for so long now! Almost to the end of our second year!

We did have two families out sick so it was a smaller crowd. 

Neulieb Family hosted. 

Instead of a craft we did games that they played in the book - such a clever idea. 

2nd year in a row we picked a orphan book for Christmas time.... next year I will have to find something a little more happy during the holidays although I will say it does help to remind us all to be humble. 

Two little girls who parents died and were left to their uncle who placed them in Mrs. Monday's boarding school. So Good. 

We brought Apple Pie!
In the book, Mrs. Monday and her niece (who she favored greatly) would eat amazing food including apple pie while the orphans ate scorched oatmeal. 

Activity Days - Farewell

Part of switching boundaries in the church is also loosing your calling and gaining a new one (there are no paid positions in the church so most have a 'calling' or a volunteered position.) 

My old calling at church was to plan activities for all the 7-11 year old girls. 

Over Christmas break I got a chance to say a sweet goodbye to them and drop off framed pictures from their Halloween dress up night earlier this year. 

I will miss them so much and miss going with Clairana to be with all the girls. I am so glad she has pictures to remember them and she will get to see them but just not every week. 

These were from October when we had the girls dress up and do their make-up/photos as an activity.  

I normally always took Cabella and Coraline with me because Levi had to teach the young men on Wednesday nights as well.