Turkey Cookies

I have been making an effort to have some fun activities and themes for the kids to do. Last Saturday, we spent an hour or two making these cookies. It was a really fun activity. We used oreos, whoppers, and candy corn to make these turkey cookies. The kids had as much fun sneaking the ingredients as they did putting them together.

It's a .....

If you don't want to know what we are having, then stop reading now. I did not include an image that would give it away.






Mackenzie wanted a girl. Aiden wanted a boy. Mackenzie was disappointed and Aiden was not. We're having a baby boy.

Miracles

I'm grateful that we're all better, or almost better, including my Dad. I'm looking forward to a beautiful, healthy holiday season. Thanks to all of you for your faith and prayers during this ordeal.

Also thanks to everyone for your faith and prayers on Rich's behalf in regards to his phd. We are beginning to see miracles. This last week or two, Rich has found an advocate in one of the other professors in his dept. Additionally, Dr. Higuchi told Rich this week that they would make the data work and that further experiments would not be necessary. That is a tremendous softening of his heart and a change of tune. In short, it's a miracle.

Please continue to pray for him. Your prayers are working!!!!!

Weed Picture

I took this shot on a foggy day in Idaho back in January, but I made some adjustments to it with my newly learned photoshop techniques. Enjoy.

Hospital

Well, Dad was checked into the hospital on Monday afternoon. He had pneumonia as a complication of swine flu. He also had some bacteria in his blood. They let him come home today, but not until he'd had about 6 different IV antibiotics. I'm still expecting a slow recovery. It's been a rough week and a half.

Aiden's Birthday Party

Here are some pictures from Aiden's b-day party. I will add more details tomorrow.

Flu

Rich woke up with the flu this morning, making Aiden the only one who's healthy. Although, Aiden was sick two weeks ago. At this point I hope he had the flu and is now immune.

Tamiflu is a magical drug. I am already starting to feel better, but Kenzie is feeling worse.

On the bright side, at least we are guaranteed a swine free holiday season (unless this darn bug mutates).

Fantastic

Kenzie's new word of the day is Fantastic. For instance, "I found my duckie slippers. Fantastic!" So cute!

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

I got the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines on Tuesday afternoon. Fat lot of good it did. I started having symptoms Tuesday night. My Dad had been sick since Sunday, and finally went to the Dr. Thursday night with a temp of 104. Turns out, he's got it. Grandma, Kenzie, and I went to the Dr today, and we all have it. We all got Tamiflu today. Kenzie and I aren't too bad, but the concern is for the pregnancy. I guess the complicatins can be serious.

So far, Rich and Aiden's vaccines are doing the job (fingers crossed; they were vaccinated 3-4 weeks ago). Grandpa, I'm afraid, is down and out for now. Hope we all feel better soon.

Photoshop Class Day 13

Night Time Routine

I've started a new night time routine with my kids which works like a dream. They go to bed most of the time without a fuss. First, we get the "chores" out of the way. We put on our jammies and brush our teeth. Then we read our family scriptures. After that, we do a 10 minute kids yoga routine available On Demand (we just got cable not too long ago). They love it and it includes a relaxing blanket time. After that, it's warm sippie cups of milk, we read two books, and then it's prayers and bed. It's like magic in getting them for the night.

VT Message

One thing that I try to do each month is create a Visiting Teaching message card for ladies I visit. I decided to start posting them here. If you want to use it feel free. This month I chose to use President Uchtdorf's talk from the Priesthod session about working and learning. Let me know if this didn't upload with a high enough resolution to print.




I used papers and embellishments from Shabby Princess Harvest Spice and Shabby Fall kits.

Happy Halloween

So I'm a little late in posting our Halloween activities, but we had a lot of fun! We went to Halloween parties and trick-or-treating around the neighborhood(Rich was even able to join us). The kids can hardly wait until next year.

Photoshop Class Day 12

Photoshop Class Day 11

Photoshop Class Day 10

Photoshop Class Day 9

Here's a subtle technique, but I think it does a great job of drawing the eye to the focal point of the photo.

Before edge burn:


After edge burn:

Photoshop Class Day 8

It has really been fun to go back through so many of our old photos and find ones that fit the lesson for the day. I LOVE the new stuff I've learned about how to use photoshop. I wish I had more time to spend on it.