Catch Up

I wanted to record a few events from the past month. In January Russ and I went down to Raymond where Russ set apart Andrew Hamilton for his mission to Africa. Heather is our Stake RS President who I've served with for over 3 years. She has 8 children and then has full custody of her sisters 6!! She is one AMAZING woman who I look up to so much. She is one of the most Christ like people I've ever met.

Russ and I attended a seminar a couple of weeks ago near Seattle that seems hard to believe!! It was on how to successfully sell your practice and having all your ducks in order to do so. Not quite sure how we got to this point in our life! Didn't we just get married and have kids?

 When it was over we decided to spend one more night in Seattle so we could go to Pike's Place Market. This is one of my favorite things to do in Washington. I love all the colors, smells and variety of people and food. It was such a FUN weekend to just "hang out" with my best friend for two days. 

I was lucky enough to get a great deal on an airline ticket so I got to go and see Kristy and her family again. I had a great time & we were able to do some fun activities together.

One day while Kristy was teaching Pre-school, Shelten and I went shopping for a couple of hours. He was a perfect little angel.

I loved hearing the kids play piano and the progress they have made. Kristy has 8 piano students now.

Each of the kids have daily chores and when they put their mind to it, they can be done in no time.

I got to have lunch with Matsen and then with Jazlyn at school.

 Its so nice the school is just up the street so its a quick walk.

I took a trip to the store with the kids to pick out Valentines, 

and then we had fun getting them all addressed.

One night Kristy and I were able to attend the Kansas City Temple while Wes watched the kids. The best part was we were able to do some family names on my moms side. Thanks to my Aunt Ute who has been doing her work. I went through for my great, great, great Aunt from Germany.

When we came out from the temple there were cards on all the cars with chocolate kisses from a group of YW thanking us for our service.

 I always feel so blessed when I can go to the temple with my children and that each of them are living their lives to do so. What more could a parent ask for?

One day the kids missed a half day of school so we could go tour the Harry Truman home in Independence, Missouri. We started out at the Visitor Center and watched a short movie about him. 

He was a very honest hard working man!

Truman Home

Harry and Bess Truman

The morning I flew home we went into Kansas City to the Hallmark Museum. 

There was a special display of different Christmas trees.

There's a machine that makes bows & if you push a button you can watch it make one. 

This was the kids favorite part.

Next to the museum is a place called, Kaleidoscope where you can take your kids for free. Hallmark has donated a lot of unused paper, bows, cutouts, etc. where kids can make their own creations. They love this place! 

That afternoon it was sad to say good-bye to everyone, but so glad I was able to go. They are such a cute family and doing such a great job raising their kids. They're so diligent about prayers and scripture study each day with their kids.

As much fun as I had at Kristy's house, I have to admit I missed Russ. He is so sweet! When I got home he had gotten me a dozen yellow roses. He had also pulled out all the dead flowers in the window boxes on the deck. He then planted some primroses outside my kitchen window so I could look at them while I did the dishes. I think I'll keep him:)