Spring Break

We decided to take a little road trip while the girls were out of school. And look what just happened to be on the way. This is the Bass Pro Shop in Denham Springs, LA, that we always pass when we make our trips to North Carolina, and Aaron always wants to stop. But either it's a Sunday or we just feel like we don't really have time to stop. So Aaron made it clear that we were making time on this trip to stop and spend some quality time here.



The kids enjoyed checking out the snakes.....



......and the turtles.......



......and the fish.



John David even wrestled an alligator.



We made ourselves right at home.



After an hour of looking and shopping, we hit the road to continue on to our sweet home (for the weekend) Alabama!



And look who we found waiting for us there! These girls were SOOOOOOOOO excited to be together!



To be continued......

crawfish for the birthday girl

Since today is her actual birthday, we told her she could have whatever she wanted for dinner. Of course, she chose crawfish. It's kind of surprising to me that she even likes it, but this picky eater could eat her weight in crawfish.



So we went to Hollier's.



John David knows all about this place. This is where he and Aaron bring the deer meat to get processed. So he was wondering if we were going to pick up the sausage.



Time to get our grub on!











They even gave her some cheesecake for her birthday.



Happy birthday sweet girl!

Who can find a virtuous woman?

One of my favorite passages in the Old Testament is Proverbs 31, verses 10-31. It talks about the value and  attributes of a virtuous woman. It has been one of my favorites since I first read it as a seminary student, and made it my goal to become a virtuous woman.



In hopes of Katie making this her goal too, Aaron and I gave her a ruby necklace and ring for her birthday. We read these scriptures together and talked about what they mean and why it is so important to make good choices that will lead her down the path of virtuous living. I also wrote her a letter about these verses in her "Mom and Me" journal.



We hope she will wear it always, and that it will serve as a reminder of her goal of becoming a virtuous woman.

twelve

Our sweet Katie is twelve today. I can hardly believe how fast twelve years has passed.



It seems like she was just a kindergartner, wishing I was a teacher so I could be her teacher at school.



And now she's a middle schooler. It's been a tough year for her, but seems to be handling it all pretty well.



She has been so much more responsible with her school work this year, and is making good grades again.



I love that she is such a happy girl, even though things aren't always easy.



I love that she is willing to try new things, but has a great attitude when things don't turn out like she was hoping.



She is such a sweet.....



....sassy.....



....spunky.....



.....and completely silly girl!



And we are so grateful she's ours!

the privileges of being twelve

Katie received her Certificate of Advancement and her certificate for completing the Faith in God program today at church.



She is so excited to be moving up to the Young Women's Program.  Since Maw Maw is the Beehive Counselor, she came over and talked to Katie all about the Young Women's Program and went over the Personal Progress Program with her. I'm pretty sure there has never been a happier beehive in all the land.



She's been asking all year when she was going to get to wear make up, because apparently every other girl in 6th grade does except her. So she was pretty excited about FINALLY getting her very own make up.



Turning twelve is a pretty big deal for her. Kinda bittersweet for me. My little girl is growing up so fast, but I do love watching her transition from "little girl" into "young woman".

may the odds be ever in your favor

Katie picked the "Hunger Games" as the theme for her party this year.



So we made some invitations and invited her friends.



We had a Hunger Games inspired feast.



Complete with grilled squirrel, roasted rabbit, District 11 bread, cookies and apple tarts from Mellark's Bakery, Caesar Flickerman salad, Prim's goat cheese, District 12 coal, nightlock, and sleep syrup.



The girls loved it!



After dinner, we gave the tributes a "survival kit" and sent them into the "arena".



They played Tracker Jacker tag. The point was to try to sting, or tag, others without getting stung yourself. The girls really got into it. So did Maw Maw.



After Tracker Jacker Tag.



After Tracker Jacker Tag, we went inside for a Hunger Games trivia quiz.





Then the birthday girl opened presents.



Then it was cake time!



I seriously can't believe my baby is twelve!







Make a wish sweet pea!



After cake, we watched "Hunger Games", and not too long after that, everyone was out like a light.



Apparently, life as a tribute is pretty exhausting!

Preschool Park Day

Today we met our preschool friends at Prien Lake Park.



It was a beautiful day, but a little chilly.



John David was making me a little nervous, but he had so much fun climbing.



He really loved sliding down this pole. He is really into firemen right now, and loves to watch "Fireman Sam".



After the kids played a bit, we ate some lunch, and then we had an egg hunt.



John David was fast and I had to tell him to stop because he was getting so many eggs.



Here's the crew after the egg hunt.



John was fascinated by the water fountain.



If it hadn't been so chilly, he probably would have jumped in.



We love good friends and beautiful park days!