Rub A Dub Dub

three Newbys in the tub.

Popcorn

At our house Friday night is movie night and with movie night comes POPCORN. I think many of the nights the kids are more excited about the popcorn than they are the movie. They think this tradition is such a great treat and it is, but it is also great for Eric and I. We have an hour and a half of mostly quite and can get some things done around the house. Usually things like "Eric can you put this curtain rod up?" or "Eric do you think we could put up the shelves in the laundry room?" Maybe Eric doesn't think this "free time" is as great as I do. :) Well the last few weeks Natalie has lost the privilege of the movie, but we have still been letting the kids have popcorn. I am sure Cameron is too young for the treat, but he loves it! "Pacorn pacorn!" when he realizes what we are making. So cute how could I not give him some?

manna from heaven

When You Feel The Heat....

I took this from my friend Joanna's blog. My mom had told me this story once before and I love it!

Malachi 3:3 says:"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it." If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Pass this on to everyone you know. Right now, this very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person.

Olives, Arms and Angelina Jolie

This is a revised question from the game Tri-Bond. The object is to figure out how the three are related. The original question was with Jennifer Anniston not Angelina Jolie, but obviously that doesn't apply anymore. The answer is pits. Anyway, this is just a lead into the real reason for this post. Today I was asking Ella some questions from Brain Quest (a series of age related challenge questions). She was doing really well and was having a lot of fun answering the questions and was really excited when she would get the answer right. One question showed a picture of a banana, cherries and a peach and asked 'Which of these fruits doesn't have seeds or a pit?' Ella quickly pointed to the banana. I was a little surprised so I explained how the cherries have seeds inside them and the peach had a big seed called a pit. She very excitedly raised her arm in the air, pointed to her armpit and said "I have a pit right here!" I was dying! This girls cracks me up!

The Party

Ella decided she wanted a My Little Pony party for her birthday. As we were decorating our living room for the party she was getting so excited. She would see her friends get out of the cars and then would run to the door to let them in. Ella seemed so surprised that her friends were bringing presents with them. I think she just thought they were coming over to play.


We played a few party games and then did the pinata. As we were planning the party she kept saying how she REALLY wanted a pinata. I have always thought they were cute but never wanted to pay that much for a 10 second game. But did I mention she REALLY wanted one?! She was always really sweet about it and we found a cute one so I caved. The only let down was that she wanted to hit it and the one we got had the ribbons that you pull. Not really a way to get out some aggression, but she seemed happy with it.

Playing pin the symbol on the pony.

I had to make Natalie really dizzy to make it fair.

The much anticipated pinata.

Ok I know it isn't a pony, but Rainbow Dash has a Rainbow as her symbol and that seemed much easier than trying to make a pony.

Getting ready to blow out the candles

Cameron enjoying his juice box.

Presents! Ella was so sweet when she opened her presents. She told each person thank you a million times and when she was done she said "Thank you guys this is such a lovely presents!" We were so happy that Ella's friends could help us celbrate!

Happy Birday Ella!

Today our sweet and sassy Ella turns 4! I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She adds so much fun and entertainment to our lives. Ella loves to play with her sister and brother, explore the backyard, dance to High School Musical, help in the kitchen, do her "homework" and do gymnastics. We love you Ella and are having a blast watching you grow up! Here are some pictures of her growing up (sorry I had a hard time choosing). Brand new! 9 1/2lbs and completely healthy. A true miracle.
Ella with Grandma Cindy on the day of her blessing.

Just looking cute!

For awhile she was always sticking out her tongue.

Taking a bath in grandma's sink.

8 months old and so cute in this sweater from Rabia!

6 1/2 months I think. :)

Have you ever seen a cuter swimsuit picture?!

She has always had her own sense of style.

Some wild morning hair after Ella cut it herself.

Silly faces.

Our big 4 year old!

Happy New Year and Are You a Doctor?

At midnight in downtown Portland my sister Rachel and I rang in the New Year by running a 5K along the waterfront. It was cold and rainy with a lot of strange people, but was so fun! While we didn't win any prizes for our time or costumes we did finish strong and are already planning our next race. We took the Max down and back to avoid the nightmare of downtown parking and because it was free. On the way home there was only standing room for the first half of the ride. When we had a chance to sit down this guy leans over to me and says, "Are you a doctor?" Me trying to contain my laughter, "Uh, no." Guy, "Are you sure?" Me, "Yep I'm sure." I have been having to wear my glasses because of an eye infection so I thought I must look so smart with them that now people are thinking I am a doctor. Ha Ha. Maybe I will keep wearing them!