Haiti kits

When something devastating happens in the world--do you tell your kids?

We told our kids about Haiti a few days after the initial earthquake. We showed them some {edited} pictures, and the moving video about the woman being found at a bank 6 days later. We donated some money the day after it happened, but didn't bother telling the kids. Then Awesome Gma had an idea to put together some hygiene, first aid and newborn kits to give to those in crisis-situations like this one. The kids would be involved. It was a good teaching opportunity. My eight-year-old niece observed that there was MINT toothpaste she said how she didn't like mint and "what if they didn't like it." We talked about how whomever received this was just going to be so happy to even HAVE toothpaste. Our children need to be more grateful. They need to see how lucky they are. They aren't living in tents outside broken-down buildings. They have food, toys, clothes, warmth. We pray for those in Haiti everyday.

Here's the info for making the kits. If you are LDS and live near a Bishop's Storehouse you can also take the made kits there.


Hygiene Assembly Instructions

2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
4 toothbrushes (packaged)
1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 oz., no pumps)
2 bars of soap (approximately 4 to 5 oz.)
2 hand towels (new towels, approximately 15" by 25". Please do not use dish towels or washcloths. To sew towels, serge or zigzag the edges of terry cloth to make a 15" by 25" towel.)
Place items in a heavy-duty, one-gallon sealable bag. Remove all air before sealing. Place hygiene kits in a cardboard packing box.



Newborn Assembly Instructions

1 double receiving blanket (see receiving blanket guidelines below)
4 flat fold (single thickness) cloth diapers (100% cotton Birdseye Cloth or 100% cotton diaper flannel), approximately 25". Please do not use pre-folded or disposable diapers.
4 diaper safety pins
1 pair booties or baby socks
2 regular-size bars of soap (Ivory or other non-allergenic brand)
1 newborn layette gown (please, no footed sleeper
Place items for the newborn kit in a heavy-duty, two-gallon sealable bag. Remove all air before sealing. Place kits in a cardboard packing box.

You mail them to
Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center
1665 Bennett Road
Salt Lake City, UT 84104

Rocking New Year's Eve

The original A-team
2008+2 = my mom doesn't throw things away too often!
Welcome 2010!!

We had our annual New Year's Eve bash at (my bro) Craig and Jodi's. The theme this year was American because Craig, being the kid that he is bought a cotton candy machine. Seriously. An industrial-size one. It is awesome. Maybe someday I will buy one because I LOVE cotton candy.

Here's the menu:
Homemade Root Beer
Hamburgers
Hot Dogs, Brats
Corn Dogs
Chips
Salad
Fruit
Hot fudge Sundaes (and homemade caramel, reeses pieces, and bananas)
Jackie's b-day cake
Funnel cake that never got cooked because we were too full.
COTTON CANDY

Craig working his magic
All the kids got their very own!! What a dream!


It was a fun evening with Beatles Rock Band, talking, playing, food and the countdown to midnight with balloons falling from the sky (okay, ceiling).

Last year we set New Year's resolutions as a family. Our kids all accomplished theirs, but Sam and I were lacking (mine--learn to sew and improve my Spanish--umm, I sewed Boo's Halloween costume, does that count?).

Here are some new goals. Maybe if I post them I'll actually follow through:

Sew 3 things--including a dress
Exercise 3 times a week (seriously. I am only 6 months prego and I've gained 25 pounds. Awesome).

I of course have a long list of goals in different categories--Health, Spiritual, Relationships, but these are on the family goal list.

Did you hear?

We had over a foot of snow two weeks ago (and it's ALMOST gone). So, we enjoyed it for a couple days till it was black and nasty and then we headed to Great Wolf Lodge to enjoy a little summer in the middle of winter. Four of my siblings and their fams went and we had a fabulous time. I even rode some of the slides (shhh--don't tell my Dr!).




And for those who haven't heard...IT'S A.....


GIRL!!!! Luke slumped his shoulders, but got over it pretty fast!

Doesn't it feel good?

When you get a strike? Some reactions from a recent (okay, try over a month) bowling trip.


Sometimes you can't even believe it!


After his 1st strike


This one just ran around the whole place and tried picking up the balls.


Sometimes they had a little help from this contraption or


From daddy.

Fall Fun

Seeing as it snowed here, I figured I better post these pictures from our Fall fun. S. played hooky from work and his bro, Jesse joined us for our yearly Cox Farm trip. We met up with the A cousins and had a fun time on the slides, corn maze, hayride and of course eating kettle corn.

Christmas Surprise

Did you know...

That I'm pregnant? Yep, 20 weeks and we had the ultrasound last Monday. I'm sure you're wondering what we're having. You'll (and we'll) have to wait until Christmas. There is a special envelope hanging in our tree that has the secret. I feel like a kid waiting for that Christmas surprise. So, if you happen to come to our house--NO PEEKING!!

Any guesses on the sex? S thinks it's a girl. I think it's a boy (and Little Man does, too).

Remember and Respect

We started a new tradition in our home this year. I got the idea from Nie Nie. Every year she has a special Back-to-School dinner for her kids. They have a theme for the year. I think it is a wonderful idea and helps the kids get excited for school.

Our theme this year is "Remember and Respect." I wanted to emphasize the fact that they need to remember what WE have taught in our home. That we might make different choices than our friends. That we have different rules and expectations. I also wanted them to remember to respect their classmates and teachers and themselves.

We invited all the cousins (and Grandparents on both sides and aunts and uncles). We had apples as our centerpieces, we had a big poster with the theme that they helped decorate and hats with the theme and their names. We ate dinner, had the grown-ups tell stories from their school days and talked about the theme. We all ate at one long table. No "kids' table" for this party. Even though it was a little crazy with 11 kids I think they still got some good out of it.

After dinner (Indian Food--homemade, of course!)--we had a fashion show with some of their new outfits, and then dessert--A rice krispie treat school bus and some chocolate cream puffs and coconut-creme cream puffs. We decided to do the party that morning so Aunt Mary and Uncle Mike could come, too, so there aren't many pictures since I was running around doing things. But the table looked really cute!