Belated Valentine's Date night...

Since Arnold was working all weekend we missed celebrating Valentine's day together but managed to sneak in a dinner out on Tuesday night after the kids were fed, homework was complete, laundry got sorted, and the piano pieces were practiced! Arnold wore one of MY favorite shirts (its pink and he wears it VERY well but tends to like blues and browns better) and we ate at HIS favorite restaurant (Bonefish Grill which I don't mind but I like trying different things and Arnold is more of a "find a favorite and stick with it" kind of guy)! So we definitely both ended up happy with the arrangement for the evening. It was very nice... Happy Valentine's day Arnold... You are still and always will be my very best friend! I love you.

Chinese New Year - Missionary style...

Handmade won tons, korean lettuce wraps, and lots of fun surrounded our Chinese New Year celebration with the elders in our ward. We even convinced them to participate in the Seh Bei (bowing) ceremony that our family does each New Year with my parents. I'd have to say their Korean pronunciation was pretty good! They certainly made for a very memorable Chinese New Year! Happy Year of the Tiger...

Trip to Baton Rouge with the youth...

What better way to spend the weekend than driving 13 youth to Baton Rouge Louisiana for a temple trip! It had been almost a year since we had last been able to attend as a Ward youth group so this was a very special trip for us. I am often amazed at the strength and conviction these youth have especially in a world that is so filled with opposition. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve them each week in church!

Snow in the Deep South????

For the first time in over 15 years it snowed in Mobile, Alabama! We had about an inch of snow within only an hour or so but it melted almost as quickly as it came down. But not before the kids could enjoy a little bit of Utah they miss so much living here in the South! I guess if you really really want something...it sometimes happens when you least expect it!

A day at the Science Fair...

The Mobile County Public School system held their annual Science Fair last week and Kenny was chosen as one of the four students to represent Causey Middle School 6th graders. Kenny did his project on the Aerodynamics of Paper Airplanes and although he didn't place at the regional fair we certainly had a great time spending the day together!

More presents????

After the Elders left we surprised Jessica with more presents for her birthday on Super Bowl Sunday! She couldn't have been more excited! Especially with the new Webkinz dolls! I think the crown fit her perfectly!

Celebrating the Super Bowl Jessica style...

Every year no matter when it is televised we celebrate Jessica's birthday as a family on Super Bowl Sunday! She was born in Salt Lake City Utah at LDS Hospital on Super Bowl sunday right before half time. Watching the Super Bowl while in contractions was the only thing that kept me sane! Since then every year we have always made Super Bowl Sunday a fun event! This year was no exception! We had the missionaries over. Ate lots of football finger foods! And rated the commercials with Thumbs Up/Down hand cards made especially by the elders! No...they didn't stay for the whole game, just an hour or so!

Mardi Gras 2010...

Lisa was a little caught off guard when this man approached her from the parade with his paper roses! The tradition is that they will single people out of the crowd (mostly cute girls) and ask them for a kiss on the cheek. If they get one... they present the woman with a purple paper rose. Looks like Lisa did a good job! That and helping the elders in our ward learn a little bit of Mobile culture at their first Mardi Gras parade!

Let the good times roll...

Well its that time of year again and we couldn't let Mardi Gras pass us by without attending our favorite parade of the year! The whole family enjoyed the day along with a group of youth from our stake, the missionaries from our ward (with permission of course) and some close friends who have become more like family!

Cheeburger Cheeburger with Dad...

Arnold checked Jessica out of school early one day to spend the afternoon shopping and having their favorite food together for lunch... Can you guess what that might be? You're right! BURGERS! If its one thing they both love is a good old fashioned burger and this place was kind of fun! You customize your very own burger with whatever you could possibly want on it! Jessica asked for peanut butter to go on the side of hers and I was amazed that she said it was actually pretty good! For eating her entire 1/2 lb Cheeburger she was able to post her picture on their wall of fame! We couldn't be more proud! What a great way to spend the day with her dad!

The Aerodynamics of paper airplanes...

Kenny submitted his Science Fair project to his Middle school teacher and found out that he had advanced to the District finals tomorrow. He had a really hard time at first deciding what he wanted to do his project on but when he finally settled on the aerodynamics of paper airplanes...he really had a fun time with it! Congratulations Kenny! We are so proud of you!

Sharing Chinese New Year...

This is the year of the Tiger and on Friday I was able to share a little bit about Chinese New year with a few of Jessica's friends from school! We made red money envelopes and stuffed them with paper $100 bills, learned about the Zodiac signs and symbols (this age group was Rabbit and Dragon years!), and did a little bit of fun food tasting! (Dried squid, roasted seaweed, steamed rice, haupia pudding, ararae crackers, and a bunch of chopsticks to make it even more exciting!) Gang Hay Fat Choy!

Kites for Kids in Haiti...

Jessica's school started a Kites for Kids toy drive for the children in Haiti. The principal at Hutchens read a report about a young Haitian boy trying to make a kite out of an torn garbage bag he found in the aftermath. This motivated him to get all 1000 students at Jessica's school involved. I took this picture on the second to last day of the toy drive. By the next day there were twice as many toys overflowing in the front office of the school!

Winding down...

No camp sleepover would be quite the same without a little bit of sleepiness at 1 am in the morning, Tux fighting for his spot in the tent, and a great ziploc bag omelette in the morning! Happy Birthday Jessica! We hope you have a fantastic year!