Fun Projects

A few weeks ago we made a few changes....

I do love my new laundry room with all of it's cabinets and sink. It's much bigger than our last home and I can't forget to mention our kids favorite feature the "laundry chute." Micah and I have had the same washer for almost 11 years now. It finally started not working well along with our dryer that really didn't dry very efficiently anymore. It was time to change things up a little bit.

This is our new laundry room below. The blue on the walls did turn out a bit brighter than I had originally planned (and the picture flash makes it look brighter also), but we still like it. With the white cabinets above the blue and white appliances you really don't see that much blue anyway. This new washer and dryer pair are FANTASTIC. You can fit so much in these babies. Our clothes actually come out dry too. Imagine that!

We also had an empty dining room that now holds a table that actually fits our entire family with room to spare. With us having black furniture in the same room as the table we opted for a dark wood table to match the floors and black seats to match the other furniture in the room. When they were delivering the table they dropped a chair on the cement which I sent back. By next week we should have eight chairs for around the table. I'm sure all the home decorating stores in the area will be seeing me soon to find a new centerpiece. :)

We are working hard with a list of home improvement projects a mile long. More pictures will be coming soon.

Easter Dresses 2010

There is nothing I love more than finding the perfect Easter dresses for my girls. They are getting older and more particular which makes it a challenge, but still fun.

With it being conference weekend during Easter weekend they were more than happy to wear their dresses a week early. I am a bit prejudice considering they are my kids, but I think they looked absolutely beautiful.

I knew that I had to have this dress the moment I laid my eyes on it. Most days purple is her favorite color. It can switch from day to day as it does with most three year olds. With Micah having meetings every Sunday morning I have the pleasure of getting four girls ready and to church before nine o'clock by myself. We always try to lay out our dresses the night before to save a little time. The Saturday before they wore these dresses we had an Easter dress fashion show to make sure everyone was happy with their purchase. The girls put on their dresses, turned on some music, turned on a spot light (Abbie's reading light) and came down the stairs modeling them for Micah and I. Aliza was first to model. She came down the stairs strutting her stuff. Twirling as much as she could for us to see how her dress twirls, reached the bottom of the stairs, did a full turn and blew us a kiss like she was a professional. What a ham.

Avery did pick this one all by herself. She tried on many dresses and this was her favorite. She looked like a pink princess.

Abbie's favorite color is green. When I found this green dress that looked a little bit grown up I knew it would be a hit. She is looking too grown up.

What girl doesn't love a new dress.

Student Of The Month

Avery was awarded Student of the Month this past week. We are so proud of her accomplishment since moving to Henderson. She has grown and learned so much these past few months. Her teacher mentioned that she received this award for her kindness she shows toward the other students and I know Micah and I have seen her work really hard and push herself academically.

Her favorite part was being able to have a pizza lunch with the principal of the school. She also had her picture taken to be displayed in the cafeteria.

She also received a license plate cover that reads "Twitchell Student of the Month" which she did really want us to put on the car. I never thought I would be one of "those" parents, but Micah put it on without a fuss. We are really proud of Avery.

Aliza's 3rd Birthday!!!

Aliza officially turned three on March 21st. I still can't believe that our baby is three years old. After celebrating with family in Utah a few weeks back her birthday was quiet and relaxing with just our little family here to celebrate. When she woke up the morning of her birthday she kept saying that she didn't want a birthday. I'm not sure what she thought we were talking about, but she quickly changed her mind when she was given presents and cake.

Her birthday did fall on a Sunday so her nursery class was able to sing to her also. She loved all the attention.

I love this surprised look in this picture. She really enjoyed all of her fun gifts. Avery gave her a bubble blower and Abbie chose a new play dough kit.

One happy little girl!

Abbie really wanted to make Aliza's cake this year all by herself. She did a great job! She was drawing it out on paper for weeks just to get it perfect. It of course didn't go exactly as planned which caused her some stress, but she really did a great job for this being her first cake decorating experience.

Abbie even wrote Happy Birthday Aliza in frosting around the cake. Aliza enjoyed all the phone calls and now wishes that her day wasn't over. Who can blame her. Happy Birthday Lizzie!!!

Moab 1/2 Marathon

OK--so we didn't make it to Moab for the half-marathon. After a lot of consideration and thought we decided to stay home. Once we realized that it would be a 9 hour drive (one way) we began to think "is it worth it to spend 18 hours in the car for a weekend trip?" We really missed being with our family, but had our own half-marathon here in Henderson Nevada.

Micah did well for his first run that was this long. He ran his 13.1 miles Saturday morning and the girls and I cheered him on. We did spend an hour trying to find him along his running path to bring him some water because he ran his course in the opposite direction than I expected. If I would have just asked him which way he was going first it would have solved that problem. I guess we live and learn for next time. When we did spot him we ran to the side of the road to hold up signs and cheer "Go Dad Go."

Here is the finish line we held here at our home. Unfortunately I was in the car trying to turn on some fun finish line music when he came home and crashed on the grass from exhaustion. So, there are no pictures and everything didn't go as planned on my end. But he finished in great time. After a few hours he was feeling enough strength to finish painting Avery's bedroom. Micah really has enjoyed running and luckily there are always fun runs happening here in Henderson.

St. Patrick's Day 2010

Our annual St. Patty's Day party was a success. We started out the day with green pancakes and ended it with annual green potatoes and gravy, green jello, green beans and even green colored apple sauce. Last year I actually died the meat loaf green but decided that was a bit much. So that was the only non-green food item for dinner.

The green freckles they did come up with on their own. Abbie planned a fun scavenger hunt for the family which ended out on the patio with green colored cupcakes. Even at school they were aloud a free dress day which was a fun break from uniforms. I love any excuse to have a party.

Oh No!!!

You may be thinking that you have already read this post because you have seen this picture before. But, you're wrong. This picture is a repeat to show you Aliza's favorite hair do. Just about every morning she asks for "kitty ears." I think it is cute, and it keeps the hair out of her face so she usually has "kitty ears."

Until today................

I used to pride myself on the fact that my girls have never tried to cut their own hair. Leave it to Aliza to change everything. As I was blow drying my hair this morning she was standing right behind me just jabbering away to herself. I wasn't paying much attention (but now that I reflect back on this event I do recall her saying "I don't want elastics mom.") I turned around just in time before she cut the whole kitty ear off. Luckily it kind of cut a chunk out underneath all the long hair on top. Needless to say we will not be doing kitty ears for awhile.

Ultimately she has the hair-do she wanted for today, and mom has learned a good lesson. ALWAYS BE LISTEN!!! You think I would have learned that by now.