Ok..sooo maybe that wasn't funny....

So...I guess Jenny and I are the only ones who think Ben's drawing was funny. Man, what do I have to do to get comments? :)

Love at Home

Last week we had a Family Home Evening lesson about having more 'Love at Home'. Ben was in charge of the lesson and did a great job. The activity for the evening was drawing a picture that depicts one way we can each have more love in our home. The following is Ben's picture:

Yep, that's me sitting there in front of the TV holding the beloved REMOTE!!! Which, by the way, I never get to use!!! I must say I look smokin' in my skinny body, tight pink outfit and noticable boob lift. The mer-man in the background is Ben. This picture was just too dang funny not to share.

Deer in Headlights

Ok, I have one more Christmas thing to post. We have had major computer problems this past month, so I haven't been able to stay up to date as I would like to be. Here is my little deer in headlights at the Preschool Christmas Program. Luke started out with his hands covering his face and then he started to get all wild and crazy during Jingle Bells. You can check out the video below to see for yourself.

Ok...so maybe 'wild and crazy' wasn't the correct way to describe it, but atleast he was smiling this time.

Christmas-All Wrapped Up

Okay, so I am still working on posting Christmas pics. Hopefully this post will wrap up all our events and we can move on to the new year!

This year I made 'Reindeer Food' as gifts for our neighbors and friends. The kids helped me make it and they couldn't wait to sprinkle it all over the snow on Christmas Eve. As you can see in the photo, Luke dressed up for the 'sprinkling' event.

Here is a sample of one of the Reindeer Food gifts. I made them into ornaments so that people can refill and reuse it every year. I love making homemade gifts! It takes a lot of time, but I love every minute of it.

Santa brought Luke the BATCAVE!!! Yay!

Aunt Jaime had this Halloween crayon case made for Luke. Isn't it the coolest thing? (Click on the photo to get a better look at it). Luke had to drop everything and quickly color a page in his new Cars coloring book.

The 3 Santas. Luke started it, of course!

Princess stuff, baby stuff and candy . What more could a girl ask for?

Looking for Santa.

Yearly tradition: visiting the 'Christmas Houses' in a nearby city.

The kids love coming here. This window/house displayed elves making Christmas cookies.

Gma and Papa drove 8 hours to come visit us! Yay!

Excuse the pigsty in the background, but check out Miss Sassafras sitting on Mommy's lap! I swear Ashlynn is 2 going on 14!

More Christmas visitors: Aunt Kris-Kris and Gma Carolyn from Tennessee! What a special treat to be with them.

Christmas Roses

This may be hard to believe, but I took this photo one month ago! We still had roses blooming and the kid's hadn't even taken out their winter coats yet. I can't believe all the snow we have received since this photo was taken. Now it feels like the snow will never go away.

We are so Smitten!

I am lagging behind at posting photos and events from Christmas. So, I decided to group my pictures and break them up a little. Usually I post things about Luke because he says the funniest things I have ever heard or he is always creating something very unique. But Ashlynn needs her own post today. Ben and I have been so smitten by this little girl-especially lately. We see more of her personality every day and we can't get enough of this sweet little cupcake.

As we were decorating the Christmas tree, Ashlynn discovered what she thought was the longest and grandest necklace EVER! She loves jewelry and reminded all of us that this was HER 'nayness' (that's how she says necklace).

Princess Ashlynn.

Uncle Ron and Aunt Colby sent her this crown and jewelry. She was in heaven! It's hard to believe she is only 2 years old. She looks older with her jewelry on.

Ashlynn reading a book in her new favorite spot.

A friend gave Ashlynn this dress and she ADORES it. One of her favorite pasttimes is to open the closet and gaze at her princess dresses all hanging up in a row. It brings her so much joy and she wants everyone to join her in the event.

Even when she is sassy or mad, she still melts our hearts.

She loves to dance and kick her legs like a ballerina although she has never had a dance lesson.

We love you Ashlynn.

David Bowman-(artist)

David Bowman:

has had a passion for art ever since he could pick up a pencil. He loves creating images of the Savior that inspire and uplift. Along with his Christian fine art, David has also written and illustrated a series of scripture storybooks for children titled "Who's Your Hero".

Check out his website at http://bowman-art.com/indexFineart.htm to see more of his precious art.

"Security"

One of the greatest human needs is a sense of security. In all aspects of life, we naturally gravitate towards anything that makes us feel safe. In this piece, I wanted to convey a sense of complete peace and calm like only the Savior can provide. It's a security that allows us to rest assured, without fear or worry, when we put ourselves trustingly in His arms. Little children have that inherent kind of trust in their parents, so it's fitting that the man and girl who modeled for "Security" are actually father and daughter. They generated the exact feel I was looking for.

"My Child"
This piece conveys an intimate, up-close-and-personal feeling of the Savior's love. Notice how all the lines draw your attention and point towards Jesus' face in the center. I chose the name "My Child" because the only thing that could compare (even remotely) to Christ's compassion for us is the love of a parent for his/her child. This image is also intended to put things in perspective. Above all, we are God's children first. He allows us the privelege of experiencing parenthood for ourselves and we are entrusted to be the mothers and fathers of His.

"Innocence"

The Savior tells us we need to become as little children to inherit the kingdom of God. I've often wondered what it is about little children Jesus loves most, and I think its their innocence. They are clean slates, seeing the world and others through untarnished eyes. Their hearts are pure, without the baggage of cynicism and self-doubt. In this piece, I've tried to imagine how a child would act upon meeting the Master for the first time. Without reservation or inhibition, I think he would simply want to play with Him. He would be at complete ease, allowing his pure little heart to soak in the love and laughter of His pure, infinite heart. Its no wonder Christ delights in these little ones and sets them up to be our examples