Autee

Ella and her new Hermit Crab....Misty!

Autee & Owen
Autee took these pics of Thomas....aren't they great?!

Celebrating Mt. Redoubt!

Mt. Redoubt has been busy blowing her top, so we decided it was time to celebrate!  Claire's teacher sent home this recipe so we had to try it.  What fun!  The lollipop lava was the biggest hit with the kids.  The Meier boys joined the celebration.  Tons of sugar, tons of cake.....and tons of fun!  Yesterday, we put Saran Wrap outside to see if we could collect some ash.  Sure enough, by bedtime we could feel the dusting of ash.  By morning, there was enough to collect and put into a bag for keeps.    The cake was such a hit, the girls talked me into making another for the Chili cook-off at church tonight.  Autee came over and baked her very first cake with me yesterday.  The chili and desserts are judged....we'll see if our Mt. Redoubt is as much of a hit with the judges as it was with the kids:)

god's girls

Ella & I went to our church's annual, "God's Girls Getaway" this weekend.  What FUN we had! We had such a fun table of friends, both new and old, and did what girls do best...laughed LOTS!

losing, growing & rearranging

Losing teeth. Growing teeth.  Rearranging teeth.  That's what's happening at this house!!!  Claire lost her FIRST tooth this week at school.  She came home off the bus and was so excited.  I was super surprised because it was just a little loose.  Had no idea, she'd go for it and just yank it out herself at school!  Owen just cut his third tooth, so is quite attached to my hip and napping is hard to come by.  And then there's Ella...she just got lower braces on this week.  We have a lot of tooth action around here.  Many ages, many stages!

sunshine=lemonade stand

Smart business owners think outside the box.... & since life is short, why not have a lemonade stand in March?!! 

 When Ella and I got home from the dentist yesterday, Alex and Claire were all set to sell lemonade on the corner!  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and it was just too darn cute to say no to.  Actually, they had planned to have a foot massage along with their lemonade stand, but I was able to talk them out of that:)   Aimee made fresh squeezed lemonade for them and due to the kindness of neighbors, siblings, and dads that supported them, they each actually made a few dollars!

miracle

Meet Miracle.  Miracle is a "Milbert's Tortoise" butterfly that we found on the porch this week.  I thought it was a moth, but we googled it and did some internet research and learned she was actually a butterfly!  Who know a butterfly could live in Alaska in March?  Crazy!  The girls were sure she needed to eat, so we brought her inside for a brief stint.  She appeared to be dead, but came to life upon going back outside...thus the reason for her name:)  Ella took a TON of pictures of Miracle and both girls are writing a book about her.  Just when we thought spring may never come...

mom quiz

This was a Facebook question, but (like Amanda) thought all of you would enjoy the results on this interview with the girls!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
E-Clean your room or Stop that or whatever
C- Did you miss me?

2. What makes mom happy?
E-When I get my pjs on, brush my teeth or do a chore without you asking me
C- When I give you quiet kisses

3. What makes mom sad?
E-When I don't listen
C-When I don't obey you

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
E-No way
C-Tickle me

5. What was your mom like as a child?
E-You had buck teeth!
C- Short with curly hair

6. How old is your mom?
E-37
C-37

7. How tall is your mom?
E- 5 foot 10
C-8 foot?

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
E-go shopping or go see Stacy
C- play with me

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
E-watch TV & eat on the couch and eat lots of candy
C-read books

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
E-something to do with taking care of kids
C-taking care of us

11. What is your mom really good at?
E-shopping, cooking, falling asleep
C- reading and reading the bible with us

12. What is your mom not very good at?
E-talking back
C- watching TV

13. What does your mom do for a job?
E-you pay bills at the office and stay home
C- go to the office and do checks

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
E-halibut, crab, shrimp
C- maybe lobster?

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
E- That she takes care of us
C- You read to me

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
E-Bugs Bunny or Word Girl
C- I don't know!

17. What do you and your mom do together?
E-argue, go to Whittier
C- go shopping

18. How are you and your mom the same?
E-We both have short brown hair
C- We both have brown hair

19. How are you and your mom different?
E-You have tiny feet and I have humongous feet
and You talk a lot and I don't!
C-I have tiny feet and you have big feet and I wake up earlier than you

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
E- That you take care of us
C- That I asked Jesus into my heart

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
E-That he takes care of us and builds houses and that he bought a boat so we can go to Whittier and see animals and catch food
C- That you married him

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
E-Go see Grandma & Grandpa, MN, or Florida
C-The BrewHouse

rejoice!

Tonight, Claire came to me in tears just before bed.  She was reluctant to tell me what was wrong at first, but finally said she was scared she maybe wasn't going to heaven.  We talked a bunch and just before we prayed, Ella popped her head over the top bunk and said, "Mom, I forgot to tell you that I prayed that prayer just a few days ago!"  Classic Ella...in her timing, by herself and without help:)  Claire and I prayed and then I cried... I've been waiting and praying for this day.  I get to spend eternity with my girls!  YAHOO!!!!!

smooches

Ah, the love of a brother!

braces

Another part of my welcome home was this smile!  Ella got braces while I was gone.  She's looking more like a "tween!"  She didn't appreciate the "tinsel teeth" note I wrote in her lunch one day...oops!  Ah, the memories I have of braces... I wanted them so badly as I had such an overbite.  The kids at school called me "Bugs," short for Bugs Bunny.  Another part of growing up...here we go!

annual vacation?

My welcome home was over the top!  I think I'm still smiling over my greetings, hugs and in general happiness for having mom back at home.  Absence really does make the heart grow fonder....maybe I should take a week's vacation every year:)!!!!!