Thanksgiving cake

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are having such a low-key holiday this year, I'm loving it! My girls and I created this cake in honor of Thanksgiving! My girls HATE pie...(what's up with that?) so I promised them they could make a cake for after the big feast. (I got the idea from Facebook). I think with more practice, I'm getting better with this fondant thing. It's really just like playing with edible play-doh...but is sure makes a mess!

Here's another Disney page. I've slowed way down...I need to learn to pace myself with scrapbooking so I don't get burnt out halfway through a book.

Dog Woes

So, we have this great dog...she's a Labradoodle named Sweet Pea. She doesnt stink, doesn't shed and is GREAT with kids! We really love her to death but this weekend, I've reached my limit! Before heading off to the kids' school carnival, I had baked an 8X8 cake, cooled it off, wrapped it in plastic wrap and set it up on my rather high counter. You guessed it, when we came home, 3/4ths of the cake was gone! The plastic wrap was there but the cake had disappeared. The dog was the only culprit! She must have put her front paws on the counter and eaten as much as she could reach. I feed this dog twice a day...she's not starving! Then, today, I discovered that she had shredded one of Jillian's bears and she started to shred my throw rug in my family room. She also snatched Lydia's lunch right off of her plate! What am I to do? It's been so rainy lately that I haven't been able to get her outside to run. Perhaps she's bored??? I had to scold the poor thing three times today and most of the time she looks at me like "what did I do?" Dog ownership...such a joy! Any advice would be welcome!

finally...I finished a few more pages..

Charlotte's baby book finally finished!!

Well ladies...I did it! After one year of procrastinating finishing this project, I finally got Charlotte's baby book done. Yes, Charlotte...my first born. (who is 11:) I did her book right after she was born but it was the first book I had ever scrapbooked (the traditional way) and quite frankly, it was awful! Once I went digital I thought it would be so nice to rip everything out of the old book, scan it into my computer and give her a digital scrapbook for Christmas. I completed the last page today and hopefully can get the book ordered and here before Christmas. Next up... re-doing Jillian's book (Which is equally awful) Maybe i'll have it done by next year!

I scanned everything in...birth certificates, congratulations cards, notes from my doctor etc..

We were so naive as new parents. Charlotte wouldn't nurse so we had to "finger" feed her from a tube attached to our finger. Why? so that she would eventually transition to breast feeding. Good in theory but honestly, it took forever! She never did nurse and went to a bottle at 2 months old. (My other kids had no problem nursing...oh the things we learn!)

don't we look lovely...Casey in his Tigger hat and me with my permed hair...aah, the 90's.

this is the last page in her book. I just finished it today. This was taken in Spokane (where I grew up) 10 years ago. Seems like yesterday...sigh...

Almost done. I'm getting sick of Disney stuff!!!

More Disney

Well, I'm almost done with this book! I had some quiet time today so I finished a few more Disney pages. Enjoy!

In my opinion, this was one of the best rides in California Adventure. Long lines, but lots of fun!

Hey everyone...I've got a few more pages for you. Yesterday was the simplest, and best day. Casey was actually home for the entire day! He hibernated in his room, finishing his Ward Conference talk and then, we went to Walmart as a family. In the meantime, I made some rocking spaghetti with homemade meatballs and processed two of the pumpkins on the front porch. I now have two freezer bags worth of smooth pumpkin meat, ready for pies, breads, and whatever! I LOVE days like yesterday.

More Disney

Hey guys...I got a few more Disney pages done. Let me know what you think. Think I can get this book done by Christmas? We'll see!!! Enjoy!

the kids went on Splash Mountain at least 8 times!! We went at night when the lines were really short for this ride. They kept riding over and over again!!! It really is one of the greatest rides in the park!

and finally, one of my favorites, the haunted "holiday" mansion. If you haven't visited from October to December, you probably have never seen the mansion all decorated for Christmas. It is really, really cute and great for kids...not too scary!!

Haunted Mansion embellishments and alphabet found at Scrapmatters.com...type in "Disney" for some GREAT Disney stuff....not free though :)

Laziness

You ever have one of those weeks where you just want to be lazy? I've been pushing so hard the last few weeks to accomplish all of my tasks that this week, I just crashed. I took the kids to the movies yesterday...and didn't do much else. I've been rewatching season one of "Heroes" (love that show)...and that's pretty much my night last night. Sometimes, you just have to have a few lazy days right? I did manage to finish last week's project 365. Enjoy

Sacred Ordinances

What a huge weekend it's been! Before we left for Disneyland, Maggie turned eight years old. This Saturday, was her big day...baptism day! She has been so excited for this day. The night before, her daddy took her over to the church and gave her the official Bishop's interview. We insist that our girls get dressed in their Sunday clothes for these meetings with the Bishop...even though their Bishop is their dad. The next day, we had a special dinner with 22 of our friends and family. (I decided that in order to entertain at that level, I need a bigger house!!) Maggie blew out her candles on her ladybug cake and got a new set of scriptures.



Anyway, right after dinner, we headed over for a 6:00 baptism. Maggie and her dad took a few pictures. She is wearing the same dress that all of her Westover aunts wore and all of her girl cousins have worn.












(Oh, Jillian, take a serious picture please......)

The baptismal service was wonderful. Her Grandpa Millar gave the talk on baptism, the four girls sang "When Jesus Christ Was Baptized" and then, Maggie was baptized by her dad. Maggie was just radiant when I met her in the bathroom to change out of her wet clothes. Her Grandma Walburger gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and then, her dad confirmed her a member of the church and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a wonderful evening...one of the best. Thanks to all that came to support Maggie; she felt your love! I'm so grateful to be able to raise my children in the Gospel!



Following the baptism, all of the sisters and their cousins gathered in our bedroom to watch a movie. Note the big grin on Maggie's face!

Scrapbooking Mama

I had some spare time last night while Casey was at church...finished these two. I got SO much done yesterday! I cleaned the garage, designed my Primary Temple Trading Cards (for sharing time) and cleaned my pantry and all of my kitchen cupboards. They are SO organized. I figured that after all that work, I deserved a night of scrapbooking! (Anyone watch "V" the other night? Was that a slam on Obamamania or what? Loved it!)

last ones for a while...I'll start back up again after Sunday...Enjoy!

Well, I had some spare time today so I got a few more done. I really need to concentrate on other things...this is a good distraction from all the work I have on my plate. Time to step away from the computer!!!

Hey everyone. I just got the first two page layouts done for our Disneyland trip. Between unpacking, cleaning and preparing for Maggie's baptism this Saturday (6:00 pm at the Stake Center if anyone wants to come), I have only had time to do two. (Only 250 more pictures to go!!) Enjoy!

Westover Girls (plus dad)