Picture #91

March 31, 2012
Craig and I went to a yardsale this morning. I was excited that there was a sofa set for sale. (I have been wanting to replace our mismatched set for several weeks.) I really liked the set at this yardsale. After looking around at the yard sale, Craig and I sat on the sofa. I was ready to take it home then. The guy asked us what we thougt. Craig replied "we have almost talked ourselves into buying them". They guy said "I'll take $100", that was twenty-five less than his asking price. So we said we would take them. We went to the credit union got the money and drove right back and paid for the sofas. Craig gave the guy an extra $10 to deliver them.We quickly came home rallied the kids (they were mostly willing) to help move the old sofas out and clean the living room. (I think the above picture is fun with the old sofas on the grass and one of the new ones on the driveway!) It was tight fit to get the sofas out of the house. So we decided to take the feet off the newer sofas to get them inside the house easier. Stuart was happy to help.

The newer sofas look nice in the living room!! (I might replace the corner pillows, just to add some color.)

Picture #90

March 30, 2012
Yesterday was one of the few nights that I "dressed up" to go on our weekly date. So I asked Samantha to take pictures of us when we got home.

It was great to spend the evening with my best friend and the love of my life!!

Samantha did the bun in my hair. I think that it is so pretty. She did a really nice job.

Picture #89

March 29, 2012
This morning Clifford the Big Red Dog was visiting the kids elementary school. So Addi and I went to see him as well. Addi was a little nervous, but she didn't cry. The smile on Addi's face tells the story! Stuart was funny when it was his turn to take a picture. He doesn't like pictures, notice his eyes.

I think it is funny that the American Flag looks like it is sticking out of Clifford's head! It was fun to see Clifford the Big Red Dog!

Picture #88

March 28, 2012

I am sorry about the blurry picture. Jordan asked me last week for a haircut. I finally did it. This is not the haircut that I feel comfortable giving. However, I tried to do what he wanted. The front is a little shorter than he wanted. Overall I did an ok job. He has gotten compliments, which helps me feel good about the cut.

Picture #87

March 27, 2012
Raeleigh came home from school today thrilled. This school year she has read the 15 "sunshine state" books. So...she was given a $10 gift certificate to the school bookfair. She purchased two books, an eraser and two book marks. She is happy with her selection. (Stuart is happy with the bookmark she bought for him.) Way to read Raeleigh!

Picture #86

March 26, 2012

Samantha called from school yesterday. She had forgotten her NJROTC uniform and need me to bring it to her IMMEDIATELY. So I ran her uniform to school and went with four cadets and Chief to a recruiting trip to the middle school. Above are the pamphlets that were passed out to interested students.

Kelly Tucker, Lyle Seda and Chief Scott Williams hmmm.....what are they talking about?

Samantha, Addison and Jessica Martin listening to chiefs recuriting spill! Hopefully this trip was successful and the unit will see new cadets next year.

Picture #85

March 25, 2012

Craig and the boys also took our nephew Austin with them. Austin playing in the mud and standing in the water. I hear he had a great time camping!!

I love this picture!

Picture #84

March 24, 2012

Friday and Saturday, Craig took the boys to a father & son campout. Jordan took the above picture from a tree.

Jordan and friends; Sam Osborn, Trevor Durrant, Juan LaRotta

Craig and Bishop Donald MacDonald in the background. Stuart letting everyone know that he doesn't want his picture taken. The "HAND" drives me crazy!

Picture #83

March 23, 2012
The Blue Angels (Navy) Pilots are in town to fly at the international air show. One Pilot and two mechanics came to meet the NJROTC students today. The unit was a buzz with anticipation. Samantha is pictured above with the pilot and below with all three.

She said that it was fun to met them, but she was really tired.

Picture #82

March 22, 2012
Raeleigh was excited to try this pistachio cake receipe. She did a fabulous job. The cake was so yummy. The green frosting and cake were perfect for (a few days after St. Patrick's Day). Raeleigh is awesome. I love her tons.

Picture #81

March 21, 2012

Raeleigh looks forward to Activity Girls. She would like it to be every week, rather than everyother week. This week the girls made a "pot of gold". Baby food jars are the pot. They glued torn pieces of green tissue paper for inside the pot. The lid of the pot has gold pompoms glued on with a gold ribbon tied around it. Inside the pot are the scriptures that are referenced in the "Faith In God" book. The jar is labeled "Raeleigh's Faith in God Scripture Jar". I love this idea and Raeleigh had such a fun time making it. Her leader, Christine Carey, is great!

Picture #80

March 20, 2012
Last school year and this one I have been the Campbell's Soup Label Volunteer for the elementary school. I am glad to be able to volunteer, serving children. Children are a blessing to everyone!
(This year we collected 5556 points and earned 50% bonus points!)

Picture #79

March 19, 2012
This a salad I made to serve at funeral luncheon. The salad was yummy. The funeral was uplifitng. I learned so much about Richard Anthony Carey and the family he left behind. The Lord has blessed me with the knowledge that life goes beyond the earth!

Picture #78

March 18, 2012

Craig took most of the family to a fireside today. Stuart and I read a book together, then I cut his hair. Now we are watching movies together with Addi. It has been a wonderful evening with my Stuart.

Picture #77

March 17, 2012
Samantha had 3 friends come over to bake on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. They had a great time and made lots of goodies. Above is Addi, Raeleigh, Chelsea, Amy and Samantha. Cassie is pictured below.

The girls made cake-pops, cupcakes, snickerdoodles, chocolate chip cookies, banana nut bread, and slushes. It was a couple of days of laughter!!

Picture #76

March 16, 2012
A family day is always a great day for pictures. These pictures were taken at the Gamble Mansion. Craig and the kids, it took quite a while to get everyone balanced on the log.This huge cast iron bowl was used in a sugarmill. We had a great time playing in it. I rocked Samantha back and forth until I was laughing so much I couldn't stand up!

That is a lot of people in one bowl. We did tip the bowl backwards!

There were these log benches by the picnic area, the kids had lots of fun trying to knock each other off.

This is a funny picture. Samantha and Jordan on cell phones. Craig and I reading brochures. Stuart and Addi playing hand games.

Picture #75

March 15, 2012

Thursday we took our family to the Gamble Mansion in Ellenton Florida. It is a state park. We picked a slightly breezy day that was not to hot. The mansion was beautiful. we had a nice time together as a family.

The drawing in the background is a picture of the sugarmill that was once on the property. The brick is like the what the mansion is built of. It is made with

crushed and burned oyster shells. The picture below makes me very glad for bottles. This is what was used in the early 1900's to feed infants. I think bottles must be much easier.

Picture #74

March 14, 2012

The sun setting on Casperson Beach. It was peaceful to watch.

It was a beautiful yellow and orange sunset. Heavenly Father has given us many beauties on this earth.

Picture #73

March 13, 2012

Monday on the beach I also enjoyed watching the birds, eating in the surf, walking in the sand and in the water.

I know this bird is hard to see, she was the same color as the sand. She was not worried about the people around the beach, just stared and watched all of us.

Picture #72

March 12, 2012

Monday evening we went to Casperson Beach as a family. We had a great time. Samantha took pictures of Craig and I. It is nice to be in a picture, rather than just the one taking the pictures!!

Addi was cold most of the time we were there. She did not like the water.

Jordan, Samantha, Stuart, and Raeleigh had a great time in the water. There were lots of smiles. It was a great evening with our family.

Picture #71

March 11, 2012

The kids playing Monopoly on Sunday evening. They like to play games with each other. However they are very competitive, so they rarely finish a game. Usually the game ends is grumpiness.

Picture #70

March 10, 2012

Another Time Out for Women picture. This is Laurel Christiansen and I. Laurel was one of the presenters. I have listed to her speak a few times and listened to her talks on CD. She has such a large testimony of the truthfullness of the gospel. I am grateful that I could hear her talk about enjoying the journey of waiting.

Picture #69

March 9, 2012

Craig bought me tickets for Time Out for Women as a Christmas Gift. I am so greatful he did this for me. The weekend is always uplifting to me!

Picture #68

March 8, 2012

POPIN' FRESH COOKIES! I love these cookies. I made 250 of them for the NJROTC cadets because I thought they did a fantistic job on their AMI inspection and State Drill Meet. The cadets were thrilled with the cookies.

Pictue #67

March 7, 2012

Curbs. Addi loves to walk on curbs. Anywhere we see curbs, she likes to walk on them, it makes her happy and giggly.

Picture #66

March 6, 2012

Fireworks are always fun. Craig, Addi and I went to the parade in Fort Meyers on Thomas Edison's birthday. Before the parade fireworks were set off. Very fun.