Katie's Dance

Katie took dance last Fall 2013.  She did some really cute dances.  I remember there was Peter and the Wolf for ballet, and Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer for tap.  They got to wear special costumes for this performance.  Her teacher, Miss Carrie, is the best!  Katie had a lot of fun and is asking me if she can take dance again.

Kids' School Projects

Asher was assigned a "Jeans Project" where he spent some time learning about each side of his family.  On one pant leg, he writes about traditions from Mason's Italian side, the Ricci Family.  On the other side, he writes about my Grandma's German side, the Moore Family.
We learned that the Riccis liked to play lots of games during holidays (hence the Monopoly money, face card, and clue paper).  They also would eat black cherry jell-o with cool whip on top for dessert. Mason's Mom, Robin, also shared a family recipe that we put on the pant leg.  We included a map of which city Grandpa Ricci immigrated from.  I enjoyed learning about the traditions from Mason's side.
The Moore family is from Germany, and that is where we have the Christmas tree tradition.  The Moore family liked to eat a lot of popcorn too.  And my Grandma was the first convert to our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on her side of the family.  It was because of her that my Mom was exposed to the gospel, and there is a picture of Asher at his baptism on the pant leg, and of a chapel, representing that one of our traditions is to attend church weekly.
Good stuff!

RuthAnne did a timeline of her life from birth to her current age.  I like the picture in the middle at the top.  It has RuthAnne, with me, and my mom, and her mom.  RuthAnne was named after two grandmas with the name of Ruth (one on my side, and one on Mason's side), and my mom's middle name is Anne.  My Grandma Ruth's maiden name is Moore.  RuthAnne's full name is RuthAnne Moore Wardle.  This picture has 4 generations in it!

Big Foot and the Kids Playing

Big Foot was in our backyard!  Look at the size of his foot compared to Katie's crock!

The dollhouse is evidentally a popular place to play...

and not necessarily very comfortable....

Other Random Pics to Share

I just love this girl's smile.

I love this outfit!

Looks like I'm giving someone "The Look."

One of the many priceless expressions of Katie.

Charley and Twitch

Asher with his pet, Twitch.  Unfortunately, Twitch is now dead and buried in our backyard.

Charley trying to get comfortable during our tiling project.

And the winner of taking the BEST picture of Charley goes to.... (drum roll)... RuthAnne!

RuthAnne's Pictures

Here are a bunch of pictures that Ruthie took that turned out well.

Ani on my lap.

I love it when babies do this... when they rest just perfectly.

Our backyard in its glory... beautiful green grass.

Our backyard dusted with rare snow.

Our palm tree.

Picture taken from the swing set.