Monster Jam 2011 with Carson

Monster Jam 2011 Spokane Arena

Audriana and Carson at Monster Jam 2011!

For the second year in a row, Audriana has been invited to go to Monster Jam at the Spokane Arena with Carson Estes. She loves this! Carson and Audriana have known each other since they were 3 and were classmates and good friends at Montessori Central until they were 6. They were such close friends, and it is so wonderful that we have been able to get them together like this. Even though they go to different schools (Carson goes to Southside Montessori), they have a sweet connection that is so evident when you see them together.

Cute Valentines cards from our cute kids!

Happy Valentines Day 2011!

Valentines Day was on Monday this year, so we celebrated with a yummy "Heart" dinner. I made heart-shaped hamburger patties, complete with some red ketchup spread on top, heart-shaped cheddar cheese, heart-shaped red jello, and oranges. : - ) The girls loved it.

I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!

Audriana's Piano skills.....after only 3 months! WOW!

Another fun night with our friends, the Lund's!

Denise and Todd invited us over for a fun Fondue dinner this afternoon. The kids got to play and we got to chat and relax a little! Denise had such a great idea to have fondue.....we haven't had fondue in such a long time (years, literally). I guess I had kind of forgotten about it. She made a yummy cheese fondue which we all dipped in bread and lots of assorted veggies. I brought chicken chunks and we cooked them in my fondue pot with beef broth and green onions. We then had some yummy dipping sauces for the chicken. All the kids loved it and ate really well! Fun memories with our friends.....we are so grateful for them.

Sweet Addy and Sofia sittin' on the counter watching the bread bake in the bread machine. This was the bread that we used for our fondue -- and it was so yummy! Nice job, Denise!

Here they go a-dippin'!

Things are always better when you are surrounded by friends. Good times for sure!

Kendra and Sofia being silly.....and Addy being her sweet self!

Behind the steam is Todd and Addy!

At some point during the afternoon, the girls hatched a plan for a sleepover at our house. They were so excited, and we were so happy to have both Addy and Kendra come over. So, they packed their bags and came home with us. Everett decided at the last minute that he wanted to stay home -- maybe he'll come next time.

Anyway, the first thing that the girls wanted to do was to get on their coats and go outside into the dark backyard with flashlights. Even though it was dark and raining, I let them do it. They had so much fun -- giggling and screaming. I'm sure the neighbors were wondering what was going on....but I didn't care....they were having so much fun. They jumped on the trampoline, too!

Good night, girls!

(Addy slept up with Audriana, and Kendra slept down with Sofia)

Ice Skating 2011!

I am so proud of our girls....this is Audriana's 3rd year in lessons, and Sofia's 2nd year. They are doing so well! They both love to get right out onto the ice -- the only problem is getting them off the ice when it is time to go! I hope they keep this passion for the ice for a long time!

Audriana's good friend, Alfred, is starting lessons for his first time this year. Even though they are not in the same class, it is fun to have Al there with us.

Sofia is the smallest kid in her group of about 20 skaters. I am absolutely amazed at how this little 5 year old focuses so completely on what the instructor is saying. She tries so hard to do exactly what he says. She really concentrates on what her feet/skates are doing. She goes slow enough to really get the move down, just right. I am in awe of sweet Sofia.

I could say the exact same thing for Audriana. She also focuses intently on what is being asked of her. Her group has about 12 skaters and they are skating backwards and also learning spins. She is also careful and really works hard to learn what is being taught. I am so proud of her!

Girl Scout Troop 3644

KREM 2 weather girl, Grace Pena, visited our Girlscouts tonight! What a nice lady! She was there to talk to the girls about empowered women, having a strong voice, being heard, stranger danger, and then talked about what the girls wanted to be when they grew up. Most of the Daisy girls said they wanted to be a princess when they grew up.....I can tell you that Audriana was not thinking that (I think she might have even rolled her eyes when the little ones were saying that)! : )
Audriana and Grace Pena

Audriana in her Brownie uniform. The girls made their own tye-dye shirt, added the brown sash and their handmade nametag, and voila!

Sofia is too young to be in this troop, but our leader, Miss Anita, has made her an "honorary" Brownie and let her make a nametag, too.

Dancin' to Mama Mia!