Smitten!

We are SMITTEN!!!

Elaina "Laini" Karen Redd

February 24, 2010
 7lbs 2oz

20 1/4 inches

    100% Adorable!!! 

Mom carried her- Dad caught her- Everyone adores her.

Welcome to our crazy, wonderful family!

We love you!

Nearing the Finish Line

First of all- I forgot to add a picture of these beautiful orchids that Brigham gave me for Valentine's Day.  They are gorgeous!  Thank you so much!

Second, I called in today and scheduled an induction for tomorrow- my due date.  I have been bawling all morning.  I just really don't want to do it.  Why can't I just go naturally!?!  I have had to be induced every time.  With Brig I waited 10 days after my due date before being induced.  I just don't think my body can do it by itself.  Anyway- there is my final pregnant picture.  We are so excited to meet the little lady that is poking my belly out so outrageously!!!

Weekend of LOVE!

We started out our "Weekend Of Love" with some good old fashioned rock n' roll.  Elvis was in town!  Well at least a really good impersonator.  We had a great time singing along and Brigham was even good enough to pull out his make believe microphone and get in on the action.  There were quite a few older women in the audience and they were hillarious to watch.  I am guessing they must have been in their late teens when Elvis was in his prime.  He threw out teddy bears and sweaty scarves and they ran up to the stage to get one from him along with a kiss like they were still young teeny bops.  Too funny!  After wards we headed to an ice cream parlor to complete our night in the 50's.  It was so much fun!  

Friday night- Brig also had a soccer game.  Saturday, Katry had a basketball game and then Seth and Katry had an exciting soccer game.  They were so awesome- Saving the day- over and over again.  They were happy to walk away victorious!  In between the games we went to our favorite sledding hill.  This time we brought along the four wheelers and taxied them up to the top of the hill after each run.  Everyone had a great time.  Kai was so funny.  When we got to the bottom of the hill he would throw up his hands and say, "We made it!'  Then he would say- "Lets do it again"!  Love that little monkey!  We came home and made some pizza and watched some of the Olympics.

Sunday we combined our Valentines feast with the begining of the Chinese New Year!  We ate some delicious Butter Yaki.  We decided it should be called Butter Yummi.  The kids made valentines for each other and we had something for each of them as well.  Brig finally chose a new game for his birthday- Power Grid.  It arrived on Friday and we have played it three times since then.  Its a fun game.  We finished up the evening by telling each person what we loved about them and then toasting each other.  I am sure everyone went to bed feeling warm and loved, I know I did.

Love doesn't make the world go 'round:

Love is what makes the ride worthwhile!

In honor of the Chinese New Year celebrations- my Laurel class decided to get together and make fortune cookies( this is half of them). They were a hit- fun to make and delicious.

Ingredients:
3 egg whites
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
Directions:
1.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets, or line with parchment paper. Have fortunes ready to go on small strips of paper.
2.In a large glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites and sugar on high speed of an electric mixer until frothy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and stir in melted butter, vanilla, almond extract, water and flour one at a time, mixing well after each. Consistency should resemble pancake batter. Spoon the batter into 3 inch circles on the prepared baking sheets. Leave room between for spreading.
3.Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges begin to brown slightly. Quickly remove one at a time, place a message in the center, and fold in half. Fold the ends of the half together into a horse shoe shape. If they spring open, place them in a muffin tin to cool until set.

Handyman

We have a bench in our kitchen. We have been planning to put a table in front of it- to make it a little breakfast nook, homework station etc. Brigham, being- not only incredibly good looking- is also very talented with his hands.
He designed and built this table for us!
It is fantastic and perfect- just like him! Thanks Love!

In Celebration of Straight A's

When all three of your grade school kids get STRAIGHT A"S- you simply must celebrate. Of course they have gotten straight A's ever since they have been in public school - but that's even more reason to celebrate. I was helping in Katry's class a couple of months ago. She showed me a paper that she got an 89% on in Accelerated Math. I played around with her- chastising her for this grade, and a nearby student was amazed that an 89% wasn't good enough. I explained that nothing less than an "A" grade was acceptable- he was astonished. Our kiddos are certainly capable of it- and they give you what you expect! Its a win win situation! :)
This cutie is a great student also. I just love what a sweet fellow he is.
So to celebrate- each of the kids got to pick an activity. Seth chose sledding, Brig a movie and Katry chose swimming.

Katry is the best helper around. I am so glad I have her- I can always depend on her. Kai adores her and I am so excited she will soon have the sister she has been hoping for.

These two are a lot of fun. I love their adventurous spirit and the way they are always up for a good time!

Let the races begin.

Kai loved the speed- but he didn't care so much for snow flying in his face.

I can't help but smile when I see these cute, smiling faces.

I even did a little sledding. It was a pretty bumpy ride- so I only did about ten runs. I am glad I did though- it keeps you feeling young.

Kaleb is getting pretty good on the snow board. I love that he is not afraid to try and keep trying.

"In truth a family is what you make it. It is made strong, not by number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create; by the memories you share; by the commitment of time, caring, and love you show to one another; and by the hopes of the future you have as individuals and as a unit."

Happiness!

We have been having a blast with all this snow lately. We "rev" up the four wheelers and several neighborhood kids will come running.We love to pull the sleds or snow boards behind the four wheelers.

Kaleb has turned into a bit of a dare devil and now loves to try and catch some air on home made jumps.- Not with me on it of course. A 36 weeks along pregnant woman does have limits.

Although, going for a sleigh ride is not one of them. Too much fun to pass up!

"When you look at your life, the greatest happiness's are family happiness's." !!!