RECYCLE!!

So, some of you know that Blaine started a recycle business to help earn money for karate. (we stole the idea from the marocchi's) we wanted him to start learning the value of money/saving/tithing....and also, karate was a little more money then what fit in our budget, so we needed to find a way to make some extra cash! we have been collecting for about 3 weeks and we thought we would take in our first load to the recycle center. we loaded up the car, which was jammed packed, and i thought for sure this kid would make out with a bunch of money.....NOT SO MUCH! after all our hard work and efforts, we ened up with a whopping $23.70!!! are you kidding me?! well, blaine was really excited, and this just means we have to work even harder to earn the extra money we need! oh well, we will keep working! :)

the car fully loaded..this is just the trunk, the front seats were also full!
blaine with his first cash pay out! what a happy kid! :)

our KARATE KID!!

We offically signed Blaine up for karate, and it is just about the cutest thing you have ever seen. we goes twice a week and is really liking it. he impressed his teacher so much that he already recieved a stripe on his belt after the third lesson...that's really good! he is learing how to block, punch and kick, also a little self defense. we will keep you updated on his rank graduations...we think he is going to so very well!

in full uniform
this is the "ready stance" showing that he is ready for his lesson!
this is how they show respect in karate...the always bow! it is also how they say hello and good-bye!

President Hinckley passed away!

Beloved Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley, Dies at 97
SALT LAKE CITY 27 January 2008

President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97.

President Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Church and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.

The Church president died at his apartment in downtown Salt Lake City at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night from causes incident to age. Members of his family were at his bedside. A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after President Hinckley’s funeral within the next few days.


I am still in shock of all this, but it is definitely a bitter sweet situation! I am so sad that he is gone and will no longer be our president, but i think of how happy he must be now reunited with his wife and family in heaven. i know that the next president of the church will be awesome, it's still just hard to comprehend the whole situation. President Hinckley was the prophet i grew up knowing and loving, and i will truly miss him. i remember when the San Diego temple was dedicated many years ago, president Hinckley did the dedication (although he was not the prophet at the time). i was blessed enough to be able to not only go to the dedication, but sit in the sealing room where the dedication actually takes place! i sat on an isle seat, and he walked in the room, down my row to get to the front and he stopped to shake my hand (and others around me) it was such a memorable moment for me. i went home that night and traced my hand in my journal, i was so proud and excited...he was like a celebrity to me! i will miss him deeply and i am so sad he is gone. he always wanted the best for us and care for us. here is a final thought he left for us Sunday morning at our April 2007 general conference:
"God bless you, every one, you faithful Latter-day Saints. May there be peace and love in your homes and faith and prayer to guide you in all that you undertake is my humble prayer in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen." -President Gordon B. Hinckley

couch potato barbie!!!

I LOVE THIS!!!!!! for those of you who don't know, i am still kind of a little girl in the sense that i LOVE barbies and collect them. anyway, i saw this doll today at target (because no matter why i go to target i ALWAYS have to walk down the barbie isle....poor blaine!) if you notice closely her name is barbie couch and doll...it's just the couch for the the dream house, but look at her, they finally made a barbie i can relate too...a REAL barbie: COUCH POTATO BARBIE!!! she comes complete with a full bowl of popcorn on her lap, a large pizza on the couch, and her cell phone in her hand. what else does a girl need?! i guess after a long hard day of being a doctor, lawyer, mom, teacher, princess and everything else...she just needed a break! good for you barbie!! :)

bed time...

i guess this is what happens when you let your 4 year old dress himself for bed! i'm lovin the layered look!!

birthday fun!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAINE!!! i can't believe my little boy is 4! time sure flies when your having fun! we had a great weekend, here are some pictures of the good times! :)

Blaine's shirt say's "it's my birthday!" he does this little dance and says "it's my birthday, shake your booty!!"

Blaine with Grandma and Grandpa California!
Blaine got dress up from Grandma and Grandpa Idaho! We were having way too much fun with it! :)

ready to be a sunbeam!!

well...it's official!! blaine is a SUNBEAM!!! i think he was more ready to go, but i wasn't! i snuck into the back of sharing time to make sure he was ok...of course he was just fine, he was even raising his hand and answering questions in the lesson. when did my little boy get so big? what a cute boy!!