What I've been working on

So I've discovered the art of digital scrapbooking and I absolutely love it! It is everything I love about photos and computers all in one...and it is so much cheaper! Hooray for new useful hobbies that you spend hours and hours refining:)

Hungry for More

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book reminded me of a combination of "The Most Dangerous Game" and Lord of the Flies. Definitely not a book for the faint-hearted. What an ingenious conflict to place the characters in; I also appreciated the allusion to Romeo and Juliet. The most compelling part of that relationship is that you can't figure out where Katniss stands. I really liked the ending. Just when life should be okay and she should feel safe again, she begins to see her "fatal flaw" I guess you could call it. I was just relieved/heartbroken when she actually told Peeta what was going on.
The characters have depth because they are imperfect. I like that a lot. Couldn't put it down. Truly, a great read.

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Jennifer's bookshelf: read




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MTC and Becoming Mobile

In the beginning of March we took my brother McKay to the MTC. It was sad to see him go, but we couldn't be more proud of him. It is so fun to get his letters and hear how he is doing. It is amazing to hear how much he has learned and grown just in the last couple weeks. Watch out Colorado! He arrives on Monday!

Clara has also figured out the crawling thing in the last few days. She does have a forward gear! Before this, she would just go backwards all around the room to get what she wanted. Now she knows how to get things that are in front of her.

On the 6th of March she started pulling herself up to a standing position. It always amazes me how strong this little girl is! If she is anything like her papa she might be walking in the next couple months. Joe was a ten pound baby that started walking at ten months. Who knew that was even possible?

Oh and I almost forgot! I got new glasses! Yeah! What do you think?

Today we are off for a family vacation! Joe has spring break and so we just decided we need to go. We will have plenty to report when we get back!

The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book. It was hard to put down. I am amazed that this was her first novel. What an incredible tribute to women of all different races. We can make a difference even if it is just to a few people.

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Mowgli Run

Delicious Food!

On the 15th of January Clara turned 6 months old. I was a little hesitant/reluctant to start Clara on food because I'd really come to enjoy nursing her and we'd settled into a really good routine. I was nervous to start switching things up again. However, once Clara got her first taste of solid food, it was like turning a kid loose in an ice cream store. She loves to eat! (I wonder where she got it from...) Her first foods were bananas and peas (besides a small taste of sqaush at Christmas dinner). She just can't get enough. She literally is eating every two hours again, now that she has discovered new horizons. Having her on solid food has it's disadvantages (food prep, time, mess, diapers, etc.) but there are some definite advantages as well. Joe can feed her now, which helps me out quite a bit.

Now, at seven months old, she's a pro. She's even drinking through a cup with a straw rather than a bottle. Call me crazy, but I think she just loves feeling grown up and eating like her mommy and daddy.

Christmas Highlights

Here are some of the fun highlights from Christmas.

1. My family was able to come out for about two and a half weeks! It was great having them here! It was probably the last time all of us will be able to be together for the next couple years. This was the family picture from our traditional day of bowling on New Years Eve. It was a blast!


2. McKay opened his mission call! He is going to the Colorado Springs, Colorado mission. He goes into the MTC on the 3rd of March. It has been amazing to see the man McKay is becoming. His testimony is strong and I know that he will serve the Lord diligently and work many miracles for Him. If you want to see him opening his call, the video is posted below. I think my dad's reaction is the best! We are so proud of you bud!

3. Everyone got the chance to go skiing at least once! This was so much fun. It was a little tricky to work it because of little Clara, but we managed. We divided it up into two different trips. My mom stayed with Clara while I went the first time. Shannon got her wisdom teeth out the week before Christmas so she stayed behind on the first trip as well. Then Joe and I stayed behind on the second trip. It was really cool. It'd been almost two years since Joe and I'd been.

4. My parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary! We were so happy that they were here so we could do something for them. We have such wonderful parents.

5. Clara cut two teeth! I am amazed at how fast she is growing. It was great to have my mom here to help me know what to do. Clara never throws tantrums, but this was the fussiest I'd ever seen her and I didn't know what to do. My mom knew instantly what was going on and was awesome at teaching me what to do and consoling my little girl.

6. Joe's sister Sarah got married in the Philipines! We were sad that we couldn't be there, but happy that she was able to be sealed to a wonderful man. We miss her a lot.

Here are some more fun pictures!

It was such a wonderful holiday!