Disneyland

Aaron and I surprised Jackie with a family trip to Disneyland! Aaron was presenting at a Linux conference in California, so we thought we would leave a little early and have some family fun :). We all had a GREAT time going on rides, seeing all the different Disney characters, and just taking some time away from the stress of everyday life. We all need a break now and then, right!

California in February- rainy, cold, but SOOOO much fun!

Good times :)

Love the beach

Minute to Win It- Family Home Evening Style

I have seen this idea floating around Pinterest for forever and we finally had the chance to do a Minute to Win it FHE! It was so fun to just play silly games with each other. I think sometimes a family needs the time to just relax and play to strengthen relationships and build family unity.

Supplies for our FHE. We played blow smarties with a straw, stacking plastic glasses from the Dollar Store, unwrap hershey kisses, stack cups, bounce ping pong balls into cups, and slide a cookie from your forehead to your mouth.

1, 2, 3 !!!!

Everywhere we go, Jackie grabs our hands and gleefully shouts "1....2....3!!" Then Aaron and I swing her high into the air. This is one of those small things that makes my heart smile.

Family Photo

Here is our latest family pic! I think I am so, so blessed to have such an adorable daughter. To our birthmom- we wouldn't be the family we are without you!

Saturdays

What does a typical Saturday look like for our little family? Well, for starters we do all our house cleaning on Mondays so we can dedicate this day for fun family play time! Aaron, Jacs and I LOVE spending time together. And I love to plan fun family outings for us! So far this summer we have spent our Saturdays going to a bird festival, planetarium, hiking, swimming, going to a baby animal fair, the copper mine, Great Salt Lake, and strolled the streets of downtown Salt Lake. We have plans to spend a Saturday this month camping in Yellowstone which I think would be SO much fun. :)

Family Traditions: Chinese New Year

It's no secret that we LOVE learning and celebrating other cultures. Aaron and I both strongly believe that this provides our family with a deeper understanding of the world around us. Plus we think it's fun :)
One of the cultural holidays we celebrate each year is Chinese New Year.

Here is a picture of Aaron and I sitting down to our Chinese feast. Homemade (from scratch!!!) orange chicken and ham fried rice. I am still on the look out for the perfect orange chicken recipe- I am getting close to perfection, but not quite there!  Jackie is wearing a Chinese dress we picked up in Toronto during a family vacation a few years ago. As you can see it BARELY fits, but she wanted to wear it so desperately that I couldn't say no! Jacs and I also made homemade fortune cookies. Well, I made the cookies and she scribbled some fortunes which she told me they all said to do whatever your child wants. She is a riot! And we did make some paper lanterns to hang above our kitchen table. A great feast for a great day!

Hello!

To whoever reads this blog: first, thank you! I have been terrible about updating it! We are alive and doing well. Our family has been very busy- we moved into our dream house, Aaron got a new job, Jackie turned four, and I am still planning lots of fun lesson plans for Jacs and turning our new house into a home! I have plans to keep this blog up and posted.... I want you all to know more about us as a family and I think this blog is the perfect platform.

Cheers!