Who needs a dog?

This is a question that I have asked myself countless times since Saturday evening. It started out as an innocent enough evening, we went on a walk through our neighborhood. It was absolutely beautiful outside and a very enjoyable walk. We got back home and the two little ones decided that they needed to go to the bathroom. No big deal, right? They then proceeded to drop their drawers in our front yard, 10 yards away from the front door. Still no big deal, I wasn't panicking yet...and yet is the key word. I went to go help the youngest not pee on his pants, but then it started getting a little hairy. He kept trying and trying and I thought, "This doesn't usually take this long, I wonder what the problem is." And then I thought some more and realized that something bad was happening. Luckily I moved my foot not a moment too soon. And yes, what you're thinking is exactly what that child did. In my front yard. In the grass. Gross. I grabbed him, carried him inside with his pants still down and promptly put him in the bathroom. I then put Spencer on pooper-scooper detail and it was really funny to see him outside with a bag in his hand scouring the yard for the "prize". So once again I ask, who needs a dog when you have children?

Happy Birthday and Happy Mardis Gras!

Ella-marie turned 5 this past week! What? I can't believe it either!

Ella-marie picked...drumroll please...funfetti cake. But at least I was able to guide her in the right direction with fudge frosting. That made all of the difference in this cake. And also I had an epiphany with this birthday cake. Kids don't care whether the cake is shaped, circle or just an easy 9x13 cake, as long as it has fantastic heart shaped decorations and sprinkles up the wazoo. It was the easiest cake I've ever done, and it received much applause and accolations. Very much in the moment. What a delicious cake!

Ella-marie requested a super-Ella cape for one of her presents. After I fixed it (when Hunter got a hold of my scissors and "trimmed" it for me) it turned out quite nicely. Note to self: when sewing and have to go downstairs to iron, TAKE SCISSORS WITH SELF!!

Oh yes, it's a princess sing-along CD. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to sing along, only Ella-marie.

Mardis Gras

Mardis Gras this year was also my sister's birthday, so we decided to go all out for our Mardis Gras party. We had delicious Cajun chicken club sandwiches, sweet potato pancakes, and a beautiful (cough, cough, ugly) cake. It was all very delicious. And the kids wanted Michelle to know that we were thinking about her, and thus the picture. Happy birthday Michelle!

February Fun!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Where did February go? I celebrated my 29th birthday (you can count the fingers below). And no, I did not have a cake because I still don't like birthday cake. But instead we had some delicious hot fudge malts. Oh so delicious!
And in other news, Ella-marie won tickets from the library to go see "Disney on Ice: Princess Classics." She and I got to go without any other siblings or smelly boys and it was a wonderful adventure.
When you ask her which princess is her favorite, it's always answered "All of them!" And she and I have decided that when we grow up we're both going to be ice skating princesses. Yes, that's right, I want to be one too. The above picture is her in front of the rink with the "castle" behind her. They did a great job making one castle work for all of the princesses with just a few tweaks. It was great fun and I'm so glad we had a chance to go.

Princess Aurora and her fairy godmothers. Ahhh, each princess had a prince to fall in love with! It was like Ella-marie's dream come true.

This was the grand finale when all of the princesses and princes came to Cinderella's wedding. We won't think about those logistics too terribly hard...

Quote of the day!

While we were at the beauty salon today, Levi had a very cute conversation with a little old grandma. It went like this...

Little old grandma: "What color are your eyes, honey?"
Levi: "I has TWO eyes!" (while holding up 5 fingers)

Everyone burst out laughing because he had such a serious look on his face. It certainly helped lighten my day.

Pinewood Derby

Corbin had his very first, very spectacular Pinewood Derby last week for Cubscouts. Just look at my very handsome, very grownup Cubscout! Corbin named his car "Speedy Shark" and he made it all by himself. That's right, all by himself, and I'm proud to say that Spencer was able to keep his hands (and comments) to himself whilst Corbin made it.

It certainly wasn't the fastest car, but it was still fun to watch it race. Here are my little yahoos that still are home with me. Trouble...that's what I think...they all have a glint of trouble in their innocent little eyes.

What am I going to do in a few months when Ella-marie goes to school? It's been a long time since I've only had two at home with me...

Homemade Sausage

I had such a fantastic adventure making sausage this week. I had decided to try to make some homemade because I realized that every time we had sausage for dinner, I spent the next two days with a migraine.

This recipe I found in a fantastic book called "The Little House Cookbook" which is recipes from the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. It's a really fantastic book, just in case you want to know how to make things from scratch.

Homemade Country Sausage
2 lb ground pork (lean)
1 lb ground beef (not so lean)
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp dried sage, crumbled

In large bowl, combine ingredients by hand, until mixed through. Divide into three 1-lb logs and wrap in wax paper. Let sit in fridge for 1 hour before using. If putting in freezer, wrap also in heavy foil. Cook over medium heat.

Spencer was really suprised when he tasted this recipe. He said, "It tastes like sausage." Well, yeah, it's supposed to. And without all of those nasty, headache forming nitrates and nitrites.

My favorite pictures of the past two weeks...

I know that these pictures don't go together, but they're my favorite from our most recent batch of photos. Hope you enjoy!

Elder Finch and Elder Finch (two of our future missionaries)

Spencer's 32nd birthday party. Luckily we have enough children to make up for all of the fingers that he now needs for his picture. I don't know what we're going to do when he runs out. Oh yes, he will have to use his toes as well.

Spencer guarding his Key Lime Pie from his "friends" who were trying to help him blow out the candle.

Lest you think that we never brush Levi's teeth, look closely. It's a green apple that he was smart enough to put in his mouth by himself. I don't think that he's ever seen anyone else do that. I guess that's what happens when you have a jokester for a 5th child.