A bunch of random stuff...

So first off, the YW don't usually cooperate well enough for me to take pictures but on this night they did! Here are the Mia Maids and Laurels in our ward at my house last Wednesday night working on making aprons for the Pioneer Trek that we're doing for Youth Conference this July. They are doing a really great job and are perfecting their sewing skills.

Veronica (in kitchen), Karlee, Xauntal, Kameron (stealing a hug from Dylan) and Kathryn

Kelsie - showing us her strawberry shortcake!

Ashley
Xauntal

On Saturday, after t-ball game rushing craziness, our ward had a Primary activity. It was a missionary day where the kids not only did things for the missionaries (they colored pictures and decorated an apron that said "Called to Serve) but they learned about what it's like to be a missionary. When they got there, they received their badges and then went to the chapel to be "trained." They were put into different groups and went to four different stations. In two of the stations, they learned from Brother Clegg who served in Italy and Brother Andersen who went to Russia. They taught the kids what is was like to serve a mission in that particular area. The third station was for coloring and apron decorating. The fourth station was in the kitchen where the kids prepared their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - a mission staple, I'm sure!
It was such a great activity - our Primary presidency rocks!

Jake trying out some Italian words
Dylan and Hayden coloring apronsSuch a grumpy missionary!

Dylan's obsessed with taking pictures right now so we let him snap this one of the parentals at the end of the activity. Say cheese Mom and Dad!

So then I decided to post these way cute pics of Carter because we are NOT having a way cute week. This child refuses to nap right now (I know, I'm not giving up, I try every day, blah, blah, blah) and he is utterly grouchy. He is crying and whining over every little thing. Anyone want to borrow an almost 3 year old? Come on, just for one day.
Oh, I know I would miss him terribly. Just look at this cute guy nearly all the way submerged in the bath. I was putting on my make-up and not paying a lot of attention and when I looked at him, here he was with his legs up and only a tiny bit of his face sticking out of the water. He was singing a little song and dumping water from a cup onto his legs. Funny little water baby!

We call this Nay Nay head. He's not playing peek-a-boo with me or anything like that. He just does this sometimes - plays with toys or looks at a book with his Nay Nay on his head.

Also introducing...

My other newest nephew!!
Kyle Reese Motley
Born to my brother Scott and his wife Carrie on April 24, 2008
Weighing in at 9 lbs. 12 oz.Look at those cheeks! Must squish now.
Carrie and Kyle are doing awesome and my mom tells me that big brothers Ryan and Sean are so excited about their new little brother. They are both being so gentle and quiet around him and Ryan was awfully upset at the nurse that came to take Kyle's blood when they were visiting. Can't wait to meet him!

Isn't our family so lucky? Two beautiful boys within two days of each other. Which brings the kid tally on the Motley side to...
Boys: 8
Girls:0
Any bets on what my sister Erica is having? She finds out soon...

Introducing...

My newest nephew!!

Hudson Robert Motley

Born to my brother Chris and his wife Lindsay on April 22, 2008

Weighing in at 5 lbs. 14 oz.

Isn't he so gorgeous?! I can hardly stand it. Look - Chris is a natural!

Congratulations, you guys! We're so happy that Hudson and Lindsay are both doing well. He is precious and we can't wait to meet him.

The joys of food you don't have to cook...

Look at all this frozen yumminess! I am so happy to have these meals to pull out of the freezer and cook at a moment's notice. Well, I know you have to thaw them first!
The Cooking Club Girls!

Ashley (w/Payson), Allison (w/Jonathon), Mary (w/Ella), Nikki

Missing: Sally and Julee (who's out on maternity leave!)

Mary snapped another photo that had a better close-up of all the food.

So what our group does is make six of the same meal (1 of those is for your family) and then we meet at my house to make the exchange. I know other group's that have met to actually do the cooking together but we do our meals on our own. This is the third time we have exchanged meals and the variety this time is so awesome - beef strogonaff; chili lime chicken; meatball subs; slow-cooker orange chicken and lasagna!

Me and a group of friends were going to this great place called My Girlfriend's Kitchen where you go to their store and assemble all the meals you've selected. All the prep work was done by the staff and the food was wonderful! We loved it for quite a few months and then it just stopped working out as well. They raised their prices, changed their ordering system, and changed the way you received perks for hosting a party. I got frustrated and stopped going. Thanks to cute Sierra's good idea (who has since moved to California), we get to kind of have our own My Girlfriend's Kitchen experience! We miss you, Sierra and you too, Jewly!

Thanks girls, for all the great food - can't wait to try it!!