Stake Valentine's Dance

The girls were super excited to go to the annual Stake Valentine's Dance. They got all dolled up and were ready to dance! 

We invited the girls friend, Ella from across the street to joy us. Avery also was surprised to see Tyson there, which is here "boyfriend". Well, not really but apparently they already had their first kiss together. Tyson is a very affectionately little boy and kissed Avery on the lips. Avery said she was trying to turn her head back and forth so he wouldn't do it...I don't know how much that is true!

Craft table

Dad and Emily getting their groove on...

They were tearing up the dance floor. Emily danced more than anyone. She really got into it. It was so cute to watch her. 

Our stake leaders and their wives had a song just for them....

Our professional pictures that were taken. 

Thanks for a fun night kids!

Hodges Dollar!

The last few...uh, years I have been trying to think of a way that would both teach our kids about money-saving, earning, and spending responsibly and balancing that with teaching them they are a part of this family and need to help out around the house without compensation. So I came up with "The Hodges Dollar." It's a twist on many other money teaching techniques out there. The kids have been super pumped about it, and it's been really easy for Ryan and I too. I didn't want something that was too complex, to where I would dread doing it. 

They each have been given their own basket to put their "money" in. It's obviously fake money...pieces of paper. They earn Hodges Dollars by doing extra chores, sometimes they can earn it by doing their daily chores, or homework without us reminding them. Practicing piano, reading for 20 minutes, and putting away their coats, shoes and backpacks without complaining or me telling them to. Also they can earn Hodges Dollars anytime we feel like they are really trying or being polite. Like just yesterday I noticed Avery at the bus stop let all the other kids go in front of her. I thought that was super kind and thoughtful of her so I rewarded her with one Hodges Dollar. 

So once they receive all these "Hodges Dollars" what do they get with it? My closet has turned into a mini "store". I went out and bought a lot of decorations for their rooms, many from the D.I. or Goodwill and I have painted them or covered it with fabric. When they save their Hodges Dollars, they can then earn things for their room, or games for the Wii, or even to go out to dinner or anyplace fun. Each item has a different price. For example if Madisen wanted to purchase her curtains for her room it will cost her $25 Hodges Dollars, and on average she has been earning $2-$4 a day. So she could easily earn the curtains for her room in a week or two.  I want them to have cute things for their rooms, yet I wanted them to also earn it and to teach them that they are not entitled to nice things all the time. There's definitely a balance there. And I have always had a hard time with that. So I am hopeful this system will work for us in teaching them those principles. 

Does anyone else want to share what they do in their family? Or how I can make this concept work even better. I am all for advice!!

The other thing I wanted to incorporate was tithing, but as it is not real money, I am not quite sure how to do that. I thought about taking away one "dollar" after they earn $10 and telling them this would be like giving it to the Lord for tithing....but I don't know? Thoughts??

Hearts!

While I was in Arizona I set up a Valentines Treasure hunt for my kids and husband. I had these clues all around the house. The first clue was delivered by my neighbor on the morning of Valentines Day....

At the end of the hunt this is what I had for them...

The Young Women's in our ward wanted to do something special this year for the Bishopric. So they came and heart attacked our house. It was really fun! They came swarming in putting hearts everywhere. I was still finding hearts the next day...in my microwave, dishwasher and fridge! haha.

They brought us a GIANT heart cookie too. The kids and I sure loved that!

They chalked our driveway as well. Such a fun surprise!

When Ryan got home he was pretty surprised and thought that I had done it at first. I decided to decorate him. He is a great example to me of serving in the church. You ROCK babe!

Trip to Arizona

On Thursday, February 13th, I had to drive over to Pocatello where I was to meet my parents and two of my siblings and fly out to Arizona. Well, when I went to get in the car Ryan and Madisen heart attacked the car for me. It was a cute Surprise for Valentine's Day.

Just about 5 minutes before you reach Pocatello driving east, there is a billboard with a blonde guy with glasses, who looks exactly like our friend, Alan Lindsay. At first seeing the sign, we actually thought it was. Now every time Ryan and I drive to Pocatello, we always say, "Hi Alan!" I thought I would risk taking a picture of it while driving so our friends could see it. I wish it was a better quality picture. Someday we will have to pull off the road and take a better one. Didn't know Alan was a billboard model! :)

My parents and most of my siblings flew to Arizona in celebration of my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary! (Congrats Grandma and Grandpa! We love you!) It was so great to see all my cousins and aunts and uncles as well! It's been a long time since I have seen some of them, over 20 years! I was hoping everyone could have made it, but with busy lives it's sometimes impossible. We missed those that couldn't be there! We just landed in AZ and we were on our way to the Mesa Temple for a session.

 April and I kept saying how beautiful Arizona was, as my dad and brother would just groan in unison as they hate the heat.  I don't mind the heat, and actually that was what I liked about Texas the most-the heat. The trees, flowers and plants are awesome there. I enjoy looking at all the weird cactus's and strange trees. 

 My parents were married and sealed in the Mesa Temple. It was such a wonderful experience being there where they were sealed.

 Out for an early morning breakfast at Golden Corral. 

April and Grandpa Cherryholmes 

 Randy and Gramps

My Brothers and sister, April and me with our Grandparents. (Missing Celeste)

My mom and her sister, Ronda

Friday night we went over to my grandparents club house where they had dinner for us and some great entertainment! ;) hehe.

The music really touched both of my brothers... 

This is a painting that my grandmother did and it hangs up in the clubhouse. My grandmother has done hundreds of paintings and she is amazing!

Eating a great Spaghetti meal.

I had a great time spending some quality time with April, Randy and Adam. April and I had some pretty funny moments where we were laughing so hard but always at places where we had to keep it in. And those laughs are really hard to keep in. April let a few laughs out at the temple and in church. Hahahaha! Thanks for the laughs April. Love you.

The next morning we went to the Gilbert Temple Open house. This temple is gorgeous!! I am so jealous that I don't live close enough to attend this beautiful temple all the time.

My Aunt Ronda and Uncle Rob.

My cousin's wife, Carmen! Love her.

Uncle Vincent and family

My family

My Grandparents still in love after 60 years!! Happy Anniversary! 

They have 6 kids and 23 grandkids and 29 great grand kids and one great, great grand kid due in a month!

Aunt Kathy and Dean's Family 

My cousin Jamie and me

Brian and Carmen

Aunt Tina and Uncle Keith's family

Ronda and Rob's family

My grandparents opening their gifts

The last night of the trip David Nguyen came over and we laughed and talked with him for hours. He was Adam's best friend in high school and a second brother to all of us. He later got baptized into the church and told us a lot of it had to do with our example to him. That is such a great compliment, although I beg to differ that it was our example but that he is just an amazing person and friend.