Good Friday

Definitely Good. No school. And only a half-day at work for daddy. To celebrate such a good day we picked him up from work and ventured over to the Houston Temple. I must confess that in our three years of being in the area we hadn't taken our children to go see the temple. I know...terrible.

We enjoyed a picnic under the shade of the trees and read the Easter Story from the New Testament. (Side Note: In prepping for this "Friday FHE" I read the story in each of the four gospels trying to figure out which were the best scriptures to share. Time and time again I kept saying to myself, "I don't remember that detail...who put that scripture in there?") While the boys were more interested in exploring the temple grounds--as well as a nearby ladybug--we did get a good lunch and spiritual thought in even if Aidan had left his lunch at home. We had enough to share.


Father and Daughter. The last picture of them together was back in August. It was time for an updated one.

Father and Son. Priceless.

Very seldom does anyone take a great picture with me in it (I'm always soooo critical of how I look). But, this one--wow, I love it.

I like how we're not looking at the camera...

Is she happy or what?? (I believe her brothers were making all sorts of silly faces)

My boys...

Checking out all the pathways.


I hope that this trip to the temple may become a yearly Easter tradition for us...

Bon Appetit

I've had this china pattern of Noritake Squirewood for some years now. My oldest sister help me get started. However, I only had 2 complete place settings plus two extra dinner plates. It was enough for Jaren and I to use but not enough to actually entertain or to let our children "learn" with them.

For years I've pondered about adding to my china but the cost of even just one plate always kept me dreaming but never purchasing. Some years ago this china pattern became discontinued. It was becoming harder and harder to even find the pieces. Then, I ran across a person on Ebay selling this entire china collection for a steal-of-a-price. I couldn't pass it up...

Now, I have 17 complete settings (though I only have 10 goblets) and since then I've been obsessed with how to properly set the dinnerware out. I even went and bought some cloth napkins to complete the look (more on that story later). Course, we use the wine glass as the water glass (instead of having a separate wine glass) and the teacup for hot chocolate (as Aidan so quickly pointed out). Simply because we don't drink wine, coffee or tea.As far as the flatware is concerned (this is the pattern Oneida Satin Aquarius)...I'm slowly getting more and more pieces. When I can get to an Oneida Outlet store I'd love to get more. Right now, I certainly don't have the flatware to go with all 17 place settings (mmm, going to have to fix that). I'd need more napkins (and goblets) too. I can never have enough!

Now, I just need some people to feed! Any volunteers!?

Course, I'm still trying to figure out how to store all this china...