Easter 2013

Every Easter we make sure to have an egg hunt.  Even though the kids are growing up, they never seem to out grow hunting eggs, especially when there is candy involved.  The Saturday before Easter, we had an egg hunt and family dinner at Grandma Leila's & Grandpa Rick's house. 

The weather was great so we spent a lot of time outside.

Kiana hunting eggs . . .

and enjoying her cousin Hazel.

Traditional Easter Photo

Aaron's sister Heather was in town for the holiday--her husband & kiddos too--so we had another egg hunt and dinner Sunday afternoon with the Chatfield clan.  More candy anyone? 

I love that my kids can still have fun no matter the occasion.

March 2013

We've been busy this month . . . .

Look what Kiana and I built together!

We've been needing a place to put our games (they were still sitting in boxes from our move in August.) One night, when the older kids and Aaron went to YM/YW , the two of us set to work to assemble our game closet. We followed the directions very carefully and only had to redo a couple of things.    It's so nice to have them neatly tucked away and easily accessible. I never realized how many games we had!  Anyone up for a game night?

(OK, I admit that I may not of told the complete truth about putting this together--it was a little more difficult to put together than I though it was going to be and if you look closely, you can see the HOLE I drilled in one of the doors by accident. UGH! Kiana & I laugh about the experience we had now, but at the time, it was quite frustrating.  Next time, I'm just going to leave the putting together to someone else.  It looks good from a distance, right?)

Goodies for St. Patty's Day and nails to match!

Some of Andrea's Art work from school was displayed at an art exhibit in town.

This is another one of Andrea's picture creations

We were in the NEWS!

CHURCH WOMEN’S GROUP DONATES EASTER BASKETS FOR FOSTER CHILDREN

Women and young women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from the Sutter Buttes congregation, collected, donated, and assembled 72 Easter baskets as a service project for foster children in Yuba and Sutter Counties. The baskets contained Easter goodies, toys and hygiene items for children under the care of Child Protective Services locally.

This is the 10th year the congregation has provided the baskets for foster children.“Working on this project makes you aware of the needs of others and brought together the women and young women in our congregation. It’s great to see how a simple act of service, like making Easter baskets, can brighten the lives of children,” said Gina Chatfield, first time worker on the project.

Awards Night

After basketball season ended, the school had an awards night to recognize each of the basketball players.

Seth was awarded the most improved for his JV team.

Way to go Seth!

Will You Be My Valentine?

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's always fun when Valentine's Day comes around--you never know what sweet treats you'll find!

I thought it would be fun to heart attack my loved ones.  Each day, starting on the 1st day of February I left a heart on their bedroom door telling them something I loved about them.  This continued until Valentine's Day.  It was so much fun to think of things to write to each of them and then sneaking to their door at night to leave the sweet note.

I guess the love notes were catching . . . about a week after I started leaving love notes on their doors, I found a BIG red heart in the hallway with love messages on it from my loved ones.

We should have Valentine's Day every month!

Basketball Season

Basketball season went by quickly, but we were able to take some great pictures, cheer for our our favorite player (#40) and are looking forward to doing it all again next season!

Go River Valley Falcons!

Here are some of #40's faithful fans!

Seth learned a lot this year and did an excellent job at defense!

This boy knows how to rebound!

Thank you, Andrea, for the GREAT pictures!

It's All About The Food!

Well, since this post is all about the food, I thought I would start off with our Super Bowl feast.  I asked each person to tell me one food & one treat they would like to have while they watched the game--this was the result.  A delicious calorie filled spread of carbs, sugar & starch--YUM!  (I did sneak some fruits & veggies into the mix to add some healthy color to the meal.) 

Go Niners!

Every day after school the kids come home and ask for a snack.  They say they are "STARVING".  Well this is what one of them made for themselves to keep their stomach from growling until dinner. 

We call it the toasted double potato patty, sausage & egg that doesn't fit in your mouth sandwich!

Can you guess who's after school snack this is?

I've decided that I need to make sure my kids know how to cook--more than just boiling water or heating something up in the microwave.  One day they will move out of the house and I'd like them to have the cooking skills to prepare meals for their future families.  I have decided to have them each choose 3 days a month to cook a meal for the family---I supervise and help as needed.  Here is a meal prepared by Seth--bring on the meat & potatoes!

I never win anything . . . or at least it seems that way.  But not any more!  I WON!  We have a favorite yogurt place in town.  The last time we were there, I entered a drawing they were having the next week to win a free yogurt.  They informed me, that if I won, I would need to come back in a week to check.  (I knew I wouldn't make a special trip back just to see if I'd won, but I entered the drawing anyway.)  But, luck was in the air--a sister in my ward had my back.  She happened to go there with her family on the night of the drawing and saw my name as the big winner of the night.  She texted me the great news and I was over in a flash to pick up a yummy chocolate peanut butter ice cream cake--it was delicious! 

Baking is so much better with a friend!



I love you because . . .

Last Spring, I created a love board to hang in my kitchen.  Under the glass of the picture frame it says, "I Love You Because . . . ".  We then use a dry erase marker to write love notes to each other.  It has been a lot of fun & an easy way to share the things we love about each other.

Sometimes we we get a little silly when we write our notes,

but having fun with our love is what it's all about! 

Snow Day

Before our vacation time was over, we had to go and play in the snow.  Grandma Ruth & Grandpa Mike went with us.  We drove up past Stirling City and found a fun hill. The weather was great and the snow was cold--perfect for sledding!  We all took turns on the sleds, threw a few snowballs, and enjoyed some hot chocolate.  It was a great way to finish off the year, 2012!

Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas to all!

We started out this holiday month by going to our
ward Christmas party.

Christmas is . . . smiles, presents and a snowman by the tree.

We found some snow this year before Christmas . . .
right in g-ma's backyard!

Once There Was A Snowman . . .

Yes, it's the traditional Christmas pinata! 

Candy, cousins, & singing carols at Grandma's & Grandpa's Christmas Eve celebration

Isn't this what Christmas is all about?

After many years of waking up Christmas morning in the same house, this year we spent Christmas Eve night
at Grandma Ruth's & Grandpa Mike's so we could be with them on Christmas Day.

After the traditional bible story, we opened gifts together.  There were a lot of fun things to open this year--Ticket To Ride game, umbrella, comfy pink chair, new weight set, remote control airplanes--we were so blessed.  We enjoyed the day, company, and new gifts.

Santa did have to leave a couple of gifts at home, since they wouldn't fit into his sleigh.  The kids still enjoyed waiting to open gifts when we came home. 

What was waiting for them . . . a new outdoor basketball hoop and a green house!

One of the gifts Kiana received this year was all the fixings for a new pet.  After we came home from our holiday visiting, she was able to go to the pet store and pick out her very own pet mouse.  Miss Charlotte is making herself at home and Kiana is now enjoying and learning all about pet ownership. 

(This is a first in our home.  The closest we've gotten to having a pet is either pet sitting for someone or if you'd like to count goldfish, we've had a few of those during the years--wish us luck!)



Happy Birthday Gina!

I am loved!

 (My birthday loves--Mexican food, family, & hugs)

41 years and counting . . .

Driving Permit

We are going to have another licensed driver in our family very soon.  On Seth's 1/2 birthday, December 12th, we were down at the DMV so he could take his written driving test. 

He passed!

Now he asks to drive everywhere! 

Once he turns 16 in June, I'm sure he will be asking for the car keys even more!  This kid will love his driving freedom and also not having to ask others to drive him to his favorite place to eat . . .

Taco Bell!

Eagle Scout

After all the hard work, the day finally came where we could celebrate Seth achieving the rank of  Eagle Scout.  We had so many people come and congratulate Seth on this great accomplishment. Both sets of grandparents, family, and lots of friends were able to be there!

Here is Seth receiving his Eagle Scout Award.

Here, Seth is placing the Mother's & Father's pin. 

He also received an American flag that was flown over the state capitol.

Seth awarded Dave Lupton, his scout master, the mentor's pin. Dave was a big influence in helping Seth attain his Eagle rank.

Seth's Uncle Branndon was able to present him with his Eagle Neckerchief. 

Since we had moved to Yuba City, after Seth had completed his eagle scout project, he was able to have his previous Bishop (Wright) along with his current Bishop (Davis) come and say a few words about him at his court of honor.

Here is Seth's scout troop. 

Yes, Seth is still having fun!



Basketball

Seth made the basketball team!

Go Falcons!

Here a few pictures from some of Seth's games.

There will definitely be more to come!