12 on 12 | march | arizona edition

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1. The kids spent a lot of time out in the backyard. Slade was thrilled to be in short sleeves and shorts again.
2. Grandma and Sawyer played a little baseball.
3. We went to Anthem's city park to enjoy the beautiful weather and a picnic lunch.
4. Pizza for lunch!
5. Anne was tired, grumpy and prone to wander. Emma to the rescue!
6. Sawyer took this very close picture of me.
7. So fun to see Emma laughing with her cousins.
8. A lady had four puppies at the park which she graciously let the kids play with. Nathan was in puppy heaven.
9. It was a lovely 80+ degrees outside. Perfect for picnics in the park but swimming? Our children could not resist the pool. Brrrr.
10. Emma and Avery had a British afternoon tea, complete with proper attire and accents.
11. You can't really tell from this picture but all the kids were sitting out in the hot tub in total darkness. Dave was reading with a flashlight. Water is so irresistible.
12. Sawyer and Jane played Guess Who before bed. Over the course of our visit, that game got good use. Who knew it was so entertaining?

12 on 12 | february

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1. I spent the morning at our stake Women's Conference. I am never excited about going to these things but I am so glad I went. First, we listened to a women's quartet called One Clear Voice. Their songs were beautiful and their messages quite touching. You can hear some samples of their songs 

here and here

Everyone, including me, was wiping away tears. Then we listened to Janice Kapp Perry who had us busting up with laughter and being inspired to take risks. I had no idea that she didn't start writing music until she was 40. A few things she said:

--have a goal and write it down

--even the smallest distance towards your goal is a victory

--don't let fear rob you of opportunity

--"Watch for the right time and season and then show gratitude for your gifts by magnifying them."

2. When I came home, I put the kids to work in their zones for a quick clean up.

3. Anne found someone's stash of candy from the previous day's party.

4. Emma and I went up to Salt Lake to go to a baby shower for my sister-in-law. I hate playing the games but I always enjoy the food and conversation.

5. Emma left to go tubing with her cousin, Melissa, so I headed down to Orem to go to the library.

6. Dave attended the worldwide leadership training this afternoon, hence the tie. He decided to try making mash potato pancakes for dinner. That didn't appeal to me, but Nathan sure enjoyed them.

7. When I asked where the pop came from, Dave replied, "I was filling my bucket" in reference to an earlier conversation we'd had. He rarely does anything for himself.

8. Slade has been spending lots of time laying on his bed listening to the Harry Potter books.

9. My baby belly has began to show. I am finally resigning myself to maternity clothes.

10. We spent a relaxing evening at home. Dave napped on the couch.

11. I read on the couch. This evening, I read How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. We are definitely not becoming vegetarians but I am on a quest to increase our fruits and vegetables and reduce our meat consumption.

12. Anne ran in circles in the living room while we sat on the couches. Easy entertainment.

12 on 12 | january

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First a technical note: I discovered when I downloaded these pictures that my camera had been set on high ISO all day. Tons of noise in all the shots. Frustrating!

1. We have all been having a hard time waking up in the mornings. I'm sure the Christmas vacation contributed to the sleep issues we're having, but mornings are just brutal any way you look at it. 

2. Anne's collection of essential sleep paraphenalia: two babies, a sippy cup and a blanket. 

3. 10:00 means school time. Emma, Nathan and Sawyer are getting started on their Math.

4. Anne spends the school time pulling books off the shelf, playing with alphabet magnets and sorting toys, and watching the kids play Starfall on the computer.

5. Slade had been sitting here working on his Math. He stormed off in frustration over something I said. Pretty typical. Why do we have to have the same fights day after day? Man, he wears me out. He finished his Math so that he could lunch but he never did complete the rest of his work today. No screens or friends for him this afternoon.

6. Nathan and Sawyer worked on a puzzle together after lunch.

7. I dropped Emma off at history and science co-op today since we have lots of nasty coughs and snot at our house. Anne has had a low fever the last two days also. I didn't think we should share our germs so the rest of us stayed home. Emma brought home the extra balloons they used for a game and they provided lots of entertainment for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

8. I enjoyed a bit of quiet time in my room reading a couple of new magazines plus email and blogs on my iTouch (I totally love that thing, by the way).

9. The kids get to enjoy some screen time at 3:00. Nathan usurped Anne's chair in front of Backyardigans, her most beloved "show".

10. Wednesday is Leftover Night. Nobody was too thrilled with the offerings tonight.

11. Bath time. 

12. Slade loves building with these Trio blocks. Mostly he makes weapons but he created this bug creature for me tonight.

Dave didn't make it into today's photos at all. He came home for lunch and then didn't walk in the door until 6:50 p.m. which has been the norm lately. He quickly ate some dinner and changed clothes before walking back out the door at 7 for Elders' Quorum meetings. When he came home at about 9:20, he changed back into his work clothes and went back to work. I don't expect him to come home until after midnight. 

12 on 12 | december (another late edition)

I did it again! I completely forgot about the 12th even though Emma reminded me just the night before. Consequently, I had to do another 12 on 12 plus 1. The last one was in June. How is that for symmetry with the 6th and 12th month?

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1. The theme of today was messes, messes, messes. I spent all day sorting through them.

2. After Sawyer finishes his math, he always asks to play Starfall. Anne loves to watch. Note how Anne is still in pajamas at 11:30. Yeah, I was awesome today.

3. Slade and Nathan both refused to do schoolwork today. They wrestled on the bed instead. They were not happy when they reaped the consequences of their actions later.

4. Dave walking in the house for lunch.

5. I had a photo session today with a senior boy. I love it when they listen to me.

6. I worked all afternoon downstairs cleaning out the playroom, moving a TV, dejunking the guest room, and changing sheets in the boys' room. At about 5:30, I finally came upstairs only to find the kitchen in a state of disaster. Food and dishes everywhere. Cabinet hanging askew. I was not happy.

7. It took so long cleaning up the kitchen that I didn't even get dinner started until 6:17. We usually eat at 6:30. Mean mom that I am, I denied Emma the privilege of staying at her friend's house longer and made her come home to help me. We were only 15 minutes late and sat down to eat just as Dave walked in the door. He has had long hours lately. In fact, he is walking out the door to go back to work as I write this at 9:30.

8. Anne was making us all laugh so hard at dinner. Quite a personality.

9. Slade was complaining about how tired he was so he left the table and went to lie down. Tired from doing nothing all day, I guess.

10. Emma gave our Family Home Evening lesson.

11. Family self-portrait.

12. Ice cream for a treat. Dave and I are glad that there are only 10 days left of the challenge. Then we can enjoy FHE treats again. Dave still has a perfect score. Me? Not so much.

12 on 12 | november

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1. Emma went to see The Five Browns perform at Kingsbury Hall this morning. She said it was amazing.
2. Sawyer pushing Anne around in the empty laundry basket.
3. Nathan and Sawyer playing with friends who have every other Friday off.
4. Slade found a new game on the computer that he thought was so cool.
5. I watched Food Inc. while the kids were playing. Disturbing.
6. The cushions off the couch for the bajillionth time.
7. Friday is Pizza Night. I overcooked one of the crusts a bit. Still tasted good though.
8. I escaped to the library by myself. I forgot to bring the books that were due though. Oops.
9. Listening to Outlander finally upon my sisters and Mom's recommendation.
10. I came home to find this note from Emma. She was running in a 5K the next day and wanted my opinion on what to wear. Her spelling really scares me. Why is it that she spells everything perfectly in her Spelling assignments but cannot spell at all when she is writing on her own?
11. Dave playing Wii sports for his challenge exercise.
12. My challenge tracking sheet. Perfect score so far.

12 on 12 | october | boston edition

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Emma and I took a fantastic trip to Boston last week. On the 12th, we were out and about seeing all the beauty of New England. I also forgot it was the 12th until the day was nearly over. So I decided to just make this month's edition of 12 on 12 a collage of our trip.

1. Rockport, MA. We got into Boston on Friday morning. Dana picked us up from the airport and we headed directly
to the beautiful coastal town of Rockport.
2. Six Flags New England
3. Sharon, Vermont at the Joseph Smith birthplace. Dana and I are sitting on the old hearthstone.
4. Apple picking at Honeypot Orchards
5. So You Think You Can Dance. Dana is a way cool mom and agreed to Avery's pleas to stay after the show and meet the dancers.
Here we all are with Kent.
6. Emma had Lauren and Billy sign her "boogie shoes".
7. My super adorable niece, Lauren
8. the monument at Bunker Hill
9. Emma and Avery were the Mystery Readers in Audrey's class.
10. the old north bridge at Concord
11. I took family pictures for Dana at the old north bridge. What a good looking bunch!
12. We went over to Lexington to the Minuteman National park and had a feast of specialty sodas, apples and cheese from The Cheese Shop in Concord. We sat on the stones of an old house foundation. A perfect ending to our New England adventures.

12 on 12 | september

1. Cinnamon rolls rising on the counter.
2. Regional conference at 10:00. Two of my favorite speakers, Julie Beck and Elder Holland. When Sister Beck talked about mothers spending too much time on the computer, Emma looked over at me. Time to repent.
3. A tired Annie after conference.
4. Hot dogs and chips for lunch. Not healthy but easy.
5. Dave came home from Boise with a suitcase full of Living Scripture videos and coloring books that we essentially stole from our friends (Thanks so much, Steph!). The kids are so thrilled and would have watched them the whole entire day if we'd let them.
6. Nothing like a Sabbath nap. Unfortunately they were rather short.
7. We gathered round the table and wrote cards for Grandpa Slade and letters to our missionary, Evan.
8. I accompanied a violinist for her Book 3 play through recital. Emma came to turn pages.
9. Boys playing/fighting/wrestling on the tramp.
10. Anne, the master of disaster, pulling out movies from the cabinet.
11. Bedtime stories with Dad. He was reading Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-this-World Moon-Pie Adventure (one of our absolute favorites). He added a few new voices in and the boys were laughing so hard. Adorable.
12. I was lying down on my bed and Emma came in to join me. I filled this jar up with 25 cent boxes of crayons and Emma has made good use of it.

The best part of the day probably was after I stopped taking pictures. The boys were all in bed. Dave and I were reading in the living room. The two girls came in to join us. We got to have a good conversation with Emma. Not about anything in particular but she seems to be so happy when when we talk about anything. Anne was making us all laugh with her antics. I was reading Julie Beck's Women's Conference talk and loving every word of it. It was just such a pleasant way to end the day.

12 on 12 | august

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1. Heather invited us to join her for a picnic in the park. We went to Nielsen's Grove in south Orem. Its a huge park with a playground, pond, fountain, flowers, etc. We had never been there before.
2. Nathan and cousins by the pond where they "accidentally" fell in the water.
3. Pretty flowers at the park.
4. We enjoyed a surprise visit from Megan in the afternoon. She brought me money which is always a happy thing and then listened to me to talk about our vacation.
5. Video games in the afternoon.
6. Emma and her friend painted pictures down in the schoolroom. She rarely plays at home so it was nice to have her around today.
7. A few of the books I have checked out from the library.
8. Taco soup for dinner.
9. Slade and his buddy at the swim team awards ceremony. Both these boys were just glad swim team was over.
10. Emma at the awards. She came home with 3 first place ribbons and 1 third.
11. I was at a class so Dave had all the kids. They got to go night swimming after the awards. It was not a terribly warm night but they still had fun.
12. Emma taking the plunge.

12 on 12 | july

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1. I woke Emma up at 6:20 and took her to swim team. Anne and Sawyer were up before seven. An early start to a long day.
2. Nathan and Slade slept outside in a swingset fort. Pretty fun to get to slide out of bed.
3. I came home from getting my hair cut to this scene: Anne with her hair all askew holding her babies and a big mess of crackers and crumbs all over the table.
4. My Monday jobs: dust and vacuum main level, mop kitchen, wash backdoor windows, and such. I have really loved having this card system for the last month or so.
5. Nathan, Sawyer and Anne were all sick today. They stayed in pajamas and watched lots of TV.
6. I've discovered the joys of listening to audiobooks on my iPod while I get my housework done. It makes me feel doubly productive.
7. New clocks hung up in the entry. A bunch of our folk dance friends are coming over on Wednesday night. Of course, I'm frantically trying to figure out how to lose 30 pounds and get all my house projects done before then. :)
8. Dave playing Tetris on his phone. He got a smart phone recently and we both are in love with it. Technology is so great.
9. We had meatloaf and mashed potatoes for dinner. It doesn't look all that tasty in the picture but this meatloaf recipe is awesome. I found it on allrecipes.com which is my favorite go-to site for recipes.
Brown Sugar Meatloaf
10. Dave taught our lesson in Family Home Evening tonight.
11. Nathan and Slade wrestled all the way through FHE. It seems that the kids don't get anything out of FHE. However, I'm thankful that we've made it a routine part of our family life. I'll just have to have faith that they're getting more than it seems.
12. We finished the evening with a movie (Nathan's choice) and popsicles for a treat.

12 on 12 | june (late edition)

I completely spaced the date yesterday and did not take one single picture. Not wanting to let this memory lapse ruin this project, I decided to do it today instead. Better late than never. Let's call it 12 on 12 plus 1.

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1. Dave had an early priesthood meeting so I got to get up early with Miss Anne. Cereal and banana for breakfast.
2. Sundays are the only day I curl my hair and leave it down. I wear it like that for church and then promptly come home and put it back in a ponytail.
3. It is hard for Slade to get going in the mornings. Even when we don't wake him up.
4. Off to church at 11:00. I was really pleased with how singing time went in Primary. It was one of those last minute ideas that I wasn't sure would work. Both Junior and Senior Primary paid attention and sang well.
5. The kids watched Veggie Tales through Netflix streaming this afternoon. Can I just say how much I love Netflix! Seriously. If you don't have it, you should.
6. I failed again in the picture taking department and forgot to take my camera to the Huddlestons. Katie and Jason invited us over for dinner. All the food was delicious and the kids really enjoyed playing with their cousins.
7. It was raining by the time we came home. The rain made everything look crisp and colorful. I was loving how cool the clouds looked down so low on the mountains. I put a grocery bag over my camera and took pictures.
8. Sawyer and Nathan followed me down the street. Sawyer only had socks on. Silly kid. You can't tell from the pictures but it was raining hard. The boys splashed through the gutters all the way home.
9. Emma can often be heard singing in the bathroom. I like to hear her make music.
10. Slade was really sweet about letting me take some pictures of him this evening. He kept asking if I had 12 pictures yet. He doesn't usually cooperate so its always a thrill when he does.
11. Dave is reading Fablehaven out loud to anyone who will listen. It usually turns out that he is reading to himself but tonight Slade snuggled up next to him and listened.
12. I get five Sunday newspapers for the coupons. There is always a pile of papers and ads by the end of the day after we've all searched for what we want. I really should recycle.

12 on 12 | may

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1. I did my first glass etching project. There is nothing like remembering that you have no present for your child to take to a birthday party half an hour before. Luckily, I had the supplies sitting on my counter--jar, etching cream, stickers and paint brush. Its such an easy project, I finished with five minutes to spare.
2. Sawyer was the lucky one who got to go to a birthday party. It was a dress up party and I was worried he would request to wear a dress. Thankfully, we got him out of the house sporting a hat, boots and cape instead.
3. Why is it that my kids will happily entertain themselves in the morning with random items like a measuring tape but when it is afternoon they can't think of a single thing to do except watch TV?
4. We've begun our basic summer schedule. We had finished up most of our curriculum and I didn't want to start anything new so we are now on a modified schedule. This is the list that they have to complete before they can play with friends or have screen time. This week I am experimenting with letting them do it in any order and at any time they wish. It is making me crazy. Next week, I think I will suggest a time frame to follow.
5. Slade is getting his page of math done.
6. This is the pile of stuff I pulled out of the van while searching for our garage door opener. Nathan and Sawyer had been playing with it. We eventually found it in Anne's car seat. Our search made us very late for co-op. I hate being late!
7. We talked about the atomic bomb at co-op. The kids had to choose whether they would have dropped the bomb or not. Emma and Nathan were the only ones who were against dropping the bomb. This is Emma's memo to President Truman arguing her point:
These people are innocent and if you drop it on the city you will kill men, women and children and so you will not only kill the soldiers but you will kill them.
Not terribly well worded but a valid argument. I am not sure what I have argued if I were one of Truman's advisers. Such hard decisions.
8. Emma didn't feel like eating at dinner (Leftover Night). Instead she sat at the table and read Harry Potter. I'm always excited when I see my children reading so I didn't say anything.
9. Nathan spent the evening downstairs in his room. After being told not to play in the car by both Dave and me, he was found in the car coloring all over this jar with permanent marker. I was able to get the marker off the glass but not the lid.
10. I have been lost on the world of blogs all week. There are just so many wonderful things out there to discover in blogland. So many ideas it makes my head spin and I just can't seem to stop. It has made me recognize that I am apparently a dreamer not a doer. I spend lots of time reading about all these wonderful projects and ideas but can't seem to make myself get off the computer to complete them.
11. Our weather this month has not been very pleasant. At least the wind tonight was good for one thing--flying a kite.
12. As I was folding clothes out of the dryer, Anne decided to climb in. I remember using the dryer as a hiding place. The dryer and under the bathroom sink were always good places to hide.

12 on 12 | april

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1. I do laundry almost every day. I don't do it on Sunday which always leaves me with a massive build-up on Monday. How does that happen? Four loads today.
2. Years ago, Grandma Daniel gave Emma this purple lingerie robe. It has been one of the most used items in our dress up box. It is full of holes but apparently it stills makes a great cape.
3. Anne has learned how to climb. She loves climbing up on the dishwasher while we are loading or unloading. She has even been able to figure out how to get up on the kitchen table. Help me now.
4. Emma started voice lessons today. She came home full of smiles and sang almost non-stop the rest of the day.
5. Mean mom that I am, I made the kids read for an hour before they could have screen time. It kills me that I do not have one lover of books among my children. They see reading as a most difficult chore. Sadness. It was blissfully quiet during that hour though.
6. All loaded up in the van to go pick up Emma.
7. We came home and put the That Thing You Do CD on to play. I loved watching my boys dance and sing all around the kitchen.
8. What to make for dinner. Ugh. I hate food. I love food. Such is the dilemma of my life.
9. We walked down the street in the rain to have Family Home Evening with another family in our ward.
10. Pre-bedtime kisses and snuggles with Miss Anne.
11. In contrast to my children, I am a huge lover of books. Especially non-fiction. A few titles currently sitting by my bed: The Family You've Always Wanted, The Woman Triathlete, Teaching with Love and Logic, Morning by Morning, Homeschooling at the Speed of Life. There are lots more sitting in the book basket in the living room.
12. Dave went back to our friends' house to watch Firefly tonight after all the kids were in bed.

12 on 12 | march

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1. Thumb-sucking for Anne is a two handed thing. One hand to her mouth, the other hand either in my mouth (if I'm holding her) or her own ear.
2. For months now, Slade has been convinced he can't read. Its been great to watch him slowly make progress. He has had the phonetic skills for a while but just didn't seem to believe that he could put it together. He is still doesn't usually want to read so when he offered to read me Green Eggs and Ham this morning, I was thrilled.
3. I will be in Atlanta next week for a week of kid-free vacationing with my mom and sisters. So excited. I have a very long to-do list though to complete before then.
4. I started having each of the kids choose a breakfast and a lunch for the week. I wrote down the things they generally like to eat on index cards and they take turns choosing. It is working great for us. First of all, I like that I don't have to think of what to make everyday. That is such a pain. Secondly, the kids like choosing and know that even if they don't like something one day then they know their choice will be coming. Emma has picked hot dogs for her lunch two weeks in a row.
5. The weather was just lovely. The kids got on the tramp at the first free moment. I love Sawyer's face in this shot. We also got the backyard all picked up. There were lots of random socks, shoes, toys, and trash out there. Since it rained/snowed all day today, it was good we enjoyed the sunshine yesterday.
6. I came in to put away all the stuff we found outside. When I finished, I wondered where Anne was since she is generally crying at my legs to be picked up. I had left her outside. With the door shut. She was perfectly happy though eating a sucker. She was adding extra flavor by dipping it in dirt.
7. Emma is playing a duet at a string festival this weekend. We went over to the other girl's house today to practice. Emma got to stay afterward and have a play date. She came home full of smiles about how much fun she had.
8. I was able to sneak out by myself and go to the library. I felt a little guilty because when I asked if anyone wanted to come, Sawyer wanted to go. I quickly rethought the offer and bribed him with video games at home instead. So not nice of me.
9. I thoroughly enjoyed the quiet time in the library though, I must say. I can't help but get a little giddy when I walk into a library or bookstore. Oh the possibilities!
10. Emma had three kinds of polka dots on for her bedtime ensemble.
11. Slade turned this long balloon into a spiral and said, "Look, Mom. DNA." How does he know this stuff?
12. Dave gave up Warcraft but has instead taking to spending lots and lots of time at the computer working each night. This picture is not entirely accurate because he is usually sitting on the chair with his laptop. We stayed up until 2 am. He was working. I was lying on the couch watching movies and feeling somewhat miserable with a cold. We are all sniffly, sneezy, and coughing thanks to Nathan. Not fun.

12 on 12 | february

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--We recently started this reward system for getting the morning routine done on time. If the kids get dressed, make bed, eat breakfast, and complete chores and practicing by 10:00, they get one point. They earn donuts with 10 points.
--These are the Valentines we made for our homeschool group party today. I got the idea here on Inchmark Journal. I was delighted by how creative the kids got with these. Unfortunately I was in a hurry this morning and only grabbed this boring one to shoot but there were all kinds of cards in our box with rainbow hair, mustaches, hypnotic eyes, and so on. Super easy and cute.
--Emma is the only one who would participate in the relays at the Valentine party. Slade played Hot Potato at the beginning but the rest of time the boys sat on the side.
--The kids brought their Valentine boxes home and promptly proceeded to eat through them all, discarding trash all over the floor.
--Sawyer is obsessed with wearing dresses. He begs me to let him wear his princess dress. Today he went into Emma's closet and found this skirt. Should I worry?
--There was a lot of technology-as-babysitter going on today at our house. What can I say? It was just one of those days.
--This book along with a few others arrived in the mail today. I've heard great things about it. It is the book choice for book group this month. I'm excited to read it.
--I got my hair dyed and cut today. Finally. It has only been six months or so. Yikes. It looked pretty scary. The color is rather dark but hopefully will fade slightly. I really liked this new stylist.
--Nathan is finally walking on his foot. Not with his full weight but at least he is actually putting it on the floor. At least he is when he isn't playing video games.
--Dinner tonight included one homemade pizza and leftover Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. Good stuff. The kids made sure all the cups and bowls matched tonight when they set the table.
--Emma asked if she could take some pictures and took my camera outside. She took all kinds of random shots but came in so excited about this one of the trees with the sunset. A budding photographer?
--We let everyone stay up way too late watching the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. I love the Olympics!

12 on 12 | january

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--I woke up at 4:45 in the morning. I fed Anne and put her back to bed. Then I went to the Rec Center with three other women to swim. I haven't swam laps in years! YEARS! I panicked a little during the first length but then all those years on swim team came back to me and it felt natural again. Since, I was up so early this morning I was able to see the beautiful morning sky.
--The kids had cereal for breakfast. The rule is that they have to eat a bowl of non-sugar cereal before they can have one of sugar cereal.
--Anne is quickly becoming a Master of Disaster all. over. the. house!
--I probably should have taken a picture of Emma sprawled out on the couch in tears just moments before this. She did not want to play her review pieces. I made her play them all. I'm so mean.
--Slade does not like doing schoolwork and it is a struggle everyday to get him to actually finish.
--Nathan is learning how to read. I'm so glad that I get to be the one to teach him.
--Sawyer crashes on the couch in the afternoon almost every day.
--I'm reading The Makeover of James Orville Wickenbee for book club. I am not enjoying it at all. I guess I've outgrown my love of LDS fiction.
--I saw a blog post about sock curls and Emma wanted to try them. I felt very uncoordinated putting them in. Having a daughter who generally refuses to let me do anything with her hair has not given me much practice with hair.
--Mess on my bathroom floor courtesy of my two darling daughters.
--When the boys listen quietly during SSP at night, Dave gives them piggy-back rides downstairs and tells them a story.
--I can't seem to go to bed without getting on the computer. Tonight, I finished editing a sneak peak blog post for my neighbor, checked email, browsed a few forums, and read lots of blogs. I'm an addict.