Double Goodbyes

We said goodbye to Ruth's girls last weekend. With the twins gone this week, and more freedom than we've had the last couple months, we've gone crazy with Spring cleaning! We were so extreme in our efforts, we obliterated our kitchen. Thanks to some awesome friends, and heroic husband, adios a la cocina. Chao. Thursday the kitchen was completely removed. Friday we primed and painted. Saturday the upper cabinets were installed thanks to the missionaries and Mike, and the lower ones are awaiting the floor tiles to be finished. All but 3 have been laid. It was a bit frustrating to run out of mortar at midnight last night, but thanks to some generous friends who're willing to share their extra, we have mortar to finish the remaining tiles early tomorrow morning. We can then put in our base cabinets and island tomorrow night. Yea!!! The counters and appliances have been ordered and will be put in later in the week. Why all this madness?! or is it an excess of gladness?!

Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for the continuing adventures of Mike and Lena!

Easter Weekend

We had a very full Easter weekend and no school the following week! The kids enjoyed playing outside, coloring eggs, finding Easter baskets and lots of eggs and candy. We ended the Easter Egg Hunt by throwing confetti eggs at each other(mostly at Daddy). Sunday we got pictures taken. We didn't really even get one "perfect" picture, at least one kid in each picture wasn't looking at the camera. Oh well. We also were so rushed that we didn't get any pictures of Ruth's girls.


One day this week we went to the park with friends. That was a lot of fun. With no t.v., or wii to play with, the kids spent lots of time playing outside, reading books, and using the computer. It's been great.



We brought the twin girls back to their family Saturday. The girls weren't too keen on being hugged by their mama, but they went to their daddy just fine.

To celebrate, we went shopping together as a family, and even drove in the same vehicle. Yea!!!

Jesus is the Christ!

Cosmetologists in Training

Our aspiring beauticians have a new look for Spring.

It's Bold.


It's Bodacious.


It's Blatantly Blue.

Head on down to your local mall for a sample of our new Blatantly Blue cosmetics.
Ask for Shanna or Kirsten as your cosmetologists of choice.

According to the NACCAS 2007 Job Demand Survey …

• There were more than 1,680,000 professionals working in more than 370,000 beauty salons, skin care salons, nail salons, and barber shops in January of 2007.

http://www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/faq/

We've just added 2 more.

Some people are of the opinion that Shanna and Kirsten need to retake their make up artistry classes. Others acclaim their artistic work. What do you think?




What I really want to know is, who is their supplier?!

Superior Playing

Jon earned 3 Superiors at the Music Teachers Association's pre-college auditions. That's the highest rating he could get. He had 2 solo pieces, and was tested on technique and theory. Yea Jon! Way to go. He qualified to go to State, but with a 4 hour drive (one way) involved, we won't make it. Maybe when he is a little older. His teacher wants him to start learning a sonatina and the minor scale set in the fall. For now, at least, I think we will focus on playing fun pieces, that are a little easier to learn. After all his hard work, he needs a bit of a break.

Great job Jon!!!

The Quest for Beauty

On April 1st Kirsten and Shanna opened up a deluxe beauty and health spa. When you enter this luxurious spa, you will have your choice of relaxing in a nice water bed (a cup of water dumped directly onto the bed), or enjoying gourmet cheese crackers (dumped on top of the wet bed). Are the crumbs too itchy or wet? Why not jump on the bed for some physical activity? When you feel relaxed and energized, try some of Kirsten's specialized beauty treatments. Do you want whiter and brighter skin? After donning a swimsuit (inside out and backwards preferred) try the minty fresh toothpaste exfoliation system. Rub it all over your legs, arms and face, and on your clothes/swimwear for good measure. (To avoid the inevitable scolding, this needs to be done while the management is otherwise occupied-- a.k.a. nursing the baby, and getting ready for piano lessons). The management will see that this treatment is followed by a quick scrub in the tub. Array yourself in fresh attire and stroll out to view our formal gardens. If you are fortunate, mud baths will be available following recent rainstorms. The prime time for mud baths are when the management is busy with other customers (a.k.a piano students), and the greatest discretion should be observed. A mud plaster on the feet and covering the backside of your pants does wonders for the complexion and instantly brings out the inner child in you. Try a quick hose down before coming in to array yourself in the evening wear of your choice. Warning: All of these health and beauty treatments are rather exhausting. A siesta before dinner is recommended.

Our own Sleeping Beauty relaxing at the spa

April Fools

April 1st is a very tricky day at our house. For starters, we ate what we thought were cinnamon rolls. The kids' reactions were pretty classic.


Can you guess what we really ate?

We also had a tricky lunch. I packed mini cereal boxes, hard boiled eggs, and orange slices in the kids' lunches. I only wish I could have seen them when they opened their lunch and found breakfast!

For dinner Rebecca helped me make funny faces with vegetables on each plate. When we were done eating our veggies I served pie. Everyone guessed what kind of pie we were going to have, before I sliced it. Jon and Rebecca guessed apple pie, Ethan guessed cheese pie, and Mike guessed cucumber or some kind of vegetable pie. Ethan was the closest. It was macaroni and cheese pie! This is even funnier if you've seen Baby Bop's School. She serves different kinds of macaroni and cheese for lunch and then pie for dessert-- Macaroni and Cheese Pie! When my kids saw that show they all said, "Ewww, gross!!!"
Our pie on April 1st was actually quite tasty, if a bit unusual.


Stay tuned for an upcoming episode of Kirsten and Shanna's Beauty Spa, as I unveil some of their tricks of the trade.