Josie gets her ears pierced.

I kind of tricked Josie....She had been saying she wanted her ears pierced for her birthday....however, I knew she would be anxious about it if she knew we were on our way. I told her and Lauren to meet Olivia and I at the mall to get something to eat. Instead of going to the food court we headed for Claire's. She then knew what was up....at least she didn't have to think about it all day. You sure can see the fear in her eyes. Of all my kids....shots petrify her. She has just plain old said "NO" before!

Nine is Fine!

Josie turned Nine on December 18th! One week before Christmas! (Every year :) Pictures from her Birthday Party!

Pizza and BINGO!

We had lots of fun and "funny" prizes!

Her Invitation

We played a game where you get to dig through the trash (newspaper) to find a wrapped gift and unwrap it befor the girl ahead of you rolls a # (we chose a 4 and a 5 to make NINE). As soon as she gets the chosen number your time is up even if you have the gift almost unwrapped.
You keep on going around the circle until everyone has so many gifts (we had 3 each) If you already have your three you can help your neighbor.....anyway for some reason they think it is fun?! We did this for a ADG party as well.....they scream and laugh.....

Josie's friends were so much fun! It was an easy, laid back, fun party! Good choice Jos!

Josie got her ears pierced for her 9th birthday! Our house rule is nine......we have reasons......
I will post some of those pictures also!
Happy, Happy, ninth year Josie!
You are so much fun in our family.
You fit in right where you are just perfect.
Thank-you for being such a great Sister!
I am so glad you are my little girl! We love you!

Activity day girls!

Six of my twelve cute Activity Day Girls. We all sat together at the Stake Christmas Cantata...fun?! It was warm in the chapel, all of their cheeks are flushed and picture perfect. Beautiful Girls. I Love them, I have the very best calling that can be :)

More 2010 merchandise!

Natalie, do you like this one for Little Lucy??? Or do your see another??? Funny...this one with "Lucy" on it sold at the show...I made another name for you :)

Almost done....

I have been working like a crazy women for shows this year. I have the last one of the year this Saturday in Tulsa. However, I am not working this week ....I'll be getting ready for Christmas, Josie's birthday and Lauren will be coming home this day as well. We are all pretty excited!!!

I thought I would post a few pictures from my last show....which went well.....yea!!! Tuition $$$.

Sometimes I wonder why????!!!!! Why do I do this??? This year I was able to really beef up our food storage, go on a mini vacation over Thanksgiving, (I'll post that later)......pay off a credit card that had gotten un-ruly, and pay for a semester of college tuition for Lauren. So, when I wonder why....I have to say that my working, here at home, although it is stressful.....and......no-one thinks I really work......my working does bless our family in many ways. It also has the added benefit of making me more grateful for what I have. Tyler does such a great job of supporting and taking care of our family. It really makes me appreciate him even more. It is also therapeutic for me.....I really do love to create things......I have since I was a little girl. I always have so many ideas in my head and when life gets too busy for me to make my ideas into something I get a little bitter!!!

A night in Bethleham

Our ward Christmas party this year was "A Night in Bethleham" We had fun dressing up for it. It was really a nice, memorable evening.

All of the hard work was appreciated by the Bliss family!

My new, beautiful niece, Lucy Ann Taylor

And do I ever wish I could get my hands on her!

Congratulations and Much Love sent your way,

Natalie, Justin, Cooper and Griffen.

Ready or not.....

Our big girl is packing up her room for college. This is such a bittersweet time. For me, and for her it turns out. I am sure I have made some recent parenting blunders.... What should the rules be when you are almost 19??? What is my part?? Leaving has turned out to be harder than she had thought, even though she is READY for her independence. I cried as she read over the phone the classes she is planning to take. She has such cute friends and it is hard to see them all go their seperate ways. On sunday we had the missionaries over for dinner. Elder Day said all the right things. He spent a year before his mission at BYU I. He said "you just can't help but make friends", and "get involved" I know she will be OK when she gets there. I am so glad she is going to BYU in Idaho it suits her......

My job for today:

getting all of her stuff, all of us, and vacation stuff for 7 in our van??

YIKES!

The party

Liz, Gracie, Josie, Alicia, and Olivia.

Cute girls at the little Tea Party!!

Who knew it when you take the crusts of bread it would take nearly 2 loaves to make enough sanwiches for them

(and Max too!)

Livvy loves the American girl, Kit.

Her party was based around that story.

She is a girl in the 1940's who takes lots of notes and loves to write newspaper articles.

She even gets one published and earns a little money!

Her invite read Extra, Extra, read all about it. Olivia Bliss turns ten. You are invited to an American girl doll Birthday Party. Her favorite is Kit, it's sure to be a hit!!

We rolled it up in newspaper with a rubber band to deliver it. She also likes a little mystery

(like Olivia) so we played the game Clue.

We made paper roses to represent the garden parties the mothers have in the show.

(A stretch... but it was a Tea party, don't roses fit in? Plus I had the kit to make them already :)

Right before every birthday party I decide, NO MORE!!

By the end.........I am happy I made the effort.

Two digit birthday!

Miss Olivia turned 10, two digits as she kept telling every one!!! Tyler told her she'll now be now double digits for the rest of her life! (kinda takes the fun out of it huh?) She had a busy day, and even went to a friends birthday party! She got a new digital "grown up" Sony cybershot camera from all of us.....she is out side in her PJ's as I post, photographing flowers in the back yard!
Tyler and I took her for a birthday date to a Greek restaurant, she ordered creme brulee for dessert!!! I can't believe she is 10.....she sure is a beautiful girl. She has gotten so tall I have to have her sit to do her hair! She loves art and Paris and all things girl!!! We love you Livvy!!! Happy Birthday!!!
(Friend 30's era "tea" party tomorrow, we will be preparing and decorating today!)

More prom just because she looks so darn pretty!!!

Who are the old people?!?!?!?!

I am just really loving her dress this year!!! Her date Brendon and her friends all look so nice as well. I hope they have a fun night. Most of these pictures are at "Grand March" where they are introduced and do the "walk". They were already tired after lots of photos at a friends house and grand march. Sounds like they are off to play glow in the dark golf?!?!? (Natalie....I will appologize to Tyler, thanks for running it accross "the board", ha, ha, ha!!!) and then dinner and the dance.......If I can stay awake until they get home I'll take after pictures also!!!

"Senior" prom......

Josie's Baptism

It sure was wonderful to be in Utah with Lots of family for Josie's Baptism. It is so special to have so much family support. Even though this trip was a little difficult to pull off I am happy we did. Before we went to Logan we spent some time in St. George with Tylers parents, where we took advantage of the beautiful weather and gorgeous landscapes for some photos. I was happy with how they turned out! Fun memories :) Beautiful Girls in white.

Valentine Get away!

Tyler and I 'Got away' for a belated Valentine Weekend date. Our Valentine weekend was full and our in-debt-to-us babysitter was not available (Lauren....car insurance) so we waited until the weekend after. We are really not in a life stage (money, time and kids!) that we can travel or take big vacations together....But, we have found that mini vacations help us 'keep our love alive', that is what we tell the kids! And, it's true;)

It was so simple but so relaxing and fun! (and cheap......we had a small budget...yes Kirsten and Jeni, I budget....a little) On Friday we went out for dinner, had a gift card for a yummy Italian place Tyler gave me for Christmas. Then, to watch some live music in a funny little place. It's hard to find a place that is fun and not a bar atmosphere.....they played bluegrass which I like and Tyler pretty much likes any live music.....Tyler wanted to be on the stage...he always does......we stayed in a pretty decent little Marriott which had a great breakfast in the morning, making Tyler happy! In the morning, a little 30 minute, windy, curvy, as in CAR SICK (not windy like the weather....how is that spelled anyway?) drive to Eureka Springs. It is a quirky little town, it reminded me of Park City a little, the old part. I had done some wholesale work for one of the shops--Wilson and Wilson folk art. I had wanted to go and visit. It was cute little shop. We just walked through the town, looking through the shops. Lots of local artwork, smelling delicious food smells, and a little bit more music, cool old buildings some pretty large for their age, and neat architecture. Really, the place looks like it might just fall to pieces, I don't know that I would be comfortable living there but, it is authentic, old and very cool. For dinner we asked some of the shop owners where to go. We ended up dining in a very scrumptious Mexican restaurant in a little old house on a hill. It was REALLY good!

On the way home Tyler got called into work so, I went in with him which I rarely do....always have kids with plus you usually have to suit up in hair nets, lab coats, protective glasses and what not....It was kind of fun to see him at work. They had a machine down and when we got there they said they hoped he had brought his cape....they had been fighting with the machine all day.....it was funny. I am glad he is good at what he does, and that most of the time he enjoys it. While he was busy I watched and left love notes on sticky notes around his office. How romantic am I??? :) We came home to the house in good shape, thanks-Lauren :)

With kids throwing up....back to reality in a hurry!!!

It was a nice time away together, our love is alive!!!

We didn't get any pictures together....I don't know why we never do that....but I posted some of the sites and Velentine heart cookies!!!