Pink Playdough

I learned this new trick last week. When coloring home-made playdough, use about a half of a packet of Jello. It takes the edge off the smell and doesn't stain your fingers. We had fun playing with it!

When Paul came home from Argentina on Friday, Benjamin was all smiles. Paul handed him a random blank card (It was in a gift bag) with a painting of a horse on it, and Benjamin immediately took ownership, carrying it all over the house, saying "Neigh!"

He also got a few Valentines from cousins and grandparents this week, and has been excited about those. He understands of course that Valentines are what you give when you love someone.

He especially loves the one with Lightning McQueen from "Cars" on it because it moves when you turn it.

He makes this little face sometimes, though I'm not sure what it means. I think he just does it to be silly.

My New Favorite Toy

I have a new favorite toy. It's SO fun! It's a laminator, and I got it at Aldi (a German grocery store here) for $20! It came with 30 sheets, so it's already paid for itself. I thought it was a pretty sweet find.

I just finished laminating scripture reading charts for my 8/9-year-old primary class. I've challenged them all to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, in honor of President Hinckley, and his challenge that he made to us a few years ago. Since we're studying from the Book of Mormon anyways this year, it works out perfectly. And I've offered all sorts of incentives along the way, so it should be fun.

I'm also getting excited about making quiet activities for church for Benjamin. Oh, and more FHE lessons. The possibilities are endless....I'm such a craft nerd.

Welcome Home, Sister Cannon!

Paul's sister Abby, who has been serving in London, England for the past 18 months will be coming home today!
Welcome back to the U.S.! We're excited to hear from you! Benjamin is especially excited to get to know his favorite missionary aunt. One of his favorite songs these days has been "Called to Serve." We're all so proud of you and the tremendous work you've done!

We'll miss you, Paul!

Well, we dropped Paul off at the airport today for his business trip to Argentina. He'll get back on Saturday, so it won't be that long...but we'll sure miss him!
Benjamin wanted to play "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home" on the piano today around the usual time when Paul gets home, and was insistent that he was going to walk through the door any minute. He ran over to the window and got pretty upset when I told him he wasn't coming home tonight, and that he was on an airplane. Poor kid. Later tonight when he was going to bed, Benjamin turned around before turning in for the night and said, "Bye!" to Daddy. It was precious. And of course I, having nothing better to do this evening, am blogging about it. So I'm missing him too!
So in effort to tell Paul how much he's missed, I am posting a random blog of "good times."
Don't they look exactly alike here?! Same expression and everything. This was taken last Summer at the BYU Creamery on 9th.

This was take on Christmas morning, 2005. His sisters Abby (who is coming home from her mission THIS Thursday!) and Claire are waiting with us on the stairs. I'm looking pretty good for first trimester morning sickness, even if I do say so myself! (haha..yeah right...) And Paul's sporting a beard (a.k.a. the ultimate sign of rebellion for a BYU student).

Uh, I have no words. This was Halloween, back when we were engaged. Yep, that about sums it up.

This was this past Thanksgiving break, when we were out with Paul's family. Benjamin was at Grandma and Grandpa Lowe's, asleep.


Also, I wanted to point out that at President Hinckley's funeral during the slideshow in the last song, that was MY cute husband standing there with his two adorable sisters and dad next to President Hinckley! We were both shocked when we realized it was him in the picture. What a wonderful funeral it was! I've been fine ever since I learned of his death, immediately comforted by the fact that it was definately his time, and that he deserved to finally get a break. Well, I couldn't help but cry during the service as I finally let it sink in. I will really miss him! I seem to remember my Mom having similar feelings about Spencer W. Kimball...of course I'll love and honor and sustain the new prophets, but President Hinckley will always hold a very special place in my heart, as the prophet of my youth.
Now, with Presdent Monson and his counselors President Eyering and President Uchtdorf, we have a new chapter of the church to look forward to!

On a slightly different note, Paul and I have both been fretting about tomorrow, Super Tuesday, and the contrast this whole election process is to the change in leadership in the church. We've been praying that the people voting will be guided by the Spirit, and that whatever the Lord's will is, it will happen. We of course would like Mitt Romney to win, but who knows what the Lord's purposes really are with his campaign. Time will tell.
We were excited too learn that Mitt Romney was coming through St. Louis on Saturday, but were never able to find out where or when that would be. I think he did stop in, briefly after attending President Hinckley's funeral, but only really made an appearance at the hotel he was staying at. His son Matt was at our ward the next day though, and bore a nice, unassuming testimony. Paul and I, realizing who he was, ran back there afterwards to shake his hand and give him and his dad our support. We're on pins and needles until tomorrow's over!

Snow Day!

So for those of you who grew up around mountains, these pictures will probably look like a joke, but we got a pretty good amount of snow last night! I grew up in Virginia, where an inch of snow would cause at least a two hour delay. I have fond memories huddling around our old radio in the kitchen on snowy mornings and hearing "WMAL, KM-63!" in a garbled sing-song tune, and listening for "Fairfax County schools: closed." Nothing quite so exciting!
I thought those days were over, but Paul's Blackberry started buzzing in the middle of the night last night, informing him that the office would be closed today. So we got a three-day weekend with him! This is especially nice, condidering he'll be in Argentina all next week.
We came outside with visions of making a snowman, but Benjamin's still a little sick, so he didn't last long outside.

Later in the day, Benjamin took Paul outside, and headed down the nicely shoveled walk and straight for the car. He must have needed to get out of the house, but he didn't get his wish. I thought this was a really pretty picture of the snow.

Here's Paul, working from home on the bed. I guess we never made the bed today. Oops.

Benjamin was cute today. I guess he's gotten to the point where he's okay with me painting, because he took me downstairs and helped me get out the panel and all my paints. He'll sit quietly on the couch and watch Elmo while I paint. It's a nice arrangement. As you can see, it's only about 2/3 done. This one will eventually go in his room.

New Game

My cousin Melanie recently put this game (now at the bottom of our page) on her blog, and no sooner did I introduce it to Paul, he was addicted. I won't even admit my score on it; I'll only say our mouse is very hard to control. Paul on the other hand, got to level 10 his second try.

It seems like there has been a lot I wanted to comment on these past couple of days, but never got around to it. We were certainly saddened to learn of President Hinckley's death on Sunday evening, but also greatly relieved. It was almost as if we could feel the huge weight he had to carry finally lifted, and the joyous reunion that was surely taking place between him and his wife, Marjorie. We will miss our beloved prophet!

Benjamin has been sick with a cough these past couple of days. Nothing serious, but still sad. He graciously put up with a house-full of ladies this morning who came over for a recipe swap. It was a lot of fun! Now I have a whole new repertoire of crock pot and muffin recipes for the remaining long winter months.

Also today, Paul got some interesting news at work. The guy who he works closely with and reports to has accepted another position in the company, which makes Paul that guy. I'm excited for him, and I know he'll do great!

New Room, New House

We've been having a blast redecorating our home, but nothing has made such a dramatic impact as tearing down those giant mirrors and changing the front room from white to red. It's so cozy and inviting, and we actually like hanging out here now. Sarah's art feels much more at home on these walls too. Did we mention that there are no more giant mirrors? We don't have any good before and after shots, but here's the latest.

Entryway with cute built-ins and some of Sarah's art hanging on the walls.
Living Room: You can see part of the eating area on the right. We went with complimentary colours to further divide the area into two separate rooms.

We haven't quite finished this room; we still want to put in some arm chairs and do something about the bright white faux brick facade.

This is the view looking out to our holly tree which is home to a bunny we affectionately call "Redd". This picture shows the warm afternoon light pouring into the room. It makes for a nice sunning spot.