Sunday, January 30, 2011

A Quote that I Liked

Each day I get quotes from general conference talks in my facebook inbox. I admit, I don't often read long ones...but today I really liked this message. Something to think about as we are trying to be good parents and better people.

From Elder ElRay L.Christiansen, Assistant to the Council of the Twelve:

Even in our families, situations may arise that could cause irritations. It is then that parents must be calm and exemplary. The man with an uncontrolled temper is like an undisciplined child—he expresses his emotions explosively or by sulking, and disregards the feelings of those about him. In the home, anger should be controlled and love should abound. When, in his most impressionable years, a child experiences ugly situations that result from uncontrolled tempers, when he hears unkind words exchanged between his father and mother, and when he sees contention crowd out an atmosphere of kindness and mutual respect—when these conditions make a child’s environment, what chance has he to become refined and noble? The minds of children are like the sensitive plates of a photographer; they record every incident, good and bad. Our children may forget what is said, but they never forget that which they are made to feel.

(Elder ElRay L. Christiansen, Conference Report, April 1971)

Friday, January 21, 2011

California Christmas Part 2

I've been really slacking in the updating my blog thing, but here are the rest of the pictures from our Christmas trip in CA!

Waking up to see what Santa brought...she was upset that we weren't letting her run out there yet, cause daddy was setting up the video camera.

But she was super excited when she saw "my princess!" ie. her princess outfits.

She didn't want to pay attention to mom, so I got this funny "cheese" face.

And she immediately had to dress up as Rose.

And then Snow White.

Then we opened some presents, this was her picture of Jesus from Grandma.

Oooo a big one!

Then she opened her Rapunzel dress from mom and dad, and had to wear it!

Helping Grandma open her mug.

Daddy's new family calender for his work wall.

Me opening my new Digital Photo Frame! I LOVE it!

Then she got her Rapunzel doll! She was so excited!

Playing with her new animal blocks.

All four of her princess dolls, new and old together.

Orange Bow Knots for breakfast, MMMMMMM!

Becca LOVES driving her dolls around in her dolly stroller from Grandma Ratliff, plus the new outfit from Grandma Bowen and the leg up, it made for a super cute picture.

Fairy Princess Becca!

Tyson and his mom!

Christmas Day is also Tyson's nephew's birthday, so we went over to see Heath have his first birthday! Happy birthday little guy!

Then we got all the cousins together for a picture...this is the best one I got of the group eventhough Liam is turned around and Andrew is missing...

All the girls with Grandma.

And all the boys with Grandma.

And one last pic of the hanging on the leg train.

I thought I had posted this a long time ago...so here it is! Sorry I am so behind!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Rebecca Quote of the Day

On the drive home from a quick dinner with the fam, and trip to the grocery store to get something we need for dinner tomorrow, I had in the Eclipse Soundtrack in my car. One of the songs is "Heavy in Your Arms" by Florence + Machine. Becca used to sing this song when I listened to the soundrack more often.

Well the song came on, and all of a sudden Becca announces, "It's my favorite one song!" Then sings, "I'm so heaby! Heaby in your eyes!"

Needless to say Tyson and I were cracking up!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Christmas In California (Part 1)

This year for Christmas we decided to go spend about 10 days in Tyson's hometown with most of his family (we missed you Taron and Sam!) It was so good to see everyone and let Becca play with her Ratliff cousins that she never gets to see!

Playing and Visiting!

Liam and Becca spent a lot of afternoons together, often fighting over toys, but this was a sweet moment where they were just listening to grandma's music box together. Is it just me or do you love shots of kids together from behind? I sure do!

We also finally got to go over to Trevor and Aimee's and meet sweet baby Reginah for the first time! Yay for cousins!

And of course it would not be a trip to Ridgecrest without getting some fabulous mexican food at La Fiesta! Their rice is the BEST EVER! I wish we had more good mexican places close to us!

Becca was loving her rice and beans and my chicken out of my chimichunga.

There was a LOT of this: Kids running around chasing each other, playing games with Uncle Tyson (and Uncle Tevan when he got there).

Paige especially was enjoying Uncle Tyson.

What a sassy face!

Playing horsey on daddy's lap...there was a line up to take turns!

Reading bedtime stories with Grandma Ratliff.

Tyson and his older brother Thane. I thought this was just a funny shot...Tyson kind of looks liek a mini-me.

Christmas Eve!

The Ratliff family does their Christmas dinner on Christmas eve, so it was a very full day of fun and family!

Becca and Grandma.

Making cookies for Santa...I use the work making lightly, we didn't have time to make dough, so we just bought some.

Daddy helping out.

They turned out yummy though!

Putting sprinkles on the sugar cookies.

We thought she had dumped WAY too many.

But they REALLY spread out in the end, so it worked.

Opening a present from Uncle Scott! How sweet is he? He said "Since we don't get to see Becca a lot, I wanted to get her something!"

She LOVES her tiger. She slept with him every night we were there!

There was a lot of "leg" rides going on!

And our Yummy dinner! Roast Beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, Grandma Ratliff's amazing rolls, fruit salad, yorkshire pudding, green beans and cranberry-gingerale punch! Mmmmm.

The kid's table!

Mmmm look at that food! SO good!

Tyson and me at the Christmas Dinner table. Mmmm mmmm.

Heath was tuckered out and fell asleep eating!

Then we had the kids dress up and act out the nativity. Becca was a wiseman with Galen and Liam.

Here they all are!

Then Becca opened her Christmas Jammies!

A minnie mouse christmas nightgown! Which she calls her Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Jammies! Then we went to see Christmas light dispays around town, Ridgecrest really has some awesome neighborhoods that REALLY get into it! I wish ours up here would!

Putting cookies out for Santa!

And a very tired girl laying out her stocking for Santa!

Our family's stockings, waiting for the big guy!

So, next time Christmas day! And all the fun goings on. I hope you all had a great Christmas!