The Simplest {and Best} F.H.E. Ever...

 Stop.  Watch.  Be Amazed.

 

 

Why Go To College? The Pizza, of course!

Samuel needed to take care of some business at school,

and being Family Home Evening,

it was the perfect opportunity for the kids

to check out Dad's school.

After we walked the campus,

we took to the trail and meandered
along some paths along the river.

What impressed them most?

All the on-campus fast-food restaurants!

Go figure.

But now they all really want to go to college!

Googly-eyed-ness & The Oakland Temple Lights

Visiting the Oakland Temple to see the Chritmas lights

is something we love to do every year for

family home evening.

Samuel and I were sealed here,

and the kids still giggle over the googly-eyed-ness

of this special place which is where our family first began!

This year the weather was really mild!

Usually it's freezing and it's a quick trip up and down

the grounds before we take refuge in the visitor center.

It was nice to be able to amble...

and take things in at a more leisurely pace.

The kids loved that the water in the fountain was frozen!

Guess again!

It's really just empty!

Owen boy,

full of loves!

And his loves are gone!

Gabriel,

getting a good long look,

and I'm sure thinking all kinds of profound and wonderful things.

I wish I could peek into that head of his!

My beautiful babies-

minus Owen who was officially in the minus-loves.

...

M E R R Y  C H R I S T M A S !

 

Cookies Only Santa Would Love!

Yup,

I still hate making sugar cookies,

but I admit it's pretty fun

seeing each child take genuine ownership over

their portion of the dough.

From start to finish

they work with

intense concentration

and,

for want of a better word,

precision,

to see that

every

last

detail

is

just

right!

Though we won't win any awards for our cookies...

They certainly tasted

-and dare I say looked- 

good!

Thank goodness Santa's not picky,

but even so,

I think what we created would sufficiently

lure any legendary icon

to our home

for a sweet treat!

...

M E R R Y  B A K I N G !



Our Outdoor Theater: Singin' in the Rain

Samuel surprised the family

with the best family home evening ever:

"Singing in the Rain"

Projected on the house in our backyard!

The kids were so excited

-and so was I!-

and we had the best time watching the movie under the stars!

We had typically movie fare...

...and made the most of not being in public

and having to wear those
pesky pants!





Family Home Evening: Backpacking 101

Since Samuel and I were fresh from our first backpacking trip,

I was dying to share all the fun toys with the kids!

We simulated wilderness conditions by giving them

tools and ingredients

you'd carry with you on the trail.

That meant that before we got cooking...

We needed clean water!

The kids got a kick out of using the water purifier.

Samuel threw dirt in the pool,

which really wasn't necessary since the pool

is almost always a little gross anyways.

With Iris being sure not to lose a single drop

of precious clean water,

we could move on to the next step...

Chocolate Pudding Surprise!



Powdered milk is a little wonky to get used to,

but once you work with it a bit,

you can create some really tasty stuff.

Note:

It helps too if you've hiked your buns off

and are ready to eat just about anything!

Owen wrapped up our evening by making a batch

of warm chocolaty goodness.

He did a great job,

and a decent amount of the powder

actually made it into the pot!

...

Happy Trails!



Quidditch

If you read my earlier post about Family Camp,

you'll understand why we gathered to play Quidditch

at Samuel former elementary school.

The kids had a blast,

especially when munching on Rice Krispy Treats!

The girls LOVED getting more face-time with their cousins!

{Guess who's turning nine?}

Meggers planned well and wore some battle gear. 

Though next time I'd think twice about wearing a skirt...

The Wyllies

...

Who knew Quidditch could burn so many calories?

We must have been a sight

because we even drew a small crowd of on-lookers!

Happy Family Home Evening!

Front Yard Pool Party

After the camping trips,

the van's right up there with the rest of us

in terms of needing a good scrub down.

Dad's little helper...

 

...or is she?



Bella loved the spray...

...and Owen pouted...

...and pouted some more,

when it came his way.

Whose brave enough to face the firing squad?

Gabriel's no dummy!

He stayed out of the fray...

...but the fray came to him!

 

Easiest Refereshments EVER!!!

So we all know how fast FHE rolls around,

and if you're anything like me,

you're always caught off guard for a dessert!

I know we don't have to be extravagant,

but it's always a highlight of the evening

so I don't like to disappoint.

What to do then when your little birdies are waiting?

Sundaes, of course!

IN YOUR MOUTH!

I guarantee it to be the

tastiest,

simplest,

&

 silliest

treat ever!

Even mom's and dad's love it!

Happy Family Home Evening!

{Owen was mad I wouldn't give him another sundae! 
It's either that or I have him in a headlock. 
Both could be true so take your pick!}

"I'm a Boat!"

If there's ever want for Family Home Evening topics, look no further than any General Conference.

In Elder Holland's address, "Safety for the Soul", he bears powerful-and I mean, POWERFUL-witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and of it's message which invites all to, 

“Come unto Christ, 

and be perfected in him.”

Samuel taught this principle to our kids using a favorite method of teaching in our home:

An Object Lesson!

We learned about how we're all like boats at sea, and when the waves start to crash, and the winds start to howl, where can we turn for safety?

Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Who, of course, is our safe harbor from danger.

Owen talked about this lesson for days, the boy couldn't stop saying, "I'm a boat!", and everyone was extra-excited to take a bath too.

A win-win if there ever was one!

Stop, Drop, & Roll!

On Monday Ava came home all a-twitter and a-buzz with information from her school's fire safety training.  She had so much to share that we thought it would make for a great 

Family Home Evening Activity!

We reviewed proper safety protocol and practiced some drills including the classic:

Stop, Drop, & Roll!

At the conclusion of our meeting she presented us with a certificate!  

The Elmer Family has successfully learned the rules of fire safety and prevention and we are all official...

Jr. Fire Marshalls!

Thanks Ava!