Earthquake!

We just had a long, jolting earthquake. I hope everyone's ok - cell phones aren't working. I'm not sure how bad it was anywhere else, but it was really moving here. SCARY!

Nicer Pic of Kara's finished baptism dress

Kara's 8th Birthday Party & Baptism

Before Kara's Baptism, we wanted to get everyone together and eat dinner - the crowd-pleaser we chose: Pizza! Some pictures from the day.... (Please note, I just installed photoshop on the computer and am having fun playing with it - especially the smudge tool hence all the swirls!). Also, this is random order - you are all my favorites, so don't be sad if you are not near the top...

Kara's 8!:















Kara Blowing out the Candle:



















Happy Daddy (actually, a more accurate title would be 'Tired Daddy' but he was happy):



















Of course Brooke needed presents too!:


















Maggie with cutie Easton:



















Little Boys - Hayden & Connor (laughing at Uncle Jeffy):













Older Boys - Mike, Skyler, Bailey:

















Steph with Connor:


















Alisa & Alex:



















Ronnie & our baby sister Kari:


















The rest of Ronnie's clan - lovely KaLee & Easton:


















Grandpa & Grandma Stevens:












Grandma Lopez with Easton (Could we pry him away? Not when Grandma knew he was leaving the next day...):

















Grandpa Lopez & Aunt Katie (I caught you - at whom were you aiming?):













We had a great day! Thanks to everyone who came from so far to be with us!!!

The culmination of the day - one truly special night for Kara and her mom and dad:




















Jeff and I are so proud of Kara for choosing to get baptized. I am truly thankful for the Gospel and for Heavenly Father's plan for us. I am glad that we're able to be a family forever. I'm thankful to have parents (both my parents and Jeff's) who set a good example to me and who I love very much. I am thankful for my loving husband who is so kind to our girls and who loves to spend time with us. I know how close our family is and I'm thankful for that closeness we share.

I'm sorry for the long post - perhaps it comes from still not having a voice and needing to talk. I hope this cold goes away soon - I'm quite tired of it.

Silly things they say...

This weekend the girls managed to say quite a few silly things. While I don't take the time to post these a lot, I'm bored and laughing to myself and thought I'd share some...

1. Conversation (last Thursday):
Kara: We need to make a promise - give me your pinky.
Brooke: Okay, let's pinky square
Kara: Let's swear that we'll always (and then she said something, but I was laughing too hard to hear what they were 'squaring' to do)

2. Brooke (last week) was talking all about 'pawkeeks' to Jeff - he finally figured out she was talking about peacocks. I don't know where she came up with it, but still funny.

3. Kara (last Friday): Mom, I know what depict means
Me: Oh, what's that?
Kara: You know, it's when you take the sharp things off of something like a flower
Me: Like when you pull the thorns off a rose stem?
Kara: Yeah

4. Brooke (Friday while we were watching the Spiderwick Chronicles): Dad, where did they say they were sending her?
Jeff: To a mental hospital - it's where they send people when they are crazy
Brooke: Does she live in the 'dental' hospital?
Jeff: Yes :)

I could go on, but these were the highlights.

It's been WAY too long since I've posted

So much has gone on this summer so far: we've had a lot of visitors, a few birthdays, a baptism, and a daycation.

Now I'm sick - my voice is gone. I should be teaching primary at this moment, but I have a nice dad and husband who are helping me out with that... I also have two maids home helping me.

The girls asked me if they could take a bath earlier today. They kept telling me how they were going to take care of me - not that I need it, but the offer is nice. I am just glad they've gotten along today and there's not been any fighting. After the bath, the girls reappeared like this:




















They made name tags a few minutes after this picture. The name tags read 'Maid Kara Stevens' and 'Maid Brooke Stevens' and had some nice flowers drawn on them. The girls taped them to their shirts. Very cute maids I have - aren't you all jealous? I don't think child labor laws apply when they're my own, right? At least I hope not, because I plan to exploit this a little.

I hope to post this week pictures from our summer so far - our family coming in from Utah and Wyoming (I got to see lots of nephews!), Kara's 8th birthday, Kara's baptism, our trips to the beach and pool with cousins, and our daycation at the San Diego Zoo yesterday.