"Family Home Evening"

Every Monday night Brent and I take a little time with the girls to have a discussion, an activity, and usually a treat afterwards. We call this "family home evening." Usually Brent and I give the lesson about something that needs to be reinforced in our home like sharing, taking turns, using manners, fire safety, stranger danger, or something from the scriptures. Haley asked to give the lesson last night for our "family home evening." Brent and I hadn't helped her prepare anything. The girls have never asked to give the lesson before. Haley started her lesson by explaining, "Sometimes when we wake up in the morning we're tired and grouchy," to which Allie quickly and emphatically responded, "Just like you!"

It's true that Haley can be a bit of a "grumpy gus" when she wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. When she's happy, she's deleriously happy; she's all smiles and sings everywhere she goes, but when Haley's grouchy even the Grinch should beware.

We love her anyway. I have to admit that she comes by it honestly, and unfortunately I'm not referring to Brent.

Haley and Emily

Allie was taking a nap the other day when I took these fun pictures of Haley and Emily.

Haley and I were playing a game while Emily was playing on the floor. I've been surprised how quickly Emily has taken a liking to her big sisters. When they're near she likes to watch them and she reaches out for them with her hands, she loves to grab their hair. Anytime Haley and Allie talk to Emily she smiles a big grin and squeals with delight. She thinks they're great. Haley and Allie like to sing Emily songs and they make up stories to tell her. They're always willing to pile up on my lap whenever Emily is there and they entertain her in the car when she starts to cry.

Haley and Allie make great big sisters and Emily sure seems grateful to have them.

If we could just get them to change her diaper, that would be great!

"Let it Snow!"

Here's our proof that it snowed today. Brent was up at 5:30 this morning watching the snow fall. We did not wake Haley and Allie up to watch the snowflakes (they would have been very grouchy), but they saw plenty of snow after they woke up. It snowed pretty heavily until noon and then it took a couple hours for all the snow to melt. We were glad to have so much time to enjoy it. The girls and I bundled up and took a stroll through the neighborhood. We had a little snowball fight on the way home and I nailed Haley in the head (not on purpose).

The strange thing about the snow today is that our weather for most of this week has been like summer, but we're not complaining. This is a rare treat!

"The Wedding"

Valentine's Day this year was special since Brent's little brother Warren got married on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the bride and groom on this post; Everyone was crowded around them all afternoon and I couldn't get a good shot. I do have some pictures of the girls and other family that I thought I'd share. As always, we had a great time visiting Grammy, Pop Pop and Mamaw. This visit was extra nice because Aunt Kathy and Uncle David, Uncle Brent and Aunt Wendy, Uncle Tom and Aunt Karlene, and a lot of other relatives were there.

We wish the newlyweds happiness!

Congratulations Warren and Hannah!

Haley and Allie got these glasses for Valentine's Day.

Of course Emily had to try them on!

Aunt Kathy and Uncle David reading Haley and Allie a story.

This is Brent's sister Stephanie with her husband Darren and their son Damien.

So adorable!

Brent with his "chicas bonitas" (pretty girls).

"The Fish Store"

In Prattville there's a Bass Pro Shop with a waterfall, aquarium, and ponds with fish. Naturally, the girls call it the "fish store". We took the girls last night to see the boat show (sorry I didn't find my camera in time to take pictures of them on the boats). They also tried out the four wheelers, gators, and had some success at the shooting range. Haley decided she didn't like the shooting range after Papa shot the skunk and it sprayed her. Of course Haley and Allie talked Grandma and Papa into buying them a treat. They picked taffy and bubble gum lips. We had a great time and we're glad Grandma and Papa came with us.

Papa and Allie-she always was his baby.

I didn't realize that the moose was roped off. Atleast I didn't miss the photo op.

Dad and I remembered that we used to have a Coleman jug just like this when I was little. Dad says he thinks it's ours. That's part of the fun of the Fish Store, all of the antique equipment on display.

Haley and Allie were so glad that the Fish Store left all of the tents and cooking equipment out for them to play with. They had a blast.

Haley is making fire with sticks.

At least Allie used her manners and took off her shoes before going in the tents.

"Happy Birthday to Me!"

I had a great birthday! Thanks for all the phone calls (especially to the ones who sang "Happy Birthday" on my voicemail) and cards. Bubo sent a card with funny stories about me when I was a little girl and my dad says it makes him feel older knowing his daughter is nearly 30. Brent, Haley, Allie, and Emily took me to dinner despite the rain and my Mom sent me a present in the mail. Thanks to everyone for a great day!

"We're Not Irish"

I thought it would be cute to decorate the blog for St. Patick's Day since my great-grandmother's heritage is largely Irish. Well, I pulled out the family charts she gave me (after I had already decorated the blog) and we're not Irish. We're Scottish.

Violet Lucille McIntosh ("Bubo" as we call her in our family) is the daughter of John Roulston. He is probably the 7th John Roulston since 1682. He fought in the first World War. The Roulstons have played many significant parts in American history including the fact that a Roulston has served in every American war.

Something else I learned while researching our non-Irish past is that our family name before immigrating to the American continent was "Roll Stone." Our clan appeared in the Scotland mountains after the eleventh century. When invaders penetrated the Roll Stones' highland's our clan would retreat above the lochs and valleys taking the loose rocks and rolling them down the mountain at their enemies. Thus, our clan's form of defense became our family name and it has taken on many form's since. For example: Rolstone, Roulstone, Ralstone, Raulston, and finally Roulston. I included a picture of the Roulston family crest. I know it's hard to tell from the scan, but the eagle is looking at the sun..