I totally stole this from my sister's blog.

My favorite sister Sarah was recently married. Here she's describing to my favorite sister Mary what it's like being married. I really, really identify with her explanation of roles of married couples. In fact, I love what she said so much, that I'm posting it here.

"Being married is like having a personal trainer, someone who is always there helping you remember what type of person you want to be. When you're doing well they are there to cheer you on, and when you're having a hard time, they're there to hold the bar for you and help you up, and when you want to stop training, they're there to remind you of your goals and help you get back on track.

"The other side of that coin is that, being married, you are your love's personal trainer as well. Now, I don't know about you, and I've never personally had a trainer, but I know what kind of personal trainer I would like to have. So if I'm going to be a personal trainer I'd better be the kind I wish I had and not a hard and mean one. I want to be the type that notices the hard work and not just the fat, and who realizes that everyone needs a day off and a cookie sometimes.

"So, being married is like having/being a personal trainer. And mine is keeping me on my game!"

Thanks, Sarah, for reminding me what type of person I want to be.

Look who's two!

Two years ago:


One year ago:


Look how he's grown!

Two weeks old!

We've had Rose for two weeks today! She's still as awake as ever:



I don't quite know what this expression is:

Is this a hint of a smile?

Rose's birthday party

The evening we came home from the hospital, Jack had cake and ice cream ready for a birthday party for Rose. Don't you love the cake he picked out?

Ellen's having a sneak taste:


And sitting like a lady:


Jack Jack is tasting the cake:


And decided that it's pretty good. Especially the frosting and the mini ice cream cones with peppermint ice cream.

What's her name?

We went to the hospital at 5:30 Wednesday morning and got to go home at 6:30 Thursday night. When we got there, we had a birthday party for . . .


Yep, he knows her name and can say it, too. I'm so proud.

And the parents are . . .

Proud dad:



Tired mom . . . but look at those bright eyes peeking out. Try checking them out at 2 a.m.

What's it like to have a new baby sister?

Ellen is enthralled.



Jack Jack just wants his mommy. Typical.


Ellen can't get enough of holding the baby.

Rose Caroline Starks

2.04.2009 12:11 pm
8 lb. 2 oz., 21 inches
so far, so good
Happy B-day Uncle Eric

For more info about child birth in general, please watch the following videos:

First FHE of February

I picked up a book at the library called Fast Family Dinners in part because I'm always looking for fast and kid-friendly meal ideas, but mostly because of the picture of these popsicles on the front cover. Yes, I judge books by their covers.

Ellen, Jack, and I spent part of last Friday making popsicles and waiting for Nana and Papa Starks to arrive. Because they are layered and have to freeze for two hours between layers, I told Ellen we couldn't actually eat them until the next day, with Nana and Papa, of course. She was completely okay with that.

She didn't actually end up eating hers until Family Home Evening on Monday night. How convenient that Ellen was also in charge of treats for the night!

For the first FHE of February, we made Valentine bags for our family members, including new baby girl (soon to arrive) and visiting family. These are paper grocery bags decorated with cut out hearts, stencils, coloring, and names. Ellen and Jack were in heaven because they don't get to use glue sticks or markers very often. After we finished the bags and had treats, Ellen and Nana spent another hour making cards to go into the bags. We check our bags every day for Valentines. The kids love this, and it helps me not be a slacker since Valentine's Day is a significant holiday for Jack and I.


Yummy!


Larger than I expected for little mouths



Raspberry Cream Pops
1 pint raspberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup water
1/2 cup cream (heavy or light)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup vanilla yogurt
8 5-ounce waxy paper cups
8 popsicle sticks

In a blender, puree 3/4 of the pint of raspberries with the sugar and water. Then use a jelly bag or sieve to strain out the seeds (this should yield about 2 cups of pulp).

Transfer 2/3 cup of the raspberry puree into a separate container, add the cream, and whisk well to mix. Meanwhile, stir the lemon juice into the rest of the raspberry puree. Now, you should have two containers of raspberry sauce -- one that's deep red and another that's creamy pink. Chill both sauces.

In a bowl, stir together the vanilla yogurt and the remaining raspberries. Pour the mixture into the paper cups until they are about half full. Set the cups in an 8- by 8-inch pan (for transferring them easily in and out of the freezer). Cover each cup with aluminum foil and poke a popsicle stick straight through the center of the foil and into the mixture. Freeze until set (about 2 hours).

Remove the foil and pour a layer of the deep red puree on top of the frozen yogurt. Freeze again until solid (about 2 hours). Finally, pour a layer of the raspberry cream mixture into each cup and freeze until solid. To serve, peel the cups away from the pops. Makes 8 pops.

Science Spectrum with Nana

Ellen being silly:


Giant bubbles!


Ellen and Nana:


Jack is not up for a photo shoot. There are too many fun things to look at and do.


Finding Nemo: