Conference Weekend

For some reason, Sophie really looks forward to General Conference weekend every 6 months. It probably has something to do with eating popcorn and delicious sweet breads. I remember watching conference in the back of the Stake Center that was really far away and we had to sit on hard metal chairs. It wasn't so fun for a kid, and I defently know I didn't look forward to it. But Conference has become a kind of holiday in the Mormon world.

We have developed a few family traditions for each General Conference weekend. They include: baked goods, delicious breakfasts, healthy and not-so-healthy snack foods, and spending lots of family time outdoors in between sessions. Another tradition that has developed is photographing our family day together. So here is our Conference Day in the Life of the Joslins! Photos by Dave, Lindsey, and Sophie.

Sunday began with Sophie hanging out on our bed and Sabrina getting her diaper changed by her dad.

Then Sophie helped me slice some strawberries.

Gluten Free Banana Bread!

Watching Conf.

Checking our muscles.

Got airplane rides. Or something.

Then Sophie took a selfie in her mirror...

 and had me pose for a few shots.

We did some silly ones outside then Sophie said, "Let's do some nice ones inside." She took the following picture and said, "That one is so beautiful. I want to hang it on my wall!"

Yeah. I look a-mazing..... maybe not so much. :) 

But if she wants a photo of her mom on her wall she can have it!

Later, we went to Discovery Park for a picnic.

  

And we had a great view of the Gilbert Temple.

Getting colorful.

Sophie is 5

 So Sophie is five now.

This is a big deal in our house. To Sophie, the age of five holds a VIP status. When she was four, she would say things like this:

"When I am five, will I be tall like Daddy?"

"Is my babysitter five?" 

On Sophie's birthday, Sophie said to me. "I am five! Why am I not bigger?"

Even her little friends thought five was a special age. Shortly after her birthday, Sophie picked up her friend, Juliet, with her own arms. Juliet said, "Sophie is so strong because she is five!"

Yes, five is a special age.

 For her pictures she wanted to go fishing. So we went to Papago Park and kind of did that. 

There is no string on the fishing bow. We were just pretending.

Sabrina wanted to get in a few photos herself.

As well as these dudes.

Happy Birthday, Sophie.

You love singing along with songs on the radio and dancing with me in the kitchen.

You are slowly learning how to eat and finish your dinner.

You love to hang out with the "big kids" in the neighborhood who ride their scooters and bikes around the lake.

 You watched part of the 6 hour BBC Pride and Prejudice with me and liked it! That was a proud moment for me.

You adore your dad. I hope you two always remain the way you are now.

You are loved in this home.

The garden party (please pronounce in a British accent. thank you.)

I really hate planning parties, sad to say. With Sophie's approaching birthday, I was planning on letting her have a few friends over for a tea party. What started as a little tea party somehow ballooned into a much bigger party with lots of friends and cousins. That's okay. It was worth it. Five is a big birthday, right?
So in honor of Sophie's 5th birthday, we hosted a garden party!
I think it turned out well, and more importantly, I think Sophie enjoyed all the love and attention from everyone. She's a pretty special girl so she deserves it.
However, next year, we will be keeping it much smaller for my own sanity.

Activites:
-Downton Abbey inspired Photo Booth
-Flower pot decorating and planting
-3 legged race
-Bean bag toss
-Piñata

 

Heather (my camera woman) got a great shot of her son, Alex!

One thing I am proud of is our DIY cabana! It is the one pin we actually have completed. 

And when I say "we" I really mean "Dave."

It was really windy that day so we had to tie down the sheers to keep it blowing away the frame of the cabana.

 And now, our make-shift Downton Abbey inspired Photo Booth:

(probably my favorite part)

Juliet, Elise

Jakey, Caleb

Sammy

Payton and Liisa

Ellie and Lily

Brinley, Brooke, and Heather

Autumn, Dirk

Lowe 

Logan, Lily, and Ruth

Alex, Zachary 

(Zach wins hands down for best expression.)

A BIG thanks to Dave, my in-laws, and all the moms and uncles and aunts who helped me out. I really appreciate it! 

Just for fun.

Also, I received my Mixbook a few weeks ago. I love the quality of it. Here's what it looks like:

| Start your own Photo Books | Create custom Christmas Cards

That lip.

At the Riparian Preserve

This is my new favorite place. I don't know why I haven't been before, but we will now be going often. I have been feeling deprived of nature of late (and 'by late' I actually mean the last three years). It is hard living in this asphalt-filled city. I am on a quest to find more nature-y places in this valley, and I already know where will be our next stop: The Japanese Friendship Garden downtown!

I liked color. Dave liked b+w.

Words to live by

As I've been thinking of my New Year's resolutions, 

I kept thinking about an inspirational quote that I came across awhile back. 

It really resonated with me, and still does.

Thus, I have selected it as my own personal theme this year.

Here it is.

"The world needs you to stop being boring. 

Yeah, you. 

Boring is easy! Everybody can be boring, 

but you're gooder than that."

--Kid President

This year I plan on being a fun person. Here goes.

Here is the source:

Found You.