This Week in (Mostly) Photos

Here's a look at some of the things we've been doing this past week. (And, yes, we did some studying, too!)
Marissa and Daniella busy creating valentines for their grandparents, cousins, and other family.


A few of the finished ones

We spent most of Valentine's Day at the aquarium with our little "Aquarium Club".  A group of us have season passes and go once a month for a class on the ocean given just to our little group (about 18 children, plus parents), then, of course, we go through the aquarium   We met early that day and had lunch and a little valentine exchange for the kids.  Dad decided to go with us this time, so the girls enjoyed having him there and showing him their favorites.  They have a great discount for local residents, who can get in for just $8, so he got to go even though he's not in our little club.  : ) 
  When we got home, Ashley and Briana were cooking a fun Valentine's supper.   Heart shaped homemade pizzas and chocolate chip bundt cake.


The cake....well, it had some problems coming out of the pan, so it was a little camera shy, but it was still yummy!
For five weeks in Jan. and Feb., Marissa took a Saturday morning painting class at Arrowmont School of Arts in Gatlinburg.  This was her first art class, and she got to use acrylics, oil, and watercolor.  She loved it.  This is an acrylic she did of a beach scene.

Here's Ashley being a really good big sister, painting with Marissa while she takes a break from her psychology studies.

Last night Ashley and I spoke in front of about 75 people.  That was hair-raising!  I don't enjoy public speaking!  It was A Night Of Asante (thanks) for sponsors of children in Orbit, Kenya.  We were asked to speak because we were either the 1st or 2nd family to sponsor children in the program about 9 years ago.  We were also interviewed for the newspaper.  Briana and Marissa went with us. 
And, finally, this picture is in honor of all of my blog friends from the north and out in Colorado.  I'm always looking at your snow pictures, so I wanted to share mine!

TA DA!  See?  The whole deck is white!!  That's about it so far this year.  We used to get a lot more snow than this, but not for the last few years.  It gets really, really cold, but not at the same time it snows!
Have a great week!

Letitia