Busy Bees

We've been busy. I learned that if you want to change the look of your front entry just get a new door mat, wreath, update your light fixture/door knob and paint your door a new, fun color.

Well seeing that my house is PINK (not by our choosing) the only color that would be acceptable was black.

Then I moved on to my bedroom. I found an antique wooden door, painted it black and turned it into my new headboard. That, along side my new stack-o-books night stand. I found two great coordinating lamps on sale and...viola...a new look to my room.

Then I moved onto my closets. My good friend came over and taught me how to fold my clothing just like the department stores. The end result is beautiful and created so much more space.

I was also able to get rid of two garbage sacks full of clothes and shoes. 

I feel like I've lost 10 pounds!

That same sweet friend also stayed and helped me go through and organize two closets...many drawers...fix my shoe tree...and even brought me a new shoe organizer.

I am so happy to have order in my bedroom/closets again.

Thank You Jen!

{comfort}

What is it about homemade chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven that makes you feel at home?

A warm cookie and a cold glass of milk is the ultimate comfort.

Doesn't matter where I live...once I get those cookies in the oven....the smell of "HOME" returns.

My girls share a room...and a bed.

They have learned to comfort each other.

The other night Alex woke up crying from a nightmare.

Tori leaned over and said it will be okay...just hold my hand.

And so they slept...hand-in-hand...the rest of the night.

I love how my children will try to comfort each other and even Garrett or I when we are feeling down.

They are so sensitive and sweet.

My home is definitely blessed because of them.

They are MY comfort.

Tiny Tori

We have lived in Mexico for 8 years. 

I have been teaching ballet from my own studio for 8 years. 

My kids have grown-up in tutus...trying on pointe shoes...hanging on my legs...dancing with the big girls...and counting to 8 over...and over again.

Tori was only 2 or 3 in this picture and she was trying on the big girls' dance shoes. 

All my kids have grown-up next to me in the studio while I teach ballet. 

Even Benton has a great knowledge of the (French) ballet terminology.

I love my little assistants. 

The Smudge

In our community there are many orchards.

It gets cold at night but it is warm during the day so the buds need to be protected from the frost.

These days  a sprinkling system is used to trap the warmth.

Every morning the orchards look like this.

This particular night the temperature dropped to 10 degrees.

There is nothing you can do for temps that low.

We kissed our apple crop good-bye and snapped some cool photos.

Now we are praying that our chile is fruitful.

Back in the day the farmers would light "smudge buckets" under each tree to frost control.

The town would be covered in thick smoke for most of the day.

Soot would get in the homes and stain the furniture and carpets.

The men would come home BLACK.

A more effective way was found to frost control....with water and a sprinkling system....but the process has always been known as the "smudge."

Plus, it sounds more manly than the "sprinkle."

The Newest Hatch-lings

Born the end of 2010 are the three newest Hatch-lings.

Can you tell who is who?

From left to right

we have 

Peyton (Greg and Kami)

Presley (Berkley and Margo)

Adalyn (Garrett and BJ)

The hatching started in October, then November, and last December.

There was a baby born each month. 

We like to keep our dear mother-in-law on her toes.

3 generations

Adalyn Hatch 

with her father

Garrett Hatch 

and grandfather

Gerald Hatch

Wordless Wednesday: cookie monster