Week 1 - Winter Break

Well, we have officially made it - almost - through week one of our Christmas break. With no snow yet, BOOOO, we will not be including any sledding or snowman building pictures. We have managed to fill our time just the same, though. Here are a few pictures and a rundown of our family activities:
Haircuts for the whole family
Trips to Culvers for lunch and additional trips for milkshakes
Nightly Games
Making and delivery of neighbor treats
Shopping with dad
Oral sedation and dentist for Alex and Mom
Wrapping for mom and dad
Studying for mom
Zombies, Kung Fu Panda, and Angry Birds online
Viewing of Chipwrecked - Chipmunks movie, chosen by Alex
Christmas Parties
Grizzlies Hockey Games

We sure know how to pack it in...

Here are some pictures of Twister on one of our game nights.
Daddy is usually pretty good and can beat most of us -
So funny, when we were lining up on our sides of the mat to get ready for a game, Roxy came up and sat patiently on her side of the mat - I think she wanted to play too!
Alex's newly installed "Pirate Teeth". This was an ordeal I don't want to go through again - 5 cavities and two crowns - I just want to insert that we are good brushers and flossers. He has weak, really tight teeth, which apparently lends itself to little cavities! He underwent oral sedation and the first part of the dental work went smoothly and he slept through it all, then...Exactly halfway through he woke up and went crazy! It was rough on both of us - but hopefully we have seen the last of that for awhile!

Preschool Christmas Program

We were really excited to be able to attend Alex's Preschool program this year. We have been thrilled with the learning tools that this school has utilized, and in just a few short months, Alex is sounding out words, reading short books and writing! It is so exciting to see his little mind working. I am not sure what expectations we had for the program, but they were far surpassed by what we saw performed last Friday. The children learned about six songs, parts, and hand motions for each song in the program - it was really great to see our littlest joyfully singing all the songs and participating in all of the parts!


Sitting with his class all ready for the performance!Singing his little heart out!
Happily saying his part in the program..."the sleigh bells are shined."
Alex loves music, he knew all of the words to all of the songs, he is one of the loudest singers in primary, and loves all types of music, from Lincoln Park (one of his faves) to the RIO soundtrack he picks up the words and music so easily...it is so fun to listen to him enjoy music so very much!

So, we had some family pictures taken this past weekend of our family up at Wheeler Farm. Here is a little taste, and i'll be posting more later!

Date Day

Yesterday all of the kids had a "date day" with Grandma Deb and Grandpa Rod, which in turn allowed for a "date day" for mom and dad! (Thanks a bunch grandma and grandpa)!

Grandma Deb had an afternoon of fun all planned out for all of the cousins at her home yesterday. The day began when we dropped the kiddos off for lunch, which consisted of all of their favorites (mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs). Then, grandma saved the day when she rented The Smurfs Movie (which I just could not bring myself to take the kids to - or even spend $1.00 on at the Redbox for). After all of that fun, she had a frosting station all set up with cookies, sprinkles, frosting and other magical decorations all ready to go. The kids said that they frosted around 80 cookies - and boy were there some creative ones! When we got back to pick the kids up, grandpa was playing an exciting game of Sorry with the boys on the floor!

All of that fun allowed for Brett and I to have a really tasty lunch at Market Street (where we were the youngest people in the place), do some shopping together, alone, and see a movie. We had so many movie choices that I just could not pick, so I allowed him to make the movie choice. He chose Breaking Dawn, because he knew I wanted to see it. See, this is the man I am so lucky to be married to - he put himself through 2 hours of Edward, Jacob and Bella - willingly, without being bribed or dragged! I love my husband and our time together!

It was a really nice weekend for everyone and their dates - Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Gingerbread House Night

Every year on December 1st, Grandma Deb brings us all a "December gift." Almost every year we can count on her to supply us with a gingerbread kit, something that the kids really enjoy! This year it took the kids ALL NIGHT to create their own mini houses, an activity that is supervised by our wonderful dad...He gets extra points for heading up this activity because it is one that mommy cannot bear- mainly due to the messiness of the frosting, candy, and the time it takes the kids to make their houses. I like to just get in and get out - if mom was in charge of the gingerbreads, it would be a 15-20 minute endeavor!
Here is dad getting the houses all glued together.
Dad helping Alex decided where to put his initial candies.
Everyone watching how the houses are built and choosing their candies...thank goodness that Halloween came a few months ago, because it gave us all kind of extra candy to create with!
This is as creative as mommy got with the houses...Roxy was watching the kids so intently that I just had to make her a little something too.
The finished houses...the kids used old chocolate bars, marshmallows, lollypops, gumballs, nerds etc...
Mom wrapped Christmas presents, dad and the kids created and at the end of the night everyone had a great time!

Happy Thanksgiving

This year our Thanksgiving Holiday was a little rocky, to say the least. I was sick with the flu a few days before Thanksgiving, Brett and McKaleigh took turns with the sickness during Thanksgiving Day and it continues, and now Alex is coming down with the hots and colds, along with a cough. I guess we are all getting it over with before the Christmas Holidays roll in! Thats something to be thankful for...There is always something to be thankful for!

I certainly wish we(I) could remember to be thankful and help others more often - not just during "the Season." It is so great though, that at least once a year - if not more- we take the time to really ponder the good things we have in our lives. And we really do have good lives!

I am thankful for...
My family. For a wonderfully patient, loving, kind, thoughtful husband.
For great children who have the spirit of love within and share that with each other.
For my extended family, where I know I will always feel love and at peace.
I am thankful that I matter to those around me.
I am grateful for the steadfast example set by my parents who have taught me how to love others.
A warm home full of fun memories with the knowledge that there are so many more to make.
Our gently, loving, loyal dog.
Great friends and neighbors who are encouraging and supportive.
I am thankful that I can lead and guide and teach my children in a free country.

I am such a lucky daughter, mother and wife - I couldn't be more happy! (And yes, I have nonstop Christmas going in the car and have already changed my background to Christmas - I excited to have the Joy this and the upcoming holidays bring into my life).

Young Love

While picking Alex up from preschool today, he informed me that he needed to tell me something important. After preschool the important things are usually the letter of the day, the name of his new reading book etc... but today was different and here is why...

Alex: Mom, I need to tell you something important.

Me: K, lets get going home first and then you can tell me...OK, what's so important?

Alex: Mom, i'm in love with Sarah.

Me: Does Sarah know that?

Alex: Yes, I told her that and she told me.

Me: That's nice, she is a nice girl and you are such a nice boy.

Alex: I need you to tell me some lovely things, like you say to dad, so I can tell them to her. And I might need to give her some jewels.

Me: OK, we will think about it.

Alex: Maybe we can make a date with Sarah.

Really, at 4 years old? At least he knows the way to a girls heart already...nice words with some jewels thrown in!:)

Lately

Lately we've been busy doing exactly what we want...gone are the projects of Summer and here are the days when the cold weather has set in and it is fun to hang around the house playing Rock Band, games, read or watch movies on the weekends - and boy is it refreshing! Don't get me wrong, we still have a million things to do, but it is so nice to have some pockets of time where we have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

Alex has a new found love for Brett's phone. He doesn't ask to play games, but just wants a blank memo page to type his letters. He is loving preschool so much and is learning way more then I thought possible. He is already reading and sounding out words! He has asked us for his own i-phone for Christmas!
A few weeks ago we all went to a place called "Planet Play" for the day. It was a really fun place to take the kids! Here is one of our most favorite games to play, Deal or No Deal.
Dad played a round of mini golf with the boys. It was fun because It was the "glow in the dark" mini golf course.Playing some kind of "shooting" game. Doesn't McKaleigh look excited!
The kids really like the go carts! McKaleigh and Colton were always going too fast around the corners, but dad and Alex stopped for a picture!
McKaleigh and Colton had a great time on these bumper car things. Alex was too little for this one, but it was really funny to watch the big kids chase each other with their cars and bump into each other!

Alex LOVES air hockey! He is always ready for a game. Here he is scoring a point on his old man!
And here we are again at the Deal or No Deal...I think McKaleigh was unsure of my choice in cases!We were literally here all day...and in addition to all of this fun, they have a pizza and pasta and salad bar that is all you can eat with all kinds of fun desserts. About halfway through the day we stopped gaming for root beer floats. Then we went back into the game rooms and played another family in Laser Tag. This was my first time playing Laser Tag like that, and it was so much fun watching the kiddos, especially Alex run around and try to shoot everyone.

I am so glad for Memories Like this with my family. We really do have a good thing going!

Also...In other news, Alex is playing Indoor Soccer with two of his best friends.

And McKaleigh's YW team made it to regionals in volleyball!

Halloween

Here are my kiddos all dressed up for Halloween. We got alot of mileage out of their costumes this year as they had many opportunities to wear them (school parades, church parties, grandmas, trick or treating and some parties!).
Grandma Deb asked that all the kids dress up for Sunday dinner (it was the Sunday before Halloween). Here is a pic of McKaleigh with Grandma Deb.
After dinner all of the kids (and cousins) trick or treated at Grandma's house. I think this was the first year we got everyone together in their costumes.
Here are my 3 boys getting ready to go out into the neighborhood to trick or treat. The theme for Brett's work this year was "fairy tales"- he was was Hansel, and a very handsome Hansel he is! Alex was Optimus Prime and Colton was Batman. (McKaleigh had a Halloween party at our house so she was still getting ready).

McKaleigh and her friends at the beginning of the night. They sat by the fire, roasted smores, ate and made cocoa and cider. They had a great time just hanging out and chatting!
Later that night I sent them on a neighborhood Halloween scavenger hunt. They did pretty well finding most of the items on the list. Then they settled in to watch "The Village" but not get very far with all of the girl talk....

Uncle Brian and he friend Cody came up and hung out, chatted and sorted candy with Alex and Colton. They boys were very generous and shared some of their loot with them.
It was rare, beautiful weather and we had a great time!

The Pumpkin Patch

Every year when it is time to carve pumpkins we go to the same little pumpkin patch (even when we grew our own this year). Its been kind of a tradition to find the perfect pumpkins at this little nursery. They have a teepee, spooky room in the back and lots of fun and scary Halloween decorations. Here are some pictures from that night.

McKaleigh is almost always the first to choose, she is very decisive and knows just what she is looking for. Here she is sitting and waiting for the boys to choose their pumpkins.
Alex usually gets sidetracked playing in the straw, looking at the decorations and spooky things all around.

I made Colton stop and take a picture...he is the most indecisive one, so he had to stop looking and smile for mom for a second. His theory is that the taller the pumpkin the more "guts" he might have to get on his hand and arm when he is cleaning the pumpkin out, so he was looking for just the right size.
All three of our kiddos!


This year Alex wanted to wear a glove when scooping out his pumpkin...it worked really well! The big kids just tried to avoid any goo at all costs, but I think it is inevitable. During the carving McKaleigh dared everyone to eat some "guts" (which no one did - even Roxy tried a piece that fell on the floor and spit it out!). Colton was very focused on carving and letting everyone know about his theory of pumpkin size and "guts".
Here are the finished products! McKaleigh carved a witch, Colton a guy with a scar and Alex wanted a skeleton.

What a cute porch!

Grandma Cindy's Visit

Usually Grandma Cindy comes to visit for the birth of a baby or baby blessing. The kind of unwritten law is that she stays at the home of whoever is having this event - and that means...it is not our house. Although we did try to coax her down when we adopted our dog! This month Grandpa was out of town for business in Japan for two weeks, so Grandma decided to come down for a fun trip and stay at our house for a week. It was so much fun to have her here! Usually McKaleigh and Colton talk grandma's ear off telling them all about whatever the goings on are and Alex just kind of hangs out...This time Alex would not leave Grandma's side! He is not a really huggey/lovey kid, so it was surprising to find him...in grandma's bed in the morning, waiting outside the bathroom door for her, sitting in the kitchen puzzling and reading with her. They really bonded this week!

One of the nights she was here we had Uncle Bri and his new girlfriend up for dinner and had a fire at our new backyard fire pit area. I just love this little patch of fun out in our backyard! The kids love it that we can go sit and roast marshmallows or just sit by the fire whenever! (p.s. there is now grass that has grown in between the cracks in the flagstone, and it looks beautiful!).
For two WHOLE days Grandma Cindy, Alex and I baked cookies! We made about 100 sugar cookie cutouts - and frosted them one day. And then added some homemade granola to the mix for a little afternoon snack!

Then we decided to make peanut butter kiss and gingerbread pumpkins another day. Here are Grandma and Alex (who was our expert kiss unwrapper and dough tester!). It looked like we had enough cookies to last months, but alas, by Monday (about 5 days later they were all gone!).
One of the days the boys and I (McKaleigh had a babysitting job) went down to Utah County to have dinner with Uncle Dan and Aunt Sheri. The kids all got along so well together - they played soccer, Beyblades, and of course Uncle Dan got us all to go on a short hike! Then we had dinner around their fire pit!
I did not get a picture of this, but should have...Grandma came up on Wednesday for McKaleigh's first choir concert of the season. McKaleigh looked great and I know it meant so much that Grandma came back up to see the concert!

It is always so fun to have my mom here just to visit, shop, bake and chit chat with. I wish she lived closer...she did sneak in a comment to Alex that it is now his turn to come up to visit her at her house for some more fun!

Hooray For Cozy Weather!

(Pictures Coming Soon)

Now I know that most of you are not really ready for COLD weather, but I sure am. I love it when a cup of hot chocolate sounds perfect for breakfast, when we can have a fire in the fireplace, when I can wear my fuzzy slippers around the house or when I can snuggle down under the covers at night. Yes, I am ready for COLD Fall weather - not Winter, just a nice cold spell!

I can't say lately, but we've just been really busy. If its not U games and Concerts or backyard projects, then we are out and about trying to have a good time with the kids! We have finally completed our flagstone patio (yeah!!) and have enjoyed fires and marshmallow roasting, watched McKaleigh's volleyball games, played some Wii and Playstation, have watched alot of Netflix, and studied our brains out - all of us. McKaleigh is getting ready for braces, which she seems really excited about (I don't think she knows what she is in for). We are trying to decide whether to sign Alex up for indoor soccer and Colton will begin basketball soon. Karate is in full swing, as are choir concerts and McKaleigh is planning a big Halloween party in our backyard for her friends. Brett is in and out of town quite a bit and we are looking forward to a visit with the California cousins this weekend. Grandma Cindy is making a visit (and staying for more than 2 nights with us) and it is much anticipated. We are excited to carve pumpkins (we grew our own this year) and make Halloween cookies - Fall is a great place to be! Life is good, I couldn't be happier!

A Must Read Short - and More if You Have Time

www.seriousmomsense.com

Please take a minute to read her short story on "I used to be a great mom". Its great!, especially if you have youngers and olders!

I came across this article early this morning and think that it about sums it all up! I can really relate to her musically inclined 4 year old due to the fact that my 4 year old constantly asks to listen to the bands Lincoln Park or Black Eyed Peas while driving in the car. His Grandmother recently told him that she did not have those songs in her car, but (with excitement) that she did have a Disney CD, to which he promptly told her that he "would rather listen to nothing than that." So, to sum it all up, I guess I used to be a great mom, and now I am just getting by:)

Not Enough Quality Time

As many of you know, I have been going back to school, and have really enjoyed the journey this time around...Well, after writing one final paper for one of my classes, I was asked to evaluate the time I spend in my life, and you know what - its pretty poor, and that makes me sad.

I spend my days doing laundry, working on homework, cleaning, cooking, worrying, working in our yard, running the kids around - you know, the daily mom stuff. However, This paper really made me stop and look at how I spend my days, where my enjoyment is, what do I do for me...and its really bleak - for both me and my family. In looking back at the last little while, I found that I rarely laugh, smile, enjoy, feel happy go lucky or carefree and that all needs to be changed. I want to find joy in my everydays, be happier, more loving, less crazy. I would like to do more meaningful things with my husband and kids and less just doing what needs to be done. Have more interactions and find myself just living in the same house with everyone. I am going to be better, happier, and more carefree!