Christmas Mayhem

We spent Christmas Eve at grandma's house. It is a great family tradition. We had dinner and then opened presents from grandma and grandpa with all the aunts, uncles and cousins around. All the girls got fancy aprons, and each kid family was given a grandfather clock so that we won't fight over mom and dad's when they die. And what Christmas would be complete without new pajama pants for the grandkids made with love by Grandma? Not ours!

After all the family festivities we headed home to continue the traditions. We put out cookies and egg nog for Santa. All the kids were dressed in their new pajama pants from grandma, and then they each opened one present before getting scooted off to bed. As we tucked Ethan in bed he asked, " Now, what are the rules for tomorrow again?" So we reminded him not to wake mom and dad before 7am, stay in bed tonight, etc.

At 7:03 Jeff and I were awakened by Ethan (who had already woken up Erin) proudly pronouncing that it was after 7:00. We sent them downstairs to investigate what Santa had brought while we took a few more minutes to wake up and get dressed. After having them come up every 30 seconds or so to show us something, we quickly got dressed and came downstairs too. There was plenty to see and do. Ethan got a Lego Indiana Jones II Wii game from Santa, Erin got a pink MP3 player, and K got a new purple and pink dress up skirt. The day was filled with cinnamon roll eating, Lego assembly, toys, a visit from Grandma, Grandpa and Suzy, and relaxing together.

My favorite moment of the day was when Miss K discovered the new roll of scotch tape in her stocking from Santa. K LOVES tape. She is always stealing mine. In fact it took me over three rolls of tape to wrap presents this year. Not because we had lots to wrap, but because she kept taking it! So very appropriate that Santa brought her some for her very own. For most of the afternoon (and since) she loves to play "tape store" with Erin in her play kitchen. Who knew??

Deck the Halls

The halls are literally decked at our house.

Christmas countdown chains, homemade snowflakes and reindeer cover the walls. The other wall contains our fireplace- complete with stockings hung by the paper fireplace with care... We have to have some way for Santa to make his grand entrance. Our tree is up, decorated, and glowing. I love this time of year! And since all the shopping, decorating, delivering, and wrapping is complete I still have a few days to relax and enjoy it all.

Last night for Family Home Evening we had a lesson on the true meaning of Christmas and retold the story of Jesus' birth. At the end of the lesson my sil, Kelly, challenged all the kids to think of one thing that they could do as a present for our Savior. This morning Ethan got dressed and cleaned his messy, messy room without being asked. It is spotless! He was so excited to show me what he had done. Erin got up this morning and wanted to make all the kids breakfast for me! Even though Katelyn didn't cooperate, Erin still did a great job. I love her so much! Today Katelyn is going to help me make her bed, and make a card for her daddy. I'm glad that my kids took Kelly's challenge to heart and did something for Jesus.

I hope that you all have a great holiday filled with love, family and friends!

Dancing Snowflakes

Erin has been wanting to take a dance class for ages. This summer she took a few weeks of classes through a community center and loved it. So we decided to put her in a dance class this year. She is taking it through BYU, and is in the children's creative dance program. Twice a semester the parents get to go and watch, so this was the Christmas "performance" that they did for the parents.



In Motion




Dancing in her snowflake costume for the parent performance.



Erin and her best friend Hannah Scott.

Choir Concert

At the beginning of the school year Ethan wanted to join the choir at his elementary school. They have rehearsals twice a week at 7:30am, so I kept asking him if he really wanted to do it. That was a big commitment. He was adamant that he would be in choir, no matter what I thought. Well, he loves it and has done great! He has never missed a practice to sleeping in either. I am so proud of his dedication and am grateful for his interest in music. It is a talent that will serve him well over his life. This week they had their first performance.



Ethan singing with the choir. He is on the front row to the right. Only one of 8 boys in the choir!



Ethan looks all handsome in his dress clothes.


These are all the kids in our ward that are in the school choir. Ethan can handle himself with all the ladies- look at those muscles!

'Tis the Season

The snow has come. I resisted until 10 am, then Miss K would have it no more. We had to go out and enjoy the winter wonderland that was right outside our front door. So we gathered all the proper gear and even gathered up some neighbor friends, Londyn & Sophie Berrett, and headed out. Katelyn made a snow angel, slid down all the slides on the playground, and carefully dusted the snow off every horizontal surface she could find. She loved it! (I really need to get me some boots- quickly.)

After school the kids came home from school in boots, coats, gloves, hats, and pants wet from the knee down. It must be a long walk home in the snow. But they really wanted to go outside and play. So after homework was done I geared up for round two of winter wonderland. (Which included a coat change for K so her wrists wouldn't be exposed.) And since it has been snowing all day, there were more horizontal surfaces to dust off, friends to play with, and snow angels to be made. (And I still really need some boots!)

And of course all that snow has to end with some hot chocolate.

A quick back track-- Thanksgiving was great. We had a quiet dinner at the in-laws house. I made the stuffing, yams, banana crush punch and two pumpkin pies. We had the only grand kids there, very unusual, but it was quiet. A nice time to reflect on all the blessings that I have in my life. I feel very thankful.

The day after I went Black Friday shopping at 5am with some great ladies from my ward. They convinced me to go with them last year and got me hooked. Although I don't think I would go if I had to go alone, so a big thanks to all of them for making the insanity of it all very fun and entertaining! I even managed to find a few deals!

Katelyn says...

After the song "Santa Baby" had just finished playing on the radio in the car, Katelyn tells me, "Mom, Baby Santas don't hurry down the chimney!!" I got a good laugh from that one.

Katelyn calls daytime "Happy Day" and when it is dark "Dark Day". For example when she woke up this morning she came running downstairs yelling, "Mom, it's happy day!" How can you have a bad morning when it's a happy day to your three year old?
And this summer when I was trying to get the kids to bed at 9:00pm, but it was still light outside, she said, "But mom, it's not dark day, it's still happy day!" Sorry kiddo, but it is still bedtime.

That sweet girl can really make me smile!

The Follower

Over the past few weeks Katelyn wants to do everything first. Maybe it is a symptom of being the youngest, but she always wants to be the first in the car, the one to set the table, the one to unlock the door, the first one to go upstairs to get pajamas on, etc. It usually only applies to things that she thinks are fun though.

Last night we were getting out of the car after sharing some ice cream at Arctic Circle for a FHE treat. As the doors to the van open, the older kids run out to get to the front door. K has to wait for me to unbuckle her from her carseat. As she gets out of the car she is screaming through tears, "Wait! I want to be the follower!" She really means the LEADER. But even though I have corrected her several times, she still wants to be the follower. Which means first to her. Ethan and Erin see the humor in this too, and have started singing this song from Peter Pan with a few changes...



Their version goes more like this:
Following the follower, the follower, the follower,
We're following the follower, wherever she may go.

I love being a mom!

Of the Imaginary

Lupperloni (Lup-per-lone-ee)


One day just after school started, K and I were in the car going somewhere. She was looking out the window and said, "Lupperloni." I started to ask her some questions, to try and figure out what she was talking about. It came down to purple macaroni and cheese. Okay then. It has since morphed into meaning any kind of food. When I ask her what she wants for dinner, she'll respond with Lupperloni. If there is something we are having and I want her to try it- I'll tell her it's Lupperloni. She will almost always try a bite or two of anything dubbed Lupperloni. So for now it's working... I know the magic will wear off someday, but for now we'll be having Lupperloni every night.


This also reminded me of Erin's imaginary friend, Annalougis, who lived under Erin's bed. Erin was four. Annalougis (Anna- loo- jis) and her dad lived under the bed. We didn't see them much, but apparently they had grand adventures with Erin. Annalougis and her dad have since moved out and into someplace of their own- but it is fun to remember them on occasion.


I love the imagination of little kids. I just wanted to capture the moment so I won't forget. It makes me smile!

Happy Halloween

From the Purple Fairy, Wolverine and Hermione Granger. Hope it's full of lots of treats and a few tricks too!

Pumpkin Carving

And the finished jack-0-lanterns:


L to R: Erin's (inspired by her favorite design on the pumpkin app for the iPod), Ethan's (designed and cut entirely by himself, Mom's (from the pattern book) and K's (she had a request for circles).

And Dad's masterpiece- Flamin' Jack. (Especially for Kentucky Grandma who always likes to see his work in pumpkin.)

Cornbelly's

Last weekend we headed to Thanksgiving Point for some fun at Cornbelly's. We got to slide, jump, and ride our way through the place. We even found our way out of the kiddie corn maze through the big maze's exit- talent! It was a little rainy towards the end of the day, but we still had lots of fun!!

Pumpkinland!

Katelyn and I were able to go on the first grade field trip to Pumpkinland! This was my cutie group of girls to watch out for. We found our way out of the corn maze, saw all the animals, and played a bit on the playground before choosing just the right pumpkin to take home. It was very fun! I think that Katelyn might have enjoyed the bus ride as much as the trip.

Fall Fun

Between sessions of Saturday General Conference we planned to get out of the house and head up to our lovely mountains. We packed ourselves a picnic lunch and headed out. First we played at a park and had lunch. The kids raced sticks in the river and under the bridge. We hiked around some, but then decided it would be more fun to head back down the canyon a bit and go see the waterfall.

Well, we not only went and saw the waterfall- but we hiked up to it too!! Now, this may not seem like such a big deal to some. But it was a HUGE deal to me. Because

* I have never done it before.

*I am way out of shape.

*We had three kiddies with us.

*The path is somewhat treacherous in places as rockslides and avalanches have shifted things since the trail was created.

The view was fabulous! The kids loved experiencing nature instead of just seeing it. I think we just might have a new family tradition to do during General Conference. The kids (and adults) were able to focus more after getting all the wiggles out too.

Tech Saavy

They must get it from their dad... Ethan decided to make himself an iPhone out of popscicle sticks and aluminum foil. He even drew in all the details; apps, buttons, and speakers with permanent marker. (Jeff doesn't even have an iPhone- he was a little jealous.) Of course the girls wanted one too. They all had different color screens and cases. Then they all were "texting" eachother! HA! I don't even have texting on my cell phone. Erin even made everyone a charger in the same color as the cases and taped them to the wall.

After that Katelyn got the Barbie computer out and set up her little workstation. (Notice the iPhone charger taped to the wall .)

I think that my kids will be more up on technology than me forever- hopefully they can drag me along with them so I can be a cool mom and hip grandma.

Utah State Fair

Call me crazy, but I signed up to be a chaperone for Ethan's 4th Grade to the Utah State Fair. I had a group of great kids to take around plus my little K. We had a great time learning the workings of a farm. The kids got to ride the big yellow slide. We even saw the shark show- in which a guy swam with some nurse and lemon sharks in a tank. And of course there were barns full of animals to see and smell. After all the fun the kids got to eat lunch and head back on the bus to school. (K, Ethan, and I got to ride in our car- way less noisy and faster too!)

Treehouse Fun

While we were up in Ogden we headed to the Treehouse Museum. It is an awesome museum for kids with tons of hands on things to do. The kids had fun trying out the Oval Office as President, making music, dressing up as astronauts and army men, ruling over kingdoms, playing giant chess, teaching in the schoolhouse, putting out fires, going to the rodeo, and working on the farm. There was so much to do! We left after almost three hours and they all wanted to stay. I call that a success. I highly recommend the place to anyone in the area.

Warning: Picture Overload

Killa Cam Returns

At the beginning of August Jeff surprised me with a plane ticket to KY. My baby brother, Cameron, was returning from his two year LDS mission in Oakland, CA. I was not even thinking of going since it would be so expensive to fly. Jeff found a great deal and sent me on my way. He took care of the house and kids for 4 days while I was gone. (He is a total keeper!) It was so much fun being home with my parents, sisters, and little bro. (We missed you Justin!) The best part was getting to spend some quality time with Cameron as an adult. I left for college when he started second grade, so we really didn't get to know each other well as kids. We stayed up late watching movies, playing the Wii, talking, and debriefing from missionary mode. I will always remember those few days and nights we had to just hang out with no distractions from little kids. Even though I was severely sleep deprived when I got home- it was a really good trip.

Fast forward a month- Cameron and my dad drive out from KY to check Cam back into BYU-I. We got to spend a great few days with them before Labor Day. My kids were all over Uncle Cameron. I think he was very ready to get off to college and not be swarmed by kids anymore. We followed them up to Ogden and got to see my grandparents and Uncle Clayton for a bit on Saturday too. It was a great visit. Thanks dad for all the cookies- and we can't wait to see Cam again soon.

Ben's Baptism

We had the fun opportunity to drive to Evanston, WY at the end of August to witness the baptism of our dear friends, the Revelli's, second son Ben. Our kids did great on the drive up there. We were a bit early so we had a little time to play at the nearby playground.

Here is the Revelli Family.

Thanks to the Revelli's for squishing this in the middle of a crazy move- and inviting us to come and be a part of their family for a little while. It was great to see you guys. Give us a call if you are ever around these parts again. And we'll be sure to look you up the next time we are in Montana.

Curses

Just as I was reading mt SIL Nat's blog post the other day, I got very smug. She had three kids sick with the barfies at her house. I felt bad for the poor girl, but very glad it wasn't me. Nope- all healthy here.

THEN-- At precisely 11pm last night as I was lying in bed, almost to dreamland, a little K wandered in my room. Not so unusual- maybe she needed to go potty or something. Well, it was or something. I reached over and felt her tiny body. Wet? Pee? NO. NO! NO!!! It was the barfies. In her hair, on the jammies, and ALL over the bed. A real masterpiece. Fantastic. So I got her going in the tubbie while hubs got the bed end of things. (Or should I say bad end of things.) Hubs is always the cleaner of the barfies. It's just how we do it around here. Sick kid is sad, wants mom, crying for mom- so dad gets the barf. He took care of things, and I took care of things, and then he went back to bed.

I, however, stayed up till 2am with K. Making sure we didn't have a relapse. No relapse. I put her in her bed. At 3am she woke up. I snuggled her for a while and put her back to bed. 5am. K again. We are in the middle of the best thunder and lightning storm seen around these parts in quite a while. Very impressive. So impressive that it woke up K and the older two kids two. By 5:30 I had everyone back in bed. Alarm goes off at 6:30 to get up and get showered. I am supposed to volunteer in Erin's class today. Not going to happen. Hit snooze. Go back to bed. Can't sleep because it is still raining something fierce- and windy. Hubs gets up at 7; I at 7:30. Time to get the big kids up and off to school. And I am going back to bed, at least for a little while. Hopefully it all was a fluke, and the worst is over. But maybe I shouldn't be thinking that.

So, if you are reading this- a word of caution. Don't you be thinking, "Gee, too bad. But I am glad it isn't me. All healthy here!" You could be next!

Quiet, Too Quiet

'Twas afternoon on a Tuesday
About two o'clock,
Everything was quiet
Even Miss K.

Mother wondered why
Where could she be?
Making a mess?
Or something else maybe?

Mom snuck up the stairs
To see why the quiet.
She found her Miss K
Asleep in her bed.

Too tired to play
She had tucked herself in
And took a long nap
Amazing it is!

** So this happened last April, and I have been trying to make this cute poem to tell the story. It's not rhymey enough, and I'm tired of it taunting me in the drafts on my blogger account. So I am publishing it. So there Blogger! The other two kids were at school at the time, and I was on the computer. Then I realized it was way too quiet. I looked everywhere for K, calling her name. After a bit of a panic I found her in her bed asleep. She had tucked herself in for a nap- how cute! And then I still had an hour of peace and quiet before the other kids came home from school. This feat has not been repeated since, unfortunately.

Back to School

Today was the unofficial end to summer. School days are here again. (Go Lakeview Lions!) Erin is in first grade this year in Ms. Barnes' class and Ethan is in fourth grade in Mrs. Wing's class. I kinda feel like I am the one going back. Now I have a schedule, getting up early, and the homework! I still get to supervise that.

(Note- Because I am an awesome mom I made my kids stand in front of the door in the blinding sunshine. Gotta get the picture! Did not occur to me until much later that I could have taken the pictures inside the house by the door. I told you I am awesome!)

Erin wanted me to walk her to school today. It was sweet. Ethan wanted nothing to do with me; like I would be an embarrassment to a big fourth grader. He's growing up! They both wanted to buy lunch today (pizza). Erin was successful at figuring out the process and remembering her lunch number. Ethan still has his mad lunch buying skillz.

Erin standing outside her classroom. At least she's not embarrassed by me! (yet.)

And sitting at her desk, putting away all her supplies. Erin is so excited to have a desk and her very own personal space to put her stuff. No more tables and buckets like in kindergarten.

Katelyn had me playing playdough, Little People, Jenga, Don't Spill the Beans, and the Wii- all before my shower. I still managed to get that in as well as some dishes and laundry. She is definitely using her one-on-one time with mom well. It should be a fun year. I also get to volunteer in both the kids' classes. I am trading babysitting time with a friend so we can both be more productive volunteers. Now just a few weeks until dance class, choir practice, and more scheduling. I have a feeling I need to ease back into all of this.

100% Pure Adrenaline

**For those of you readers who are eloquent at writing and can't stand to read anything containing poor grammar, run on sentences or every other word misspelled this post is not by Amy. Yes, that's right this is hubs. Gasp!!

What in the world would posses me to dust of my freshman English skills and attempt to describe anything in literary terms? Demolition Derby, need I say more?

So on Saturday, Ethan and I went with my brother and a few friends to the Annual Utah County Fair Demolition Derby. It was 100% pure adrenaline filled fun. There's not much better than a bunch of cars driving as fast as they can trying to crash into each other. I think the boys had a bit of fun too.There were 3 rounds of smash'em up fun and then two rounds of grudge matches, a powder puff round and then the finals. The pictures below happened in the second round. Notice the angle of car 100's bumper and the lack of a nose on the family truckster.

Here is the result. This happened about 10 seconds into the round two, if that long.


Now Derby etiquette is to strategically push one of the cars or to nudge it at about 15-20 miles an hour. This helps to free the mangled twisted metal. Below is what happens when such attempts fail.

See how polite everyone is they all came over to help out. Derby cars are your typical cash for clunkers that never made it to the dealership.


We had a great time. Here is the winning dual as car 44 pushes the purple eFusion car back into the barrier and over the top of it.

Can't wait 'til next year.