A Night on the Town

Yesterday we ventured out. I know- amazing. We really try not to take everyone places where they can't run free. It's a little chaotic. And what's more, we went with another family. That probably won't ever go anywhere with us again. You see, they have two (mellow) boys- 11 and 16. I'm sure they are rethinking their relationship with our family this morning.

We went to see the Joseph Smith movie and to see the lights. The last time we went to see the lights, we lost Hailey. It was less crowded this time, so I wasn't as worried about misplacing a child. Although they would branch out into various different formations, I was able to keep my eye on most of them....most of the time.

That wasn't torture enough, so we went to our favorite restaurant. It is a themed restaurant with cliff divers. The kids absolutely love it and we try to go once a year. Even with call ahead seating, we waited 45 minutes. My kids were having races and jumping contests in the lobby. I didn't stop them because I figured if the employees got annoyed enough, maybe they'd hurry it up a bit. Not sure it worked. Once seated, my kids did anything but stay seated. They continued their races through the hallways and climbed all over the rocks. At one point, I had to stop Nathan from jumping in the pool. In spite of all this, we really had a good time.

Anyone up for a night out with our family?

Merry, Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I know we did. The kids were especially good this season. Typically, they get all wired and I have to threaten that Santa's elves are watching. Not so much this year. It kind of flew by. It wasn't until Christmas Eve that they got hyper.

We enjoyed watching Joy to the World after dinner. It brought me back to the year Hailey was born. Although at times, it is hard having a December birthday in our home, I was reminded of how special it was to be pregnant that season. It may sound corny, but I felt a connection to Mary. It was all so real to me. Even though circumstances were vastly different, I felt like I knew what she went through. And as the world celebrated the birth of our savior, we also celebrated the birth of our own child. How grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation. That through the birth and atonement of Heavenly Father's son, I can be with my family forever.

The kids were so excited for the gift exchange that night. We draw names and get to make a gift for that person, and they were all anxious to deliver their handmade treasures. Randy made Nathan two new pirate shirts so he could have a rotting supply, and I made Hannah a little fleece jacket and scarf. It kind of fits. Casey made Emma a cuddly soft blanket, and Hailey made Randy a key/wallet/phone. glasses holder. Tyler made Hailey a super fluffy blanket and Hannah made Tyler some fun erasers. Nathan made Casey a pirate ship (he was sure Casey wanted one!) and Emma made me a necklace and bracelet with a locket. In addition to those gifts, some of the kids found things they no longer need that one of their brothers or sisters would like. And you gotta love the coupons good for various acts of service. i can't wait to redeem my 'free load of laundry' coupon. This went on for quite some time. How nice it was to see the kids so excited about the GIVING part of Christmas.

Then all the kids went to sleep willingly. It truly was a Christmas miracle. Randy and I stayed up to wrap presents while we listened to the new CD he got me: "Barenaked for the Holidays".

The kids didn't really wake up until 7:30. And even that was with the older kids waking up the younger ones. And Emma wasn't felling well, so I had to rock her for a while before she fully woke up. Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Cyndi came over like usual to see what Santa brought the kids. For the most part, Santa came through. There were a couple things he didn't bring, but I think he must have had a hard time finding or making some of the more challenging requests. Tyler wanted 17 Eye Spy books, but only got 1 special Christmas one. He doesn't understand that Santa elves have to shop around for certain things they don't make- like books and clothes. But I told him I would keep my eyes out for any new ones.

Randy got a new camping pad so maybe he can actually sleep when he goes camping. I got a gift certificate to the Quilted Bear (guilt-free shopping!) and Casey got a drum set. Hailey got a wool pea coat for church and Tyler got a die-cut machine. Hannah got a Hello Kitty CD player, Nathan got a pirate tent, and Emma got a little doll house. I also made quillos and PJ's for all the kids for their Friday night slumber parties in the basement.

We are definitely spoiled. We really don't NEED anything. How grateful we are for Randy's secure job and our nice home. I hope my kids feel the magic of Christmas and the reason behind all the gifts. And that the greatest gift we ever have or will receive is the gift of our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. That through Him, we will have eternal life.

Merry CHRISTmas.

The Family Christmas Letter.....

Merry Christmas!!!

Season's greetings to our friends and family. This year has been full of excitement and adventure for our family.

Randy is still the scoutmaster and hopes to remain so for a very long time. We realized just how much he loves those boys when one passed away in March. It was hard on all of us. Work keeps him busy and I look forward to the day when "things slow down." Although his project was completed on deadline (yay, Randy!) there is never a shortage of work. He continues to be the favorite parent as he takes the kids backpacking, plays 'monster' with them, pitches baseballs, builds snow forts, and jumps them on the trampoline.

Christie found herself in the position of PTA President at the kids' elementary school. It hasn't been too bad (knock on wood) and she really enjoys the people she works with that make her job easier. After a year in the Primary Presidency, Christie is back in the Cub Scouts with Tyler. Once a scouter, always a scouter. But her dream came true when she was asked to be the Assistant Stake Girls' Camp Director. She looks forward to spending a week in the mountains with 150 12-18 year old girls! Blogging, crafts and digital scrapbooking continue to be her creative outlet.

Casey entered the world of junior high. If you are wondering if he enjoys it, the answer is yes- maybe a little too much! ;) He works at home in the morning on his online core classes. Then Christie drives him to school each day for lunch, band, art, and drama. He discovered mountain biking with his dad, and officially joined Randy in scouts. He takes pride in the fact that he is the one and only deacon in our ward. Thus, the president, first counselor, and secretary...by default! He started piano lessons, and loves playing the drums. It seems to have come naturally to hims as he taps on everything constantly and his mom hopes someday it might help provide for him....and somehow make it all worth it!

Hailey is in fifth grade. She loves school as well, and the friends she has there. She is a great babysitter and looks forward to the day people start calling her for jobs. She is full of patience when it comes to her little brothers and sisters and provides her mom with relief on a regular basis. She tried her hand at softball this past spring and found she was quite good at it. It was a tough call when her softball games conflicted with her soccer games. What is a girl to do?

Tyler is in third grade. It is hard to believe he was baptized this year. It was a memory like no other! We flew the family to Hawaii and he was baptized in the ocean at sunrise! All so grandma and grandpa (who were serving a mission there) wouldn't miss it. ;) He still loves to be creative and dreams of his very own 'craft room' stocked just like mom's. He loves baseball with his dad being the coach and he is an incredible big brother.

Hannah started school all day. Being a night owl, it is all she can do to get there on time. I have driven the kids to school more this year than any other, just so they wouldn't be late. ; ) A puppy joined our family this summer so Hannah (and her dad) could have their fix. The puppy grew fast, and now Hannah wants a little dog. Hmmmm, we'll see. She is a good kid and is nice to her friends and animals. She loves to play with her brothers and sisters and wishes she was the oldest so she could babysit like Hailey. She shares a room with Emma and even picks up after her.

Nathan is in preschool. I have given up the fight of what he'll wear to school. Being the dead of winter, he still wears shorts every day because pants "make him hot like the burning sun." How can I argue with that? He idolizes his big brother, Tyler and wants to do everything just like him. Down to the cereal he eats at breakfast. Nathan loves pirates. He wears the same pirate shirt every day and asks for the same pirate story at bedtime.

Emma is a funny two year old. She can ham it up like the best of 'em! She knows what she wants and has found her place as the baby of the family. Including, but not limited to: staking her claim to what is rightfully hers, keeping up with kids two and three times her size, and giving the best hugs and kisses around. She is still 'momma's girl' and I am enjoying every bit of it.

We hope 2008 has been good for your family and we wish you all the best. May you find peace in the true meaning of Christmas and rely on our Savior, Jesus Christ in the coming year.

Love, Randy, Christie, Casey, Hailey, Tyler, Hannah, Nathan, and Emma.

Happy 11th Birthday, Hailey!

Hailey was tagged a loooong time ago. It was Hailey's birthday a couple days ago, and I decided it's time to quit procrastinating.

Hailey was my little Christmas angel. Her due date was Christmas day, but thankfully, she came 11 days early. She was a good baby from the beginning.

Hailey began writing her own name when she was two years old. She has always been good at school, and everything comes naturally to her. Her teachers always tell me what a joy it is to have her in their class. Always at the top of her class, she really is a great student, helper, and friend.

Hailey is a natural athlete. She definitely gets this from her dad. Everything she tries, she excels in. She picked up the piano easily, too.

Hailey is my right hand. I really don't know what I would do without her. She is the one I can count on to help me. And she is always taking care of her brothers and sisters. When someone is upset, she is the first to help calm them. She plays school with her little brothers and sisters and teaches them.

And almost every night, she lets her little sisters sleep in her room. Even as I type, this is what you see when you walk in her room:

Sometimes she's not sure she likes having so many brothers and sisters, but I know she was sent to our family for a reason. I am so glad Heavenly father sent me my little angel.

I know sometimes, I'm a little too hard on her, and don't tell her how much I appreciate her. So Hailey, always remember I love you. And I don't know what I would ever do without you. Thanks for being you.

I Love You, Hailey!

The Blog Frog

If you take a look on my sidebar...down...there.....you'll see a new widget. It's my Blog Frog. Pretty cool, really. It's another type of site counter, only it tells me who came and where they came from. Through it, I found all sorts of people I am linked to through a second and third generation. In other words, people who are linked to me, and their links. I found blogs of people I went to high school with, and people I knew in college.

Check it out, it's neat-o!

Order Up!

We watched 'Fred Claus' tonight. It was pretty good (OK, the parts that I saw, anyway. I always fall asleep in movies, and it didn't help that I was up until 3 AM working on a Christmas gift.)

So at the end, it was showing everyone opening up their Christmas gifts and everyone was happy.

When it was over Nathan said, "Next year, I'm going to order up a bike!"

My Ethiopian Child

Emma found a box of old baby clothes. She was in heaven given her love of clothes....or rather, her love of CHANGING her clothes! The baby boy romper she has on is size 3-6 months, so that required some help with the snaps. When she put it on, Nathan thought it was a swimsuit. Something about the outfit prompted silly dance of sorts.

The pictures say it all.....what a NUT!

Check out those skinny little legs!

Funny Kids

A while back, when we were at the pumpkin patch, we overheard some people say, "Look over yonder."

Odd, yes. And Casey noticed. He then replied, "Folks don't often say 'over yonder'."

No Casey, people don't. They also don't often use the word 'folks'....

--------------------------------

When we were done making our carmel apples, we each cut a slice and started eating. Nathan was trying to chew, but was having a hard time.

I asked him if it was sticky and he said, "My teeth are magnets!"

I'm Thankful

Our big celebration this weekend was definitely something our family is thankful for. Randy's big project was completed Wednesday- just in time for the holiday shopping. It has been a busy year for Randy. And we all breathed a sigh of relief as the kick-off parade ended smoothly with cars rolling down the 7 newly poured concrete lanes.

Wednesday morning, I loaded up the Suburban and we headed down to watched the inaugural drive complete with fire trucks, tractors and Santa. Although I felt a little out of place, we hung out in the tent with all the big wigs eating donuts, drinking hot chocolate, and listening to my man give a speech.

Thursday, we had a nice Thanksgiving dinner with my family. It was great to have them home this year. We had lots of yummy food and enjoyed the time spent with our family.

I headed out Friday with my SIL to do some Black Friday shopping. Randy was curious how the traffic was flowing on the newly expanded stretch of road. It was fabulous, to say the least. Anyone familiar with the road I'm talking about knows just how a typical weekend trip to the said road turns out. Not anymore. Randy had to see for himself and headed out later in the day to check out the traffic flow. He called me and told me at first he doubted many people were even out shopping. Until he reached an unimproved section of road, and saw the typical traffic congestion. And he realized all the hard work paid off.

I am not only thankful that it is done- but that my hard-working husband built a road that makes my weekly trip to Target smooth sailin'!

Works for Me Wednesday

My life is so much easier since I discovered this little trick for organizing your hair accessories:

No more searching through drawers of bows and ribbons. Ahhhhh. What a difference! Thanks BlackEyed Sue!!

Who Would've Thought...

...Hannah would be the first one to pack her bag and move out?

I came home from some PTA stuff today and there she was, packed and ready to go. When I asked her where she was going, she replied that she was moving to Lynn's house because, "They are a nicer family. And I would be the oldest. So people would listen to me."

I told her I loved her, and that it was nice having her in our family, and that we would sure miss her. Then I asked her if she needed a ride and I called Lynn's mom. She wasn't home.

Hannah waited on the porch for a good half hour watching for her to drive by. It wasn't until I pulled out the Hello Kitty flannel I had to make her new PJ's that she came inside. At that point, she simply said, "I'll have to wait until tomorrow to move."

I guess there's something to the whole middle child syndrome after all.

Questions.....

Do I get mad at this? After all, Hannah is learning how to write complete sentences and this does have a period at the end.



How can all this fit in my couch?!!! And if it was in there for who knows how long, and I didn't miss it, can I throw it all away?







Why can't everything in life that is good for you, taste like this? I think I could actually live on these vitamins alone.



Do I look like a bad mom?....not only because he's wearing two different shoes to school, but he's wearing shorts and a t-shirt.....and it's mid-November.

'Cutie Pie' is Open for Business!

I am ready to roll with hair parties. I have a party scheduled this Saturday and I'm so excited! Let me know if you want to book a party before things get too busy! The hair accessories would make perfect Christmas gifts!

Anybody who books a hair party by November 24 gets an extra $10 of hair accessories free! So look at your calendar and see which day works best for you. I am pretty much free Wednesdays - Saturdays.

I'm Gonna Miss This

There are at least two kids in our bed every night. Randy and I end up on the edges of the bed. Although I wake up with a backache every morning....someday, I gonna miss this.

This post has been in the makings for several weeks now. I didn't know I'd be writing it, but after yesterday, I am. I have served in the Primary Presidency for the past year and yesterday, we were released. The people I have served with have taught me so much. The Primary kids amaze me, and my testimony has grown. Hannah and Nathan always took it upon themselves to leave their class to come sit by me and mooch gum or mints or complain of a 'stomachache'. It drove me nuts sometimes that they wouldn't sit where they are suppose to. But now, I realize I'm gonna miss it.


Last month or so, I had an epiphany. Randy and I were in the car driving somewhere. We were both quiet and I was thinking. I have had a lot of responsibilities lately that have really weighed me down. They are all good things- things that I enjoy. Yet all together, they take their toll. So as I was contemplating my many tasks, I began to get frustrated. Then, as clear as I was living it, I had a vision. In my vision (I call it that for lack of a better word) I walked into Hailey's room. It was completely empty. No cute rainbow spread across the wall. No clothes on the floor or books on the bed. Nothing. One by one, I walked into each of my children's rooms and found the same thing. The house was silent and empty. The bathroom was spotless and there was no pile of laundry in the hallway. In this vision, my kids were all grown and gone. It was awful. I realized more clearly than I have ever realized anything before, that I WILL miss this: The dirty walls, endless laundry, toys and books on the floor, baggies of crushed goldfish, and spilled cereal. Dirty toilets, mac & cheese, banana peels and half eaten sandwiches, someday will not consume my day. And it I will miss it.



Last week was another extremely busy one filled with PTA responsibilities, and parent teacher conferences among other things. I was gone a lot and felt I had neglected my kids. Saturday night, I sat, rocking Emma in the rocking chair. I don't do this often, but that night, I needed it more than she did. Sometimes I wish I could abandon all responsibility and just focus on my little ones. President Monson's General Conference talk sums it up all so well.

In case you have your sound turned off, turn it on and listen to the song playing. Yes, I realize it's country, but if you can get past that, it has a message that I love. So despite whatever challenges I am facing, I know some day I'm gonna miss it.

D-Day

Before I ever knew who Barak Obama was, I knew he'd win the office. Not by any grand prophecy , but because he is a Democrat. Even Republicans have become fed up with President Bush lately and Americans were ready for change. So the results of the election should have come as no surprise to me. Although my vote went to John McCain (my first choice didn't make the ballot,) I had a feeling in my gut all along that Barak Obama would win hands down, and I was fine with it. Even this morning as I drove Casey to school, I assured him that it would be OK even if Obama won (he is very concerned that he will not be able to play with his airsoft guns anymore.) But tonight, as I pulled up the news online and saw it in print, tears came to my eyes. A sick feeling deep inside swept over me. What is in store for our nation? For the world? I do not think he has ill intentions, but at the same time, question some of his morals.

Since September 11th, I have not been afraid. I have knowledge of the Last Days and the Signs of the Times. I do not fear. I have maintained for the past seven years that we need to pray for strength to endure. We need to teach and love our children. Focus on our families and worry about the things that matter.

I am calmer now, and rational. I know everything will be OK. I will continue to listen to my Prophet and prepare our little family for whatever lies ahead.

7 Tag

My friend Mindy tagged me...

7 things I can do...(I'll try to NOT state the obvious...)
1- I can touch my nose with my tongue...
2- I can still do a front handspring...after birthing 6 kids (I'm too chicken to try a back handspring)
3- I can ignore pretty much anything....
4- I can beat Randy in a leg wrestle every time...
5- I can fold 10 loads of laundry in an hour....
6- I can do the splits- left or right legged....
7- I can sleep though anything.....

7 things I can't do...
1- I can't dance or do aerobics....
2- I can't hit a baseball with any sort of consistency...
3- I can't knit to save my life....or crochet, really for that matter....
4- I can't seem to keep my house clean....
5- I can't jump on the trampoline or jump rope without wetting my pants...
6- I can't run a mile...
7- I can't get chocolate stains out of my kids' clothes....

7 things that attracted me to my husband...
1- He's funny....
2- He is a hard worker and dependable.....
3- He will listen to me and is willing to communicate.....
4- He is a wonderful dad....
5- He doesn't watch sports....
6- He is supportive of me and anything I want to do....
7- Family is important to him....

7 things I always say...
1- '5-4-3-2-1'
2- 'Seriously!'.....
4- 'come here. right now'.....
5- 'knock it off'....
6- 'buddy' or 'sweetie'
7- 'I love you'

7 things I like to eat...
1- Candy
2- Grand Parisian salad mix from Costco
3- Smoothies
4- Betty Crocker Lemon Swirl Warm Delights
5- seven layer dip
6- Lasagna with Albertson's french bread
7- Pizza from Zucca's

I tag....
1- Blue Polgara
2- Gramma Blue
3- Tumble-Bee
4- Celeste
5- Mandy
6- Heather
7- Tanya

Halloween 2008

Warning: This post contains an overload of pictures.

We have had a blast leading up to and celebrating this day. Here are some pictures from all our activities in the past week....

Picking pumpkins at the pumpkin patch:

It was an unbelievably warm day at the pumpkin patch....PERFECT!

The corn maze:

We played 'Beautiful Freak' in the corn maze....

Illegally feeding the horses corn:

Shhh...don't tell anyone....

The giant potato slide:

We love that there are no rules on this slide...just fun!

Corn diving for candy:

Finding candy is only half the fun!

Making carmeled apples:

Let the sugar begin!

Carving Pumpkins:

Randy's 'skills' amaze me!

Class parties:

One parent has more free time (and creativity) than I do....

Trunk-or-Treating/ drive-in movie

Such fun with friends...thanks, guys!!!

Trick-or-Treating at the assisted living center:


Always a treat!

Trick-or-Treating the neighborhood:

Yes, I pulled it off...everyone had a costume!

Scaring unsuspecting kids:

Randy likes to wait on the porch and as the kids reach for their candy, he moves and scares the pants off 'em!

Sugar overload:

You can never have to much of the good stuff...

FUN!!!