Decebmer 1st

I worked all night on the 30th and had not even changed from my scrubs when I took Lily to school. I was so tired, I was close to falling asleep at stoplights. Anyway, we pulled into the parking lot at preschool and I opened my door and heard a hissing noise. I had a one inch gash in my tire.

I hurried the girls into preschool and came back out and called Peter asking where I should go. He told me to stay put and he would come and change it.  It was good he did because it went flat so fast that I never would have made it to the tire store. 

 I slept for about 5 minutes while waiting for him to come. He then changed the tire all the while showing me, teaching me, and having me help with different steps.  He was patient and loving.  He was not flustered about the disruption to  his day.  I am not sure how I was blessed to have this man fall in love with me and ask me to marry him, but I am grateful EVERY day for him! 

 Later that night we had Peter's work party and as always it did not disappoint. 

We ate at Chuy's this year and it was delicious and the atmosphere was really fun. 

Corrine Nelson (the boss' wife and my running friend) always gets the kids a Christmas gift.  It is so kind and generous of her.  The kids were thrilled with what they were given. 

 The next day, my afternoon was happy and calm with these scenes thanks to her thoughfulness. 

Jon building his Star Wars Lego set. 

 Shopkins for these 3. 

Samantha actually got new playdoh and we have played with it and taken some of the tiny containers with us to meetings and some school volunteering things. It has kept her so happy- simple pleasures. 

Joseph is looking forward to getting some new books with his gift card to Barnes and Noble.  He is such a bookworm - it is wonderful! 

Last Bits of November

It is a bit hard to seen Jon but he is on the top row just peeking out 5th from the left. He is in his elementary school choir for the second year and is doing really well and enjoying it. This was taken at the Veteran's day assembly. It is such a great assembly. 

There was a super moon and it was soooo cool! We pulled out the telescope and took and even closer look at this moon that was bigger and brighter than it will be for another 30 years of something like that. It was so bright in the telescope that when you were done looking you were seeing spots. It was so beautiful and I am thankful for it. 

We spent some time at the park during Thanksgiving break. 

Jon filled his shirt with the gravel and buried himself in it and was covered from dust from head to toe and his jeans will never be the same. 

He looked like he was having so much fun that Samantha had to join in and fill her pockets! 

These people are what my life is all about. 

I just had a conversation with the doctor I am working with tonight and he can not believe how many kids we have - can not really imagine it. I can not imagine my life with out them.  They love me, teach me, help me, serve me, allow me to love them and serve them and teach them.  Most days I feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants doing this parenting thing.  But, I am so blessed to have a loving, supportive, and helpful husband walking through the unknown with me.  We support each other and council with one another and somehow make this work.  I know my kids are not perfect and I am trying to help them understand, recognize and embrace their shortcomings because we all have them.  Daily I strive to be more patient and more loving with them.  I know my kids will remember the times when I was less than a perfect mom but I hope there are more memories of us being a happy family and doing happy and good things.This picture makes me so very happy! 

Thanksgiving 2016

We were so blessed to be invited to someone's home for Thanksgiving.

I had to work that night and we had considered celebrating a different day but someone was kind and we were able to enjoy a feast with friends. 

I am the worst about taking pictures but I did get a few- mostly of the food. 

 2 turkeys, a ham, potatoes, 2 types of gravy, 2 jellos, 2 stuffings, sweet potatoes, cheesy rice, rolls (3 kinds), green bean casserole, corn, cranberry sauce.... seriously a feast!!

 The missionaries were there. We love these 2 Elder Barber (left) and Elder Broberg (right).  Elder Broberg is getting transferred this week and he will be greatly missed. He has such a bright future ahead of him and is so very talented.  Elder Barber will be wonderful leading the zone and we look forward to meeting his new companion.  

 There were so many desserts and they were all so good! I tried something new and made a cinnamon roll apple pie- the crust is made from refrigerator cinnamon rolls rolled flat.  It was really yummy! 

 We were at the Phillips and they have tons of books and so Joseph was in heaven! He LOVED reading the Calvin and Hobbs! 

Stealing some of my dessert! 

It was a wonderful day and I truly have so many things to be thankful for.

Food, family, friends, faith, Jesus, Book of Mormon, Temple, running water, electricity, handy husband, books, mom, dad, health, running, school, teachers, braces, dentist, doctors, jobs, flowers, .... these are a few of the things that made our thankful tree. 

Samantha in November

Samantha and I spend a good deal of time together due to the other kids being school.

She is my helper and my entertainment and my sidekick. 

 Our dryer broke twice in November and though Peter was able to fix it we still made two trips to the laundromat. Samantha came the first time and she was fascinated. It is fun and refreshing to experience things as if they are new from the eyes of a child. 

 She will even work out with me. 

She has been lucky enough to tag along with me on a few of Lily's field trips, like this one to the fire station. Those firefighters do such a great job with kids. 

 I have quite a few selfies with Samantha. 

Later that same day, she helped me in the kitchen make rolls and she loves to eat the flour on the counter- crazy girl! 

Bike Ride to the Park- November

We have discovered a lovely pedestrian trail by our house. 

We load the bikes and trailer in the back of the truck and load everyone up. 

The trail is not too hilly and not too long. 

We have gone on this twice and the second time we stopped at one of the kids favorite parks to play.

 I sure love this family of mine and that we enjoy doing things together and being active. 

Arabella turns 8!

On Monday, November 21st this sweet, kind, tenderhearted, amazing, loving, creative girl turned 8! 

It is hard to believe she is really that old! 

Arabella is a huge part of what holds our family together. 

With the whole week of school off for Thanksgiving, she got to sleep in a bit and then started her day with her breakfast of choice- Monkey bread. 

 She was excited for her chocolate making kit and several new clothing items. 

 

 She has really wanted a bathrobe and slippers and thanks to her cousins her wish came true! She has worn them both so much this past week. 

 And finally, after much waiting and anticipation she was able to get her ears pierced. It hurt a bit more than she thought it would and her ears were really sensitive for the first day but she has toughened up since and remembers to clean them all by herself. 

We finished her big day by attending the city library's really big Harry Potter Party! 

There was an animal show, wand making, quill making, scavenger hunts, lightning bolt tattoos, photo booths, trivia, owl origami, and more. 

Arabella  has read the first two Harry Potter books this year and has started on the third. She is loving them! I love that she loves to read so much!

And for her final request, we had ravioli for dinner with spaghetti squash.  Her birthday dessert was tiger striped fudge with Blue Bell Hot Chocolate flavored ice cream! 

She had a great day! We love you so much Arabella! 

Concert Time

Joseph has been practicing and working hard on his viola. 

He sounds really good at home when he rehearses but it was really fun to hear all of the instruments for the songs he has been practicing. I hope he sticks with this for a few more years. 

 Jon had his 5th grade program about the same time as Joseph. 

For the first song of the evening, Jon was the one to set the rhythm and keep it going- he did a great job. This year he is doing choir and Jagspiel  which is a percussion type music group at school. 

Jon striking a pose for one of the songs- love the intense look! 

We are so proud of our boys and the hard work they have put into learning about music and preparing to perform.