Frosty, my fourth son....

This was from a week and a half ago and it's just taken way too long to put it on here!!  These are some of my most favorite pictures!!  I was going to play with them a little on photoshop, but I couldn't, I thought they were just fine the way they were, and that's really unusual for me :)

We had a big snowfall and the boys and I had been wanting to make a snowman for quite some time now, but the snow was just not good packing snow!  This day was no exception.   We got all our snow gear on, got outside, put up with a little guff from Erika, put her down for a nap, and then went back outside only to find out that the snow was just powder AGAIN!  I was bummed, the boys were bummed.  So (this might sound crazy, but) I said a little prayer, asking Heavenly Father to please help us make at least a little snowman.  I then got the idea to use some of the slush on the outside of a small snowball to help make the powder stick to it.  IT WORKED!!!  It was tricky, but it worked.  It took me about an hour to make this snowman, and frankly with very little help (I should say none, but whatever) from the boys :)  They had lost interest pretty early on.  But I made the bottom sphere.  Noah came over with a handful of snow insisting that it was the head and I decided that would be a good time to top him off with a head (no middle) since we were all getting a little hungry and tired.  So I rounded of the clump of snow and plopped it on top.  Then we all had some fun picking out what foods to use for the eyes (walnuts), the nose (carrot of course), the mouth (licorice- that Luke wanted to be able to eat when the snow all melted), and then a hat and two branch arms.  I thought it was one of my sweet little tender mercies of the Lord, and wanted to remember it (kinda like the sand drawing at the beach on our honeymoon....).  I just love these pictures.

It's always hard for me to settle on ONE picture, and since I felt like there were different ones that they each looked good in, I picked my favorite of each boy :)  This is my favorite of Brad.  He just looks so handsome and so grown up to me lately.  I love his sweet smile!

This is my favorite of Lukey.  His eyes are so adorable!  He's looking all grown up too!!  What's the deal!

(and I must say that it's adorable to me that Noah's looking at the snowman the way he is.... like he's one of the boys :)  )

And this is my favorite one of Noah.   I love his little dimples!! and his glowing ear :)

Future Memories

- I got to work at the school two days in a row this week, which is fairly unusual for me.  Thanks to Sarah, I was one of the moms running the Box Top Store.  What a fun time that was :).  I love being at the school.  I love seeing my kids in their element.  I like to have them come running down the hall to me and give me a big hug and be all excited to see me.  I'm sure it won't always be like that :)  I cherish it.  All of the kids were hilarious.  Brad was amazing at his Math, Kelly helped a lot as well, and took charge really well too!  Charity didn't seem to need to hang out by me, but she is always OH so sweet to me!  And I am always amazed at how many people know her.  Old kids, young kids.... she's really just so popular, everywhere she goes too.  I feel very proud to be "Charity's mom".  Kelly get's the "Charity's sister" a lot too apparently.... but she's not far behind Charity in the running.... I'm sure she'll be just the same when she's in 3rd grade.  I got the "Brent's sister" thing my whole life, so who knows..... We were sitting across from Charity's shrine (the poster they made to show off her Hoop Shoot competitions).  It's really neat that they did that for her.  How cool would it be to have a whole poster dedicated to yourself hanging up in your school hallway.  Right by the lunch room too, where everyone can see it!  Cool stuff.  Brandi Rose asked me if I made it.... HA!  That would be funny.  No I did not.  I wish I could hang out at the school more often.  Someday. 2-23& 24-11

- Bradley bought his own shoes this week.  He's been saving up since his red ones were COMPLETELY worn out and now his boots have a hole as well, so he was pretty desperate.  I had kind of thought that I would have to just buy them for him since he didn't have the money right away, but he insisted that he buy his own.  (since that is how our money thing is supposed to work anyway)  He was a little surprised to find out how much they were, but happy to accept a little help with them.  We had this fabulous coupon for Payless, so they were actually a really good deal.  I'm really proud of him and that he sacrificed his own money to buy his own shoes.  I think he will take better care of them knowing that they are not so easy to replace, and having worked so hard to get them.  It's neat to watch my kids go through that process.  I love it.  2-23-11

- Friday totally felt like Saturday.  It was a nice day.  I took Luke to his Kindergarten Readiness program which turned out to be a big hit with Lukey.  I wasn't all that impressed with the program until I saw Luke's face.  He was totally into it and totally loving every minute of his special thing with mom.  He really does love to learn and soaks up everything.  It's neat to watch him get a little excited for school.  He hasn't really been all that excited until just recently.  He's started asking "when do I go to school, again?" about everyday.  I'm glad.  As much as I liked hearing him say that he didn't want to go to school because, "I will miss you, Mommy!", it is nice to know that it probably won't be too hard for him to say goodbye to me.  Which is more than I can say for me.  I'm gonna miss my little Lukey.  He got a free "backpack" and booklet and lots of fun school supplies.  And in a month and half we will have Kindergarten Roundup.... should be fun :) 
That afternoon, Nate invited Brent and Sarah over for Sushi.  Nate's always looking for someone who will eat sushi with him.  I somehow developed an aversion to it while I was pregnant with Erika and haven't really been able to eat it ever since.  So Brent and Sarah humored him :)  I think they were okay with it, nobody vomitted.  It was fun to hang out with them. 
That night we went to Nate's Uncle Rob's 60th Birthday party.  I  L O V E the Bush's!!!  That whole family is just amazing!  They've always made me feel so comfortable and like I was family.  From the day I met them.  They're all so sweet, so welcoming, happy, friendly.... it's just so refreshing to hang out with them and hear about all their growing families.  I'm always surprised at how much has happened since the last time we saw them.  They really are a neat family, I just totally enjoyed the evening.  Happy Birthday to Uncle Rob too, one of THE nicest people I know.  So sweet.   Apparently he loves movies and popcorn, so they did a little movie theme with popcorn, nachos and a candy buffet.  Such a cute idea I want to copy it someday.

It was also Ashlyn's birthday party that night, so we headed on over to their house afterwards.  That night was especially relaxing for some reason.  I am not sure what it is, but I just had such a great time chatting with Meg and Maryn and Austin.... really nice time.  The kids all had fun too.  It's always so hard to pull them away from everyone.  2-26-11

- Saturday morning my day started with some really great menstrual pains (sorry for the tmi, but it's true).  I seriously feel like death would be better than these cramps.  I dont' know what it is!  I know I talk about it every month too.... I shouldn't.  Anyway.  My period is so regular, I have had to ruin a weekend a month with just laying on the couch in the fetal position overdosed on Ibuprofen and Tylenol..... Yeah, really great.  I'm sure you all know what I mean.  I'm really starting to understand why we have 6 kids.  Sometimes pregnancy seems more desirable than this.  Not really, because I only have to think about that option for a minute before I remember how much worse pregnancy is, but you know how irrational your thoughts can be when you're writhing in pain!  It made going to the church to practice the organ one last time before my big day tomorrow SO. Much. harder.  Not sure how it will go tomorrow, but I am looking forward to having my first time doing it..... over with. 

- We also got back our home videos from Costco.  I had all of our old tapes put on DVD.  It was kind of expensive, but after only a few minutes of the first one (minus the one where Charity was born.... I am going to die if I don't find that tape!!!), I knew it was all worth it!!  We spent a lot of Friday night, and Saturday watching our kids being born and growing up.  What a cute little family I have been blessed with!  I can't believe how they all were, and not too long ago too.  It's cute that they like watching each other as little people even when some of them were just peaking through the clouds at us at the time they were taken. (that's what my mom always says about the babies who aren't born yet :) )  I'm so glad we had a video camera and were able to capture a few moments of their lives.  I need to take more video now.  I've been inspired by myself :) HA! just kidding.  I recommend that you all get out your old home videos and watch them.... it's so fun!

Smith's, Parachutes,Teepees and Jaguars

What a great day Tuesday was!!!  I know I changed the layout of my posts to put a whole bunch of these kinds of posts together and condensed, and that's probably where this should be, but I just had too much to say.  I wanted it to be in it's own post.  Tuesday was my shopping day this week.  I was all pumped to hit two stores and get all my stuff I'd planned out with my coupons.  I always get really excited to do my shopping because I like to watch the total go down after they ring in my coupons.  But anyway.  I decided I'd brave it with the four younger kids with me.  This is not a post about how the shopping trip went, it was actually very uneventful.... my kids do SO well at the store.  I know this because people are always telling me what good kids they are.  I'm glad they point it out because I'm so oblivious I may not have ever noticed.  So anyway, back to the point of this post.  I had told Noah that we were going to go to Target and then Smith's and as we pulled into the Smith's parking lot he said, "Is this Smith's?"  And I said, "yes".  Then he mumbled something else that sounded like he wanted to see something there, so I (bad mom, I know) just said, "uh huh."  THEN he said, "Can I shake his hand?"  HUH?  um.... okay, let's backtrack.... "Wait, what are you talking about?"  Frustrated, Noah said, "Dosuf Smif!  Can we see him and shake his hand?"  My heart totally skipped a beat!!!  My sweet little three year old thinks Smith's, the boring old grocery store, is "Joseph Smith's"!  SO ADORABLE!!!!  Awwwwww.  I just wanted to die.  Anyway, we had to talk about the fact that Joseph Smith has died and is with Heavenly Father now and that when we die, THEN we can shake his hand.  I think he was a little let down, but oh, what a sweet feeling that was.  Makes me think he's actually hearing the Joseph Smith book while he's running around, bouncing off the walls with Luke and Erika.  And that makes me happy. 
And speaking of happy..... I spend a lot of time complaining about people who bug me or say annoying things, or people who are just plain rude.  I know, probably too often, but this time, I wanted to tell about something different.  As I was unloading my 2 carts full of groceries into the car, this car, driving down the parking lot aisle, comes creeping by, and then stopped.  I began running through scenarios of what this person could want.... are they waiting to have my spot? that would be stupid, can't they see how much stuff I have to unload still?..... are they going to come point out that my 1 year old is sitting in the cart by herself in the kind of cold air while I unload and tell me that she needs a coat or a hat? what should I say back to them?.... maybe they can't get around my other cart?? did I pull it out of the way enough??.... all of these things quickly made their way through my head.  Then this sweet lady hops out of the car and walks over and says, "What can I do?  Can I put your daughter in the car for you?"  Of course.... she's bugged that my baby's in the cold.... "No, I just leave her in the cart so that I don't have to listen to her scream in her carseat while I unload all the groceries" (true? yes.  but the wrong conclusion to jump to)   Then she sweetly says, "Well, can I help put the groceries in then?"  What?  You're just here to help me?  Whoa!!!  Well wow!!!  How nice!!!  I think my jaw had dropped by then.  She was SO NICE!!!  She stood there and handed me my groceries from the cart so that I could put them in the car quicker.  So nice.  I'm still in awe.  Then we had a fun conversation about my many boxes of cereal and how her son who is in Afghanistan (figures that a woman who shows such charity would have taught a son who grew up to be a member of our armed forces.... takes a certain person I think) likes Cinnamon Toast Crunch too.  What a neat lady.  She was just so cool.  makes me want to do that for someone else someday.  Someday soon too. 
After the grocery shopping, when I was unloading the groceries, cute little Luke got this fun idea to turn the grocery bags into parachutes!  I have no idea where he got the idea unless he remembers things from years and years ago..... not likely.  Then he went and got hair things to hook his little tiny stuffed kitty to the parachute.  Pretty ingenius if you ask me.  He searched the house for the highest thing to stand on to drop his kitty from.  He was kind enough to make one for Noah too using Brad's mini Spiderman toy.  It was so fun for them!  They played for a long time!
Charity's Teepee was due Wednesday, so of course we spent a lot of the evening doing that project.  I thought we were so good to start on it on Monday, but if you don't finish it..... it's as good as starting the day before.  Oh well.  It turned out alright.  I could tell she wasn't overly thrilled with how it turned out though.  If only we'd had more time to really go all out.  She said later that a lot of the other kids' were much bigger.  Better luck on the next project I guess.
Kelly wanted in on the project fun, so she insisted (I'm glad she did) that she do her Jaguar project at the same time.  Hers was mostly done Monday, so it wasn't too much work.  Hers wasn't due until Friday though, so.... little pat on our backs.... she turned hers in early and actually did her report Wednesday also.  Which, since I was at the school already for the Box Tops Store, I got to go watch her present it.  She did such a great job!  She's so easygoing about talking in front of people.  As she should be.  I was really proud of her.
It was a good day.

Future Memories

- Thursday night was the 10th anniversary of our engagement.  Sometimes I think it's nicer to not celebrate Valentine's on the day of, and we have this convenient little "anniversary" to excuse it, so we celebrate the anniversary and Valentine's together on the 17th a lot of times.  It wasn't really my year to plan it, but Nate insisted that we trade this year since he didn't want me to have to plan all of our big anniversaries (10th, 20th, 30th) they would have all fallen on my turn.  So anyway, we went to dinner at Applebee's and then went and did Sealings in the Salt Lake temple.  What a treat that night was!!!  I wish I could tell you all about it.  But I can't think of a better way to celebrate the day of love :)  Thanks to Brent and Sarah for making that possible.  2-17-11

- Nate's Parents threw a little Valentine's Party for all the grandkids!  It's such a huge undertaking to plan anything for so many kids, but they always do and the kids always have a blast.  They had the boys make dinner for the girls this time.  Last year it was the girls.  Then they played games and stuff.  They kept playing when we got there and we got to watch.  My favorite part was at the end, the kids were all performing for each other (of their own accord).  Charity and Kelly did their play songs, Brad did some of his little "flips" and hand walking, Noah went up and enjoyed the spotlight with his buddy Jarom.  SO CUTE!!!  They sang the alphabet and I Am A Child Of God and kept going back up to the front to do more :)  I LOVED it!!!  If only I'd had my camera, they were even holding hands!!!!  Fun stuff.  I love that Nate's parents will sacrifice an evening to do that for our kids.  2-19-11

- So Sunday nearly killed me.  I had way too many moments in the spotlight for my liking.  (I say spotlight, but it's really just me.... still working on not getting so nervous!)  Charity gave a talk which for me was such a neat thing!!!  I had helped her with it the day before, but I say helped very lightly, I couldn't believe how much of her talk she wrote herself and how well written it was!  She really did a great job of grasping the concept.  It was about how the scriptures teach us of the Plan.  I love watching her do big girl things and can't wait to see what she accomplishes in her life.  Doesn't mean I don't have moments of "stay young!!!!  quit growing!!!", but there are some fun things to dsee her do.  I had to hurry and ditch my Primary class to go watch her give it, she did fantastic!  Then I went back and taught my lesson.  Then first thing in Primary I helped Luke with his scripture (don't ask me WHY this makes me nervous!!  I was totally shaking though!).  Then in Sacrament meeting we all sang "I Am A Child Of God".  No, you didn't read that wrong.  We all sang in front of the whole ward.  Not my idea of a good time.  I think I almost threw up that morning just thinking about it all.  It's weird to too because generally I'm okay with singing in front of people.  But this time felt so much more nerve racking.  Like laying out every piece of me for people to see and judge.  I need to stop thinking that everyone's just sitting there judging my family, I know, but that's really what it was that was bothering me I think.  My family is my most precious possession.  But for that reason, for a split second while we were singing, I realized what a neat experience that was.  I'm not sure what possessed them to ask us to sing, but I will say, I am grateful for any opportunity to work out of this crazy problem I have going on.  I like being able to put serving the Lord first.  And that is why I will bust my butt this week to learn the songs on the Organ for next Sunday and get up and play the hymns for Sacrament meeting!  AAAAAAAHHH!!!!  I am SO NERVOUS!!!!  2-20-11

- Last Sunday the kids and I started reading this Joseph Smith book together that Aunt Jen gave us for Christmas. We were supposed to have read it a while ago, it was the second challenge, but alas we are late for something else, what else is knew.  Anyway.  We read it again this Sunday and it is such a great book!  And it's SO fun to talk so much about Joseph Smith!  The girls have loved it and we've had a really hard time putting it down.  I'm so grateful for things like this that give me a vehicle to teach my children about the Gospel.  Sometimes it's hard to come up with these things on our own.  I'm not sure why, but finding the right things to teach about are usually the hardest part for me.  Once I get on a topic, I could go on for days.  So it's nice when it's just handed to me.  I think that's what I love about having the kids give talks in Primary too.  It's just nice to feel like they're getting something useful in their cute little heads :).  In Charity's prayer that night she thanked Heavenly Father for "all the translatings".  I don't know if she would have thought to do thank Him for that if it hadn't been for the book.  I loved it. 2-20-11

- President's Day was less than exciting at our house.  I know it's not a big holiday, but it's a day off from school and it kinda bummed me out that we didn't do more.  Oh well.  Nobody was really feeling that great I don't think.  We didn't manage to squeeze in a movie night that night with our new Brother Bear movie, popcorn and ice cream.  The kids told me that I was the best mom in the whole world, so apparently I was able to make up for the boring rest of the day.  2-21-11

Happy Valentine's Day! Love, Kelly

Last Tuesday Kelly surprised everyone with this letter.  She had cut out hearts out of paper and hid them around the house for everyone to find.  I wasn't aware of how sweet her hearts were until I saw Erika's.  I just about cried when I read the sweet words from a big sister to her baby sister.  It amazes me that a 7 year old feels such feelings for her baby sister and can express them KNOWING that the 1 year old can't read or understand waht she's expressed.  I love it.  I wanted to frame Erika's... I probably still will.  I want her to be able to see it some day.  Then I got to see the others and they were all so sweet, I just had to get permission to post pictures.

oh, this one was from Charity to Kelly.  So sweet.  I love the love.  Makes me smile that they think of each other so much.

It wasn't even Valentine's day...  She's so good at thinking ahead!

Future Memories

- The girls "heard that I wasn't feeling well" so they decided to make something for me.  When I got upstairs I found my own personal "relaxing station" created by my sweet Charity and Kelly, all on their own accord.  They're so thoughtful!  The couch was draped with a blanket and pillow to lay down while I sipped punch and ate popcorn.  (free refills)  Then over on the brown rocking chair was the nail polishing and massaging station.  After I ate my popcorn and drank my drink, I had my nails done and a sweet little massage.... I still can't believe Charity would touch my feet!!!  Now that's love!!!  Then over on the other rocking chair was the reading station complete with some books that I "might like to read".  I read a little of the Indian in the Cupboard, and listened to the Primary songs throughout the whole relaxation treatment.  I'm surprised at how well they know me ;) and what helps me relax.  It was so nice.  They were so thoughtful.  I totally owe them!  (2-6-11)

- Noah is officially potty-trained!!  I should have said this a long time ago.  The doctor urged him to stop wearing diapers on Monday the 25th (maybe I did post this already.... can't remember), and he stopped wearing them that evening.  He had no accidents in the night, maybe one or two the next day and has had only a handful of accidents within the two weeks following.  It's amazing!!  I've tried, for years, to convince myself that people are not lying when they say that their kid "potty-trained" himself, or that they potty-trained in a day, and well, now.... that's possible!  I had no idea it was!  I'm proud of him and happy that he was so easy.  Sure makes me wish I'd started a long time ago....

- On Tuesday, 2-8-11, Brad went over to his friend, Jake's house and when Jake's Mom brought him home she wondered if Brad was a "home-body" or if he  maybe didn't like going to their house.  I felt bad that she felt that way, but decided I needed to get more details from him.  So I asked him if he had fun. "Yep".  I asked him if he liked playing at Jake's house.  "Yep".  Then I asked him if he had wanted to come home early.  "I didn't want to miss Family Night!"  Awwwww.  So sweet.  I'm glad he likes it.  I wanted to record it so that when he gets older and doesn't like it anymore, he'll know that he once did :)

- Erika just started talking almost overnight!!!  She knows about 10 words all of a sudden.  She doesn't say them regularly, we have to kind of coax them out of her, but she can say them!!  She knows Mamma (she already knew this one, but she says it a lot now :) ), Dadda, Bum Bum (thanks to my "change da bum bum" song, Dog, "eese" for cheese, and she will TRY to say people's names.  I think she's got a lot of work to do, but I was really happy that she CAN say them.  I start to worry when they get this old and don't talk on a regular basis.  2-10-11

- Nate did a really fun FHE.  We wanted to talk about Fasting so that Charity would understand it better.  We're a little late, since she got baptized almost a year ago, but late is better than never right?  So anyway, Nate had the lesson.  He talked about Fasting and why we do it, what it's all about.  The kids listened!!  The cutest was when Kelly asked, "Do you have to be 8 to fast?" and my other favorite question, "Can you only fast on Fast Sunday?"  So neat.  It's really neat to me to teach children the Gospel.  I always thought that getting married and having kids would be just like serving a mission.  I wanted that to be MY mission.  The kids are the investigators, hubby is the companion.... it's just always fit to me :)  I sure love my little investigators and hope and pray that I am teaching them the things that they need to know to become members of the church.  2-8-11

- Steve turned 23.  We had a nice little party for him here.  He gets off work at 8:00, so it was a LATE party.  I thought I might not like having it so late, but I thought it was really nice to be able to just relax and enjoy adult company with just adults (except for the first few minutes since Nate had mercy on the kids and their desires to see everyone).  Steve was really nice and gracious.  It's fun to spoil Steve because he really does deserve it!  He's a good little brother.  2-10-11

- Got my new phone.  I like it.  I'm having a hard time getting used to it.  I think it's because I"m a little sentimental.... kinda miss the old one.  But it was time to get a cheaper plan and a new phone came with it.  I like that it's purple :)  2-10-11

- The other day, the kids were outside playing with Nate, Luke found himself a smooth little rock that looked a lot like an egg.  I'm not sure what made him think of turning his "egg" into a pet, but he did.  He wrapped his egg up in a napkin, and carried around very carefully all evening.  Then before bed made sure his little egg was tucked in and nice and cozy for bed.  It was really cute.  I think it took me by surprise and so I tried really hard to play along with him, helping him find the right bed and such, but it was just so unlike him :)  He's not the most imaginative little guy.  So this was a fun new side of him.  He really is one of the most gentle little 5 year olds I know.  He's really got a sweet sensitiveness.  2-12-11

- On Friday, I got to go to the Play Practice at the school with the girls.  Wow.  All I can say is Wow.  Hats off to all the women who do that EVERY monday and Friday, and hats off to anyone who can keep 100ish kids undercontrol, teaching them songs and choreography, and keeping them contained.  I was impressed.  I wish I had that in me to do something liek that.  But I think I'd be freaking out too much.... I was in charge of keeping them quiet (sort of), and I don't think I did half as good as the lady in charge, and she was doing so much else.  Someday I'll ahve that.... I hope!  In the meantime, I'm grateful for those that do so that my kids can have the experience they have being in the school musical.  It looks like it will really be a fun one.  2-11-11

- Nate took the boys and Erika "wheeling" up above the B while I was at the school.  He had a lot of fun and I think Bradley did too.  They all can't stop pointing out all of the mud on our car and how it needs a carwash. 2-11-11

- Tax return season!!!  I just have to say how nice it feels to have our car paid off and to have my Dad paid off for Nana's car.  We own two cars all of a sudden.  2-11-11

- Stake Conference was this Sunday. We found out the day before that the Sunday session was at 2:00 pm instead of 10:00 am like we had planned.  This meant that Nate would have to go to work about the same time that we would go.  Kinda lame.  We were all a little bummed.  The night before, Erika had had a little bit of a fever, so we were watching her Sunday and partly hoping for a good excuse to not have to go (bad, I know).  Luckily though, Sarah and Brent offered to watch the younger three while I took the older three to Stake Conference.  I could NOT pass that up.  Even though we were all pretty scraggly looking.... But what an AMAZING conference it was!!!  Could be that I got to hear everything, and take notes, and ponder on it all..... but whatever it was, I LOVED it!!  I learned SO much from the talks, and thought of so many things I want to improve on.  It was just wonderful.  And to think I would have missed all of it if it had not been for Brent and Sarah and their generosity and inspiration.  I'm so grateful for them.  So grateful for their friendship and their constant service.  They've been a huge blessing these last few years especially.  2-13-11

- Nate had Valentines Morning off, but had to go to work in the early afternoon.  We had a nice time together all morning.  It was normal, but there's just something fun about a day based on love and relationships.  Nate made his heart, ham, egg, and cheese sandwiches.  So cute.  Then he had ordered this AMAZING arrangement of roses that were delivered when I was taking the girls to school and picking up Nate's smoothie :).  I love flowers.  I don't think I'll ever get sick of receiving flowers from my sweetie.  He's so thoughtful.  Then after lunch I had double-booked us for parties at the school, so Nate went to Brad's class, I went to Charity's.  They overlapped a little, so Nate had the kids for the first 45 min of Charity's party and then when Brad's started, he brought them to me.  When we got done in Charity's class we headed on down to Brad's class to relieve Nate so that he could go to work and finished up there.  It was a crazy hour and a half, but we all had such a good time.  I was amazed at how cool the teachers were with me having 3 extra kids in their classrooms.  They're so nice.  Luke, Noah and Erika did really well too.  That was surprising as well.  They ate all the treats that were offered them and let their sibs show them off really well.  It was new and exciting.  I love going to the kids' classes so much, I wish I could do it more often. 

We did our normal "Monday Funday" routine with Kelly and Charity going to play practice, and Kelly going to Dance.  I made cake balls.  We had a nice little visit from Sarah, and then topped the day off with Wendy's (instead of "Brinner").... Mommy was WAY too tired to cook.  Then I got the kids to fill out hearts telling each other what we love about each other.  I love doing that.  Valentine's is the perfect day to do it too.  They seemed to enjoy it.  At first I was getting after them for being to roudy and not paying attention, but then I realized how much fun they were having together and how well everyone was getting along.  It really touched me when Brad said, "Mom, me and Luke are like friends tonight!"  So sweet.  And it was fun to watch the kids get all excited every time Erika would run up and wrap her arms around one of them in a big NEW hug!  She sure has picked it up and knows just how to make you tingle when she loves you :)  I want to post what each person said about each other, I'll ahve to do that later.  It was a lot of fun.  Then the kids stalled and went to bed late of course.  But overall, a very fun Valentine's day!  2-14-11

Random Pictures

Grandpa Russ's Birthday was on the 4th (the day after Lukey's!), so we all went out and celebrated with him.  Becky gathered up all the kids for a picture and I made Nate go snap some as well.  This isn't everyone, we miss those who live too far away!  But it's fun to have a picture like this.

Luke got this big bubble ball for his birthday from Grandpa Hatch.  It's been SO MUCH FUN!!!  Luke treats it like his lounging chair and then he likes to dive or fall through the hole in the top.  Lots of fun.

You can see how big it is with Erika standing next to it.

Erika sure has enjoyed spending time with Alvin this last week especially, they became friends while we were tending him Wednesday night.  She's actually pretty sweet with him and he's so patient with her.  It's fun to watch them.  I laid Alvin on her old toy rainbow thing and he seemed to like it (even though it's girly) and Erika just couldn't resist crawling right under there with him.  Just like her big sibs :)

Noah gets a kick out of Alvin as well.  I think all of my kids really just can't get enough of him :)

Wednesday night since we had an extra baby we asked Brad to help with Erika, and he was actually glad to help rock her to sleep.  (it looks like he's got her in a headlock in this picture, but I don't think his arm was touching her :)  )  She laid there calmly, he sang to her, rocked her, just a regular big brother.  SUCH a helper!  It's really nice to know that my kids are developing these sensitive, loving traits that make them so good with little ones.  Very comforting.  She fell right to sleep and went to bed!

He must have pulled his fingers out of his mouth just before the picture.... I was going to point out how much he looked like Noah with his fingers in his mouth, but when I saw this, it occurred to me that he looks a little like Noah even without his fingers in his mouth!!  So cute!  The little pouty lip.  He looks more like his mom though, and Noah looks more like his Dad, so it seems strange that they would look alike at all :)  Just how it goes though I guess.... fun for me :)

Saturday, Nate went outside with the kids, it was just such a nice day, got all these fun pictures for me :)

She's already getting ready for next year!

Hoop Shoot- State Level

Well, the State Competition came and went last Saturday.  It was a BIG day for Charity!!  She was so good and so brave!  We got to the ghost town looking school way early, and had to stand around for a long time and let the nerves build up.  She started out so calm, but after a few minutes of practice shooting with the competition, the nerves just took over. 

We all couldn't believe how good the other girls were.  And not that Charity wasn't, but they were just REALLY good!  They were the kind of girls who look, walk, and act like guys, so they're super athletic.... not that there's anything wrong with that.  Charity definitely didn't fit that profile in her cute pink jersey and pink warmups with her twinkle toes shoes :)  I was so proud of her and how sweet and cute she looked :)  I'm glad my girl looks like a girl :) basically.  But anyway.  She kept at it, kept practicing, and kept getting nervous :)  We all knew she would do well and that she would do her best.  I had to keep telling her that I knew she could do it!  She really does have SO much in her.  She amazes me so much sometimes.  She's just so ambitious, and so strong and brave.

A nice little action photo.  You'll have to excuse the blurriness and overall crappiness of these pictures.  The place had incredibly terrible lighting and we were not allowed to use flash photography, so I did these all in manual mode to avoid the flash.... it was tricky for me :)  Too bad Brent couldn't have been there!

Charity has so much confidence and so much faith in herself.  It's fun to watch her try new things just for that reason.  She just KNOWS that it's possible!  Even with how good those girls were, I know she had an inkling that it was possible to win.  So she kept at it.

A weak moment/pep talk from Daddy.  Nate was so amazing and helped her through all of her practices and all of the nerves at each competition.  He's just amazing and so is she.

I love that she kept at it!  I LOVE that she tried her best and didn't let herself get down about things DURING the competition.  Those other girls didn't leave a lot of room for mistakes. 

She did really well.  Not as good as at the last two comps, but I really think it was just those bad nerves that got to her.  She did make 9 out of the 25 though, and we were so proud of her!!!  Third place!!!!  (we don't talk about how many people there were competing :) )

And hey, with a trophy like that, how can you not be happy with your performance!!!  She got the bronze trophey, a medal (which they didn't give her till the end when they realized they'd forgotten, so I don't have a picture of it on her there), another basketball (this is her second!) AND a certificate!!!  Doesn't sound like a loss to me :)  She was definitely much happier when she got the trophy.  I kept telling her that to make it as far as she had is nothing to be ashamed of.  And really, it had to end somewhere :)  Those girls spend a LOT of time practicing and have probably been involved in basketball most of their lives.  Sweet little Charity gets to do other things, and still made it to State, so we decided she has the sweeter deal :) 

She wants to try again next year and now she knows what to expect and can practice and get all excited for it.  They have made a shrine to her at her school.... there's a big poster with a bunch of pictures of her receiving tropheys and such.... pretty cool if you ask me.... she's practically famous!  So anyway.  This was a really neat experience for all of us.  I loved being the mom of that cute girl with the fun granny shot :)  She really made us all proud.  Thanks to the Elks lodge for putting this all together and giving us something to do and look forward to.  What a neat organization they are.

Lukey's big day!

Lukey's birthday was a blast!  He woke up to his big sibs telling him to come see the streamers and sign.... still a must :)... here's his half awake reaction to it all.... He was just sitting there a little out if it :)  Made laugh a little.  But he started jumping up and down and playing with the balloons.

He kept telling me to "take pic-chews of Ewika!" all morning.... so that's what I did :)

We had Lukey's favorite Crepes for Breakfast (even though I knew I had a Denny's "free kids meal" coupon.... I just couldn't get us ready and out the door in time for it... nor did I want to go to a restaurant and pay for everyone else, just to get a free meal.... maybe next year).  We played around a LOT!  Lukey decided it would be fun to "pway da Wii all day" so that's what he got.  They played the wii A LOT! 

My friend Kim Ball gave me a big box of "Bob the Builder Party Stuff" a couple of years ago and it was just so complete, I wanted to do a Bob the Builder Party.  Luckily Lukey was the one that raised his hand when I posed the question.  He's really not all that into Bob the Builder or trucks and cars for that matter.... but he was really thrilled about it all for some reason.  Maybe it was all the fun party stuff that we ALREADY had that made it fun... dunno.... but this was the cake we found online that struck Luke as the cake he wanted....

I'll admit I was slightly bummed that it was so simple.... I like to challenge myself a little I guess :)  Not that I should! HA!  But anyway, it turned out pretty good I think :)  The kids thought it was real dirt and then wanted some of it when I told them it was cake.  I had planned ahead that they would not want to eat it, and made cupcakes with remaining cake mix, for them to eat, but they were actually more excited to eat the "dirt".

(I dipped the frosted cupcakes in the "dirt".... my own idea :)  I was happy about it :) )

We put up all the cute Construction-y signs all over the room and Nate decorated outside with the caution tape.  I made him go out and put some balloons too since we have older neighbors, I didn't want them to think there was something wrong here, but even with the balloons, sweet little Lorna called to make sure we were in fact "celebrating". Such cute neighbors!

When the guests arrived we had them each build their own little "golf green" that I ordered from Lowes.  I'll be honest, they were about a quarter of the size I had thought they were (duh, should have checked the dimensions), and well.... just not what I had expected.  But the boys seemed to have a really good time, hammering in the few nails (just enough to enjoy it, not enough to lose interest... that was a good thing), and then they all putted their little ball into the hole a few times.  I was still slightly disappointed and embarrassed that they were so lame, but luckily they're delightful little children who wouldn't have expected anymore and they had fun with it.  Then we played a few games.

The day that we went shopping for the rest of Luke's party stuff, he had this great idea to buy some bubble wrap and stomp it out for one of the games at his party.  At first I thought "white trash!", but he was SO set on it.... so we just HAD to do it!  It was a lot of fun until Luke hurt his food stomping too hard.  And the other kids were kind of funny about it, but I think it meant more to Luke that he thought of it than anything, and I like that.  The boys we invited were all 4 and 5, and they were ALL so mellow!!!  I was SO surprised!  I mean, I've seen these kids in Primary!  I know they're not mellow!  It was nice, but at the same time, difficult to tell that we were having a party.

We played "pass Scoop" instead of musical chairs since Luke's foot was hurting too bad to walk.  Then we played "keep the balloon from touching the ground".  Luke's idea of course :)  Very fun!  And then we did the Pinata....

Luke didn't like the truck pinatas (not a surprise) and he had wanted the "5" one that we saw ---- he told me a few days before his birthday, "This is the ONLY time I'm gonna turn FIVE huh Mom!"  He was pretty thrilled to be turning five"---- but then we realized that the "5" was actually a "50" but we couldn't see the 0 attached to it.  So that was kind of a bummer, he had had his heart set on it.... but THEN we found this dolphin one.... and that was it!  He was sold.  There was no talking him out of it... the girls thought he was crazy for picking something outside of the theme of his party.... but it was HIS favorite!  Totally fits him too.

Lukey broke it open after everyone had had a turn wacking it.  There was WAY too much candy in this pinata!  I was worried about how much candy it was and later learned that one of the boys' mom is (of course with my luck) a Dental hygenist.  She didn't seem okay with how much candy there was even after I apologized.... kinda funny..... kinda not.... but whatever :) ..... I hurried and grabbed their little bags so that they wouldn't be munching on it the whole time they were here, and made it so the parents had to regulate it, but I should have emptied some of it out apparently :)  Better luck next time.  ANYWAY!!  It was a lot of fun!  My kids live for pinatas.

Lukey was so polite his whole birthday, didn't get greedy at all!  I was so happy that he wasn't too anxious to open presents and that he was respectful of all his friends and loved his presents.  He's just such a good boy these days. I still get a kick out of watching my kids give each other gifts.  Especially the ones they've bought themselves.... it's amazing how much love and care they put into something like a gift for each other.  Makes me happy.

This is the race car track that Luke has wanted FOREVER!  Everytime we go to the store he says he's going to "save up his money" to get it, and he just never could.  When Nate was shopping for his presents he found this and it was actually on the clearance shelf (how convenient!) so he just had to by it for him :)  So cool.  He was really excited :)  So was I :)

Luke really wanted the "5" candle (again, he was totally obsessed with the age he was turning). 

Couldn't resist taking a picture of this face....

The kids all seemed to have a good time.  It was fun to do a friend party for Luke.  This was his first one.  I learned that 4 and 5 year old boys are super shy and quiet at birthday parties!  And I liked that it wasn't as chaotic as I thought it would be.  Should have invited more I guess :)

After Luke's friend party, some of the family came over to celebrate too! 

These are the hats that Kim had in the box of party stuff.... she had everything!  It was fun that we had some left over!

Grandpa gave Lukey this HUGE ball that you can climb inside and roll around in.... I need some better pictures of him in it.... Luke loves it.  He likes to pile blankets and pillows in there and then dive in.... makes me jealous that I'm too big for it :)

We had another cake to celebrate with the fam.  Milky way frosting on a Devil's food cake.... the Snickers cake didn't really work out.... won't be trying that one ever again.....

It's always fun for everyone when Grandpa comes.....

Luke seemecd to enjoy his birthday.  He was happy and cheerful the whole day.  He really seemed to have skipped over the birthday grumps that most of my kids get :)  It was quite pleasant.  It's fun to see him get older and be excited about being 5, but I sure do feel like my little Lukey is still really little.  I don't want him to grow up :)  He's always been really dependent and needed help with everything, so I thought he might just stay my little baby forever, but it's starting to look like he might actually grow up and go to school and such.... we'll see.  Maybe I can stall :)

Happy 5th Birthday Lukey!!