Bradley's Seussical Musical

SEUSSICAL
We got to see Brad in his musical on Wednesday night!  He did such a great job and it was so much fun.  It hasn't always been his thing to perform, so I'm really glad he had this opportunity and that he enjoyed it so much.  Mr. Walton told us at Parent Teacher conferences how what a great performer Brad was and how he was one of the few that could project.  I loved the music and all the cute funny parts.  It was fun to have so much support there as well- we had Grandpa Hatch and Dawn, Grandma Hatch and Simon, Aunt Jen, the deacons and our whole family minus Charity and Kelly who saw it the night before because they didn't want to miss YW.  Slurpees after to celebrate!  1-10-18

Temple Square Lights via the Front Runner

Isn't this adorable!!!  And awesome with my new lens.

One of the days following Christmas we finally made our little trip down to Salt Lake for the temple square lights.  We have made it a tradition now to ride the train down to SLC and walk around temple square.  This year was a lot of fun as usual.  It was one of the colder nights unfortunately, but we were all bundled up so it was okay.  

I brought my camera and new lens, but really didn't get enough pictures.  

Temple square was SUPER packed!  I couldn't believe how many people were there AFTER Christmas even.  We walked through a couple displays, saw the nativities and bubble lights, tried to see "our spot", but it was blocked off for snow removal.  And then headed over to JB's for hot chocolate.  I think everyone had a good time- but I also think we were all a little tired or something.  It just wasn't as exciting as it's been in the past :).  

On our way out of the light rail that takes us to the stop right by the train station, Kelly noticed her phone was missing!  This was devastating of course, but only for a few minutes.  Charity tried calling the phone and someone answered!  Unfortunately they were headed south while we were headed north, so we made arrangements with the guy to have Nate's co-worker go pick it up from him.  Such a crazy little juggling act, but we did it and the phone was returned.  Gratefully so!  It's nice to know there are good people out there.  

Things to Remember Week of 1-14-18

CALEB'S HOMECOMING
Bright and early Sunday morning, we made our way up to Day Break for Caleb's homecoming.  He did such a great job!!  Such a difference from the talk he gave when he left.  It was great, just a different Caleb :).  He has changed a lot and talked a little about some of the changes he's made- it was a lot of fun to hear about and get excited to hear more- hopefully he actually comes over and spends some time with us :).  It's so cool for our kids to have all these cousins doing these things that they will eventually have the choice to do- I hope they are soaking it all in :).  We had to hurry back for my Cub Committee Meeting which went SO WELL!!  I LOVED IT!!  1-14-18

BARBARA'S LESSON
Barbara did a great job on her lesson in Sharing time- about babies in the womb being alive and being children of God.  I loved it!  Minus the part about it making me a little baby hungry.  Gotta do something about that.  1-14-18

NO SCHOOL- LONG WEEKEND
I LOVE days off from school!  It's just such a treat!  I got to work out with Erika AND Bradley and had everyone's company all day.  We played games and actually did quite a bit outside- Brad, Noah and Erika rode their roller blades down to Maverick!  Crazies.  But with no snow and almost April temps, it was a fun time for them.  Tuesday we went to the Airforce Museum with the Maughans and Clemenses.  That was nice relaxing time as well.  Played some Nintendo, had another Ping Pong Tournament.  It was great weekend!  I loved it and am not looking forward to going back to life.  1-16-18

A STICKY SITUATION
Wednesday night, Noah and I cracked down and finished up his science fair project.  We had been working on it for at least a month, off and on, and needed to get his board all put together.  It was actually a fairly enjoyable project with Noah.  He knew what he was doing and knew how he wanted things.  Made decisions and worked really hard.  I helped him a little, typed a few things for him, and coached him on how to display it all, but for the most part, he did it on his own.  I was really proud of him and very relieved that he was able to do most of it.  He did such a great job.  I got to go and help judge on Thursday and although I didn't get to judge Noah's board and presentation, I did get to hear about it from a few other people :).  They had raving reviews.  I think everyone's favorite part of his project was that he glued his board together with the Froot Loops that he discovered made a very good adhesive :).  Funny boy.  Kelly and her AP class got to come and judge as well and she got the same feedback I had.  Then his 2nd place ribbon that night at the open house confirmed it all!  He really did amazing.  So proud of him!!  1-18-18

CLAIRE HANGOUT/ALL NIGHT PARTY
Claire came over Friday night for dinner and then to keep the four littles and I company while everyone else went to the All Night Party for the youth.  I just love Claire.  I really can't get enough of her and really enjoy talking with her.  She is hilarious and so non-judging.  Not to mention we just have so much to talk about!  We could seriously talk for days I think.  Before running out of stuff to say :). I was hoping for a sleepover, but the snow let up and the roads were actually fine for the most part, when she left.  But it was a fun visit.  She said some really nice things about me being a good "counselor" when we were in YW presidency together.  She's awesome and I'm so grateful to call her my friend.  She also gave us a cute puzzle of a picture of us!!  So creative!!  So thoughtful.  Luke and I put it together the next day.  I loved when Luke asked Molly "do you want a piece of me?" HA!  The big four and Nate had a fun time at the party.  Well, the kids did, Nate not so much.  Which was a bummer because he was looking so forward to it.  Not as fun as last year.  1-19-18

Things to Remember Week of 1-7-18

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
It was really weird in our Fast and testimony meeting that it took three quarters of the meeting before any of my kids bore their testimonies!  So weird. Especially because Jack had been asking me all morning if it was fast or slow Sunday.  So I assumed he was planning on bearing his testimony.  It was fine, but I was bummed I didn't get to hear my Jack Jack.  I think he was feeling a little under the weather.  He wasn't really himself all day.  Maybe the new schedule threw him off?
Primary went way better than expected.  Way less chaotic than I could have predicted.  Which was really nice.  It was weird to come home at 4:00 and have to start dinner.  We were all a little weirded out.  But here's to the new year and new schedule.  Hopefully Nate can figure out a way to stay past the sacrament?  1-7-18

FHE
Kelly taught us a really nice lesson, we played four corners, and had drumsticks.  Lots of fun.  We missed Bradley who was at his rehearsal.  1-8-18

CITRUS PEAR
Jami invited me to her Citrus Pear night.  This ended up being SO COOL!  Two and half hours = 10 meals!  I loved it!  It was so easy, no set up, no clean up, and barely any work in between.  It really was so simple.  I enjoyed hanging out with Jami and chatting with the girl on my left.  It was really just a fun evening.  And so productive.  We've had two of the meals and they were both great!  I wish it was easier to get into those classes.  1-9-18

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN
Charity had been dying to see this show.  I had too kind of with all the hype I'd been seeing.  We were struggling to find a day that would work for all of us, but then Kelly's babysitting gig cancelled on her, which ended up freeing up Friday night!  So we arranged to take all the big kids (8 and up).  I got a sitter for Jack and Molly and we all went to the theater.   The movie was great!  It wasn't really what we had expected and not as much for young kids as much as I had heard, so that was slightly disappointing, but it was good, and we all enjoyed it.  Very entertaining.  And really, the best part was just hanging out with the big kids.  They deserved a little night out without having to help out with littles.  So the highlight or maybe big thrill of the evening was when we all got "hit by a car" in the parking lot.  Then yelled at for getting worked up over it.  Classic.  I am so grateful for Nate and his ability to diffuse these situations.  Kinda weird.  The adrenaline was pumping, that's for sure!  But anyway- fun night out with the big kids!  1-12-18

PING PONG TOURNAMENT
We had a really fun Ping Pong Tournament on Saturday night.  We found a double elimination bracket online and used that.  It was a lot of fun!  Everyone did pretty good with sportsmanship and getting along.  It was really fun to hear everyone cheering on Jack and helping him feel cool.  In the end, Luke won!  Good times.  1-13-18

Christmas Morning

CHRISTMAS DAY!!

We had such a different Christmas this year!  Not just missing the traditions all month, but Nate had to work.  So we had to run things a little differently.  We got up at 5:30 (I "hit snooze" a few times while listening to the giggling and chattering that was going on in the living room :) ).  Headed downstairs for stocking time!  Everyone loved what they found- the excitement was in the air!  I loved it!  Then I made some Puffy Pancakes for breakfast (Creamed Eggs on Toast had to wait).  While we waited I was showered with gifts and spoiled rotten for my birthday!  Such sweet kids and hubby I have.  I got the bench I've been wanting for the living room!  Plus sweets and toys.  So cool!  

Then it was time for our Santa gifts! Molly wasn't awake yet, so we started with Jack.  The kids all seemed pleased with their gifts, so that was fun.  We hugged Nate goodbye and tried to kill the next eight hours!!  It was NUTS!!  Everyone did really well.  I think there was only an hour or so where I thought I was going to cancel Christmas, but really, for what it was- they did awesome!  I did awesome for that matter :).  Having had two short hours of sleep and no nap- I did REALLY awesome.  We did a lot of playing with the new toys.  Testing them out and figuring out how to use them.  Poor Kelly we never did get her new tablet to work, but the sticker calendar kept her pretty busy.  I did my new puzzle.  We survived! 

 Then Nate came home!!!  What a blessing that was.  It took us about two hours but we finally made it through all the gifts!  So much fun!!  I think everyone was pretty happy with what they got.  I loved it!  The rest of the evening was a quick Creamed Eggs on Toast dinner, and some more playing.  It felt really short, but I was also tired, so it was okay.  12-25-17

Claire made each kid their own blanket!!!!!  We all felt so loved!