Good Job, Logan!

We just got back from Logan's award assembly. She received two awards this time. One from her PE teacher, and one from her Music teacher. We are so proud of her! It's always fun to hear good things about your kids and to know that some of what you are teaching them sinks in. Her teachers from Kindergarten until now have always raved about how well she treats the kids at school. She doesn't play favorites, or worry about who wears the cutest clothes, or which kids would further her social status.

Don't get me wrong, sometimes I wish her teachers could see her in action at home:) But, it makes me so happy to know that she's not one of the "mean girls" in school. Her first grade teacher described her the best, I think. She said,"Logan is kind and smart, yet delightfully sassy!" And, sassy she can be! I hope Logan continues to realize the importance of an education and always does her best. Most of all, I hope she continues to realize the importance of treating others with kindness. That will get her further than anything.

When Logan was in 2nd grade, she was kind of struggling with a friend. She came home and said, "_____, just wants to walk around at recess and not say hi to anyone, and run away from people." I asked her if she did this with the girl and she said no. Then she was worried because "so and so" was mad at her because she wouldn't do this at recess. I told her about Kelly's little sisters, Nani and Nathele, and how they were the most popular girls in their high school. I then asked if she wanted to know why they were so popular? Auntie Nan, and Auntie Belle were popular not only because they were smart, and pretty, and athletic, but because they were kind to everyone. Not fake nice, but genuinely nice. I think that lesson sunk in with Logan, and I hope it will sink in with Maika, Nalani, and Bronson too. They sure have a good example to look up to in a big sister!

Giving Myself a Pat on the Back

Yeah, I'm giving myself a pat on the back. "Why?" you ask. Well, because I've pretty much finished sending out our Christmas cards. This is the first year I had to write the letter (you better be starting your draft for next year, Kelly!), and I ordered them online (if you don't know me, this is major progress), and I figured out how to print the address labels (by myself) so I didn't have to spend hours hand printing them! I had to call Kelly for some moral support during this trying time. He probably heard a few choice words he could have gone without, but was very supportive and had faith in me that I could find a way to print those suckers!

I've finally finished the in-house decorating too. I just gave up and had to remind myself that Bronson thinks that since the ornaments look like balls, therefore they must be balls. He's already broken about five of them because he rips them off the tree and takes them over to the hardwood entryway and throws them. Then he stands there with a confused look on his face like, "hey, why didn't that thing bounce?"

Kelly was in charge of the outside decorations and did a great job! Jeremy came to our door a few days before Kelly got the lights up and asked in Scrooge was here. That sure got Kelly on the ball. He was stocking-up at Walmart the next day! After he was finished he came in and said, "That will teach Jeremy Lyman to call me Scrooge!"

I've still got some shopping and some shipping to do. So when that's all done, I'll have another reason to be patting myself on the back. Maybe I'll just splurge and make myself an appointment for a massage...now that sounds rewarding!

Weekend Update (kind-of late!)

This weekend was fun! We went to the tree farm on Saturday to get our tree. It turned out the perfect day because it was actually snowing. The kids had a blast! Here is Kelly cutting down our tree. Of course, they had to turn it into some sort of competition, so Jeremy timed him. He cut it down in under 8 seconds! Maybe there's a future for him in the logging industry:)
Nalani, in her cute hat! I love it! She was freezing, but wanted to play, play, play. Look at her little red nose (hopefully I managed to wipe all the snot away before I snapped this)!

Bronson stood by this little "Charlie Brown" tree for about 15 minutes. I think this is one of the only pictures he's happy in and it's because I finally put him down and let him walk around.

Here's a family picture. And no, that's not our tree! We would have looked like Clark Griswald bringing that baby home!
I think Logan was the most excited about the snow. She had fun with the snowball fights.


And, look at that mischievous face on Maika. She's getting ready to throw that one at me:)

The morning started off watching our little basketball player. Logan loves to play and she's getting pretty darn good too! I think she made about 5 baskets. It is so funny to watch the little kids play and the different levels they are on. I, am admittedly an annoying mom in the stands, but I'm cheering and giving her advice. There are some moms that are telling there kids to get out on the "wing" and all sorts of other technical stuff that I didn't realize kids this age knew. All that matters to me at this point is that Logan is developing a love for the game and we'll work on the other stuff later:) Nalani is a good little cheerleader. She was yelling, "Logan, do good!" and "Logan, be nice!" It was cracking us up! It was a fun weekend. Now, I need to go and get all the decorating finished up!

We're Baaack!

The beautiful red-rock hills in back of Kelly's mom's house

I haven't blogged in so long that I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at trying to catch up. We just got back from our Arizona/Utah Thanksgiving trip. We spent the first few days in Arizona, at Kelly's Mom's new house. I'm so happy that she finally has a home of her own. Kelly spent most of his time there working out in her yard helping to finish a rock retaining wall made out of the foundation stones of his grandparent's house that was originally on that lot. It turned out looking so great (of course, I forgot to take a picture of the finished product). Kelly had so much fun driving around in the Bobcat leveling things out. He had to give all the kids a ride:) We also enjoyed seeing most of Kelly's family, the only one we missed was his oldest sister who lives in Texas.

We headed up to Utah on Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family. My grandparents reserved their church and we had most of their kids and a lot of their grand kids there. It was so nice to see everyone, especially since we live so far away and don't see them very often. My aunt and uncle brought a bunch of scooters and balls, so we had some pretty mean games of dodge ball, basketball, and the kids had races with the scooters. After we got the cultural hall back in order we headed over to my Uncle Brent's house to hang out. The boys watched football, the girls chatted, and the kids (grown-up kids too) played "Guitar Hero," we all had a blast!

We spent the remaining days at my sister's house. On Friday Mel, my mom, and I did a little shopping, I finished up for my family so I wouldn't have to mail stuff later. In the afternoon we headed to Salt Lake to see the Joseph Smith movie at the JS Memorial Building and then walk around Temple Square to see the lights. It was so busy and cold that we just wanted to get out of there. We went to "The Pantry" at the Lion House to eat afterwards. It wasn't very busy, but the line took forever since the ran out of food on the opening night of the Temple lights!! Can you believe that? Oh, I forgot to mention the fender bender we got into in Park City on our way to SLC. That might account for the impatience we were feeling with the crowds and lines. I'm grateful we have a big car and that nothing serious happened. We were following my aunt and uncle who were following my sister and her husband. A car slammed on their brakes in front of my sister who barely missed the car, my uncle slammed on his brakes who barely missed my sister and we slammed on our brakes and hit my uncle who then hit my sister. It sucks, but at least no one was hurt and we're grateful for insurance:)

Saturday, we attempted to get an extended family picture. We did outdoor shots early in the morning. It was freezing cold, so the babies were very grumpy, as were some of the adults:) Hopefully we got some shots that will work. Kelly and Riley were able to get tickets to the BYU/Utah football game and went with my uncle. My little sister Rachel and her boyfriend, Brandon watched Bronson and Hannah while the rest of us took the older kids to see "Enchanted" we really enjoyed it, although it was a bit scary to Nalani and Maika. After that we picked up some Papa Murphy's, it was definitely a pizza night!

I'm so grateful for our family. We always have a great time seeing everyone and the kids absolutely love being with their cousins! Logan was crying because she didn't want to leave, they always ask if we can move to Utah for a couple weeks after we get back:) Thanks to everyone who let us crash in their houses and eat their food! You all always take good care of us when we visit. We love you! I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving too!

Our turn!

Well, it was our turn this weekend to have our pictures taken by Shannon. I think she did a great job, given the subject matter she had to deal with! Namely, one grumpy little Bronson! We will catch him on a happier day when he can handle sitting by himself without mom and dad having to hold him every second! Here's a sampling of some of my favorites! Thanks again, Shannon!

Anxiety...Attacks!

Last night I was watching a TV program called "Jon & Kate Plus 8". It is about a couple who struggled with infertility. The first time they tried invitro, it resulted in twin girls, three years later they tried it again and it resulted in sextuplets! Three girls and three boys!

So, the show is just about their daily life...with two 6-year-olds, and six 3-year-olds! I was having anxiety attacks just watching it. I was absolutely amazed, and I guess, overwhelmed, because I had nightmares about it all night long! Kelly and I were "John and Kate". I woke up so relieved to only have my four kiddos with their different ages and different stages at different times:) I cannot imagine having to do it all at once. Let alone the stretch marks this poor woman's stomach has after carrying eight babies in only two pregnancies!

End Result

Bronson is in the stage where the only way he will eat is if he feeds himself. So these are a few pictures of the end result. He usually eats without his shirt on, just to save on the Spray 'n Wash budget.

Bronson after a spaghetti dinner.

Bronson after an oatmeal breakfast.

Bronson in his usual bath spot.

He's usually way too messy to carry up the stairs and risk all the food falling off on the carpet. So, I usually strip him down and bathe him right in the sink. I even keep a bottle of baby wash in my windowsill.