JaNuaRy 2010

Where this month thinks it is going so fast, I don't know. Have you ever wished that time would fly through some parts of your day (while accomplishing much) and then would come to a very slow trudge through other parts... Like resting and time with your family?
Our January has been great so far. It has found us in a lot of snow, sledding, building snow men, and staying in out of the cold as well. The kids are back into school and starting there third quarter. Mike goes in for parent teacher conferences next week to see how they have been doing!
This weekend is Reed's 4th Birthday, and yes, he kept tradition by asking for another pair of cowboy boots, that's it. Blue this time. Pictures will come later. Today I spent time in his pre-school class helping and doing treats, fun times!
Hyrum is still just loving Kindergarten and I get to go in on Wednesdays and read to his class. I love getting to be in the thick of the kids and learning about them. His teacher is great as well.
Spencer is really enjoying reading this last month, which has been partly motivated by free pizza for reading minutes turned in. He has also been driving the tractor and working with dad when he can. He is especially excited about his upcoming chariot races for scouts!
KwinLee is loving her Accelerated class she goes to on Mondays. They have been doing some fun projects and right now they are working on Greece. She really likes helping me in the kitchen, and I think that I will start teaching her a few simple meals to cook, so that she can do dinner every once in awhile. She is getting independent and I don't know if I am ready for her to be soooo grown up.
Mike is in the thick of feeding cows and staying warm. He brought the first calf born (early) to the house the other night. Lets just say I have pictures, but I don't think I will share. There was no bone structure.
I have official word that I am a certified group fitness instructor. With this I also certified to be a Pink Gloves Boxing Instructor and teach that as well, which is a blast, and yes I have pink gloves! I also have started college, taking 9 credits. I am re-learning Algebra, getting to go through College Writing, and introducing myself to the Psychology world. The biggest test is keeping my time organized so that I don't take away from my kids and Mike very much.
Well, I have dragged on and there is not much humor in my dry post... sorry. Nor pictures. I will put more effort into this when I get some time (haha there's the humor).

2010 ThiNgS I wAnt AnD NeeD To DO

First off, Happy Birthday to SandyKay! Yesterday was Milton's Birthday,Mike's oldest brother (shout out) and today is SandyKay's Birthday, his older sister. Hope that you who are sometimes lost in the mix of the Holidays, had a great day!
So, I have been taking pictures and I was published in a magazine. Ok, so it was a horse sale catalog and not a huge deal at all, but hay (pun intended) I am moving on up!


So the new year is fast approaching, and I have to say that last year I actually somewhat stuck to my New Year Resolutions and had some good things happen. So this year here is my forever eternal long list:
1. I want to keep up my good habits from last year and this year take a step back and enjoy what I have been given.
So that is it. I have decided to not be overzealous and unrealistic. I am adventuring out new roads this year, and I intend to just let life come at me and learn to deal and not have too high of expectations of myself!
I hope all of you have a great New Year.

ChrIsTmaS Is AlMosT HerE

This is our attempt of taking a picture for Christmas cards.... KwinLee is the photographer. We our inside, becuase at the time we were not getting above 0 degrees!

We had a great time making this Gingerbread House. The kids did a great job decorating it! I have to say now, that their are pieces of candy missing off the roof and few other places. Reed has really enjoyed having it down within his reach.

My kids. This is me getting them laughing at me and not taking me serious! They are so excited for Christmas and I am excited to have them home. Spencer has been out helping his dad feed cows and learning to drive a tractor, KwinLee has been decorating the house and being my little elf, Reed and Hyrum have been playing up a storm (I think they miss each other, for now).
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we get to go collect food items for Food Share at the Live Nativity. This is such a great thing to do on Christmas Eve, it has become a tradition for us. We were fortunate enough to deliver Christmas to a special family a few nights ago, and that will be a memory that sticks in my mind forever. Our little family is so blessed, and I just want everyone to know we truly hope you have a Merry Christmas!

HyRuM WayNe

Tomorrow this little man turns 6. He is our December baby that was supposed to come in January, but what a very early Christmas present he was. I have to say that I had really good babies, but this baby was the easiest baby out of all of them. And then... He turned 1. Anyone who knew Hyrum from the age of 1-4, knows what I am talking about. He is so full of life that when he was little it bounded out everywhere.
He is a smile that is contagious, he is spontaneity, he is handsome, he is kind, he is witty, and he is lovable! His name is special and every time Mike and I think of how we came about it, we are in awe. He is such a great addition in our family and we are thankful for him.
Happy Birthday my little Ball of Fire. You are loved!

ThAnkSGivInG 09'

And the days that followed!

This year, for the first time ever, it was just Mike and I, and the kids for Thanksgiving. Mike had to work a good part of the day (only breaking for my race and to eat), so we stayed close to home and made our own quaint little day. This year I chose to have each of the kids pick a menu item and then spent time with them making it. This was so much fun. KwinLee learned how to make homemade rolls, Spencer made some awesome deviled eggs, Hyrum made pumkin pie (did you know that singing to the pie crust makes it tasty), and Reed made sweet potato souffle and hearing him pronounce it makes a person giggle.

Mid morning we took a break so I could run the 5K Turkey Trot. I beat my time from the last 5K, so I was happy. We then took a quick ride around the auto mall to peak at vehicles (the dreaded day of needing a newer reliable vehicle has come)due to some major problems and money to be spent in the near future!

We had our great dinner around the 2:30 ish hour and then as Mike headed back out the door, the kids and I just chilled. I did dishes here and there (ones that Mike didn't do before he left again, always helping) and we just relaxed. Of course at some point I had to get the Black Friday ads and make a game plan (and it worked well).

3:30 am Friday found me getting ready to go shopping. And I did and I was somewhat victorious at saving money and coming in under budget for every kid!!

Friday night (thanks Boyd and Diane for watching the boys while we shopped) and Saturday morning found me doing the car salesman shuffle. We had a plan and when we went to the dealership to sign papers, Mike had a "feeling" and so we totally changed our mind and went a different route. Mike got an early Christmas present of a 6 passenger truck that will be the family vehicle. Now I am in search of a little "jitney" that gets good gas mileage and is cheap for driving around town.

That was our last couple of days and it has been good to have the kids home. Hope everyone else has enjoyed time with family and friends and great food! Oh and my pictures that I took on a camera with no memory card in it will have to just be burned forever into my mind!!

BosToN ArrIveS

Boston arrived on November 15th on His Aunt Tracy's Birthday. It was so neat to be there and be a part of the first few days of his life. I might be biased, but he is dang cute!

BosTon'S MommY

This is my beautiful baby sister and her husband. She is the only younger sibling that I have and for a long time I was the baby... But fortunately for me, she came along and stole my title. Here she is with me, back in the days of me not so sure of the title being taken.

And now these two cuties, have a cutie on his way.

In just a few more days ( I am just sure she will cooperate ;), my wonderful little sister is going to have a Mr. Boston Joseph. Bringing another boy and nephew into my life. But how cool it is, because I have been the little sister having the babies for my older sisters, and now it is my turn. My turn to be the big sister to her and let her know how proud I am of her. To let her know that this is going to change her life in ways that are only going to be for the better. I am here to give her advice and laugh with her through the trials like my older sisters did for me.
I love you CaliChey. You are the best little sister, well right next to me I am sure!