It's a boy thing I think.

Jared got two new air-soft guns from Santa for Christmas. Ryan and Jared had a grand time in the backyard giving each other welts. The decided the winner by who had less.

Breakfast at the cabin

I don't ever buy the kids sugar cereal except on vacations. The kids loved it and ate it all gone!. Why does food taste better when you are on vacation? Today we enjoyed a slow start and then a nice drive home. We stopped off at Red Robin on the way. It was a nice relaxing day.

Snowman

The kids were so excited to be able to build a snowman. We didn't realize how hard it was to make it look nice. How do people do it? Today was filled with sledding, snow ball fights, snowman building, hot chocolate, board games and talent shows. A perfect day!

Cabin here we come!

When I looked up the weather report on the way to big bear we were all so excited to find out it was supposed to snow the night we got there!!! what we didn't realize is that the road we were planning on taking up there was closed. Ryan with his quick thinking and great techno skills found the back way up and we were in. We enjoyed a leaisurly evening eating a pasta dinner and watching tv. So excited for the morning when we can all play in the snow!

The day after Christmas

Tonight we went to the big Family gift exchange on Ryan's side. It was a little crazy and hectic but still fun. I forgot my camera at home so I snapped this picture of Joshua putting together the puzzle he got. The biggest excitment from my kids as far as presents go was the gift for Jared. His Aunt Hope got him a scouting bag complete with a sling shot and machete amongst other things.

EmmaLee's art work

Emma got a big art set for her birthday and she has been making wonderful pictures like these for everyone she knows. I love her big heart!

Boys

Jared invited his friends over for an air soft gun war behind our house. They had the best time. No major wounds. A cut from a thorn bush and a few hits to the neck. I love being a mom to boys. I really do. Having all these boys over and listening to their conversations. It cracks me up. At one point a boy got a message on his phone from a girl they all know. She was giggling. They didn't even really discuss it. Just a mention in passing. If a boy were to call a girl while they were with their friends they would have discussed in detail what that could have possibly been all about and what does that mean for the future. Oh I look forward to those days with my girls as well but for today I am enjoying the simplicity and humor these kids bring into my home.

Happy Birthday Beautiful girl!

My little girl is 9 today. She is caring and nurturing towards her little brothers and her puppy. She is very smart and doing so good in school. She is very social but never gets in trouble for it. She is kind. She loves when people are happy and does everything she can to help other people. She makes me smile with her beautiful smile. She helps me want to be a better person.
I admire her and I want to be more like her. I feel like she was sent to our family to teach me how to be more loving and more kind. Thank you for sharing who you are with us EmmaLee!

I am grateful!

For

1my husband
2my children
3my parents
4my sister and brothers but mostly my sister
5all my in-laws
6my house
7my bed (I love the comfort and the look)
8my friends that make me smile
9a chance to be better today then yesterday
10my computer
11my camera
12healthy days
13a young body
14a young mind
15where we live
16the opportunity to grow
17lazy snuggle days
18productivity
19a good book you can't put down
20a good cry
21an amazing lesson
22blogging
23pictures that make me cry
24movies that make me want to be better
25a good laugh
26childrens laughter
27a clean house
28fresh smelling laundry
29improvement
30the word becoming
31church
32a new lens I don't know I am getting for christmas
33rainy days
34sunshine
35my car that takes me the millions of places children need to go
36my phone
37late night chats with Ryan
38family time in the living room when we don't accomplish anything but love
39teaching moments where my children teach me
40the ability to keep trying and eventually figuring it out
41knowledge gained and yet to be obtained
42I saved the best for last -My Savior

I was going to write 32 for the 32 years I have been alive but I was on a roll

My life is full of wonderful things!

Party planning

Emma is going to have an art party soon and I thought I would get started right away with the planning. I have always wanted a reason to make one of these and I finally have it. It was so easy and I think it turn out super cute. Can't wait for her actual party!

I think we have watched to much Toy Story 3

Can you see it? Joshua made Mr Potato Head when he was Mr. Tortilla Head.

Annual Ginger bread house making

Every year we make these cute store bought ready to make ginger bread houses. They taste gross but are so fun to make. This year I found a mini village and there were 5 mini houses. The kids all got to make their own instead of all working together on one. I love watching the different way they all go about the same tasks. Slow and thoughtful to quick lets eat it! I love these little people! I guess they are not all so little anymore but I can keep saying it until they are bigger then me.

Sunday School questions

One of the boys in my youth Sunday school class asked me today where our religion fit in with the other Christian religions. So here is my findings.

This is what we do when Dad is gone.

Play on his bed.

No school and no husband

The kids have off school today and tomorrow. They also get off school Monday. For whatever reason I thought it would be fun to go to a thrift store with the kids. The one by us had no toys or kids book??? So they said they wanted to go to the swap meet instead. The only swap meet we have gone to with the kids is in Orange county. This was not the OC. It was sketchy and a little scary and I felt like I was in a different country. The kids did not seem to notice and they had a great time spending there hard earned $5. Here Joshua is showing off his new sword.

Laundry

I has taken longer then I liked to get back to basic household jobs after the surgery. I am finally tackling it. I have been doing laundry for two days non stop. I washed all of my towels and they were sitting on my chair waiting to be folded. I don't remember why They all got throw on top of Jacob but he loved it and laid they for some time just smiling. Funny lovable kid.

Just because

This picture makes me smile. Joshua is in a wonderful music class called lets play music. He is supposed to practice his bells at least once a week. Jacob tend to hijack them and Joshua does not love this. So here he is consenting to the fact that he can not play the way he wants to. He really is a good big brother.

I think birthday should be a week long

One day is just not enough to celebrate the ones we love. Ryan got some of his presents Wednesday before he left, then we got to spend his actual day together, then today we celebrated as a family. He opened his presents from the kids and we ate cake. IWe all feel blessed to have this man in our lives. Love you Mister!!!

I felt so swagger in this place

Over looking the harbor. Ryan has been here since Wednesday and I enjoyed being able to spend the night with him and wake up to this view. He had to get right to work but I took my time coming home and enjoyed a little downtown San Diego shopping. I think I love the container store and wonder why I have not been there sooner.
After I got home and had a good long chat with Lauren I took the kids out to dinner at Bj's Loved it by the way. Then we walked around the mall for a bit. I am not sure why my kids ask to go to the mall. They never seem thrilled by it? But they ask to go all the time. I just usually don't want to take them. 6 kids 1 mom, I am very out numbered.

This man is so amazingly good looking!

I really do think he gets better looking with time. Today is his birthday and he had to spend all day at his business seminar. I am not sure why he planned it on his birthday?? But I came up around 5 and took him away to dinner at a wonderful Brazilian BBQ place. Then we went to the movies to see Megamind. He really did want to see that. It was just a really pleasant evening spent with no worries. We enjoyed one anothers company and smiled at each other a lot. I sure do love this man!

Cake boss and an appendectomy

What do those two things have in common? While I was in bed resting after my surgery I watched every episode of cake boss. While watching it I wondered what I could do with fondant. I am by no means a pro and I have only done very simple cake decorating but they make it look so easy. So I set out to make Ryan an Iphone cake. Here the apps are in the making. It was so much fun and much less stressful then frosting decorating. If I messed up I could easily fix it. I wonder what else I could do?

Playing rough

On Halloween Joseph was playing with his cousins and he got knocked in the face. Such a good looking bruise. It is great when a boy get hurts and the way you console them is by telling them how great a bruise it's gonna be. He is a tough kid and handled himself really well.

Party Time

Here the kids are all lined up to get started with the festivities. We divided them into groups so that everyone would not be at one station all at the same time.
1.Candy leis for the soldiers with the left over candy
2.A pumpkin craft
3.Owl cupcakes
4.A gratitude chain
I love these people and it was so nice to sit and visit with them all after being cooped up for almost a week and a half. Everyone seemed to have a good time and the party stations all went really well. My favorite costumes of the night were by two of my BIL's. One was Waldo from Wheres Waldo. The other was an 80's work out guy complete with sweat marks. My house smelled so good from the food everyone prepared!!

Happy Halloween a day early

Jared is a member of the mafia, Sarah is Hermione from Harry Potter, Emma is a cowgirl, Joseph is a ghost, Joshua is a prince, and Jacob is Woody from toy story. Jacob really hated his costume and I had to trick him to get him in it. I told him I was going to put it on Joshua and he screamed no and came right over and sat down for me to put it on. Haha 1 point for mom.

I love trunk or treating that our church puts on every year. We drove over to the parking lot and I sat in the back of my car. They were each given glow sticks and some good scary punch. It felt great to get out of the house but it took a lot out of me. I got to see all the kids from church in their adorable costumes. My kids got so much candy in such a short amount of time. They were completely satisfied. Even Betty had a good time being loved by all the people.

Buzz...Woody!!

Jacob absolutely loves Toy Story! This is an understatement. I was online shopping for Christmas the other day and searched for toy story toys. Jacob came over and for at least 10 minutes he was super excited at each new toy we looked at. I think he would have looked longer but we ran out of toys to look at. Silly boy.
So naturally I thought he would love his costume. He does not. I happened to get him into for about 2 minutes before he was taking it off. Oh well. He sure looks cute though.

I'm still here.

And don't I look thrilled. This picture makes me laugh cause I can tell I am trying to put on a happy face but it just came out looking silly. I get that need to make silly faces at the camera from my dad. I am getting rather excited to feel better and I appreciate my imperfect body even more now. Sometimes I get frustrated with my health problems. But then I am reminded that it really is not that big of a deal. A friend of mine was just diagnosed with cancer and she lost her foot because of it. I keep thinking to myself. AT least I have my feet. I guess it all comes down to perspective and sometimes I need a slight perspective shift.

Sticker mania

Since all I can do is hang out on the couch Jacob finds ways to entertain me. Today he spent time putting stickers on then taking them off my leg. Its the simple moments like these that I cherish. The time we are just enjoying being together. I am still his world. He thinks I am the best thing around. I know it won't always be that way. I now have a child that tells me I am not always right in his mind. I am no longer the only opinion that matters. It helps me love the simplicity of these every day moments even more when I realize how fast they are gone.

Halloween is Coming

Joseph got to wear his costume to his music class today. I just love his costumes choices. Very old school and he really pulls it off well. Once I put the make up on him he had to look at him self. He was so pleased to see that he looked scary. Love this silly boy!

This is a view I could get used to.

After the family got home from church today they came and spent time with me in my bed. I'm feeling a little better now that I stopped taking the pain pills. I discovered they were the reason I was feeling so so sick. Pain is better then sick.
Hanging out with them made me happy today.

Oh Joshua, how you entertain me.

Since I am still stuck to my bed like glue Ryan thoughtfully took the kids to the mall (so I could rest) to buy soap. A simple thing? Not with this family.
The first thing they do when they get there is run into a friend of ours who just found out her cancer has spread. He is trying to visit while Joseph is trying to tell him he doesn't feel well and wants to wait in the car. Moments later Ryan smells throw up and looks down to discover he has throw up all over him, and the ground, and covering Joseph as well.
He moves the kids next to a kiosk while trying to figure out how he is going to clean this up. Then comes even more throw up. But this time it is all over Joshua. He starts to scream and he is rather upset. Rightfully so.
Why does this entertain me? Two reasons.
1. I am on some serious happy pills to curb the pain
2. The way the two boys come home and tell their sides of the story.

Joshua tells me that when Jospeh threw up on him it made him go "Huwwwlllaaa" As he makes the most realistic dry heaving sound and facial expressions ever. I could not stop laughing.
As Joseph is telling me his side of the story he has a smile creeping up on his face getting bigger and more dimply the farther he gets into his story. Kinda funny to him that he threw up on his dad. Really funny to him that he threw up on his little brother and made him scream with horror. It hurt to laugh because of the stitches but I just couldn't stop.
I am so grateful for boys. They help me not take life to seriously.

What would I do with out a good book?

Today I felt the pain of a mild appendicitis. Lucky for me they found it before it became a very painful appendicitis. I went to the Dr's at 2:30pm. I hung out at the Er until after 10pm when they finally told me that yes it was what they thought and that yes I would need an appendectomy right away.
I did not mind waiting that whole time because of Nicholas Sparks. Thank you Nick!
I did get very scared for all of 5 minutes. I cried because I do not like drs and I do not like the idea of surgery. But then things happened so fast I really didn't have to much time to think. and I would not be writing this unless things turned out fine.

My hero

I still have boxes in my garage. I think it is less then ten now so that is exciting for me. I opened most of them in the garage and then brought in what I needed to . But this one box I knew it all belonged with my craft so I brought it in and put it on the table right next to where the kids were doing homework.

Bad idea number 1. 2 mice run out of the box and I learn Sarah is a screamer. All the kids jump into action. Some to run and hide others to get the mice. We lift and move furniture, move the fridge, stand as barricades. Then one runs over my foot and I scream. I am not usually a scream, in fact this was the first time for me. But I screamed like a little girl.

Thanks to Jared he caught them both and threw them over our back fence. (we do not have a house behind ours)

Bad idea number 2. I open the box while it is still on the table only to have 2 more jump out. Jared got them quickly and again over the fence.

Bad idea number 3. I continue to go through the box while still on the table. I believe we found 2-3 more inside the box. It was a mommy and all her babies.

Joshua, Sarah, and I wanted nothing to do with them. Emma and Jared were heading up the witch hunt. Joseph was more of a watcher. The dog who is supposed to be a rodent killer was no help at all.

At one point I told Joseph if he could stop sucking his thumb I would let him get a pet. He wanted a rat or mouse. He said to me after this was all over. "I guess you won't let me get a mouse any more?" I asked him why he thought that. He then said "Cause you are afraid of them" I had to laugh at that. i guess no mice as pets for me.

Cousin Torch

Joshua to Jared were all invited to their cousin Torchs Bday party. They came home just thrilled with the party, the pinata, the goodie bags. Having family near by is the best!

Box car racing

The youth program in our church is amazing. The men in charge of Jareds group are just big kids and they make it so fun for Jared. For two weeks now they have been working on these box cars. When Jared came home tonight he was so excited and Just had so many wonderful things to say about the night. I am so grateful for good leaders.

Little Stinker!

This cute little guy decided that he wanted to see what was in my purse and drop it on the ground with my camera in it. I heard a crack and tried really hard not to cry. As it turns out it was just my lens. I am grateful for that but sad to part with my every day lens. Maybe Santa will bring me an upgrade???

Oh to be 12 and have no fears.

He ate the whole thing in one bite. Their was not enough water to quench his thirst after that. I love having boys around the house to spice things up every now and then.

When did my baby stop being a baby?

Jacob talks so much now and seems so independent. He is not a little baby any more in fact he is not a baby at all. He runs and tackles and loves and squishes. He chatters and explains and laughs. Such a bitter sweet.

1st gread wonder

When Joseph first started school this year his teacher was concerned that he was a little behind. He tested in the 40 word club which means he know by site the first forty words kids need to know. She wants the kids to be up to the 200 club by the end of semester. This little man has worked so hard at improving he is now at the 180 club after only two months. I am so proud of him.
Here he is at his flag ceremony at school where he was recognized for meeting his reading goals.
I love you JoJo!

Lydia

Only the prettiest baby I have ever taken pictures of. Isn't she a doll?

Betty

For awhile there I was not sure why we thought it was a good idea to bring a puppy into the house. But now she is so loving and mellow and just plain good. The kids love her and she loves them. She mostly does what she is told and she has calmed down a ton. We do like our Betty girl!

Daily walk in Thanksgiving

Tonight for FHE we discussed gratitude and all that we have to be grateful for. The kids each wrote out all the things they are grateful for and we put it into our cornucopia.

I love good food

I made Indian food for dinner tonight. It was so wonderful and we all enjoyed it. With it being conference I felt like I could spend a little more time in my kitchen making a more complicated recipe. I wish I had the time to cook like this more often. A wondeful feast to go along with our spiritual feast we have had over the last two days

How we keep our busy 4 year old quiet...

... during conference so we can listen. Ryan draws pictures on his hands, and fingers, and feet. Hey it works!

Joseph is very clever

And is always coming up with different projects. A duct tape airplane? Easy for Joseph.

Think Bright, Vote Right Jared for..

..secretary. JAred is known at his school for his bright shoes so what better slogan? Then on the day of his speech and election he (I) made these duct tape pants to wear. He won!

Pumpkin pancakes?

I think yes!

Fall, I love it!

I love when the weather changes to slightly cooler, I love the smell of homemade goodness, I love quiet days snuggled with my boys, I love when my kids walk into the door and tell me all about school. I don't really decorate for fall except for my table. It is just a touch of lovely fall and I love it!

Missionaries

We try to feed the Elders at least once a month. Usually they try to give us a lesson and I try to get my kids to listen. Well these two went all out and all the kids were all ears. It was so wonderful to see and I really appreciated their effort! Its simple things like this that mean so much to me.

Wonder pets

Joshua has transformed into a secret animal super hero called wonderpets! He was very excited to put this on after cutting it out of his coloring book. I love childrens imaginations.

Do you think he likes camping?

So grateful for good YM's leaders who take this boy out camping. He just loves it so much and I don't even know if I like it cause I have yet to take our family.