Thankful Turkey

The Thankful Turkey is as big a tradition for our family in November as eating turkey on Thanksgiving is. This year we are thankful for....

backrubs

basketball

batman toys

beds

bodies

books

breakfast

church

cinnamon rolls

clean air

computers

cookies

cousins

cows

dad

dogs

earth

electricity

entertainment

family

fireplace

fluffy socks

food

friends

heart

Heavenly Father

holidays

home

homemade dinner

house

Jesus

jobs

laughter

legos

milk

mom

movies

paper mario game

prayer

priesthood

running shoes

school

sealing power

seasons

teachers

temple

treats

weekends (to sleep in)

We are blessed!

Families Are Forever

I love to see the temple. I'll go inside someday.

I'll covenant with my Father; I'll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I've learned this truth:

A family is forever.

Today Is A Good Day...

Today is a good day....
because first it is Veteran's Day and the flag flying in my front yard makes me grateful to live in the country I do.

Today is a good day...
because I hosted a cookie party last night so my house is clean and there are multiple types of cookies waiting to be enjoyed.

Today is a good day....
because my oldest son is responsible enough to get himself to the church at 5:30 am to put up flags. Among many qualities, he is dependable.

Today is a good day....
because I helped drive kids on the preschool fieldtrip with Carson's class. As we were driving I put in a Fisher Price cd with ABC songs and as I looked in the mirror Carson gave me a sly thumbs up. I'm seldom the cool mom, but today I managed.

Today is a good day...
because it's actually tomorrow in China and that means after 29 days Todd is preparing to come home...I'm definitely going to have to shave my legs.

Today is a good day....
because I'm looking forward to going to the temple this weekend with all of my children.

Today is a good day.

Grandparents

Our family was spoiled this summer. My parents moved in while they were building their new home. People would ask "How are you getting along?" with sympathy in their voices, and we'd laugh and then tell them the truth, "Great, actually!" It was such a fun experience that we won't ever forget.

My older kids were able to have grandparents stay at our house when we lived in Washington. They've missed having that time since we've moved closer and the younger kids maybe got to experience one night if they stayed on Christmas Eve. The last night they were here we wanted them to know how much we've loved sharing a few months with them. It was a different lifestyle for them, but they jumped right in, and have been missed in many ways since they've moved into their own place.

We couldn't believe all we'd shared in the time they were here. Everyday moments make some of the best memories, and we wrote down some that were our favorites.

Austin
We have shared a few months together and when you are not here every day there will be many things we will miss…
1. You buy us slurpee’s, icee’s and shaved ice.
2. You sing in the shower for our musical entertainment.
3. You make us penoche
4. You buy real butter and good orange juice
5. You tell us good jokes and funny stories
6. You iron our clothes
7. You unload and load the dishwasher
8. You bought me a mirror to make putting in my contacts easier
9. You take us to Angie’s.
10. You laughed with us…

Hayden

1. You made our favorite, coconut cream pie
2. You took me to football and picked me up and took me and picked me up.
3. You came to cheer for me at my football games.
4. You make a great audience when I’m practicing the piano.
5. You take us to piano lessons and pick us up and take us and pick us up.
6. You cleaned our bathroom
7. You had hot dog roasts with us.
8. You took family pictures of us.
9. You took us to Golden Corral.
10. You listened to us.

Sara

1. You took me to soccer and picked me up.
2. You came to my soccer games and cheered for me.
3. You took me for chocolate ice cream runs!
4. You took us fishing
5. You fixed my dresses.
6. You’ve taken out the garbage.
7. You’ve made it so we had pretty flower pots outside.
8. You’ve helped with the Nibley city parade and the PTA.
9. You took us to Wendy’s.
10. You’ve prayed with us.

Sadie
1. You bought us cinnamon bread.
2. You helped me with homework.
3. You took us to gymnastics.
4. You made us look cute for picture day again this year!
5. You cook lots of fish.
6. You fixed my Halloween costume.
7. You watched our play.
8. You gave us money for our walk-a-thon.
9. You bought us China food.
10. You played with us.

Carson
1. You played games with me.
2. You scare me and Isaac playing monster.
3. You read me stories.
4. You get me to preschool with nice hair.
5. You took care of us while mom and dad went to Hawaii.
6. You saved us seats at church.
7. You sang Old MacDonald with us.
8. You made sure we had lots of chips.
9. You bought us pizza.
10. You put up with our noise and messes!

Thanks for the memories! We love you!

October Overview

I was thinking I had nothing to blog about, until I pondered the hectic month of October and realized I did have a few things to say, other than we had a fun Halloween. Todd has been gone since October 15th, and will be a few days short of a month gone when he returns. I always tell him life is so busy it goes by quickly for us, but we do miss him, especially after we Skype and get to visit face to face. I love the easy dinners I can get away with (guilt free because they are kid favorites) and the kids love taking turns sleeping in my bed. I've learned this month that Hayden is like his dad in one more way--he rolls over and steals the covers, which is noticeable this month with the cooler nights. The cover stealing I can deal with, it's the dreams of doing jumping jacks that aren't as tolerable. A knee to the back, a hand up side my head....it's delightful.



I was called to be Relief Society teacher. I've only been a sub a couple of times before, so this is new to me. I guess I'm finally old enough to teach adults. I've been needing something to motivate me to study more, so I guess this is a good fit right now.



The girls had parent-teacher conferences and it was fun to hear their teachers praise their efforts. Sara is a little smartie, and only needs to watch her socializing...which I'm surprised hasn't been an issue until now with that social butterfly. Sadie works her little tail off and is doing great. She is a perfectionist and doesn't like to hurry, but her handwriting is beautiful and her scores are amazing considering her language skills are still in progress. She earned a dollar by getting 100% on her spelling test. If you compared money to time spent studying, she earned every penny of that dollar.



Carson is loving his preschool experience, and is coming out of his little shell already (early in the school year compared to older brothers who remained mute until after Christmas). He woke up one morning, looked me right in the eye and proclaimed "I know how to make a sandwich!". Come lunch time he made good on his word and made himself a sandwich. He's my independent one, which isn't surpising for the fifth kid to get tired of waiting for mom to get to something. A few days later when I handed him his lunch he told me "Thanks girlfrieeeeend!". I really love that kid, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he adores his mom. I did have a moment this week when I realized he's 4 and that's a big deal. I've never had the youngest be four and not had another one on the way. We've entered uncharted territory and I'm a little confused emotionally. Sad, because toddlers are fantastic...excited, because each new stage of life has something rewarding to offer....nervous, because of the unknown. Preschool is great for kids and moms. We learn fun songs, we learn how to play with others, and we learn how to be apart for two hours of time. Next year brings kindergarten and four whole hours each weekday. Now that will be interesting for both of us.


So, the annual pumpkin carving was a success, inspite of a missing dad/expert pumpkin carver. Austin and Hayden have been on their own before, but this year I let Sara and Sadie have a little more freedom with the sharp tools. They actually did great. Can you hear my big sigh of relief. But anyway you slice it, five pumpkins are a big undertaking.
Only Carson was able to dress up for school this year. They did a little parade at preschool and it was hilariously cute. Austin decided to help mom out and stay home to pass out the candy--new braces may have been a deciding factor, since he can't enjoy many candy favorites for the next eight or so months. I wonder how long I'll let him go before I tell him I ate everything with braces.

Austin the Zombie, Hippie Hayden, Hermoine Granger, Mulan, and Ba-ba-ba-ba-BATMAN!

I emailed Todd pictures of the kids and the people in China said Sadie was "cheating" because she made such an authentic Mulan.

Trick-or-treating involved heavy rain, umbrellas, and kids that could care less what the weather was doing! Hayden and Sara went off with friends while my mom and I took Sadie and Carson. Of course afterwards is equally fun when the trading, bribing, and begging (mom) ensues!

All bottlecaps, sweetarts and non-chewy items were lovingly donated to big brother.

And there you have it. Rainy, candy filled, pumpkin carving, braces getting, China traveling, party filled, October!

Aloha!

Todd and I just got back yesterday from eight days on Kauai. I LOVE HAWAII! I love everything about it...I love looking at and laying under palm trees....
I love my new love which is eating Hula Pie that is even better than it looks...let me explain...oreo crust that tastes like the frosting part, macadamia nut ice cream topped with whip cream, mac nuts and hot fudge...nothing beats it after a "tough" day at the beach....

I love island time....

I love how much I relax, laugh, and smile while I'm there, even before reading this sign....

I love waking up to this view....

I love sharing it with this guy....I've been to this island before and the only thing missing was him...so this time I brought him along....

I love watching people ride these because it's amazing to me...

I love feeling my toes in this stuff....even though it clings to every part of you :).....

I love the beautiful gardens filled with trees and flowers you couldn't get to grow in Utah even if you were magical....

I love the huge, massive, powerful ocean....watching the waves roll in, hearing the sounds of them crashing, and smelling the salty air....and jumping in when it gets a little hot...

I love driving around and seeing every shade of green you can imagine...and this little corner of the world called Hanalei that could easily be named Heaven....

Is there anything I don't like about Hawaii you ask?

Leaving.

Back To School

Austin
Age13
8th Grade
South Cache Freshman Center
Catches the bus at 7:20 am
Best thing about school: finding his classes
Hayden
Age 11
6th grade
Spring Creek Middle School
Catches the bus at 6:45 am!!!
Best thing about school: having a locker
Sara
Age 8
3rd Grade
Ms. Nielsen
Heritage Elementary
Catches the bus at 8:25 am
Best thing about school: friends!

Sadie
Age 7
1st grade
Mrs. Dahle
Heritage Elementary
Catches the bus with Sara
Best thing about school: her own desk and going to a brand new school
Carson
Age 4
preschool
Ready 2 Learn Preschool
Teacher Kareen
Catches the mom bus at 9:25 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Best thing about school: Batman packpack (backpack)

Happy School Year 2010-2011!!