Busy Days

I am so far behind in blogging that in order to catch up I'm doing a summary of the entire year! It's been two months, but they've been filled with tons of fun activities for our family.

January and February were for.....

shoveling snow (the boys favorite....at least they get paid!)

starting swim lessons (Sara)

Western night for the girls at their school (Austin helped out Dad this year)

Valentines Day candlelight dinner with the whole family

Valentines Stake Dance (Todd and Nikki's first attendance ever since it was a western theme...after how many years we finally got to country swing again....although body parts weren't as flexible as they used to be)

Adults only dinner and dessert for an "early" valentines date with neighborhood friends--dinner at Coppermill and dessert at our place with 10 couples

Priming, sanding and painting cubbies in the laundry room....they'll be awesome and well used!

Seeing Brian Regan at the Eccles Center (Todd, Nikki, Austin and Hayden) very fun date!

Sleeping over at cousins (Sara and Sadie)

Skiing after a snow storm that dropped a foot in the valleys! (Todd & big boys & Wises)

Cleaning "the sink" at Angies
The "before" picture and "before" bellyache!

Chinese New Year at Mandarin Gardens....Year of the Rabbit

Getting spoiled by Dad for birthdaysHarry Potter Birthday Party with friends

The big 8 for Sadie girl! There was a celebration at home on the birthday, a polly pocket party with friends on the weekend, and a shared w/ Sara family celebration as well. We should all be oozing sugar still!

After 4 1/2 years it was time to chop the hair and donate....11 inches gone!

And of course the training of the puppies continues.

It's amazing we have time to squeeze in eating, sleeping and school!

Christmas 2010

I've thrown away the December calendar which means I'm trying to remember the craziness of December. You'd think after over a year of blogging I'd remember which order to put the pictures in, but alas I can't recall once again if they load the same as you enter them or opposite. Oh, who cares, it was hectic and crazy and magical and it all added up to Christmas regardless of the order. So we'll let the pictures tell the story.
We surprised the kids a couple of days early with a very memorable Christmas gift....2 shih tzu puppies! Macy and Odie have joined the Snyders. It was the kids first day of the holiday break from school, which was perfect timing to allow hours of puppy fun. The idea behind the puppies was a friend for our dog Daisy, and a life experience for the kids, especially the younger ones who weren't here when we got the last puppy. It was love at first sight and they've been the most loved creatures in town. It was supposed to be one, but Todd fell in love with the other, so here we are with two new dogs. Which hasn't been such a bad thing since there are two of them to go around with all the kids. Sadie's face was complete surprise, not really understanding we actually got to keep them, until we explained they were really ours. Carson tells us at least three times a day that they love him, which really translates to how much he loves them.

The kids had been guessing for days what the present would be and we laughed when they were asking questions. "Can you sit on it?" "Does it require assembly?" I knew they were happy with the results when they said they were even better than a swimming pool! Yep, we gave the ultimate gift...times two! And after a week and a half the kids are still good to help out when it's potty time, even when it's freezing cold outside. We've laughed about Odie shivering from the cold and from fear of the neighbors barking monster dogs.

The Reeder family party was at our place this year, the day after Christmas. Mom and dad have downsized and didn't have enough space for the entire crew. We had close to full numbers and it was the usual fun. I loved having it here since it meant cleaning up the Christmas mess. I'm so glad I really do love my family. I wish we could just hang out more often.

Christmas Eve was full of the usual traditions...Grandparents here to celebrate, new pajamas and our annual picnic of finger foods and cherry slush. We added a recital in this year with piano pieces and singing. Grandparents are always a willing audience. We were glad Todd's parents made the trip up to spend the night with us and then enjoy an early Christmas morning. It was painful, but the kids waited until 6 am. Santa's delivery seemed to be a success.

Carson was super fun this holiday. Being four years old means Christmas is as magical as it can get. He made this Santa face at preschool and each day was supposed to glue a cotton ball onto Santa's beard until Christmas arrived. It was the first thing he wanted to do each morning. As a mom I hope to remember it's the simple things like this that make Christmas perfect.

The kids love decorating gingerbread houses. We bought kits this year with villages, that had enough for everyone to decorate two smaller houses. Gingerbread houses are great because they always look good when you are done, and it's always fun to see the kids' creativity as they get older. Carson would comment with each piece of candy, "Oh, that looks perfect!"

One of my favorite things about the holiday is decorating the Christmas tree. I love hearing the kids delight as they find their ornaments from previous years, especially the really impressive school made ones! It doesn't take long to decorate a tree with five helpers. I was excited this year to decorate my own tree which was twelve feet tall! It felt like a whole forest was in the living room for a few days, but we finally get used to the monstrosity and loved having a tree upstairs for a change.

Amid the busyness we throw in Hayden's birthday party. It was an important one with him turning twelve and being able to receive the priesthood and start passing the sacrament. It was a good day to watch two Snyder boys during sacrament meeting. Hayden took a few friends bowling at the Fun Park and the rest of the family met the party for ice cream at Charlies afterwards. I wonder if Hayden's birthday wish is to be as tall as his friends next year! He looks good with his new short haircut no matter how tall he is.

Todd headed back to China the Monday after Christmas and was gone for a week, missing the New Year. The kids and I went to the Fun Park, shopped, came home and made pizza, played games, watched a movie, and brought in the New Year. Todd was climbing along the great wall of China at 1:11 pm on 1/11 to bring in his new year. I ask the older boys if they wanted to have a party with their friends since they are getting close to an age they'd like that and since Todd would be gone. They looked at me like I was crazy and said New Years is supposed to be with your family! I'll enjoy it while I can.

We also worked on our New Year Resolutions....our favorite being Carson's who wants to go to Chuck E. Cheese and become magic!

So, after all this...Todd is home from China, the decorations are put away, the kids are back in school, and I'm doing laundry....life as usual, until we begin the countdown to next Christmas! Maybe we'll just work on enjoying January first.

Silly Things Kids Say

I love when my kids say silly things. I always try to write them down because I'm apparently too senile to remember them for longer than two days. So here are the latest...

We received some of my moms Christmas decorations since she is downsizing. The favorite was mistletoe that is at least 30 years old, but obviously still in top working condition. When Carson discovered what it's use was, he stationed himself there for a couple of days. If no one happened to chance by while he was there he'd begin hollering "I NEED TO BE KISSED!" How can you not oblige a cute four year old standing under the mistletoe!

While out Christmas shopping, it was past lunch time, so I offered to get Carson some fast food. He requested the "root beer store" (A&W). He told me "I want a hamburger and root beer...you know mom, an email." It took me a minute but I figured it out..."You mean a kids meal?" His response, "Yeah, that's what I said." Oh, the children of the technology age!

Every once in a while Sadie will say something about her experiences in China. We love these little insights. While my parents were living here this summer she was looking at them and told us she didn't have any grandpas in China. They do have older women that work in the orphanages that the children refer to as grandmas. She hugged my mom and told her "We did have grandmas in China, but not fat ones like you." Mom laughed, and has since told many friends. I don't think she minds being a grandma, even a chubby one!

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!