Simple Joy

It doesn’t take much to make me happy. I’m a fairly simple person and we live and fairly simple life – you know, as much as you can with 6 kids and a dog (wink).

The kids enjoyed the snow over the weekend –  before the blizzard hit.

I’m not sure how much they enjoyed the 11” they trudged through this morning to get to the bus stop, but I’m sure they’ll be back on that hill. Church was canceled yesterday because of the weather conditions, the second time since we’ve lived in Colorado. I can say I got quite the workout shoveling the walks and driveway today. Thankfully, it’s warming right back up so it was melting pretty quickly – just in time for another round of snow tomorrow!

Henry didn’t seem to mind, although he wasn’t much help with the shoveling . . .

I got a kick out of watching that boy try and put a pony tail in Kaycee’s hair yesterday – without pants still, of course.

Couldn’t quite get it, but it was sweet that he wanted to try.

I was thrilled last week when I found these toss pillows and little birds. Honestly, I was lead to that store! I had been on the hunt for pillows for a couple months, so I was over the moon that I found some that I loved. At that same store, I found these little birds for $4 each. The green one was perfect , but I needed to find the right spray paint for the second. I finally found it after 4 stores. (Looking at the coral one now, I didn’t spray it very well!) We’ve had the green color in our house for a while now , but I’m tickled to start adding the coral accents.

This weekend I’ve also been listening to this:

I’ve seen the move twice and I like it a lot better the second time. I think I may be the only person that thought Russell Crowe did a great job. Considering he’s not a singer, I really enjoyed his voice and appreciated how well he stayed on key. I was expecting more from Hugh Jackman, but he did fine. I loved the female leads. Anne Hathaway blew me away. I was so not looking forward to her in the movie, but I think she nailed it. The children singers/actors were phenomenal. I loved it.

I’m not even sure I should write about these. Last month, we happened to find them at Sam’s for less than $4 a bag. Yeah, I bought 8 bags. Ah, the simple joys, right?

Don’t ask me how many bags are left.

Back from the Dead

We haven’t died, but jumping back into blogging is a little daunting. I figured while I’m in the mood to post, I probably should. I’m going to give you the short version of everything and perhaps a few pictures. (Yeah, more than a few.)

December was busy. From craft shows, vinyl orders, dance, wrestling, gymnastics, school programs, turning 32(!),Christmas decorating, Christmas shopping to Christmas. This was our first year celebrating the holidays on our own. I was so worried my kids would feel so lonely, but my anxiety was in vain and it ended up being so nice and cozy. Rylee, Olivia and Henry fought strep throat the last week of school right into Christmas. The day after Christmas (ahem, Boxing Day), I came down with the flu. Nasty, nasty flu. It laid me out for a good three days – in bed. We were healthy (enough) by New Years Eve and partied it up with some friends at a hotel, swimming, eating and playing games. The return of good health was short lived as this past Sunday, Henry woke up puking at 6:45. Olivia followed shortly after, with Kaycee and Clay that evening. Thankfully, by Monday the throwing up had stopped yet Henry started a fever. He’s still fevered. Poor kid. That flu is nasty.

Now for pictures. Thank goodness for cell phones – I’m not sure I would have remembered all this!

Turning 32. The little boys’ faces are my favorite

Miss Olivia right after her dance recital. She nailed it. .

Kaycee in her 3rd grade Mighty Minds production. She was one of the 7 Mighty Minds. I was blown away by the huge banner/sign when I walked into the gym. She was fabulous. She reminded me of myself in my elementary school performances.

This is an picture of the 3 stockings (unfinished) I finished just in the nick of time. I just had to blanket stitch the fabric on and the two pieces together. I love them. I thought I had a picture of all the stockings, but I don’t. Now, ALL the kids have a stocking. Fancy that.

I found this beauty at Savers for $5. Perfect for Rylee for Christmas.

Sorry, the pictures are lame, but this was re-finished Christmas Eve. I thought about distressing the black, but it was more Rylee left crisp and clean. The lamp was from Santa.

My cute crew Christmas morning.

I didn’t take any pictures of our tree this year. It was a joke. The pre-lit thing no longer was pre-lit and covered in lights that you wrap around bushes. It was quite the sight. Hence, it was taken down the earliest ever, New Years Eve day.

Speaking of New Years Eve day, Ryan’s parents were set apart as full time missionaries. So neat. They reported to the MTC in Provo just two days ago and will head down to serve in the Lima, Peru Temple for 18 months.

Don’t they look great?  We miss them already.

I love this picture. Excuse the back light, but I love that Aaron and Ryan are in their Dad’s clothes – at least from the waist up. (Neither of them knew until upon their arrival that they’d be participating in the setting apart.  Cute fellas.)

PHEW, I’m done.

Happy New Year!

Helping Grandpa

It must be in their genes.  My boys sure do love to help Grandpa  - and anything that has to do with the tractor.

Thanksgiving Week 2012

Our Thanksgiving Feast

We were anxious to scurry off to Utah to be with my family for Thanksgiving – ALL together for the first time in 4 years. You think it would be easy when all of my siblings live there (but me and Marcie), but it hasn’t.  In fact, our kids were excited when they found out that Ryan was coming with us!

We had a whole week together and we certainly maximized our time. We arrived Saturday and all the adults headed out for dinner. Sunday, we attended a few wards for talks, primary, and priesthood ordinations, then gathering at Patti and Ben’s for treats and games in the evening.

Monday afternoon, we went up to Herriman to visit Ryan’s cousin’s family, aunt, uncle and Grandma Didi. From there, for family home evening and Gma and Gpa’s gift exchange, we went to Micki and Spencer’s new home – purchased two weeks previous. A beautiful home easily accommodating all 43 of us. Sitting there, I realized that this very could be the last time as we’re all together for a long time. Now that we have nephews that are (and very soon will be) missionary eligible. I still ask myself how that is even possible, but they are. This thought prompted the following pictures. I think I took over a hundred.

Also, some pictures of Gma and Gpa giving the kids their Christmas gifts. (Remember, we celebrate Christmas every year together – whether at Christmas or Thanksgiving.)

Tuesday evening, was the highlight of the whole trip for me. The adults all drove up to the Mt. Timpanogas Temple to do sealings.  The first time all together, all in white with my Dad performing the sealings. My dad’s cousin, Uncle Neil, had brought in family names. It was amazing and the Spirit was strong. I appreciated my Dad’s tenderness as his voice broke with each couple kneeling at the alter.  Such an incredible experience and surely one I will always treasure.

Wednesday, we got it on at the church gym playing some ball. Basketball and volleyball. We’re a fun bunch. Not a timely bunch as we had the gym booked from 9-5 and we all showed up at 2, but oh well. AND, I’m pretty sure my volleyball team won the CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

Thanksgiving day, we drove down to Jeannie and Brent’s new home. Another gorgeous home boasting 8,000 square feet. (I’m sure they appreciate me sharing that…).  We had plenty of room to eat, play video games, ping pong, Spazz, Wacky Sixes, enjoy a small talent show and have a dance party. Fun and more fun.

Friday, some folks went shooting in the morning ( I would have gone had I known I’d have to take 5 girls to the mall on Black Friday.  I didn’t swear out loud but I did give someone the what for when they pulled out in front of me on the way home. I’m sure my blood pressure was through the roof that morning. Me + a mall + Black Friday shopping + gobs of people everywhere = kill.me.now.) Friday took us back down to Jeannie’s for leftovers. The adults snuck away for dinner and a movie.

Saturday, we peeled our children off their grandparents and cousins and made the long, sad drive home. There are always tears and questions of when we’re coming back – the kids cried, too.

What a wonderful week. I always love being with my family. I’m so grateful for such wonderful parents. It was a few years ago, I was driving alone with my Dad in the car. I was asking him how it felt to have his kids get along so well. He explained how satisfying it was to not only have kids that love each other, but LIKE each other and really enjoy being with one another.

Agreed.

Me and my brother, John

Cousin Love