Ten on Tuesdayish last of 2012!

 1. We spent New years eve ringing in the East Coast time zone with good family friends. all of our kids made it until 11 pm. Yes even Henry after a brief nap. We played fun games and had great company. Hopefully the kids will be too grumpy or we may never do this again.

2. We had a short visit from my Dad Monday as well. We are trying hard to decide what the future holds for us after Chris Graduates this spring. It was so nice of him to come and spend some time talking about important aspects. The giving Chris a blessing was an added bonus.

3. Saturday and Sunday became craft day. The blocks the kids got for Christmas we started to paint. Plus Will and Chris are working on their pinewood derby cars (2 wed's and then the race!) We let the kids pick out their own colors. . . I will get photos of the others when they are done.

4. Henry likes to get into things. . . His latest spot is our shoe basket. He often just chills there. Love his smile when he in there and he is so happy!

5. Here is proof that Henry is actually growing. Here he is in a 6-9mo onesie. Note the diaper coming out through the snaps.

6. Saturday Chris and I went out and saw Les Mis and had dinner with friends. We both had different takes on the movie. I have never seen the production but grew up  listening to the original soundtrack. I love that soundtrack. that being said. I enjoyed the movie. I will probably not ever see it again. Side not I thought Greg's rendition of Stars was much better than Russel Crowe. Chris lets just say he is a kind and loving husband who does things because he knows it will make me happy. Dinner with our friends was wonderful! So glad that we have great friends to do fun things with.

7. Friday night Annmarie was not feeling well, She has been complaining of her stomach hurting for about a month now. But Friday night it was about the 3rd day of not really eating. Chris took her to the ER. While there we found out that a family in our branch was there as well with their 9 mo old. Chris left Annmarie to go help give a priesthood blessing, and when he came back Annmarie was all better. Needless to say Chris is convinced that they went to the ER to help give a blessing.

8. Listening to Jed talk is hilarious  He sounds like he is Boston. Chris says it just goes to show that Some people just never grow up and learn to talk :)

9. I have decided that I need to learn to say NO when asked to sub exercise classes. Hopefully I will learn this before I become sick of teaching classes. On a side note. last week a guy in my HEAT class commented that he really enjoys my classes. As an instructor I cannot tell you how much this means. If you take a class and enjoy it please please tell your teacher.

10. Random fact - Annmarie's new favorite color is Orange. . . I wonder where she got that from.

Tuesday . . .

This week we will have a day by day recap.

Wed. It started off with kids going to school with a blizzard warning starting at 6 pm. They named it Draco. How funny is that. The snow started to come down and it was beautiful big wet flakes. The kids came home from school and after dinner we went outside and played. I made a snowman and the kids were in heaven. making snowballs, snow angles. etc. Then off to bed we went.

Thursday. when we woke up to. We lost power for a bit, but compared to some who didn't get it back on for hours and even had to wait until Saturday. It had stopped snowing. But then the Midwest winds came. If you have ever felt them you know they are terrible!! Chris and I often wondered while shoveling how the pioneers ever made it across the plains. 

the height of this drift is about hip height on me.

Friday school was canceled again. We think it was because of the lack of power in certain places. So we played outside and had fun. I had a drs appointment that afternoon. A few weeks back we discovered a lump in my breast. After a mamo-graham and ultrasound tests came back to not have anything to worry about. I learned during this not to judge people because you really never know what is going on in their life that they have not told you. 

Saturday - I taught 2 classes at the Y this morning. It was so wonderful to get out of the house. We all had a bit of cabin fever. After the Y and some lunch the kids headed outside. Later Chris followed and took them sledding at a smallish hill near our house. The kids had a wonderful  time. It reminded me of so many memories from my childhood. Jed even loves the snow. What a difference a year or 2 makes. He is usually the longest one in the snow. 

after coming in from the snow, we delivered jam to some friends houses. Then on to dinner at the Bowen's house. We had a great time. afterwards we decorated really really big sugar cookies. Annmarie made hers a girl while Jeffrey really wanted to add lots of stuff. He even added more than what is here. 

 Here is the Bowen's creations. After we were done David Bowen gave a little lesson about Christ and how he is the light of the world. then he gave the kids a glow stick to use Monday night as they went to bed. To remind them that Christ was born and will always be our light.

Sunday was a typical Sunday. Church, crazy kids, Teaching Sunday school, crazy kids, then friends over for deep fried turkey. It was all in all a great day! oh yeah and Will lost 3 teeth. 1 was his extra tooth!

Monday was a day filled with YMCA workouts and work. Then heading to the Allison's for soup and gingerbread house making. We once again had a great time.

Jed really really like the cookie.

He loves the Allison.

Henry tasting gingerbread, but really only loving the frosting.

Our gingerbread house didn't last too long.

We came home and watched some Christmas movies (Home Alone) and in the middle we heard a knock on the door. Jeffrey opened it and no one was there, but there was a box with a present for everyone in our family there. I cannot tell you how incredibly grateful I was. Jeffrey then says "Mom we need to say a prayer and thank heavenly father for our secret Santa " Jeffrey was right. We had done very little for our kids this year and the kind help made my kids day (I have never felt so thankful in my life, so if you did it and you read please know I can never thank you enough)

After reading Luke 2 the kids went to bed with their glow sticks, then Chris and I wrapped presents and then went to bed.

Christmas morning. Annmarie was so excited to get "Red" from santa

Will got Madden 09 for the Wii

Jeffrey was doing the Harry Potter 5-7 dance. 

Henry thought the wrapping paper was the best!

Santa also brought the kids blocks with their letters on them. Now to find paint. 

It has been a wonderful day. I am so thankful for my Saviour and all that he has done and will do for me. I am so thankful for kind kind kind people. Who don't think things are a big deal but they really are.

Random fact - We are not buying candy or pop until Feb! wish us luck.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Chris finished his finals!!! I am so excited to have him around more often with his attention mostly on us! It has been a long long long and hard hard semester for us as a family, couple, and as individuals. I am so thankful for his and the wonderful man he is and how hard he works for us.

2. I'm attempting to not eat chocolate of cherry coke for a week. why? mostly because I really don't need it. Hopefully this will help keep some of the holiday weight off

3. Sick! 5 of the 7 of us have been sick the past weekend. it was miserable. Chris is working on getting over it now. Hopefully it will be out of our house by tomorrow.

4. We handed out a few Christmas cards last night with a treat. I have been unable to make jam yet because lets be honest who wants freezer jam from a sick family? Hopefully I can make it this week before Christmas comes (on another side note the goal is to have Christmas cards in the mail tomorrow)

5. Thursday was Annmarie's Concert. She looks so beautiful! She sang so great too. It really hit me hard that I have an amazing daughter during this concert.

6. Michelle Scott graduated on Friday from Nursing school. We wish we had been able to go to Vegas and see her but sadly it was not able to happen

7. Friday was also a sad sad day. It was the day of the Elementary school shooting in Conn. I think the feeling I got mostly from this was I am so thankful that I have a knowledge of Heavenly Father and his plan. not just for this life but for the one after. I know that those children are again with their Heavenly Father. Hopefully the parents can have the same knowledge as I have.

8. Chris went hunting on Saturday with some men in the area. He had a great time, and wants to go again.

9. Chris and I were lying in bed one morning and sent 2 boys to the shower. We then hear. 1 - "you pooped in the shower!" 2 - "the toilet was too far"
 If anyone has seen our bathroom they know that the toilet is maybe 1 foot tops away from the shower. Oh what a great morning that was :)

10. Random fact - Chris has been listening to opera (on Pandora) lately. And we both are really enjoying it.

photos for the previous post and a few others

Henry in his favorite place

Jed feel asleep while eating dinner and watching a movie. . so cute!

Annmarie during the nurf gun fight on Thanksgiving

Decorating the tree

All decorations above Henry height

Henry getting into more things :)

The Patriots guy that Chris and Will did.

2 of my favorite people. . . one covered in Chocolate

Our Budding Morzart

Our awesome Branch Christmas Party

Jingle Jammie!

we came in our pj's

Ten on tuesday

1. I think I have figured out how to post photos. . . if they are up than I did.

2. Branch Christmas party. I was in charge and had wonderful helpers!!! I think it turned out great, but I am biased. I could not have done it with out my amazing "committee"

3. Saturday morning I also had a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). I loved it. I love learning new ways to get in shape etc. I love what I do!

4. Monday night we headed to the Lights in town. There is a drive through place and Monday's are half off. It was a great FHE. Afterwards we headed to a house that had music and lights set up. It was pretty neat

5. We have been finding Skillets and pots all over the house in strange places. This means Henry can open the drawer that contains them all and loves to walk around with them. Kids are so crazy!

6. Sunday we got our first snow of the year. The kids were so excited.

7. I have made a goal to only be online for 1 hour a day. . . hopefully I can do it.

8. Friday Chris and I got to go to the temple together! It is amazing how when you live so close you take that for granted

9. Finals started today for Chris. He has another one on Friday than a take home test due in January. I cannot believe he has 1 semester left!!!!! Then the decision of what to do next looms. . .

10. Random Fact - Chris and I NEED our weekly dates. President Hinckley know what he was talking about when he told couples they need to go out weekly. I can always tell when it has been way to long since we have been out together (and even alone)

Ten on Tuesday

1. This is Chris's last week of classes for the semester. He has worked so hard and hopefully it will pay off with good scores on his tests. Then he will be school (but he will be working) free for a whole month!!! So excited to spend more time with him.

2. We got our first Christmas card yesterday. I love getting cards and seeing all of our wonderful friends! Plus then we tape them to the door and get to look at them all month long ( These are the last things to come down after Christmas)

3. We cut Henry's hair. I cannot show photos since I have not bitten the bullet and paid for blogspot yet. He was looking a little mullet-ish. He is a little buzzed head kid now. The other boys want to look just like him so we may have some short haired boys soon.

4. The weather here has been in the 50's and 60's!!! It is nice but also makes me really worry about the coming summer. We had such little rain here this past summer I am worried for the crops etc. Thinking it will be hot hot hot and very dry. Not what I look forward to here in the mid west.

5. Saturday afternoon we had a craft day. Will and Chris created an awesome patriots logo on a box for Will. You'll have to take my word for it. It was awesome.

6. Have I mentioned lately I love teaching/working out at the YMCA. I cannot tell you all what wonderful friendships I have made. So blessed to be able to "work" yet not really, and enjoy wonderful people.

7. I love love Christmas music. I love how it talks of the Savior. What a wonderful way to bring the spirit into our homes.

8. Annmarie brought home another Christmas list for school. . . oh man. make-up, Ipad, Ipod, American girl dolls and accessories, a laptop. there was nothing on her list affordable!!! Hope she realizes that she is dreaming. I wonder if my lists ever seemed this way to my parents?

9. Chris has been able to attend the temple the last 2 Fridays  and we are going together this Friday  I am so thankful we live close enough (2 hours is closer than some) that going to the temple can happen often.

10. Random fact, I love learning new exercise moves. That is why I spend time online, going to other classes, and picking peoples brains. If you have any awesome exercise moves that you love please let me know!

Ten on Tuesday

1. We went to our new Branch on Sunday. It was odd to see half of our old ward in a different area. We are excited for new things to come.

2. I was asked to be in charge of our Christmas party. Needless to say I found great people to be on the commitee and hopefully it will work ou in the next week and a half

3. Henry is walking all over the place. It is amazing to see the light turn on and see the major progress that has occurred in the last week.

4. We had a wonderful thanksgiving at the McMillion house hold. (I work with Gwyn and we are friends). It was beautiful out side! then we went to the Allison home for some delicious pie.

5. On saturday we deep fried another turkey with the Morrison's. we had a wonderful time making new friends.

6. There was no black friday shopping for us. I taught a class at 5:05 that morning so I wouldn't be tempted.

7. Chris finished up his internship for the semester. He got some really great compliments from some of the practicing attorneys that he interacted with. He sure is amazing!

8. Will was so excited today. He caught an interception today in the end zone. he was so excited.

9. I've got to be honest. I cannot wait for November to be over. this has been one of the most difficult months of my life. I am thankful I am healthy and have a great husband and great kids.

10. Random fact - I love hooded sweatshirts. I love when it is cold and I can wear them all the time.

thanks 11/21 & 11/22 & 11/23

So I have now exceeded my photo storage. . . great. anyone know how to get more? I don't have an issue paying once for specific amount of storage, but not monthly.

the photos were of

Wed - beauty and the beast musical tickets. Chris and I went and had a great date

Thurs - The kids having a nurf gun fight

Fri - the Christmas Tree is all up and decorated!

Thanks 11/20

Bed time! I think I need this mostly for me. I love sleep and by 8pm I am done! Jed fell asleep tonight eating taco salad while watching Super Why. (I taught a 6pm class so dinner was way late)

Ten on Tuesday

1. What a week!!! the biggest stress of my week was speaking in Stake Conference. I was extremely nervous. A friend commented to me after that my tone, and pacing was great. People ask how it went. I say no one booed my or threw tomatoes. Many friends have made kind comments. So take what you may. I was so grateful for the experience of preparing the talk and the experience of talking (and being on TV as Annmarie said, it was broadcast to 2 other buildings). Hopefully Heavenly Father was pleased with how I did.

2. It was a rough week for me. I hurt my back and am back to about 80% but not good enough yet to participate in exercise. this is my own choosing because I can see myself going back too early and making it worse. But my sanity levels are starting to decrease. . .

3. How do I say thank you to the many people who helped me big time while injured, and sick (yep I got sick too). Thanks to Tiffany Allison, Elise Thrapp, Andrea Morris, Jana Slothower, Karen Tidwell, Alexi Flint, Lori Phippen, Michelle Russell and Lydia Sorensen. (I know I spelled some names wrong) I know some of you all offered prays for me as well and thank you for that. I am truly blessed with wonderful wonderful friends.

4. Chris - no I did not forget to mention him. He was wonderful as well. He had an extreemly busy week and me getting sick/hurt and then getting to sit in Stake Conference with all 5 kids alone. He is an amazing husband, father, friend etc. I love him and cannot imagine a life without him.

5. Saturday Night was the adult session of Stake Conference. I love this session. once again it did not disappoint. What I got out of the meeting was. Am I spending enough time with my kids, or is my focus on other things less important. I also made a new friend and I am so happy that I can meet new people and become friends with them.

6. So Jeffrey has been a BIT of a challange lately. . . While finding new ways to try and figure things out. Monday morning I remember something from Conference. That having praimary music playing in your hosue while getting ready for school. So Jeffrey was struggling with who knows what and was getting close to losing it. Well I decided to start singing I Am A Child of God. Needless to say it worked. He calmed down. The kids looked at me kind of odd, and then Annmarie and Jeffrey even joined in. Now I'm working on getting the songs on the ipod to pull out. I guess I'm becoming that Mom, and you know what? I'm ok with it.

7. Henry had his 9 month check up. The Dr loved watching him walk around the room. He goes he is just so little, it is funny.
 head size - 18 3/8 - 86%
 weight -  21 - 66%
Height -  27 3/8 - 7%

gotta love all the ratios .

8. Jed went as well. He got 3 shots and was not a happy child about that. But We are all set for a few years on shots now!!!
 Weight - 38.8 69%
 height - 41 - 57%

at least he seems to be a little more proportionate

9. On sunday i got to have the neatest experience. Since I was sitting up front I got to see the masses of people at church. All who believe the same things that I do. When singing with them it was wonderful! Then they had everyone sing I Am A Child of God. First verse primary only, 2nd verse 18 and under, 3rd verse everyone. I loved that I could hear Will singing the first 2 verses. I love that I could see everyone singing and could feel the spirit so strongly!!

10. Random fact - We found out we were pregnant with Will the same day that Chris got hit in the face with a bullet. The YW then referred to him as scar face.

Thanks 11/19

today I am thankful for non-technology things. Mostly because my kids have way too much of it the past week. I am so thankful that I decided and we stuck with it today. There were points when it was not easy, but It was worth it. Looks like tomorrow is shaping up to be the same kind of day too :)

This one melted my heart. I said time to clear off the table for dinner. Jed responds "But mom I'm reading the friend." how am I going to argue with that :)

Thanks 11/18

I did not take a photo of this for many reasons. the most important one would be is that it would have been quite odd for someone to take a photo from the pulpit during stake conference. For our special musical number they had the primary kids stand ans sing I am a child of God 1st verse. then the youth joined in for the 2nd and then everyone else for the rest. It was amazing. The spirit was so strong. I am thankful for being a Child of God today (and everyday). I am thankful for that wonderful song and how it always brings the spirit in every time it is sung.

here are a bunch of photos of Children of God, just not from today

thanks 11/17

 So I couldn't pick just one, but they are all of the same thing. The kids love to exercise with us. We got our insanity dvd's back and they begged to do them. Here they are. I am so thankful my kids like to exercise!