Oops!

I'm sorry that I didn't post a Quote of the Week last week, I'm out of town. Anyway- I'm in great sunny warm Utah so I'll post some great pics when I get back! Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Yep, there were cows, too!!

Merry Christmas everyone!! We are so grateful for your friendships, and we care so much for all of you!! We hope you have a WONDERFUL Christmas season! We love you!

Gingerbread House Party

So I was having a gingerbread party for all the little ones while the older ones were in school, and then they cancelled school because of the snow we never had. Anyway- so instead of trying to fit everyone in my house I booked the church and we had it over there. It was a blast!

Mary wouldn't let me even THINK about touching her plate in any way. She never got more than a drop of frosting. She was just happy to have the graham crackers and the candy.

Thanks everyone who came and for helping me out!!! We sure love you guys!!

Mary's first day of preschool

So Mary is now in preschool!! She was a little unsure about it at first (she actually clinged to me- can you believe that??), but it didn't take long- she loves it! There are 5 kids in her class including 2 that are deaf and one in a wheelchair. They all take her under her wing (that's a talent she has), and she wears her backback everywhere. Last week she got to wear her pj's and listen to the principal read "The Polar Express", drink hot chocolate, eat chocolate candies, and make a candy train. When we had our snow day she missed the last day of school before Christmas, and her teacher actually came all the way out here to deliver her present. She goes 4 days a week, and will be taking the bus. They even pick her up right from my house!! It's been great!

Quote of the Week...

Ty helped me this week, although I'm a little worried you don't know what he's sayin'. Oh well! What movie is it??

SNOW DAY!!!!

So how wild is this??? All the kidlets are out of school today because of the snow, and the storm skipped right over us. We got rain, but we have a snow day and no snow! For those of you who really know me know that I LOVE the snow. Bummer.

Also today I'm throwing a little gingerbread house making party (like we did in the old days- eh Ridgecrest??) and now instead of 12 kids at my house there will be 32. Not sure how I'm gonna work that one out!!

Love you all- thanks for checking out our blog, and listening to my ramblings all the time!!

Ever made a cake???

Okay- so I have to say that right now this is my new favorite blog.

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

Oh man it's HILARIOUS!!! And anyone who has ever seen me make a cake understands why I love this so much!

Quote of the week...

Hey everyone!! Here it is... I know my husband is crazy... but anyway, what movie is it??

Here's the Quote of the Week...

What movie is it??

Last night I was a bell ringer!

So have any of you ever wanted to be one of the joe-cool Salvation Army bell ringers that hang out in front of the stores this time of year? I always have wanted to do that, and last night I finally got to with they Young Women. Even though it was probably the longest 2 hours of my life, and my toes were numb, I loved it!! I was kickin' myself that I didn't take my camera. I had about 5 girls with me at the local Smith's. And people are so kind! One guy put in a $20 bill, and I really think that we had more bills than change. But this is the part that made it totally worth-it...

A older homeless guy came up with all of his belongings in his shopping cart and put a handful of bills in the bucket. Then he went over to the other entrance and did the same. The girls of course were all over the place dancing and talking and havin' a great time (right ladies??), and when this guy did that they just froze. Their jaws dropped.

That is the kind of thing that you hope that you see when you are out on a service project with a bunch of youngins'. I think that is something that will touch them, at least I hope so, because it certainly did me. This time of year is so crazy... and this old homeless man really made me stop and think about really where our priorities should be.

I'm sure that guy has no idea what he did for me and possibly my girls. He was probably thinking about the other people he would be helping with that money he put in the bucket. But he really brought out the spirit in me, and faith in mankind. He made my Christmas!!

Ha! It's the quote of the week!

What movie is it??

Happy Thanksgiving!

So we hung out at home this year, and my great aunt and uncle came out to have a nice dinner with us. Mary was havin' a great time.

This was a pilgrim hat- thanks for the idea Kena! My kids loved it... although they ate them before dinner instead of after. And sorry it's so out of focus- I'm feelin' pretty lazy today.

Here was our table... nothing spectacular... but it was a pretty big deal around here. Real plates!

My husband loves the rotisserie and so we did the ham in it this year. Mmmmm... So good.... We had a turkey, too, that turned out really well. Lots of leftovers! Oh- and I never thought anyone could ever mess up Stovetop Stuffing... well now I know. I remember thinkin' to myself, "Measure the water?? No big deal!" So we had Stuffing Soup. I wouldn't recommend it.

All and all we had a great relaxing day. We missed our families, but we're glad Thel and Jewel could come out and share it with us!

I hope everyone had a great day!!

Mary turned 3!!

So my little girl turned 3 last Friday. So we got all of her little friends and their moms together and went to McDonald's for lunch. Of course all day she had to wear her princess dress. She cracks me up. And I know, I know... she loves to show everyone what is in her mouth, just like her mom does.

While Mary was opening the presents, Ben thought it would be a great time to finish everyone's cupcakes and lunches. He really had me crackin' up.

I know ladies... I'm gonna get yelled at for putting pics of them up, but y'all look great!!!

And Lucy just loves Kena- she sat with her pretty much the whole time.

This is my little buddy Dagan. Isn't he just the cutest little man?? Him and Mary have a blast together.

And Lincoln had a really great time with his cupcake. I love red and pink cupcakes- they make the best pictures.

Thanks everyone who came to celebrate with us!! We loved it!!

Also- since we are on the subject of Mary- I thought maybe this would be a good time for an update.

The biggest thing that we are working on right now is getting her into a preschool through the County. She's already been accepted (which you usually get accepted into everything if you have a genetic disorder I've come to discover), but it was a CRAZY road to get there. Mary and I had to spend 2 1/2 hours with a school psychologist, then another appointment with a school nurse, then another 2 appointments with a speach therapist. They ask you a lot of questions (probably around 25 pages worth) like, "Can your kid stand on her tippy toes and take 2 steps?" Or "How does she hold her fork?" and lots of other things that you don't really think about. And you walk away feeling like a pretty crappy parent. Then they ask her to say a lot of things and do a lot of things. And all of you who have had a 2-3 year old know that they will only do things that they want to do. Anyway- they told me that she has quite a few "delays" that they don't think has anything to do with her Syndrome. I will find out more about that next week when I get to have a meeting with about 10 other people telling me what my daughter needs and what she is lacking. But anyway... she should be starting school shortly after that. A bus will come and pick her up at my house and bring her home. It is 4 days a week, so that will be weird!! Me and Lucy will get a little R&R together I hope!!

Also- we have found out last week that our insurance will not cover any of Mary's pre-existing stuff for a year at least. That has really hit me kinda hard, but we are getting through it. We are going to apply for Medicaid and hopefully that will help out. We have to get her echo done soon, and get the cyst in her brain checked out. Plus she is supposed to be on growth hormones by now. So it's a little stressful around here- but we'll get through it! We always do!

Mary is such a sweet little spitfire who seems to bring a sweet spirit with her everywhere she goes. People (adults and kids alike) seem to flock to her all the time. People I don't even know are always calling her by name, and she has a few boys (other than her brothers) that are constantly protecting her and fighting over her. We are so blessed that she is a part of her family- and I wouldn't trade these experiences for anything!! I can't believe she's 3 already! We love you Mary!

It's soccer time!!

Ty's team- Kregg is coaching.

He loves soccer! He's pretty good at it, too. He's got speed.

This is Mary the 2nd half of the games... she's done after half time!

They love it! And they are so darn cute to watch!! Karson and Ty have already made a few goals (although Karson's are usually in the wrong goal). Love it!!

Quote of the week...

Here it is! What movie is it??

Karson's passion for Star Wars

Here's what he sings around the house all day... And Ty dances in the background.

Freedom...

Karson's Vogue...
Last week they brought out the 1000 flags that they do every year. On my way over I lectured the kids about why we have flags and how they have a certain reverence to them, and how to act. They let us run through them last year, but this year we got a good talkin' to because that wasn't reverent. While Mary was going past a flag, it was windy, and it hit her in the face. An older guy volunteer gave her a good talking to on not touching the flags. Ty went up to a flag, grabbed onto the pole, saluted it, and started singing the Presidential March. It was HILARIOUS!! And of course right after that an old volunteer lady went up to him and lectured him about how you should treat flags like you should treat a church. I thought that was actually very patriotic of him. It's hard living in a town full of old people.

Quote of the week...

This movie has so many hilarious parts to it, but we chose a part that might be a little bit harder. I'll give you a hint: it's supposed to be a canteen that he's drinking out of. Oh man this movie cracks me up!! Anyway- what movie???

Almost Quote of the Week...

I say "Almost" the quote of the week because Kregg is substituting the word "crap" for a few potty words (we're not the swearin' kind). Anyway- this movie is hilarious- what is it?

Also- some of you crazy people have commented that you want to hear me sing. I've had a cold this week, and it's really embarrassing watching myself, but maybe this week I'll sing for you.

Everybody have a great week!

The Races in St. George

So a bunch of our friends from SLC came down to run a 1/2 marathon and 5K this weekend. I was supposed to run it with them- but idiotic me forgot to sign up until it was too late (I'm still kicking myself over it). We did make it up to see them run though (barely- we got a flat tire and had to use our friends car- thanks Michelle and Dave!!). Anyway- we had a great time and they did SO AWESOME!!!! It was so great to see you guys!

My Redneck Daughter

So I got her to finally wear pants, but do you think she would want a shirt on underneath? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! I thought her pig tails topped it all off. And do you see how happy she is?? Crazy kid.

My Sis-In-Law the PRO!!

So my sister in law Lacie has started her own store! She makes cute as heck headbands, magnets, baby mobiles for your car, frames, toy bags, receiving blankets, and lots more!! She even has cool t-shirts! Anyway- Christmas is coming soon and there are a lot of great ideas on her site. Check it out!!!!

http://absolutelyaesthetic.webs.com