Christmas Day

It's PINK!

Cool! Black!

Christmas day was so wonderful! Our kids were so excited and felt so happy with all the cool stuff they got! Mike and I try to keep everything Christ centered and to created traditions for our family that have symbols and reminders for them. That said, we also want to have some fun! Most who know us know that one of our traditions/symbols is that we give each child 3 gifts, for obvious reasons. This year the three oldest got ipods! They were so excited! Andrew and Zachary opened theirs first and Sariah looked to be a little jealous. Poor thing. I think that she wants to be big like them. When she opened hers she just jumped up and down giggling. I had to tell her to be still so I could get a picture!

The little one's were also very happy with their gifts. Star Wars for Ammon and tutu's for the twins. Oh, we had so much dancing and singing "I am a princess. I am a princess." So much twirling! Such a great day! Most of the day was fight free, too! What more could we ask for!

The school break has been great. I have love late nights and late mornings and playing with the kids. My only complaint is I wish they would also clean up after themselves, but I guess the time for Christmas miracles is gone for this year.

Christmas Pictures

Enjoying a bribe.

Three Beauties

Handsome Boys

Daddy bribing the grump.

Pre picture fit. Again I can't figure out why i keep getting weird pics

So it is always an adventure trying to get picture of 6 kids. If you want them (some or all) screaming, crying, pouting, eyeballs going in all different directions then I can do that. This year I wanted a nice picture of all my beautiful children, trying to prove that we are a happy family! Really, we are(most of the time). So after many fits and yelling, I get myself under control. Please, everyone stop crying. Along comes Dad to save the day. "I will give you candy if you take a nice picture!" You would have thought that he had sprinkled them all with pixie dust and turned them into different children. The twins weren't into it at all and after every flash "Now can I have candy?" I eventually gave up and said good enough.

Common Sense

When does common sense grow in? We get 2 year molars, 12 year molars, puberty, etc. So when does common sense kick in? If were lacking can we get gene tharapy? medicine? an adjustment? My fear is that it never really kicks in and only comes from life experience. If that is the case, how many times does one have to live through very similar if not exact experiences before one figures out that Mom really, really gets upset when you....(fill in what ever bad choice based each child). Also do they not get that repeating the same offence often times will send mom over the edge and into the depths of insanity and irrational thinking. Perhaps that is the goal. Maybe its fun to see that blessed woman who sacrificed so much to give birth to you, frothing at the mouth and screaming words, that in her mind make complete thoughts but come out at as gibberish. If this is the case then I'm glad I can bring them so much joy. I do what them happy.
No I did not loose it. But only because the child in question was already in bed. Proof again of a loving Heavly Father. He blessed us both.

Christmas Tag

I recently found an old friend through the blogs and I am only a little ashamed to say that I am her newest cyber stalker. Sorry if I'm pestering you Melinda, but I'm loving it!!!! So because of Melinda I got tagged and now you get to see some of my ramblings.

1.Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree?
WRAP! Even though its always just small stuff in the stockings it must be wrapped!

2. Colored light or white lights on the tree/house?
Colored. I figured that my house/life is too casual for fancy white lights. Maybe someday

3. Do you hang mistletoe?
No

4. When do you put up decoration?
ASAP I tried to get them up before Thanksgiving, but Mike wouldn't have it!!

5. What is your favorite Holiday dish?
How to choose just one! Pumpkin pie,and i make a really great artichoke/spinach dip. YUM!

6. Favorite holiday memory as a child.
As a kid I would always wake up to peek at what Santa left. I would never touch anything, I just liked to look and then would go back to bed and sleep until morning. So the weeks before Christmas I would mentally map out all the creaks and squeaks on the stairs and down the hall. I thought I was so clever!

7. When did you learn the truth about Santa?
If you don't believe, you don't receive.

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas eve?
No

9.How do you decorate the tree?
I use to be very fussy, but now I let the kids help and just offer guidance.
I used to let the kids have their own, but now we have too many kids so we gave up the extra tree and kept the kids!

10.Snow. Love it or dread it?
I live in Oklahoma. What is snow?

11.Can you ice skate?
Good enough not to fall (to much), but it has been many years. Again I live in OK.

12.Do you remember a favorite gift?
Not really. I do remember when the kids were little and their wonder at all things sparkly

13.What is the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Time with the family. Mike and the kids home and we just hang out and watch movies and play with the new toys

14.What is your favorite holiday desert?
CHOCOLATE.....

15. Favorite holiday tradition.
We have a new one where we think of things we want to give the Savior. It is his celebration. And of course it always blesses our live too. For example, commit to daily scripture study.

16. What tops your tree?
A shiny ball thing. Sounds weird but it is nice

17.Do you prefer giving or receiving?
Both. I love to shop or make things for other, but its always nice to get a little something too!

18.What is you favorite Christmas song?
I don't think I could pick just one. I love them all!

19.Candy Cane. Yum or yuck?
Yuck

20. What do you want for Christmas.
A day at the spa. Never had one and it sounds heavenly!!!

Hope you weren't bored out of your skulls.
I tag Heather Cullimore, Heidie Lee, Michelle Corless
Have fun ladies.
Merry Christmas

Ammon turns 5!

The birthday Boy!

Chocolate cupcakes with green frosting and sprinkles!

The coolest gift ever!

My sweet little Ammy turned 5. He is so much fun for me and he is so good at kiss up/suck up its hard to get mad at him. We go out for a family dinner to celebrate the birthdays for the month and last night we had Chillie's. It was good, but would not have been my pick. After dinner we came home for some birthday cupcakes and presents. He is still really easy to shop for. Star Wars stuff and he thinks he is the luckiest guy in the world!

Christmas Tree!!

Poor little sicky! Trying to get the tree skirt on.


Another crazy picture. She is still cute!

Can't wait to get into things

Getting the lights up

All done

So proud of all his work!

Today we put up our Christmas tree! I love to have the tree up!! I love to have all the lights all off and just enjoy the glow of the tree. The twins fell asleep before we to putting the ornaments on so they missed out on the best part! Our little sicky went to bed before even that. Scrooge (Mike) just supervised the whole thing. Probably pretty happy I didn't pester him any more.

November

November is always the begining of a very busy season for our family. Not only are there the holidays but there are soooo many birthdays in our family! This year my very sweet visiting teacher brought me a very delicious cake. I had 3 slices! (not at one sitting, but it was that good) Chocolate cake with chocolate mouse filling. I really must remember to get the recipe from her. Thanks Ella!!

Sorry the picture is crazy. I don't know what happened!

Halloween

I'm not really a big fan of Halloween, but I try not to make my kids suffer. So I make the effort and get them dressed up and go beg for candy. The twins are very into all things girly and princess, so you guessed right they were princesses this year. SO CUTE!!! All kinds of twirling was happening at our house! Sariah was Padme from Star Wars and Ammon was Optimis Prime (not sure if that is spelled right). He called himself Awsomest Prime. I think his version is better any way. So here are my cuties!!!!

Dang It!

This morning Eden came in to talk to me and she was very upset. "Mom, Zachary called me a dang it! I not a dang it! Zachary, I not a dang it!!!!" After suppressing my laughter "No you are not a dang it."
What really makes this so funny to me is that when Zachary was about this same age he said the same thing to me. I was frustrated with him about something and said "Dang it". He replied "I not a Dang it!". And when he thought he was right it would always show on his face and still does. Thanks to Eden and Zachary I got to start the day with a laugh and a smile!

Pretty Pedicure

I love to have my toes painted. I know that it is probably silly. My sister, Emily, even painted them for me when I was pregnant with the twins and so huge I could barely move. I still wanted them painted. Since it is officially fall I was very excited to bust out the "fall color". Its called Russian Navy and it is a beautiful navy blue color. So here are my cute toes!!! What's your favorite color?

Hair Cutting Madness

About every six weeks I have a crazy Saturday. I am also very blessed to have most of my family living close by. Because of one of my amazing talents, I get to do a lot of hair cuts. Some people might think that just taking care of my six kids would make for a busy day of cutting hair, but, I also have my brother with his wonderful wife and their six kids, my two sisters, and my parents. Today was a pretty average day. I think I did twelve hair cuts today. That is proof of my education paying off. I am thankful that I do have the skills to bless my family this way and if you ask my sister she will tell you that I am the most fabulous, talented, wonderful, kind, etc., sister in the whole world. I blush. She does gush. Now if only I could get better at my own hair so I don't goof up my bangs. NEVER CUT YOUR OWN BANGS!!!!!

Birthdays!

My babies turned three this weekend! I guess that they are not really babies any more. They were so happy about the cupcakes and when they saw their presents they were literally jumping for joy! They were even very good about not touching them until it was time. Good times!

First day of school

I love back to school time. This year was very exciting because Ammon got to start Pre-K. He was so excited to go to school. He asked me on the way to school if I was going to leave him there. So I explained again how it would be so muc fun with Mrs. Wright and I would be back to get him soon. At the door he just gave me a quick hug and was off to do all the cool stuff. I wasn't worried at all because Mrs. Wright was Andrew Kindergarten teacher so she has almost been constant in our lives since I started sending children to school. Well when I picked up Ammon he told me that "it was most awsomest!"

Zachary spent the summer being very grouchy about school. I thought he would be very excited about going to middle school. At the very end of summer he (finally) admitted that he was nervous about changing for every class, being on time for all the classes, finding all the classes, getting his locker open, and friends. After the first week of school, though, he loves it and thinks it is so fun!

Sariah didn't get the teacher she wanted and was a little disappointed about that. After the first day she came home to tell me that her teacher was so fun and it would be a good year!

Andrew is in 7th grade!!! I can't believe that my little guy is so old!!! I can't believe that I am old enough to have a 7th grader. He is doing good and I am so proud that he is doing so great in school. I do feel like an idiot sometimes because he is in advanced math and he bypassed my in 4th or 5th grade!

Yikes!! We have a teenager!!

I can't believe it. I have a teenager. Andrew is 13 and has officially turned into a snotty misunderstood monster! In that same instant I have turned into a complete idiot. I am not sure when I started drooling and dragging my knuckles, but it has happened! I beg Andrew for his patience during my difficult stage.
We got him a camera for his birthday and he got to go on a little shopping trip with Nana. He seemed to enjoy these. Well the screaming is more than I can ignore any more, so more updates later.

Super Mike to the rescue

Mike has done it again! My dryer broke last Sat. and I really can't go without one. I had underwear and socks draped all over the house to dry. Not fun. Of course the parts store wasn't open on Sat. So this morning I took 3 loads over to my Mom's to dry it. That is a pretty sweet deal. I go over and my Dad starts the dryer, I get served lunch, we play a card game and then I bring all the dried clothes home. Now if I could get them all to fold it for me. Anyway, Mike came over for lunch and told me that he fixed the dryer and I could go home. I am back home, but I wanted to make sure that Nana and Grandpa got plenty of time with the kids. Not the most exciting summer adventure, but it does have a happy ending!!!!

It's chilly

I sit here shivering slightly as the artic blast from the newly repaired AC blows and chills our sweaty bodies. I hope all the little ones stay warm tonight. I may have to get an extra blanket out ! I love that my wonderful husband can figure all these things out. It did take him 4 days, but it saved us about $1000. So I will hug him at least as tightly as I hugged the AC unit and he will also get a big kiss!

Air Conditioning

I am a wimp! I love air conditioning!!! I do not love the heat. i do not love the humidity. I do not love nature when I have to be in it sweating for long periods of time. I think I am being blessed with .....whatever. MY AIR CONDITIONER IS BROKEN!!!!!!! I really hope that Mike can get it fixed today. It has been broken since Sunday. I do have to say thanks to Mark Fisher for helping us out. I really don't think I could go all summer without AC. I am just way to delicate. I am probably way to whinny, also.

Boys and Boyfriends

Ever since the last day of school Sariah has had a little boy calling her. He keeps asking if they cam be boyfriend and girlfriend. She just finished 2nd grade!!! He said he wanted to go out with her and she told him they could go out as friends. I am pretty sure he meant going steady and she thought that an actual location would be involved. I am very thankful for her sweet innocence at this stage in her life. After several phone calls from him she is frustrated and told us, again, that he wanted her to be his boyfriend. Mike told her that she is too young for this. I said the same thing, but add to tell him to just be friends. Throwing her hands in the air she said "That is what I told him!" Funny how they can make you bonkers even at 8 years old!

mike and jenny family

Summer is almost here!

As I sit here thinking about how there are only 4 days of school left i am both happy and a little norvous. It is always nice to have a break form the routine of the school year, but I wonder how I can keep all 6 kids happy and entertained. This is always the biggest challenge because what makes the big one happy is of no interest to the little ones and what makes the little ones happy only irrritates the big ones. What's an over worked Mom to do?!?

Summer is comming

nothing better than swinging

climbing to the top
showing off the rock climbing wall

the finished fort! so cool

watching the rain this morning not playing outside!

This is my 3rd attempt to tell you that the fort is done! They are so excited to have it. Naomi screamed with delight and ran right for it. Now if i can only get the pics that go with. If only the rain will stop so they can really get out and use most incredible fort!!!

New toy

We finally did it! We bought one of those large wooden fort/swing-set/future broken arm things. Now all Mike(the coolest most handsome and strong man anyone could want) has to do is build it in one day, so our children do not all have little heart attacks because the coolest thing they have ever seen or begged for is untouchable. Wish him luck! We will keep you posted on the before and after construction carnage.

My sister ate it

Today i was looking at the parents page on the school web site and i saw that one of my beloved children didn't turn in a worksheet. The teacher had attached a note and his excuse was that his sister ate it!! I don't know if the excuses are running low because it is the end of the school year or of creativity is just running low. Either way, I guess the kids are getting ready for summer. Now they will have the whole summer to replenish their supply of good excuses.

Baptism

So the latest big thing for our family is that Sariah was baptised! Her birthday was on Sunday so she got to be baptised right on her birthday! so much fun. we were blessed to have all of our family there, and we were so glad to have our cousins from Colorado and grandparents from Wyoming. It was such a busy weekend! Sariah was so glad to be the star of the show. I think she often gets lost in the shuffle of everyday life because she isn't old enough or boy enough to do stuff with the big boys and too big and bossy to have tons of fun with the little ones. Oh the struggles of life!

i still haven't figured out how to post the pictures that go with this, but maybe soon.

I want to be part of the "in" crowd so i have started one for our family. I am not very techy so i have a feeling that this will be a long learning process for me. In fact this is my third attempt at this whole blogging thing! Hopefully I will catch on soon.
Stay tuned for the next installment! Its sure to be funny with me trying to figure all this stuff out!