Candy Cane Meet

Tonight was the annual Candy Cane meet.  The boys each had three events.  Nash swam the 100 Free, the 50 Breast and 50 Back.  He cut time on his 50 Back and took first place.  Gray swam the 100 Free, the 50 Breast and the 50 Fly.  He took first place in the 50 Fly.  I was so proud of both of them.  They are both such strong swimmers.  They go to practice every night without complaint and all of their hard work is paying off.  Great job my favorite swimmers.

A Fun Hangout and a Clean House

I love these girls and I love their true friendship.  Aubrey came over to hang out with Harlee tonight.  They always come up with creative ways to spend their time together and tonight was no different.  They created a cleaning cart and decided to go room to room cleaning.  When I got home they showed me all that they had completed.  They rooms looked amazing!  I could not believe all of their hard work.  Such cute girls and they totally lightened my load. 

Nash gets his Bear

Tonight we had pack meeting for Scouts and Nash was awarded his bear.  They neglected to tell me that as a mom of the bear I would need to growl and have him fight the win the bear that I was holding.  Thankfully they found some growl sounds online but I did have to put up a fight with a stuffed bear so Nash could officially earn the award.  I am so proud of him!  I am not the best scout mom.  Besides getting them to scouts, they are on their own.  Nash has worked hard and definitely deserves this award.

The Outside matches the Inside

We got the Christmas decorations up on the inside and now it was time to decorate the outside.  There is supposed to be a big storm coming so we needed to get it done sooner than later.  Jeremy is so busy with dental school so he was unable to help this year with the lights.  Thankfully Brennan is home and willing to serve!  I was so grateful for his help!  I don't ever think the roof is as high as it is.  They turned out great!  We also added a little buffalo plaid ribbon to the porch and it looks perfect!  Love this holiday season!

First Snow Day of the Season

 Today was the first real snow storm of the season.  The kids could not wait to get out and play in it!  They waited until about 10am and then they were in and out of their snow clothes multiple times thoughout the day!  I love that they love to be outside playing together in the snow and I love that I can watch them from inside in the warm house!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

The Childs don't waste any time!  Thanksgiving was yesterday and today we are setting up for Christmas.  I have to admit that I love the magic that feels our home when all of the Christmas decorations are up.  We added a few stockings and a new star on the tree this year.  So excited to enjoy the Christmas spirit for the next month!

A Childs Thanksgiving

Joey and I were the hosts of Thankgiving this year with Joey's family.  It was a lot of work to get everything ready but it was such a nice evening spending time together.  We feasted on delicious food and then sat around catching up on how everyone is doing.  Brody and Carson played ping pong downstairs with their cousings.  I am so grateful for great examples that our kids have to look up to!  I am so thankful for all of my many blessings.  I am married to my best friend and we have five beautiful blessings to learn from.  We have the most beautiful home where we can feel the spirit and keep warm during the holidays.  I am so grateful for the Gospel in my life and for the knowledge I have of being able to be with my family forever.  I am so blessed.

Makin Pies

This year it is the Childs Thanksgiving and we are hosting at our house.  It is a lot of work but so nice to be able to spread out a bit.  Harlee and I decided that we would try to make a few pies to have for dessert.  We chose to make Key Lime and an Oreo pie.  We started with the oreo and followed by the key lime.  They didn't take too long and the mixtures tasted really good.  Here's hoping that they turned out!  So fun to try this new experience with my favorite girl.  I think this will for sure become a welcomed tradition!

The Grinch

Today is the first day of Thanksgiving Break.  Joey took the day off from work and my work is pretty slow right now.  So we decided to see the Grinch as a family.  I got seats at the luxury theater and we were ready to watch the movie in style.  Tag has been especially excited about this movie and 2pm could not come soon enough.  It was such a cute movie.  I loved this version because they focused more on the reason as to why Christmas was a difficult holiday for the Grinch rather than making the Grinch the bad guy.  It was such a sweet movie and I may have gotten a little teary!  I love that our kids are at the age that we can go and enjoy a movie together.  Such a great way to start the Thanksgiving Break!

My Hero

I was cleaning out Tag's backpack and I found a paper that he had written on his hero.  Tears filled my eyes as I read what he had written. "My hero is my Mom.  She keeps me safe and she gives me Coke.  She hugs me.  I love my Mom."  Oh how I love him!  It has not been the easiest journey helping Tag to reach his greatest potential but it sure has been a beautiful journey.  So blessed to be a part of it!

Advancing to Advanced

Today I parked where I could watch Luke do his parkour.  I am so amazed at how talented he is.  He can back flip like it is nothing- so amazing!  When he was finished he came sprinting out to the car.  I figured he was really cold but he was running to tell me the news.  He passed off on the requirements to move up to the Advanced class.  He was so excited and I couldn't be more proud.  He worked so hard and it paid off.  Way to go Luke!

2018/2019 School Pictures

It only took me a few months but I finally got the school pictures up in the basement.  All of the pictures turned out great this year, minus a tiny booger in Tag's nose!  Each year I just put the new picture in front of the old.  We have four years worth of pictures now in the frame and it is so fun to see how much they have grown and changed over the last four years.  It is crazy!  They are the cutest kids and I feel so blessed to be their mom.

Thankful Plate

Tonight Tag worked on his Thankful Plate that he needed to do for school.    He was asked to draw on the plate all of the things that he was thankful for.  We started by taping a picture of our family on the top and then he went to work.  He first drew Mario followed Mom.  He then drew Jesus, his house, the church, and "my dog".  So cute!  I am so thankful for this little blessing in my life.  Our caboose couldn't bring us more joy!

Sunday Fun

I love having 9am church!  I look forward to an afternoon full of rest to prepare for the craziness of the upcoming week.  I also love that the kids have a lot of time to hang out with each other.  Today the younger boys decided to dress up!  Not sure if I am loving Gray in a dress but they were all cracking me up.  They are so lucky to have each other.  Built in friends!

Cannot believe we are here...

How is this happening? Luke will be able to get his permit in about 7 months.  He has been begging me to practice driving.  Today I surprised him and took him to the church parking lot.  He actually did a really good job and did not scare me too bad.  I am hoping that we can practice quite a bit so that he will be ready to drive on the roads without fear as soon as he gets his permit. 

42 Years

Happy Birthday to me!  I cannot believe that I am 42.  Where has the time gone?  I can honestly say that it has been a great 42 years.  I have been so blessed to be given an amazing partner/best friend and five of the best children to learn from.  I was so spoiled tonight.  Joey and Harlee made a yummy dinner of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls, and carrots.  Then they spoiled me with gifts.  We then enjoyed a yummy oreo dessert.  They all made me feel so special.  Getting older is a little tough but it seems much more doable surrounded by my favorite people.

Birthday Breakfast Tradition is Back

After a few years off while my Dad was away we were excited to bring back the birthday breakfast.  Dad, Jenna, and I went to our usual spot, One Man Band.  We enjoyed a yummy breakfast while catching up on life.  It is really nice to have my Dad home and I really enjoyed spending my birthday morning with him.

Ike is 2 or 14

Happy Birthday to our favorite puppy!  Cannot believe that he is 2 years old!  We honestly (well most of us) love having Ike in our family.  Joey will come around but the rest of us are smitten.  He is such a good dog.  Nothing beats coming home to someone who is so excited to see you.  Hope he feels loved and a part of our family.  I think he loves his new toy and bones. 

Rockin the fanny pack

Today Luke went to a tech conference today at Adobe with his friends Tyson and Calab.  They were excited to go together and they were not even in any classes together.  Luke was a little bummed and did not have the best time until he was given a fanny pack!  That frown turned upside down and he could not wait to wear it.  So funny!  I remember when fanny packs were the in thing.  The trends always circle back.  Love it!