Halloween Preview AKA Church Carnival

Saturday was the big church carnival. I must be honest and say that Joey and I are usually the fly under the radar type of people. We don't always make it to the church activities. But with kids and primary announcements, it is not so easy to get out of it! So we got the kids in their costumes, picked up Riley, and we were ready to go. It was actually so much fun. The kids played games, got their faces painted, ate chili that Luke loved, and spent many times going through the spook alley. It was so much fun to be there and feel a part of the ward. I might venture to say that the Childs just might make an appearance at the next Halloween party. I am not committing but it might be a possibility...

Family Fun Friday

Friday was the second day of the Fall Break and Joey took the day off. Have I mentioned before that I just LOVE when he is home during the week? Life just seems to be so much better with him around. So with this time off we decided to go to lunch at Planet Play. This is such a fun place for the kids. We had been there once before and they just loved it. They have pizza, pasta, and salad bars. So you eat some yummy food and then you go to the play area where they have laser tag, go carts, a play land for the little ones and tons of arcade games. The kids played for hours and earned tickets to buy prizes. It was such a nice time as a family and I am just so grateful that we are able to make these memories together.

Fall Break

I must be honest and admit that any break from school gives me a bit of anxiety. It is not easy going anywhere with four children. I know that they anticipate days full of fun and I am always worried that I cannot deliver. So this morning I called my friend Marisa and we decided to go to the park for a picnic. We went to Del Taco, grabbed some lunch, and we were off to the yellow/blue park. This is the best park because it is never crowded. Except for today! We pulled up to find a whole mom group with all their kids. Thankfully once we had eaten lunch they all left and we had the park to ourselves. The kids all had a blast and all got along great! I put Gray in the swing- his absolute favorite. He probably was in there for about 45 minutes and smiled the whole time. Harlee and Nash took turns pushing him while he just giggled! When I asked him if he wanted to get out he said "NO NO". He loved it and I loved that he was enjoying time with me not holding him. It was such a beautiful day and they all had a great time. Too bad the fun wore off and now they are asking me what is next. How many days of this??

I know I am loved...

Tears filled my eyes today as I watched Harlee run into preschool. As I got her out of the car she hugged me so tight, kissed me goodbye, and said "I love you Mom." What a beautiful blessing this little girl is in my life. There is something to be said about having a little girl. Don't get me wrong- I completely LOVE my boys. They are so great in their own ways and they bring me such joy. But they are not always willing to participate in the public affection. When I dropped Luke off today he squirmed through a quick kiss goodbye and said "See ya". Harlee was not embarrassed at all and helped remind me that all this craziness is worth it. Thanks my sweet little girl for making me feel so loved. I pray that you always feel that from me in return.

Another Trip Down South

This weekend we were lucky to be able to go down to St. George and spend some quality time together as a family. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and we had the best time. We left after I finished teaching on Thursday night and arrived in St. George around 12:30am. The excitement wore off and everyone was asleep by 1:30am. The kids were up at 7am and ready to go! We relaxed around the house until 11am and then went to Pizza Factory for lunch. After lunch I took Luke and Harlee to the pool and Joey napped with the little boys. We then went and grabbed dinner for a picnic at the park. The next day started with some garage sales. We ate lunch and then spent this afternoon the same as the day before. I went with the older two to the pool and Joey napped with the little ones. We then did some shopping, grabbed pizza, and had another picnic at the park. On the drive home from the park Joey started bugging all of us about packing up and driving through the night. I always get such anxiety on the Saturday of our weekend trips because he always bugs me to leave. "Let's just drive home and wake up in our own beds." Little does he realize that this means I have a couple hours of cleaning to do before we can leave. Not exactly what I want to do at the end of a fun/relaxing Saturday. So I did not give in this time to his somewhat buggy requests and we enjoyed a good night sleep. We got up, packed up, cleaned, and were on the road by 10:45am. What a great weekend as a family. I feel so blessed to be able to spend this time together and make some great memories!

Our Funny Boy

Nash is definitely one of a kind. He is such a sweet boy but when he wants something he sure lets you know. And really there is no way you are going to talk him out of him. Stubborn just like another man I know! So lately he has been gathering toys that he insists on sleeping by. They are usually spidermans, buzz lightyears, or other things he finds in the toy bucket in his room. But last night was so random. He insisted on sleeping with a wooden rocking horse, a helmet, and two scrubbing gloves we use to wash the car. We tried to talk him out of it but there was no chance. What a funny kid. Can't wait to see what is next...

Here is his pile of sleeping friends:

Not so much a change man

I know I have mentioned it a few times before but Gray is CRAZY! He is into everything and there is never a dull moment. One of his favorite pass times was helping himself in the pantry. He would go in and get the snack of his choice (who is in control here?) and on his way out, dump bags of food on the floor. This drives me nuts! I tell Joey that we might as well throw away money since I had to sweep up good food that after hanging out on the pantry floor, was not an option for the kids. So I found a lever door lock, we organized the pantry and I am so happy about it. I wish I could say the same for Gray. Everyday he tries to open the door and then remembers he cannot do it. He then throws a little fit but eventually gets over it. I so prefer this daily ritual to the one of my relationship with the broom five or more times a day. Thanks amazon for changing my life!

*Such a sad face!

Joey Turns the BIG 40

Yesterday was Joey's birthday. Although he does not appreciate a big deal being made of this day, the kids and I tried to do little things to let him know how special he is to us. We put some donuts and a CD in his car so when he left for work in the morning he would find it. Then we spent the day making his favorite cake and steak fajita dinner. The kids made him cards and were so excited to give them to him. After dinner, he opened his presents and we had some German chocolate cake. We hope he had a great birthday! I am so grateful to have Joey in my life. What a blessing he is. He is the best father and example to our children and I know that they know how much he loves them. Happy Birthday to my BEST FRIEND who I will love for eternity.

*On Friday Joey and I went to the movies and an early dinner to celebrate. Love spending some quality time alone! Sure love that man!

I KNOW He hears me

I love that my testimony of prayer and knowing that my Heavenly Father hears me can be strengthened through simple things. Today we were struggling to get out the door to Harlee's dance class. Gray is not feeling well so getting everyone ready while holding him set us back a bit. We were just about to go to the car and I asked Harlee to grab her dance bag. She looked in all the normal places it should be and it was not there. Frantically I put the little ones in the car and set off to find the bag. I checked her closet and then went to look in my closet. While in my closet I prayed aloud that I could find the bag. She needed her dance shoes to participate in class today. As quickly as the words came out of my mouth, I had the strangest thought to look in the laundry basket in between two loads of laundry. Seriously?? What a random thought and place. But I listened and went to find the bag where I was told to look. Sure enough, it was there. I immediately thanked my Heavenly Father for His help. What a blessing prayer is to me. What a blessing the Gospel is to me. I seriously do not know how I would get through even the smallest trials without knowing I have Heavenly Father and a Savior to turn to for help. I am truly grateful!

The Monopolizer of my time

WOW!!! Gray is seriously the busiest kid I have ever seen. He is always into something that he knows he should not be. He loves to climb up on the island and turn on the gas stove. Not so safe! He loves to get in the pantry and pour out all the snacks on the floor. He loves to get the toilet paper and throw the whole roll in the toilet. He loves throw all of the pillows off the couch right after I have put them back. The list can seriously go on and on. And no matter how crazy he makes me feel and no matter how much time I do not have to get things done because I am chasing him, I still can't get enough of this cute little boy. He shows me his toothy grin and says "Ma" or rests his head on my shoulder and all those crazy moments disappear. I think he knows how to work his mom! Well hopefully we have eliminated some of his stinky ways. We have put locks on the pantry door and moved the chairs away from the island. I am hoping for a little more productive time next week! Maybe catch up on a few more blog entries!
PS- Gray is starting to walk a lot more. I counted 12 steps in a row! Way to go big boy!

School Carnival

On Monday night Traverse Mountain had their annual carnival. I secretly hoped this night would come and go and the kids would forget about it. No such luck! So I took Luke and Harlee and they had a blast. We bought tickets to play games, get their hair colored, eat treats, and claim prizes. Even though carnivals are not my thing, it was a lot of fun to watch them enjoy themselves. It was dark around 8pm and they were ready to go. Who knew you could have so much fun for $10! I say it is worth it!