We are still here...

It's been a few weeks since we've blogged but we are here and we are alive. My camera doesn't hold a charge anymore so I'm struggling taking picts. We just got back from Utah visiting Kory's family. Every year at this time the family and extended family gets together and cuts up meat. This was our first year attending this great event. It turned out to be a really awsome experience. In three days working from 8-5 with an 1 1/2 lunch break each day we cut up 18 steers/old cows. We cut up every type of beef meat you can think of hamburger, ribs, sirloin steak, rib steak, roast, etc. We were able to bring back several boxes of meat to fill our deep freeze. The days we weren't cutting up meat the kids were having a blast sledding down the hill in Aunt Harmony's back yard. After last years mishap I didn't dare try but the kids even Emily had a good time.

Before our 5 day journey to Utah we were finishing some projects around the house. Kory finished trimming the tree in our front yard and took all the trimmings to the dump. The tree looks great and our garden this year should do much better as it won't be in so much shade. We've been told the tree has never been trimmed before. There were branches so low that Hunter and Maddie could reach the lower branches. We had major mesquito issues this past year. I'm hoping that the ground will be able to dry quicker this year and the mesquito's won't stick around as long as they were able to this past year.

We also finished the inside of the shed. We hung shelves on 3 of the walls and put up hooks to hold shovels, rakes, hoses, etc. It looks good. Not having a garage the shed has been put to good use. My closest almost looks bare now that all the boxes of holiday decorations and baby paraphenelia are out of there. When it gets a little warmer we will stucko the outside and then the shed will be done. YEAH!!!

The kids now have a sand box. We found a place that gave us FREE sand we just had to haul it from Chino Valley to home. Kory built the box to hold all the sand and then 2 loads of sand filled it to the top. The kids have had so much fun having a sand box again. It turned out bigger then I thought 10x10. It's almost as big as the kids rooms. They have spent many hours out there the past few weeks enjoying there new space to play. Our backyard stays in the shade almost all day during the winter so all we have is a big mud puddle. I'm anxious for it to finally dry up and let the kids really have a great time out there. Next week I'm teaching preschool it'll be interesting to see all 7 kids out there.

Till next time...

Christmas Morning

Emily woke up at 4:15am Christmas Morning needing to use the bathroom. Being we shut the girls bedroom door she woke Maddie up so she could get out. Both girls walked right by the family room were Santa had delivered his gifts, got drinks and then came into our bedroom to tell us Emily needed the bathroom. Daddy helped Emily do her thing and then everyone crawled back into our bed. Emily started talking, not about anything impatitular but she just wouldn't be quiet. The girls didn't mention Santa at all. In the past Emily has done this before. We call it her early morning chatter. She usually talks and giggles for 30-45min. and then she'll fall asleep again. After about 15 minutes of this Kory and I decided we might as well get up. It was obvious Emily wasn't going to quit anytime soon. We were thinking that she probably wouldn't fall asleep until after 5a.m and then Hunter would probably wake up at 6 which is when he usually wakes up. We didn't want to be awake listening to chatter for 45min. to fall asleep for 45min just to be woken up again. So at 4:45 we were all in the front room discovering what Santa had brought. Emily was quite excited about her "2" babies. She wasn't to thrilled with having to wait on Daddy to unstrap the many ties so that she could hold them. Santa brought Maddie the Mariposa Barbie with beautiflul wings along with a jumbo size coloring book.

Santa brought Hunter a jumbo size coloring book along with a big dinoaur. The dinosaur roars and turns his head when a button is pushed. Hunter wasn't to excited with what Santa brought last year so I was glad to hear him say, "that's what I've always wanted" when he saw the dinosaur.

As most of you know we love playing games. So this year I bought a game for each of the kids. My brother had our name this year and sent us an additonal 5 games. Needles to say we have been quite busy these past few days playing new games.

Emily with all of her goodies.

Maddie with her goodies.

Hunter with his goods.

We had a wonderful Christmas morning with the kids. Everything was opened by 6 and some of us were then able to take a nap. Or maybe it's just called going back to bed. The past 2 years it seems someone has been sick by Christmas morning, thankfully this year we are all still healthy. We tried to keep the gifts very simple this year. We feel like we succeded, which is such a good feeling. We gave each of the kids 3 gifts, a puzzle, a movie and 1 toy. Santa brought a toy and then a jumbo coloring book for each of the kids. On top of that they each received gifts from Aunts and Uncles and of course Grandma's and Grandpa's. In the end they had plenty to open and play with. This year didn't end with the feeling we spent way too much money or that we over did it with the gifts. I hope next year will out similar to this year.

Christmas Oranges

Earlier this week when my camera decided not to work we made several goodie bags and took them to friends and primary teachers. Since then I've been debating if we should do something for our neighbors. Several weeks ago we had the sister missionaries over for dinner. We accepted their challenge to get to know our neighbors and eventually talk to them about the gospel. Since then we've done NOTHING! Then the other night I was flipping through the Ensign for January 2009. After reading the very 1st article, I decided we should do something for our neighbors this Christmas season but what? So last night it hit me. The Orange Story about the little boy in the orphanage. He looks forward all year long for his orange on Christmas Day. On accident he trapes mud into the home and is punished by the loss of his orange. He has a horrible Christmas Day. That night after his prayers he climbs into bed and he feels somebody giving him something in the dark. When he opens his hand he discovers a different looking orange. Each of the other 10 orphanges took 1 piece of their orange and created an whole orange for him. I've always loved this story. I figured this story would be perfect to give to our neighbors. So this morning on Christmas Eve I took my children to battle the crowds at the grocery store and bought oranges. I printed the Orange Story onto paper and Emily helped me tie them up

The kids put oranges into the goodie bags for me.

We then connected the story to the bag of oranges. Tonight after dinner we will be delivering them to everyone on our street. Hopefully this will be the start to changing our, waving at each other as we drive by relationship, with our neighbors.

It is Christmas Eve but better late then never.

Santa's Letters

My children didn't have the opportunity to see Santa this year. Santa surprised everyone when he came to the ward party but we were in Utah for Uncle Klynt's wedding. Earlier last week I went to Fry's one evening all by myself since Kory was home. Guess who was there? Santa of course. The one time I don't have my kids with me Santa decides to show up. So to make sure Santa knows what everyone is hoping for we wrote letters. Surprise, Surprise! Santa wrote back.

They were so excited to see what Santa had to say they couldn't wait for Emily to wake up from her nap. Which explains why Emily is not around. She's still a little young to understand all the excitement that came from the letters this year. Santa told each of them to continue to be good little boys and girls. If they do he'll bring them a special surprise.

Gingerbread Houses

OOPS!! I downloaded the picts backwards. We have all been busy the past week or two getting ready for Christmas. Last week I had Hunter's class party to do. It was fun but I'm glad it's over. Sometime last week we helped the kids make their annual gingerbread houses. This was mommy and Emily's house.
Hunter is quite proud of his. For some reason I didn't get his finished product picture.

Same with Maddie. I know I took the pictures but they didn't download and since then I've erased the picts so this is all I've got. We turned ice cream cones upside down and made them into trees.

Emily's favorite part was all the candy she got. Mom and Dad were too busy helping the other kids to notice that she downed 2 bowls of candy. She was very lucky she didn't get a stomach ache that night.

1st Ultrasound

Today I had my 1st ultrasound for baby #4. It's a Boy!!!
We are very excited as this is what we were hoping for.

1st Dance Recital

Yesterday was Maddies 1st Dance Recital. Her 1st performance took place at Bucky's Casino in the lobby at 11am. She's pretty dramatic at home but while she danced it was even more evident. She had fun dancing for the crowd. After she performed her 3 little numbers everyone was invited to decorate gingerbread men provided by the casino.

When the gingerbread men were decorated we headed off to Pioneer Homes which is a Senior Citizen assisted living home. I had no idea how large this facility was. There were 3 floors and when the performance started I bet there was easily 100+ people watching. It was so much fun to watch our little girl perform. When it was all over she wanted to go someplace else and perform again. Performing 2 times in one day just wasn't enough. I am so glad she has had fun the past few months learning little dance routines. Dance is over until the end of January. I've been debating whether to put her in again or not. After yesterday I think the decision is made to do it again.

Maddie's Dance Photos

This past friday I took Maddie to a dear friends house for a little photo shoot in her dance costume. April did a wonderful job.

2 of the other Dancing Darlings came to join in the fun. These 3 girls are best of friends. Not only are they in the same dance class but they are also in the same preschool. They get to see each other 3 times a week.

Looking at these pictures of my little girl bring tears to my eyes. She's growing up too quickly. It's hard to believe she'll be turning 5 this upcoming year and beginning Kindergarten. I am so thankful we have been blessed to have such a sweet little spirit in our home. I can't imagine life with out her. I love you Maddie.

Christmas Tree...

For family home evening this week we put up our Christmas Tree. Coming home this past weekend from Utah we brought with us many gifts from Grandma's, Aunts and Cousins. We had to put them somewhere.

The kids were thrilled to help again this year.

Even Emily got into the festivities.

Maddie wouldn't look at me while taking the picts. She was too interested in decorating the tree.

Nursing Cover

Isn't it cute fabric. It reminds me of my sister Sheri who's due date is 2 days after mine. Sorry girl this one's not for you. But I will make you one.

I've seen these on the internet lately. Generally they are called Hooter Covers (can't stand the name) or a Busom Buddy. They retail for about $40-45. I've seen them on Etsy for about $20-25. They are so easy to make. It takes 1yd of fabric, 16 inch. of boning and 2 D rings. The fabric cost me $2.00 from Wal Mart, the boning was $.22 and the D rings were $1.49 (4 came in a pack). So for one Nursing Cover it cost me about $3.00. I love great finds like this. I wish at the moment I had a nursing baby to see how well it works. In the meantime I'm just going to have to believe everyone elses comments that this will come in handy. This cover slips over your head and you use the fabric through the D rings to tighten it. The boning in the front makes the fabric curve out a little so you can see the baby underneath and be able to fix yourself when the baby's done eating without flashing everyone. I've nursed all of my children and all of them hate to be covered with a blanket, they end up pulling it off. This makes it a little hard to feed the little munchkins in public without a blanket.

My sister-in law is due the end of Jan. Being we will see her this weekend I think I'll give it to her as a gift. We've had 3 babies born in the last 6 mo. with 9 more women due all by July. I think I've found myself a new gift to give for all the upcoming showers we will be having. You can't beat a $3.00 gift that takes me about an hour to make.

Thanksgiving 08'

For thanksgiving this year my parents and sister Hanna came to be with us. Kory's brother is getting married this coming weekend in Utah and we decided we didn't want to make 2 trips to Utah back to back. It was great having family come to us for some of the holiday. Several weekends ago we took the kids on a hike and collected pinecones for future projects. The above is suppose to be a turkey if you couldn't tell.

I've always done projects pretty regularly with the kids. Being I've got 2 in school I haven't been doing so many. I should start doing more again because Emily loves making things. Just like her older siblings did at her age. Emily loved gluing pom poms around her pinecone.

Both Maddie and Hunter's favorite was dribbling puff paint all over. Unfortunately I didn't get a very good picture of them so the turkey will have to do.

Besides the paint they had pom poms, feathers and lots and lots of glitter to choose from.

The kids kept Grandma busy reading them stories.

Hunter taught Grandpa how to play the Wii. Grandpa is not much into games but he sure played them all weekend. Besides the Wii several board games were also played. Grandpa has a big smile on his face. I think he enjoyed himself. Hunter had a blast being able to *teach* his Grandpa something.

While Hanna was here I helped her make an upcoming Christmas present. I didn't take a picture of the finished project because I don't want to spoil the suprise. But WOW!! Hanna did a great job. It turned out very, very nice. Good job Hanna.

7 years today...

Kory and I were married and sealed in the Las Vegas Temple 7 years ago today. That was us then and this is us now.

Happy 7th anniversary, Kory. I love you!

A mile stone for Emily...

This picture was taken of Emily much earlier this year but it was the best I could find of her smiling face and actually looking at the camera. This only happens on very rare occasions lately. She does not like the camera.For quite some time now everytime I would leave Emily she would cry. It didn't matter if she was left with her dad, a teenage babysitter or even a friend of mommy's. Thank goodness she doesn't give her dad any trouble anymore but as far as everyone else she just doesn't like it when I leave her. I was asked to be the Nursery Leader when she was 14mo. and so since then she has been attending Nursery. About 3 months ago I was released. Emily of course has since then had a very hard time attending nursery. The 1st hour daddy stays with her and then I stay with her the last hour.

I volunteer in Hunter's kindergarten classroom once a week. During that time I leave my girls with a good friend who has girls of her own about the same ages. And every week I talk to Emily about how she's going to go play at Amber's house. Every time I mention it she begins to cry. She cry's all the way to her house saying, "NO Amber's house, NO Amber's house." Needless to say I don't leave her very happy but when I pick her up she's once again happy and ready to go home.

Being Emily's been around Amber's mommy quite a bit we asked her to take Emily to nursery a few weeks ago just to see what would happen. She fussed a little when I turned her over but she didn't cry. Amber's mommy ended up needing to help in the Nursery class and so stayed the 1st hour. Emily cried when she left but she stayed by herself until church was over. This I believe is day that Emily began to change.

Since then Emily doesn't cry when left at Amber's house. In fact she walks/runs through the front door. This was a mile stone in itself.

Saturday I asked a young girl in our ward to babysit so we could go see Twighlight. I was very nervous. We left Emily a few weeks ago with another teenage babysitter and it didn't go very well. We were gone for about 2 hours and received several calls from the sitter saying Emily just wouldn't quit crying. With previous sitters we didn't get the phone calls but were told she cried almost the entire time we were gone. But Saturday afternoon we left her sitting at the table eating a popsicle and she didn't cry. We didn't get a single phone call and all the kids agreed with the sitter that she didn't cry once. YEAH!!!!! This means Kory and I will finally begin to be able to have dates a little more often then once every quarter.

Sunday she walked into Nursery all by herself, no tears. Kory was the one who took her. He says she gave him her terrified look but then turned around and walked in when her Nursery teacher called her name. Yeah!!! We are both soo soo excited. I am so thankful this paticular stage of Emily's is over. Or so we hope!