Christmas 2014

This year we spent Christmas in Boise.  It was 10 days filled with large family gatherings, Christmas shopping, a date for Tony and my upcoming 12th anniversary, and various other activities.  We enjoyed our time there but I was certainly glad when we made it home with our own space and beds.  All the merry making and constant running around can really take it out of you, especially if you're 8 months pregnant!  I have to say I'm a bit sad at the limited number of pictures we have to document our time, but it is what it is.  So I'll share what we've got.

Tony's mom waited until we came into town to get their tree so my kids could experience the whole "picking out a tree" and "decorating the tree" thing.  We had kind of a hard time finding a tree lot and then when we did all that was left were the big ones.  But we were able to get a discount so a normally $70 tree was $40 made it worth the trouble.

Carson

Alaina

Charlie

I'm rearranging the kids decorations and trying to reach the top without toppling over myself.

The kids also made ginger bread houses with their cousins.  I have to admit this isn't usually something we do around the holidays but the kids had fun for the short amount of time their houses actually stayed up.

Carson

Alaina

Charlie

  And yes even I joined in to make a house.  The kids quickly devoured their houses, especially Charlie.

So come Christmas morning I got some videos of the kids opening presents and such.  But totally spaced getting pictures on Christmas Eve of the kids acting out the nativity or wearing their Christmas p.j.s.  I also never got pictures of the kids with all their gifts like I usually do.  I'll blame it on pregnancy brain combined with the ciaos of Christmas morning.

But all in all we had a good Christmas and the kids were thrilled with all their gifts.  I have to admit that I always look forward to Christmas but I'm glad when it's all said and done.  Now that all the festivities are almost over I can start concentrating on getting ready for the baby.  He'll be here in about 8 weeks, so we'd better get busy!

Carson's Ode to me ;)

The following is a "paper" my son wrote for school.  I find it sort of amusing and I guess I must be doing something right.

Do you have someone who talks to you, spends time with you, and takes you shopping?  Well, I do, and she loves me very much.  She talks to me even when I am having a bad day, like a few weeks ago. I was having a really bad evening. She said it was time to get off Netflix, but, I didn’t want to.  So I kicked my shoe and got grounded for a week, then I slammed my door and got grounded for two weeks.  Even though my Mom holds me responsible for my actions, I still love her. 

She spends time with me when we go to Surf ‘n’ Slide.  We go on the slides together and we also go on the lazy river together. I like spending time with my Mom. 

She takes me shopping for food and clothes.  She also takes me shopping for Christmas gifts.  And that’s what my Mom does with me.  She takes me shopping, spends time with me, and talks to me. I love my Mom.

Brian & Collette's Pictures

Just a sample of some pictures I took over Thanksgiving of my brother's family.

Life is Full of Uncertainty

This morning I was looking at my Time hop account and read something I had posted 5 years ago to Facebook.  I was hoping that life would sort itself out.  At first I had to laugh because here I am 5 years later still waiting for "life to sort itself out".  But then I really began to think.  5 years ago we were recovering from Tony's lay off from Diamond Z.  He hated his job with IDCS, but we were grateful for the job.  We were starting to throw the idea around of Tony going back to school, and I was doing the working mom thing with 2 kids.  The housing market was horrible and the nation was in the midst of an economic downturn.  So yes at that time our lives were full of uncertainty and I wanted things to sort themselves out.  Fast forward to the present.  Tony is a recent engineering graduate.  Working a new job and in a new place.  We're expecting our fourth child and are faced with the difficulties of how best to take care of our growing family and growing responsibilities.  Again our lives are full of uncertainty and I'd really like "life to sort itself out".  But then again aren't our lives almost always full of uncertainty?  I mean there is always something.  Whether it's something big like a new house, a job, or a new baby.  Or something small like what's for dinner, getting kids from point A to point B, or what do we do for FHE this week.  We never can know and plan every aspect of our lives.  There will always been something unexpected that comes up that needs our attention.  But what I think I've learned today is that we can't wait for "life to sort itself out".  We have to be an active participant in our lives and do the sorting out ourselves.  Sure there are times when you just have to let things happen how they're going to and you do the best with what you are given.  But then there are times that you can decide how your life is going to be played.  So I pray that with the help of my Heavenly Father and Family I will be able to let things go when I have no control over what is happening and then pick up the pieces the best I can.  And that I'll be able to have the courage and strength to make the things happen in my life that I do have control over.  So for now that means I am not going to worry about when baby boy makes his appearance, but remain hopeful that it's before my sister-in-laws wedding.  And I am going to figure out what's for dinner.  I encourage each of you to do the same.        

Pictures

A few weeks ago we finally got the kids pictures done.  It's been a pretty wet October here and so trying to get said pictures done hasn't been easy.  So we set off on a Saturday we didn't have anything going on, I know it was a miracle, to capture our kiddos yearly progression.  After finding that our chosen park for said pictures was closed for the season, didn't know cities even did that, we made do.  I have to admit that this years photo shoot wasn't as "easy" as in years past but we got a few cute ones in there.  Hopefully you all enjoy them. 

 Charlie

 Alaina

 Carson

  All our kiddos...until February anyway.

Halloween 2014

This year I made Carson and Alaina's costumes again.  I actually really enjoy making the kids costumes, even though it's a bit stressful.  They always turn out better than those cheaply made, overpriced ones you buy at the store.

 Carson the pirate.

 Alaina the witch.

 Charlie the teenage mutant ninja turtle.  Sorry kiddo.  When you've got an older brother that means you wear the costume we have that's in your size.

Ready for a night of trunk or treating.  We opted to join in the festivities at our church.  Hot dogs, Hot chocolate, cotton candy, and three wards worth of trunks to get candy from.  Awesome!

Carson's turns 10

All of the kids birthday's have been pretty low key this year.  Dinner of their choice, cake, and presents.  Carson requested Papa Murphy's pizza.  It was so nice to not have to make dinner.  He also requested an ice cream cake with Optimus Prime.  Yes, mommy took the easy way and just bought a toy as decoration.  As each birthday passes Tony and I rack our brains to figure out something to give the kids that's not just another toy.  So this year Carson got a BB gun and a nice Frisbee.  He hasn't had a chance to use the BB gun yet.  He has to read the owner's manual and the hunter's safety manual before Tony will take Carson out.  As each year passes I can hardly believe how big my kids are getting.  Carson is growing into a wonderful, responsible young man.  We are frequently told what a great kid he is, and I have to agree.  He really is a great kid and we're so proud of him. 

Alaina's Award

Last week Tony and I were invited to the kids school for an awards assembly.  Alaina was to receive some sort of award.  I hadn't attended a school assembly for many years and it was actually fun for me to watch all the kids excitement.  Alaina didn't know about the upcoming award so when her name was called and her picture put on the screen the look and her face was priceless.  Pure surprise and amazement.  Alaina got a writing award, which doesn't really surprise me.  She's extremely creative and always making her own books.  We're so proud of her!   

Wood Cutting Service Project

This last weekend we traveled up to Ensign Ranch a church camp about an hour and a half from Moses Lake.  Our Stake was doing a wood cutting service project for the camp and we went to help.  We decided to camp and brought along our trailer and lots of coats and blankets.  It rained all Friday night but we all managed to stay dry and warm.  Saturday morning after breakfast (the food was provided by the Stake) we got to work.  I really didn't do a whole lot, mostly just helping the kids and keeping them away from anything dangerous.  By lunch time all the cutting, splitting, and stacking was done and between all the wards all the wood sheds were filled and then some.  And let me tell you that I'm not exaggerating when I tell you there was a lot of wood!  I have to be honest that I had a preconceived notion that Tony would be working the whole time while my kids whined and complained about how hard it was and asking every 10 minutes when we could go home.  But to my amazement they got right in there and help wherever they could.  Alaina helped stack wood.  Carson helped run the log-splitter, roll logs into place and whatever else needed to be done.  Charlie also helped stack wood and ran the log-splitter for a little while with some help for me or Tony.  I was told on multiple occasions of how awesome my kids were that they were helping and working so hard.  Major proud mom moment and I'm not ashamed to say that my eyes got a little misty as I watched my family working together.  I thoroughly enjoyed being out in nature.  I love the mountains in the fall!  The crisp air and the autumn leaves of the trees mixed with the evergreen pines is just beautiful!   It was a lovely weekend.  We were all exhausted when we got home and the muddy cloths and shoes were less than fun to deal with, but I'd say it was all worth it.       

 Our camp

 Charlie and Alaina found a place to sit among all the log waiting to be split.

 Charlie, Alaina, and I took a bit of a break from the wood cutting a found a neat little stream.

 Cuties by the stream.

 Carson

 Tony and Carson rolling logs.  

 Alaina and some of the other kids made a makeshift see saw.

Charlie was insistent that Daddy help him split some logs.  He wanted to help too!

For Little Man

My first complete sewing project for little man.  A receiving blanket and burp rags to match.  As always I love how these turned out and the best part is this time I get to keep them!

Now I need to make a cute girly one for my sister-in-law and waiting to hear what gender my sister is having to make one for her.  These really are my favorite baby gifts to make.  

Pumpkin Picking

So this weekend my parents were in town visiting.  On Saturday we went to a pumpkin patch about 45 minutes from us.  The patch had a small and large maze, a slide and other games.  We all had a really fun time and we managed to be done right before the weather turned bad.

 Charlie figured out a shortcut through the maze pretty quick so he could get to the slide.

 Grandpa with camera always in hand.

 Grandpa and Grandma

 Dad, Carson, Mom, Charlie, and Alaina.

 Dad with his pumpkin.

 Our family and our haul of pumpkins.

 Grandpa and Grandma with the grand-kids.

Grandma and Grandpa.

Life is Precious

On Friday I reach the half way point in my pregnancy.  This Friday I also have my ultrasound to see the gender of this baby.  As many of you know being pregnant is one of my very least favorite things in the world!  And there are many days that I just can't wait until the day that I feel like myself again.  I'm sure that Tony would tell you that I complain way more than I should, and I really try not too.  But after hearing news of a family members loss of a second baby, makes one really stop and think.  They had a baby boy a few months before Charlie was born with a genetic disorder, he lived for 10 days.  Then a baby girl born 5 days ago was born with the same genetic disorder and passed away last night.  Oh, how my heart aches for them.  I can't imagine what they're going through.  It makes me think how dare I complain at all when my babies are born healthy.  I've always been able to to carry my babies full-term and have natural un-complicated deliveries.  I know that there is always that chance that you could loose your precious little ones at anytime.  So today I've been reminded to be grateful for each of my children, even this little one I'm carrying that causes me (inadvertently) to feel physically ill.  Today I'll be grateful for the piles of dirty dishes and laundry because that means that I have them to care for.  Today I'll be grateful for the fighting and bickering because that means that I have them to teach and guide.  Today I'll be grateful for each sick feeling in my stomach because that means that I have the opportunity to give this little spirit a body and a chance to be part of our family (as imperfect as it is).  Today I will remember that life is precious.        

Sewing Fast

Shame, shame on me.  I was looking through old posts to discover that the last time I really sewed anything was in April!  What that can't be right!  But alas as I look back, it's true.  With moving and pregnancy my love of sewing has gone to the wayside.  Oh sure I've used my sewing machine to hem this, alter that, and sew a few scout patches here.  But no real sewing projects.  Of course I've got tons of potential projects floating around in my head.  T-shirts for Charlie made from shirts of Tony's that don't fit or he doesn't really like anymore.  Doll dresses from Alaina's 10" doll.  A Sunday dress or two for Alaina.  And of course lots of things for baby,  just trying to hold out until we find out the gender in two weeks!  Also the opening of a Joann fabrics in a week!  Hallelujah!  I've got some fabric on hand but nothing like what my mom had growing up or what my sister-in-law Maegen has, it makes me a bit jealous actually.  To be able to sew just because you want to and have all the supplies on hand.  Sigh.  So I'm hoping that I'll be able to do some sewing soon.  I might just have to ignore the house and my kids for a day. ;)      

Alaina Turns 7

Yesterday we celebrated Alaina's 7th birthday!  Alaina was a bit disappointed when I told her we probably wouldn't do a party this year.  Honestly I just don't think she has a big enough circle of friends yet and our place really isn't conducive to a party setting.  I felt bad but have realized that a parent doesn't necessarily have to go all out with the homemade themed banners, costumes, photo booths, and matching themed finger foods to make the day special for their kids.  A favorite dinner of their choice, a cake of their choice made special just for them, a few party decorations from the dollar store, and a few presents is really enough to make a birthday special. 

 This year Alaina asked for an ice cream cake.  Which was a bit intimidating.  Sure I had done hundreds of ice cream cakes back in the day when I worked at Baskin Robbins.  But I certainly don't have the same tools on hand as I did then,  After a bit of research on Pinterest I was able to comply to Alaina's specifications of her birthday cake and I have to say that I suddenly remembered the little tricks of working with ice cream.  It is very different from your normal frosting cake.  She was very excited with the end result and I have to say I was pleased as well.

I don't know about the rest of you parents out there, but it seems that the older our kids get the harder it is to find good gift ideas for them.  Every birthday and Christmas it seems as though Tony and I draw a huge blank and walk around the store for an hour or more until we find something.  This year we settled on a Disneyland Kinnect video game and a pink controller.  Carson has been showing her the ropes with the X-box lately so this seems to be a good change from the usual baby dolls and barbies.

Alaina also got a book and a Doodle pad from Grandma Elton which she has been spending all morning using (she's home sick from school today).

All in all I'd have to say that another successful birthday is down on the books.  Happy Birthday our not so little anymore girl! 

Coming out of Hibernation

*I always write these posts, but then never publish them thinking no one really wants to hear about it, so here is my effort to document what's going on.  I'm really trying not to complain too much*

Today I am 15 weeks pregnant with our fourth, and most likely last child.  Yes, this was a planned pregnancy.  Yes, I'm excited for this new little spirit to join our family.  Yes, I remembered how awful I feel for the first half of my pregnancies.  Yes, I remembered how difficult my pregnancies are on my relationships with my spouse and family.  But regardless of all this that I knew, I have to admit that the last few months I've been in a sort of hibernation.  Only doing the bear minimum when it comes to house work.  Only leaving the house when I absolutely have to.  Leaving my children to their own devices for most of the summer.  Retreating to my room for most of the day, leaving only to eat, go to the bathroom, or throw up.  A sort of waiting until I feel better to be of any sort of use to myself or my family.  No I'm not proud of my behavior, but lets face the facts that most of us go into a sort of hibernation when we are sick with a cold or flu.  Which usually at most lasts a week so no big deal.  I would try toughing it out or pushing through it only to once again retreat to my room.  With this pregnancy I am on some anti-nausea medication that really helps a ton and certainly makes me wish I had had it with my other pregnancies.  With the start of school for my kids and starting to feel like I can function I'm starting to come out of my hibernation.  Starting to do more around the house.  Leaving the house more and for longer periods of time.  Being more present for my family or least trying to.  I've recently been asked to serve in our ward as the Cubmaster.  Which is good.  It gives me something to do...once I figure out what I'm doing exactly.  I've also been asked to sub in relief society in a few weeks.  I've never taught in relief society before so we'll see how it goes.  I'm really itching to start sewing sweet things for this baby, but am resigned to wait until "the ultrasound" and Joann's opens.  Which happen to be around the same time.  I don't think it's a coincidence.  So I'm now trying to get into a new routine or grove.  Being someone useful to myself and others but at the same time not overdoing it.  I'm anxiously look forward to the day of trading pregnancy woes to newborn ones.  In about 6 months...sigh.              

Family Picture

Elton Reunion 2014

Thanks to Tony we have some documentation of this last weekend.  We had the Elton Reunion up at Warm Lake this year.  The kids loved playing with their cousins and we really enjoyed seeing everyone and missed those who couldn't come this year.

 Much of the weekend Charlie was filthy from head to toe.

 Ryan with his super cool stove.

 Aliana

 Tim and Callie

 Emary and Kinsey playing in the sand.  Alaina, Mason, and BreAnna playing in the water.

 Happy baby Ethan.

 Me, Mom, and Becky.

 Lily enjoying the beach.

 Ryan building a sand castle with Nate and Emary.

 Carson

Alaina