Chrismas Eve 2011

I thought I would be ahead of the game and get goodie plates out early this year... Well it didn't happen until the week of Christmas. On the upside not serving a in a presidency at church made my list a little smaller this year. I only made about 25 plates of treats!

Christmas Eve the children like to open the presents they bought for each other. They draw names and get one person a gift. I try to put off the purchasing because they always tell what they got!

I should have thought to take Rigdon by himself since he came home and promptly told Ashlynn what he got her and then told Gunner what Sienna bought for him.

Rigdon gives the best hugs!

The kids also made cookies for Santa! YUM!!!

Grandpa, my brothers, and Paul's friend Trevor came over to help put together a trampoline before Christmas morning. It was a Christmas miracle and went together lickity split.

Then off to bed to wait for the morning.... They were up about every hour.... Then we had 8am church so we ate in the hall and got fancy, headed for church, then after we got home it was time to bust through the paper I had up to hide the Christmas treasures!

A good heart

We have recently tried out giving the kids an allowance, as long as they did the list of things required of them during the week. Things like tidy rooms whatever other job I assigned them, homework, piano practice, good behavior at school... We went with the age of the child for the amount they could earn at the end of the week. Of course of they had a bad attitude or didn't do the required jobs for they day they would get a check and every check took away $1.00.

It's been going pretty good.

Meanwhile Andrew's parents are serving their mission in Brownsville Texas, which is basically Mexico. We asked them if there was a family that we could help out this Christmas. They found a Grandma and her daughter who has twin girls and a little boy. We talked to the kids about using some of the money we would spend on them to get things for this little family. They all agreed, and were ready to each buy something with the money that they have been earning also.

We went to Target with our list and they all had their money. Everyone picked out something, then Gunner found a big stuffed spiderman( the little boy loves spiderman) he didn't know much it would cost but he had $22.00. He was pretty sure it would cover .

We got to the register and everyone bought their stuff. They were all so generous, Gunner got to the register and they man scanned the spiderman and it rang up $20.00... He shrugged his shoulders and said, "well I still have $2.00 left" He has a good heart.

It was so fun to watch them choose things for someone else, and how happy they were to do it.

Giving it another go

A while ago my good friend told me if I joined the gym with her she would go with me, even though I can only fit it in the evening.

I gave it some thought(a few months) and gave in and went to join.

They gave me the whole sign up blah blah blah.. and tried to charge me $55.00 a month, at which point I stood up crossed my arm and said that was totally not worth it! We came to an agreement of $30.00 a month and I certainly made sure I could quit at any time. I felt like I was buying a used car.

Then Rigdon's preschool teachers told me they go walking in the mornings and I could join them if I wanted. Ok I'm feeling a little motivated, why not? Well walking with them turns out to be jogging for me to keep up with the 13 minute miles they are walking! I have no idea how their legs are doing it. But I have gone and they have put up with me. I haven't even passed out yet! Although my body is in a little bit of shock. They do 4 miles. the last two times I stopped at 31/2. From nothing to 4 miles is a lot to take in!

Sarah has been going to the gym with me a few nights a week and it really makes a difference having friends to work out with. I personally feel tortured most of the time while doing it alone. After about 5 minutes I end up looking at the clock and wondering how only 5 minutes has passed and how can I possibly distract myself for another 20 minutes!? Then the thoughts start about how this is what they should do to prisoners to get them to reveal secrets, I know I would tell anything to make it stop! So far in the past two weeks my friends have made the hour at a time work outs feel like they have flown by.

I did find myself wanting to duck my head in shame seeing people from my ward leaving as we were entering. I don't want to be a gym person. And for some reason I don't want people thinking I am. I don't feel that guilt others talk of when they don't work out. It doesn't seem to make me smaller so who cares if I miss a few years...

But as for now I am in again. We don't have to talk about it, it makes me uncomfortable. But if I see you I will try to be polite and say hi.

A little shady

After Family Home Evening tonight I proceeded with the showering and getting ready for bed routine.

I told Gunner to get in the shower. For some reason he is quite reluctant to shower. I have eased up and let him shower every other night.

On the way to the shower he wanted to stop and get his book, telling me he just wanted to put it in his room.

Fine. Just get in the shower after please.

A few moments later as the request sank in I went into his room to find no book on the night stand. Of course I can hear the shower running...

I go to find the little key to unlock the bathroom door, and HELLO there is my Gunner sitting fully clothed on the toilet(seat down) reading his book.

This child may be the death of me.

Thanksgiving

We spent this year at the Whites for Thanksgiving. We used to try to do both families, but it just got too hard to bring food to two places and keep it warm and such.

These are the cute girls first.
Then the boys who seem to be turning into men...

More cute girls...
And sweet little boys.
Some sister in laws.
We ate gooood! There was smoked turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, rolls, strawberry pretzel salad, and corn. I'm sure you noticed we wasted no calories on veggies. There were many pies. Pumpkin, pecan, coconut cream, banana cream, apple, pumpkin cheesecake, and chocolate.

As the afternoon went on the men got the boys involved in a game... not sure what they called it, but they had them padded up running across the back of the yard and had to pick up a bowling ball and get to the other side before getting shot with an arrow. These are the kinds of games the white boys play.
Mom and Dad who are serving a mission in Texas were missed. We skyped them that evening.

It's always a great day at Jody Land.

Crazy Birthday Bash!

I knew all week that Friday was going to be busy. There was no school but that opened the door for many other opportunities. Ashlynn was going to have her birthday party with her friends that night. Then Gunner's scout leader called and asked if I could help out from 4:30 -5:30. Sure, if i am really prepared that will work out. Ashlynn's party doesn't start till 6.

Then Kathy called to ask if we could all be at my house while Josh and Liz were down to visit. They adopted Kathy's baby and bring her down every once in a while for a visit. It is so kind of them to share Mara with us. Of course I said yes.

The morning began with breakfast with my mom at 9am to celebrate her birthday which was last week. (this is one of the few pictures I could find of my mom.)

Then at 10:00 Kathy arrived at my house. Emilee said she would help me out and get the day going smoothly. Emilee and Andee Kay.
Liz, Ella, Mara, Kathy, and Andy.
We had a great time when the Iggy's arrived. They are such a great family. Mara loved Sienna's Rapunzel castle. I was cracking up when Liz was telling about trying to explain the evil mother and Rapunzel's real mom... Evil mother stealing her from her real mother...
Kathy and Mara, who just had her 3rd birthday.
Kathy, Mara, Liz, Josh, and Ella.
It was a fabulous afternoon and before I knew it 4:30 had rolled around.

Off to scouts!

I ran back to the house with just enough time to say goodbye to the Iggy's and welcome Ashlynn's friends!
They enjoyed pizza, and the Monte Carlo movie.



Opened presents, and enjoyed pie!
There was some just dance, plenty of happy squealing, and giggling!



Happy Birthday! I now officially have a teenager! I'm kind of feeling it.

October Break 2011

This October break we went to California. We thought we would try out Lego Land!
It was fine. definitely for 3 to 6 year olds... I wouldn't go again.

Some of the Lego guys were pretty cool.
The kids liked the driving school. But for the price totally not worth it. Of course this is only my opinion. Though my kids never ask when are we leaving Disney Land. just sayin.
The next day was much cheaper and a blast! The beach is never a let down.

Everyone enjoyed the waves and hunting for tiny crabs.


Later that afternoon we checked out Balboa Park. I was a little sad it was so late in the afternoon, everything was closing up. We walked around a while though and admired the buildings and such.


Posing by the fountain.




Our last day in California was spent at the San Diego Zoo. I love that zoo.
We started off the day on the bus tour, riding on top of course. On a side note, this was probably the warmest of the days we were there.

We spent a long time watching the gorillas. They were giving quite a show.

Sienna and Ashlynn

Mason and Rigdon
Rigdon's favorite part was the snakes and lizards. He was thrilled by everything!

We didn't even see 1/2 the zoo. We could have done two days there and not done Lego Land at all and been perfectly happy. With everyone all tired out we made the journey home.