Yellow belt with a green stripe

Carver is very good at Tae Kwon Do! He just completed his Yellow belt form and has learned a lot of kicks, punches, defense moves and other skills. He is very good at memorizing terms and loves Master Kwon. He is really fun to watch!

I wanna hippopotamus

dance recital

Me and Madalyn at the dance recital

Madalyn's "best" smile.

I thought it would be a great idea to start Maddie in dance this year-- it has had its ups and downs. But what I've realized is that all 3 year old girls love to move around to music-- whether they can take instruction and end up with a real dance routine is sometimes debatable. But she did it and had a great time in the end-- and of course she earned herself a push-pop which made it all worth it.

1 big surprise

Here is what Jaycee and Madalyn did for Carver's birthday.

gotta love em!

Festival of Trees

We had a family night at the big event on Friday night. There were several beautiful trees and stories about the people they were dedicated to... after our experiences this summer at Primary Children's Hospital , I guess I feel like it is a good thing to contribute however you can. I made a new goal to someday donate/decorate a tree and another goal to someday purchase a tree. We decorated and donated a tree when I was in YW and that was fun and I remember when my mom and one of her friends did-- their's was with drilled eggs-- she still has one of the eggs and it is beautiful. I can't say when I will be able to do it, but I would love to do both. As for now, paying an entrance fee and doing some service projects and helping with Eagle Scout projects that donate to Primary's is the best I can do. Our good friend was performing with her Irish Dancers so that was fun to see as well. I'm glad Madalyn was there to see it, we had some good conversations... And to top off the night we got a picture with Santa. Nicalee loved pulling his hair, luckily it wasn't all attached!

Happy Birthday Carver

I really can't believe that life just moves so quickly! It is sad how the first child is sort of the "tester" for every new parent that doesn't really know what they are doing. We certainly didn't. We read several books and watched lots of friends and family with their children and of course didn't want to make any mistakes. All I can say is that I am so happy Carver is who he is and for everything he has taught me about myself and about life.

Carver is so creative in what he draws, how he plays (by himself and with others), also in his logic, and humor. He makes me laugh on a daily basis. He is so much like his dad in some ways, but so utterly himself that I am sometimes shocked when his feelings get hurt. He is very confident in some things and very sensitive in others, I guess that's the way we all are. I am sure he will be taller than me by the time he hits Jr. High-- the kid grows like a weed-- or an aspen shoot in my lawn. He is very helpful around the house and he is a great older brother (of course you would have to catch Maddie at a good part of the day for her to agree with you right now). He is also a joker and a tease-- today we found out the he and some of his friends showed their teacher how silly they can be and they all got their names on the board. I think his teacher had a hard day today. He is a great kid and loves to challenge himself with things like tae kwon do and piano. Actually, sometimes he doesn't love the challenge, but he does give it his all when he has made the decision to do something. I just LOVE him!

A Conversation

dad: Carver, why are you so upset?

Carver: It's mom.

dad: What did mom do to make you upset?

Carver: She makes rules and gets mad when I do stuff.

dad: Sometimes mom's do that.

Carver: I know, I've been dealing with this for the past 5 years.

Room Helpers and DVR

This week was a fun one for us. Some of the "mom helpers" were sick or out this week so they called me to see if either me or Clint could help out this week. I went on Monday and Clint went on Tuesday for Carver's class and we had a lot of fun making Thanksgiving things and getting to know the children in Carv's class. It's funny how much they love having a mom or dad helper there. And , of course, since we went to Carver's class we needed to go to Madalyn's class and see her Thanksgiving feast and songs. And it made me remember how much I loved it when my mom was a room mom or when she was really involved in PTA and was there all the time. Plus, that gave both Clint and I some alone time with Nicalee who is just growing so quickly. She is sitting by herself and starting to really enjoy toys now.

About the DVR--- well, we have been paying for it for a year maybe two and I have been too lazy or worried about how hard to use this DVR might be. Well last week I decided to record some shows because we are doing really well getting the kids to sleep at a good time-- yippy. And now we have the ability to watch some tv at night. Yes, I found out it's easy, almost rediculously easy-- so we have discovered some pretty funny shows like (the middle and modern family) and I've been keeping up with V and Ncis and CSi which I don't like to watch when the kids are up. And because I've discovered this wonderful device, I'm staying up late to catch up on all I've missed, so even though the kids are in bed early, I'm tired when I wake up in the morning to get things going-- here's to modern tv. Plus, now the books I was reading are piling up. I guess you really can't do everything, there's a trade off somewhere. But it sure has been fun!!

6 Months

Nica is now 6 months. She is starting to show her little personality and she is absolutely the happiest baby ever. She suckes her thumb-- it is soooo cute. She smiles and coos and jibber-jabbers. She adores Madalyn. I hope they will be BFF! The photo is courtesy of Madalyn.

SNOW

If anyone is ever up for a snowball fight, you know where to call. Carver couldn't be happier than to think that he beat you in a snowball fight.

My Little Helper

Madalyn is just such a happy, silly, witty, somewhat clumsy, I wanna be older personality. She absolutely loves to help with everything and anything. If I need an extra hand, she is there to supply it. We actually have little arguments about who gets to feed Nicalee her baby food. Crazy. But I just love her and she has such a contageous laugh, I can't help but smile or all out laugh when she giggles. I only hope that she continues to always want to help. She makes everything fun. Cooking, bathtime, cleaning, yardwork and everything else. Too bad that sometimes you wouldn't know that I truly love being around her. She hates it when someone (me) gets mad at her and she remembers it -- I am working on it.

Reflections Contest

Carver entered a picture for the reflections contest this year. The theme was "Beauty is..." Carver drew a picture of himself standing by a rainbow watering flowers. Next to the rainbow was his idea of what the hotel in Park City looked like (where we took a little vacation in October) with an elevator. He thought the hotel was just beautiful. And he said, "I think Colors are really beautiful". Anyway, when he turned it in he said, "I hope I win". I said, "Well, if you don't that's OK you are in a group with kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders, it might be tough."

Today, when I picked Carver up, he looked at me with a furrowed brow and said, "I didn't even win any prizes or anything, I just got a bunch of papers" (then he handed me a certificate and a bunch of free meals to restaurants). I told him those were awesome and I had to show him that they really were "prizes". I was just happy he participated. So, of course we had to use one of the free meal certificates tonight at village inn, yum yum! Way to go Carver-- I should have posted the picture, but Maddie drew on it so Carver scribbled over her stuff and it doesn't quite look as good as it did earlier.

Time for a Change

I decided to change the blog colors and review the things I've learned this year.
1) Mean people stink!
2) I don't like gossipers.
3) Money is just money-- it means nothing. It is a necessity. Often nice to have, but ultimately it is just a means to an end. Not the end.
4) Children are wonderful-- all the happy, sad, good, bad, everything.
5) It is great to be a member of a caring ward.
6) I love yard work-- spring, summer and fall-- my husband doesn't love it so much.
7) I love to cook, but I don't really like cooking for picky eaters.
8) AAA rocks if you by chance find yourself with a flat tire.
9) Babies grow up too fast.
10) Life is good.

Halloween parties

The sweet little witch with all the personality was shy as can be at her preschool parade. They sang a song she has been singing all month and she barely moved her mouth, but it was still fun dressing up. Luckily, her best friend was a witch as well, so she loved her costume-- and the fact that I let her play with some make-up.

Carver, on the other hand, Mr. I don't like too much attention-- was all prepared to be spiderman (which is what he was at the ward party), but last minute he decided that since no masks were allowed, he couldn't possibly be spiderman, so we went to the store last night to get some make-up to paint his face like spiderman's face. And wouldn't you know it, he saw dracula make-up and stood almost like he was having an epiphany. And we had an immediate change of costume (luckily I already had the costume so we just bought a cheap wig and some make-up). Well, at his school parade today, wouldn't you know it-- he was out scaring all the passersby and seated parents. Mr. Shy decided he was so disguised that he could really be a vampire. It was hysterical.

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Bullieve it or not

A Cornmazing weekend

So there we were......gonna go to the corn maze. The 5 minutes in the corn maze was enough of "are we really lost?" questioning from Carver and Maddie.............so we played games. Watched pig races, bounced on the jumping pillows, slides, the spook alley, the train, the firepit..........and the best of all - riding the BULL! No BULL! They actually RODE the BULL. You wouldn't Bullieve it.

And another amazing thing this weekend-- Clint ate an onion blossom with me and liked it. Will wonders ever cease. Afterwards he qualified ,"I still don't like onions, but I will eat onion rings, this onion blossom, and funions-- because they aren't made with real onions, just onion powder, I think." There you have it. Hmmmm.

Why I love October

1) I'm not particularly fond of the track system, but I love the 3 week "vacation" in October, it's nice to plan things as a family and also with all the kids.
2) PERFECT WEATHER. Not too hot, not too cold, beautiful colors, wind, rain, no air conditioner, no heater, no watering the lawn -- and it still stays green.
3) HALLOWEEN... costumes, candy, decorations, stories and of course vampires.
4) Craft days. Preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
5) Reading. At least this October. 5 books so far-- i'm on the 6th-- I guess I'm really back to very late nights.
6) I'm finally going to re-start my running/exercise program
7) My family is starting a service jar project-- through the end of the year.
8) Fun college football season, I'm sort of a closet fan, but a fan none the less (go BYU)
9) The Primary Program is almost done !!
10) Conference helps inspire and motivate me to be better than I am.

best week ever

swing time at the cabin

4-wheelin' time

4-wheelin' time

Dorothy time? where's toto?

bedtime?

friends/cards time

alpine slide time

cousin time

daddy time

Tae Kwon Do yellow belt advancement time

music time

hiking time

pool time

and isn't it all about time?

More than milk

Nicalee has started to try her first foods. I can't believe it. I think that has started to be a standard phrase in my daily conversations. That and "boy does time fly" or "stop growing" or "I'm getting old" and if Clint joins in it sounds something like, "the old gray mare she ain't what she used to be..." anyway, I guess I just have to get used to the fact that time never stands still and life is just plain busy. There are so many options and choices with what we can fill our days with-- of course, I usually don't choose the best things, but I always know I can do something different the next day. I'm just happy that I usually spend the most time with the people that matter most and that is enough, for now.

Little Bike Rider

Who would have thought that Madalyn would decide tonight of all times to ask for her training wheels to be taken off her bike. She said most emphatically," I know I can do it, I'm big". We tried to convince her that we should wait until Spring and all that... wouldn't you know it, she could go around in circles immediately and went on a huge parade asking all the neighbors and friends to come and see her ride her 2 wheeler. I was stunned. I knew she would probably learn quickly, but wow.

Breakfast

I don't really try to proclaim that I have great domestic skills, but breakfast is definitely a specialty. Today, thanks to Clint's cullinary skills combined with my originality we had belgian waffles with freshly sliced peaches, whipped cream, syrup, a peach/orange/kiwi smoothie and a sicilian california pizza, and fruit loops. AAAHHHH. "What?" you ask, all I can really say is that there are many tastes in our home and any food is considered fair game for breakfast no matter what it is. Yes, sometimes I just shake my head at what is on the table, but no one can say that my children are starving. That's for sure. Last night I was having a girls night with some friends-- well it was a craft night, but whatever it was Clint was in charge of Carver and Madalyn. I told him I didn't know what time I would be back so he had to get them fed, ready for bed, teeth brushed and in bed. Clint is great at these jobs! Minus the in bed and asleep part-- it is usually in my bed and watching a movie that he gets. Love you Baby! Luckily, after having a little conversation about that with a few gals, I've realized that that is sort of a common thing among husbands.

Madalyn's preschool debut

Her preschool had cowboy days and they did a song and dance, ate griddle cakes, dressed up and made vests. Fun Fun Fun.

music class

I am going to experience Carver's first time of going "off track" so to keep us in the mode of doing class type things, I am going to start doing the music class again --2 times a week during the time when he is off track-- I'm thinking Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 or 11 am. I am going to be letting people in my ward know and a few friends. So if anyone is interested, please contact me. The kids really learn a lot. We'll see how much they remember from the beginning of Summer.

the Toyroom

The whole reason that I have a toyroom is to make sure that the toys have a place and that the children know where that place is, meaning they can play with nearly everything in the room, make a mess and mom won't get mad and make them clean it up everyday-- or every other day. My problem is that I hate a messy room. I have to tell myself multiple times a day and several times during the week, "don't open the door" or "don't turn on the light" or "just keep walking" when I pass the room. And most of the time I breathe deeply and follow my own instructions, but other times like yesterday, I get in a frenzy and just have to hurry and clean it up. "It will only take a minute, if I'm fast," I tell myself... and then an hour later everything is back in the rightful place, I'm a sweaty mess and out of breath. Why do I do this to myself? Well, it usually takes twice as long if I have the kids do it-- or it takes half that long if I let them do it by themselves (and then everything is in the wrong bucket or basket and I end up fixing it later myself). But, I have decided that it is ok for that room to be a little messy and if I choose to clean it up without asking the kids for help, well, that is my own fault and should be considered exercise. Even if I haven't quite taught my children to clean-up the toyroom very well, I am making progress. They know exactly what to do with their dishes after meals and are very good at knowing exactly where to put their dirty clothes, Clint on the other hand, well, that is a different job entirely!! Love you baby :)

Madalyn's hair

Some people have mentioned that maddie gets haircuts a lot-- well that is not exactly planned. She happens to love them and anyone who will give her one or help he give herself one. And for those of you thinking "man, don't you watch your kids?" or "why don't you hide the scissors" little do you know my children and their sneeky minds. I don't know where they get it. However, to my dismay, this time it involved some friends and what ended up was a huge ball of brown, black and blond hair on the floor-- it wasn't at my house, so... make sure that if my children come to your house, you had better hide the scissors (and any electric razors, scrapbooking things that can possibly cut anything, gardening sheers, etc.)

cousins at play

Carver, Jack and Madalyn

Deer Creek on Labor Day

The Family decidedto go for a day of water fun and we were telling the kids how much fun we were going to have, well Carver wanted to draw a picture for us. A little while later I went to check out his work. He had drawn a picture of a boat, someone driving the boat, a person waterskiing, someone swimming in the water, and then underneath everyone in the water-- a huge shark-- very detailed especially the sharp teeth and dorsel fin. I would have kept it and posted the picture, but we had to have a little discussion about sharks and where they live and where they do not live--- he's too much of a jaws fan (yes, and probably too young to have seen them-- bad mom).

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family fun