Cochran

Ran into this bad boy here in town.

John Cochran currently on the show Survivor.

I was waiting to be picked up by my husband and kids while he was waiting for his parents to swing by and pick him up. I was talking on my cell to Mike when what did I see? A young man who looked just like Cochran. So I did what any nice lady would do. Hung up on my husband and slowly circled this young man while leaning over and trying to get a better look at his face. ha. Creepy? Yes. I'm certain that I looked like a total idiot. But that has never stopped me before.

He was a gentleman and so sweet. His parents came before Mike and so I did not get enough time to drill him on everything I wanted to know.

Charlie was the first to say, "Mom you saw Cochran? Let me see the picture." Yes, my seven year old watches survivor with us.

Where's the Fairy?

Charlie was put under for a little oral surgery. He had some drill work done and they also pulled a tooth. Which makes that my first child's first tooth to come out. So of course we were so excited for the fairy to come that first night. When Charlie woke up in the morning he came down stairs and said, "Mom the tooth fairy didn't come last night."

What!!! My first born. His first tooth. No Tooth Fairy!!!! What a terrible tooth fairy!! Well, the next night she made up for it with a pack of gum, a dollar and a note explaining her delay. You see she was unaware of this tooth being pulled because it wasn't one of his loose teeth so it was unexpected. She has been forgiven.

(and for the record, dad was out of town so he missed the action)

SEVEN

We buried this and sent the neighborhood kids on a picture treasure hunt.
At the end of the hunt was this map.
The chest was full of goodies.

Maggie, Charlie, Jane

Charlie reached his birthday in October.
I went to have lunch with Charlie and take his classmates cupcakes. We sat at an all girl table. I happened to think it was strange and this sweet thing next to me named Charlotte told me that he always sits with all of the girls. And she said that t all the girls like Charlie. She even said that he is nice.( What?? This was totally new information for me)Charlie is seven and we are proud of all of the great things that he is learning and doing. He is a great smart kid and we are grateful to have him in our family.
(side note: I am also grateful for Charlotte and her talkative mouth)

Football

Okay, I have a lot of catching up to do. Football. We were undefeated and took division championship again this year. Great for the team but boring for the mom to go and watch us slam everybody. I would have preferred that we lost a game here or there or at least didn't rub it in everyone's face so much. Gracie, Jane & Maggie

Cheering on the boys
Charlie

The big juicy trophy. Mike got one too. They have been hanging out in the kitchen where everyone can see them.

Thankful in my Heart

That's it.

I can't take it any longer.

I knew it was a bad idea for me to think that I could blog every day for a month.

Ridiculous.

I've been avoiding the computer. I have this constant looming pressure over me to think of something sweet and kind and all wordy, wordy junk.

I'll quit trying to be a good writer.

Cause I'm a bullet points type of girl. So here is my whole month of gratefuls in bullet points.

I feel better already.

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  my husband - i got a good one and you can all be jealous


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  charlie - funny, cute and not a big complainer (i really like that part)


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  jane - a giant ball of entertainment and mystery -cute- and funny when she doesn't mean to be


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  maggie - ahh so much to say. so sweet and loving yet mischievous and sneaky


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  sisters - i've got a lot and i love each one of them for different reasons


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  mom - she's been an excellent teacher and i think about what and how she taught me every day


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  in laws- mike's parents are the best inlaws - kind and loving


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  mike's siblings - yep love all of them too. not everyone can say that they love all of their extended family - but i can


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  good friends - i've really been blessed my whole life with good friends. in each stage of my life i've been close to different people. i've been very lucky.


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  our two dumb dogs. i love them.


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  our church - i belong to a great ward with great leadership


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  My Heavenly Father. I am grateful that we can pray to him and that he cares about my struggles, joys and fears. I make a lot of mistakes and I'm certain I'll make more. I am so grateful that he loves us and sent his son Jesus Christ to come down to earth and teach us all the way that we should live. I am grateful that Christ atoned for my sins. I am grateful that he died for me and was resurrected so that I can return to live with him again. I am so grateful for all that my Heavenly Father has given me.

Day 4

Today I am grateful for good health. I would say that we are a relatively healthy crew. I am certainly grateful that none of us have ever had to deal with any real serious health problems yet. I know that day will probably come but for now I will soak up all of this healthy goodness with a big "thank you" to my Heavenly Father.

Day 3

I have a lot to be grateful for. However this is a forced post because it's been a real bad two days and currently all children are crying in their beds. I'm on the computer avoiding them. So at this moment I am very grateful for......hmm this is going to be harder than I thought. Let me give it a few minutes.

Got it! I am grateful for good music.

This morning Jane told me that her school teacher asked her what church she belonged to. I asked her what her answer was and she said, "I just sang her the song, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints".

I know that good music can make me feel happy, excited, free, peace and so many other emotions. So today I am grateful for music.

The children are now quiet.

I am also grateful for this little computer time.

And I'm grateful this day is almost over.

Day 2

Today I am grateful that my husband has a job. He is starting to travel a bit. The travel is working out fine and the kids and I stay busy so there isn't a lot of time to notice that he is gone. The kids mention it most at dinner and bedtime. On most days I would say that he enjoys his job. The greatest thing is that he has one and so at this time we can afford for me to stay home, pay for a house and cars, food and necessities and for that I am very, very grateful.

Give Thanks

Okay, lets see if I can do a month of "Thankfuls".

Don't get me wrong, I have a lot to be grateful for but the challenge will come in the actual blogging. ha.

Here goes.

Today I am grateful for my neighborhood. I am surrounded by good families and friends. Last night this neighborhood was a mad house. I loved it. I didn't get a single picture of my children in their Halloween costumes but this place was buzzing with activity. Many families travel to our neighborhood to trick or treat. I am happy to live in a place where parents will bring their children and everyone can walk around and feel safe. I would be happy to give out candy all night long to these children. It felt good to see so many happy faces.

Ode To Great Aunt Anne

Aunt Anne is Grandpa Ivan's sister.

Aunt Anne is one stylish lady.

I didn't know that her fabulous hairstyles have all been wigs.

(I've been in the family 12 years and this was news to me).

So when we were visiting Grandma and Grandpa this summer and Aunt Anne would take her wig off. One of my children would pick it up and put it on. Well the other day the girls received a package from their sweet Aunt Anne.

It may be one of the coolest packages ever!

Yep, you know it!

A box full of Aunt Anne's wigs.

We are talking about 9 wigs in assorted colors and styles.

This is heaven in the dress up world.

(and I only included all of these shots because janie's face made me smile in everyone)

Family Fun

Family Home Evening brings out the best or worst in me. I don't know about the rest of you but there never seems to be an in between. Last week was a good one. (well for me anyway) We made carmel apples and the kids were in heaven. I layed in bed that night explaining to my husband that if I were that patient all of the time I think that the whole family would always be happy. Jane and Charlie

Maggie, Jane & Charlie
preparing the apples

success with the popsicle stick

It was a good night

Beach 2011

Sadly, we were only able to make it to the beach one time this summer. We went in September and the weather and company were perfect. Simply, we love the beach. Love it. Charlie, Jane & Maggie
Charlie, Christopher, Ainsley, Ben

Mike and Charlie

Charlie, Jane & Mags

on the couch that mom made

One stop at Planet Pizza with the Yanz family.

We couldn't resist the sign.

nickelodeon day of play

We went downtown to DC and celebrated with Nickelodeon for their "get active"

Day of Play.

They had set up in front of the White House and you could join in many different sports and activities. We did obstacles, tennis, hockey, soccer, hula hoop, dancing and football. Mike, Maggie, Jane & Charlie

Charlie and Dad
We got to see Big Time Rush!!
It was the highlight of the kids day for sure.
Jane was on top of my shoulders when the band came out and she started yelling, "Kendall! Kendall!" I couldn't stop smiling it was fun to see her so excited.

Patrick, Miss LeighAnne, William
(we ran into our neighbors that we love)

William, Miss LeighAnne, Jane, Maggie and Mike

Janes Quotes

Jane "Mom look at all of these ladies wearing buttoonies" (bikini's)

"I'm going to go pout on my nose"

"What?"

"Mom, it's a polite way of saying I need to go potty."

I didn't bother correcting her because it's funnier when she does it her way. She says it all of the time now. I still laugh when I hear it.

Getting out of the shower my daughter was staring at my beautiful bottom. I knew it was coming and she said, "mom how come your bottom is so big?"
"well, because I ate too many cookies when I was little."
She took my answer and then I could see her processing it. Suddenly panic struck her face as she said "did I eat too many cookies?"

"sewiously?"

In church during the Sacrament Jane grabbed two pieces of bread and popped them into her mouth. When I gave her the look she leaned over and whispered, "but I really wanted to remember Jesus two times".

"My hands are always trying to make me not modest. They keep picking out the clothes and putting them on me."

Charlie's Funnies

Charlie built a fort out of the limbs that his father cut off of our trees. Charlie and Patrick using their sniper rifles on me

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Something you never want to hear your first grader say to you......

"Mom guess what I learned from a 5th grader today in the bathroom?"

It was safe.

Just personal bubble making.

No gadgets necessary.
He is much more willing to wash his hands now.

So through the grapevine we heard the greatest story about our son and one of our sweet babysitters. And it goes a little something like this....
"Sally" the babysitter takes our kids out on a walk. Charlie runs away from her. She can't find him.
Turns out that he returned to the home. Grabbed his Dad's ipad and then ran back like a secret agent and recorded the babysitter looking all over for him. He went from tree to tree and thought that he was hilarious. She finally saw him and got after him and then deleted his recording.
Oh how I wish we still had that recording. "Sally" never mentioned the incident to us. I would have been mortified. But as long as I pretend that this story is about someone else then I think it's hilarious.

And last but not least...

"Boys don't have boobs Jane, we have abs."

Preschool

Today was Maggie's first day of preschool. She has been ready for a while now and she went without any hesitation. She will attend a three hour class twice a week.

This is one of her high school teachers, Taylor.
Maggie and sweet boyfriend Nate


William and Maggie

She calls W her best buddy.
They love to play and fight.

So here are some of Mags current quotes.....

"Are Grandma and Grandpa in my heart? Cause I feel them in there."

When I don't give her what she wants her comeback is always....

"okay then you're not invited to my cheerleading party."
(i'm not sure that she knows what a cheerleader is)


Some of our friends decided to crepe paper our house. In the morning Maggie looked out the window and with her potty mouth said, "Holy moley. Holy cwap. Holy moley cwap."


"I know vat. I already knew vat. I know everyfing."

VBS

The kids were invited to Vacation Bible School. The theme was Beach Blast and it was true to its name. I think this was the first church experience that Charlie would look forward to. Of course that did have a lot to do with the fact that they played sports outside. Jane did a fish craft to remind her of when Jesus fed the multitude.
Charlie made a treasure box that says "God's promises are my treasure"
Inside there are different scriptures.

Maggie learned about baby Jesus and was able to hold and take care of little baby dolls.

At the end of each night the kids gathered for singing, dancing and a "wrap up the evening" story.

Gracie, Jane and Maggie

Someone and Mags

So there was a very favorite song that none of us can get out of our head. Here's the chorus for you.

uh uh uh A Admit to God that you are a sinner.

bu bu bu bu B Believe that Jesus is Gods only son.

su su su su C Commit yourself to the Lord above and ask him to fill you up with his love.

When you become a Christian hope is easily found cause when you hit rock bottom you'll land on solid ground.

Shake and Drowned

I was standing in my kitchen when I heard a loud noise. I thought it was the dogs above me in their kennels. I started up the stairs and then stopped on the landing. The loud noise stopped but my house was shaking. I stood still trying to comprehend what it was. I looked out my window to see if a huge gust of wind had hit. Nope. Then I ran back down the stairs to find Maggie sitting on the toilet. I pulled her off and held her close. She thought I was weird.

The teachers at the elementary school were great.Charlie and Jane were unfazed and after the quake they were out in the field until it was time for the buses. I think they were outside for a couple of hours. No school Wednesday as they had to inspect the local schools for damage.

The epicenter was about an hour from our house. The event made for some great neighborhood talks.

So to keep things exciting we are awaiting Hurricane Irene. She's expected to attack us late Saturday night. The prediction is for 105 mph winds. Who knows? Mike prepared by mowing the lawn last night. And I prepared by going to Costco and buying a big box of Ghiradelli brownies. Yep, we'll be just fine. Maybe no power for a bit. But just fine.

Back to School

Back to school is awesome. Charlie started first grade yesterday. New classmates, new teacher and his very own desk. We are excited for all of the things he will learn this year.

Cooper, Patrick & Charlie
I think Charlie has spent the whole last month with these boys. They are good kids and all live close enough to play, play, play.

Today Jane is beginning her kindergarten adventure. She is lucky to start her day with her best friend Carys.

Jane and Carys

Jane, Mike, Charlie & Maggie

Jane wasn't scared. Just excited which made the good bye's easy. Had she been scared then I probably would have broken into tears.

Maggie and I will begin our very own adventures today.

Last But Not Least

Back to Utah where we had a cousin swim and my sisters house. Julie (my niece) and Jane

She will be the one who receives our children if we die. This is not a joke. I'm dead serious.

(and for the record that is our official last will and testament.)

Momma and Kevin (nephew)

He will want me to say that he is my most handsome nephew but I will not say it without compensation.

Fortunate for us Mary brought Mom down so we could see again. She braved the cousin swim but was probably sweating bullets.

Taylor (great nephew), Mary (sister), and Mallory (niece, she just might be one of my favorite people to spend time with in the world.)

Dad finally joined us and we went to stay full time at Grandma and Grandpa Croslands.
The girls robbed some of Grandma's manikins of their hats.

Jane and Maggie


Grandpa Ivan and Maggie on our July 4th celebration

Grandma Helene and Mags
We partied with the Croslands until I'm certain that they were saying, "seriously, just go home already." It seemed that we had a barbecue every night.

Uncles Andy and Matt

They came the day before we left. We don't get to see them enough and I'm always left wanting more time with them.

Charlie, Uncle Richard, Baby Boston, Jane Grandpa Ivan and Mags

partying at Aunt Leslie's. Boston is the youngest grandchild and he just celebrated his first birthday.

Ada and Uncle Richard

This is the only picture that I got of her. She is the first Great Grandchild in Mike's family.

She is a delight.

She's posing with her Grandpa (mike's brother)

Kate and Charlie

Charlie thinks that Kate is his cousin. They share the same Aunt Anne and Uncle Richard but not related. Kate lives in China and Charlie thinks that is so cool. Every time he sees that something was "made in china" he thinks its awesome.

Jane, Aunt Anne and fake cousin Abigail

Mike and Charlie

We had a great time out on the boat with family. The trip was another great success. Back to real life.