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.

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


• 
  
  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.


• 
  
  our two dumb dogs. i love them.


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


• 
  
  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