December Wrap Up

 We have packed a lot of fun in the last two weeks of the year as we always do. Andi had a piano recital on the 20th with her new piano teacher, and even with a cast did a great job. She played Rockin Around the Christmas Tree as a duet with her teacher, due to the cast, but the song she wrote herself she was able to play.

 Kelsie and Cameron and their family came in to town and we were able to have a fun pizza and playing night. The big boys even let the kids come play nerf wars with them at the church. I guess it's time to train the next generation.

 We spent Christmas Eve with the Bulkeleys and after a lovely dinner had our traditional talent program, carol singing and reading of the Santa Letter. Poor Sammy had been sick all week and was feeling pretty awful that night, but perked up enough to join in on the Santa letter fun. Santa brought most of the kids Jammies, and Sam quietly wandered off after opening his. I drug him back in to open a few more things and we had this conversation.
S: "Mom, when I opened the Jammies I was thinking, Why Santa? Why would you do this to me?"
M: "You weren't excited about your jammies?"
S: "No, but then I opened the bow and arrow and thought, YES! That's what I'm talking about!"
Way to go Aunt Tenille, you saved his Christmas Eve!

Christmas morning was relaxing and nice. We opened present at our house when the kids finally got out of bed, played with them for a few hours and then got ready for church. They loved that it was only one hour.

I love how excited Sam was about this Chemistry set. He's been less excited about it as we've done experiments and the results aren't quite as dramatic and explosive as he was envisioning, but we've made some cool things. 

Peter was most excited about these magnetic block tiles and has been building with them every day.

You can't tell what she's holding, but Andi was most excited to get an Ipod. DJ Andi has been going non stop since then.

 

 After Church we went to my parents for an early dinner and gifts. The kids all crashed when we got home, which means it was a wonderful and successful Christmas.
This last week was spent playing with new toys a lot, but also some fun outings. We ice blocked with the whole fam one afternoon. I guess it's the bakersfield version of sledding since we never get snow.

 

 We also went to the kids museum for a few hours on a rainy day. I love that even with the age spread, they all enjoy playing there.

They worked together and made this fort and were very proud of themselves. 

 

  

 

And last night we went to Dinner with just the adults in my family because Bobby came to town for a couple days "on business".  I feel like this year went by so much faster than any year yet, and I hope it was a fluke. Time needs to slow down just a bit so I can keep up. We've been blessed greatly this year and are grateful for all the time we've had to spend with family and friends and build relationships.

Festive Fun

November flew by! Andi's soccer team participated in the tournament at the end of the season and probably played one of their best games of the entire season. And instead of the traditional pizza party we had a taco party, which made me very happy. 

 

Peter has been loving his wednesday playgroups. It's his favorite day of the week and just loves to hang out with the boys. They are a cute bunch!

 Thad has been out of town a lot on a big project, and big projects mean big tools. The boys thought this one was pretty awesome. It's totally real, so imagine the bolts that it's used on!

We also took the annual backyard family pictures, and a miracle happened. We got a good shot, no photo shop necessary. I feel like this was a milestone, like family pictures won't be such a ridiculous and painful endeavor going forward. At least I hope so! And I even liked the picture of just Thad and I, which I never do.

 

We had two Thanksgivings this year, one with my moms extended family the weekend before, and then hosted Thads family on Thanksgiving day. I love Bakersfield Thanksgiving. While everyone else is bundled up braving storms to get to gatherings, we set the kids table up outside and they run free while the adults talk in peace. 

Then December came and we've been busier than ever. Sammy had a cub scout push cart Derby the first weekend and had a great time. 

 Such a great time that he talked Thad into building him his own. Which they did that same day. Then Sam and Peter painted it and named it Thunder and they've been having a great time with it, when they aren't arguing over who's turn it is to push.

Then Andi decided to break a growth plate in her pinky the day before her school band concert. Don't worry, her teacher still had her come play the notes that she could with her remaining 8 fingers.

She plays the flute, the same one I used to play, and that my Dad used to play. Her piano teacher is also going to have her perform at her recital this week, cast and all.  With December we finally got some fall like weather. Peter was so proud of the leaf pile he raked all by himself. They've been raking leaves almost daily. Not putting the in the trash or anything, just reusing them for jumping in.

Andi was also able to go to Camp KEEP with her 6th grade class last week. They go over to the coast, and it rained on them all week. But they had a great time. Here she is with her friends and their 4th grade teacher who went as their councilor. They love Ms Sloan, and the fact that they are taller than her now.

And last night we went to Christmas town to see the light display. It was actually cold, so we bundled everyone up and had a fun night. They of course had to ride the sledding hill very first, and after that they were moving too fast for pictures.

I can't believe Christmas will be here in 5 days. I think I'm ready.

Tender Mercies

This past weekend Thad and I were privileged to spend a few hours in the presence of an Apostle of the Lord. Elder Bednar was in Bakersfield and held several firesides and training's for 5 stakes in the area. Friday evening he spent 2 hours answering the questions of the congregation of young married couples and addressing our concerns. I came away feeling strengthened and at peace about my responsibilities as a mother in these tumultuous times. One thing he said that struck a chord particularly close to my heart, was that our children, this rising generation, are more strong willed and independent than ever before. A fact I've noticed about my own children, and wondered how to tame a manage. But he said they are that way for a reason, and that they have a greater capacity for obedience. Apparently they are gong to need both of those traits in the coming years. While it is an ominous thought; the challenges they will be up against; it was also very encouraging to me to know that they truly came with their willfulness and my job is to turn their strength of spirit to obedience and correct paths.
Thad was also able to attend a training with the Bishops, Elders Quorum Presidents and stake auxiliary presidents on Saturday morning. But most precious was the time we were able to spend with him on Sunday morning. President Taylor arranged for Elder Bednar to come to Mom and Dads house and visit with them before their Sunday meetings. He spoke with Dad and Mom while the rest of us sat and listened. The spirit in that room was more powerful and tangible than I have ever felt. I've spent 3 days trying to find words to adequately describe the experience but all I can say was that the Apostles are absolutely filled with the Power of God and it can be felt emanating from them. There are many accounts in the old testament of crowds just following the Savior around the countryside. Leaving whatever they were doing before and just following Him. I can say that I understand that now. You wanted to follow Elder Bednar around just to feel of that spirit. Every time we've discussed it since that feeling settles over us and I hope it never goes away. Elder Bednar also gave Dad a blessing before he left and there is no doubt in my mind that the promises made will be fulfilled, and that this meeting and blessing happened because of the Lord's will. It was a witness to me of how mindful the Lord is of each of our needs and desires and answers those in ways we could never hope to ask for. Of all the places in the world he could have been, or any of the people he could have been visiting, the Lord saw fit to send Elder Bednar to bless my Dad that morning. He knows us by name and loves us and has a unique plan for each of us.

Sammy

October was a big month for Sammy. He turned 8! For his birthday he invited a few friends to Rush followed by ice cream and presents at our house. He got some things he was very excited about and even his first gift card that I still need to take him to use.

This picture just describes these two perfectly. Ellie is just crazy and always enjoying life. Sammy is just trying really hard not to laugh at her craziness and pretending he's not affected by it. 

8 means a couple of new things including starting cub scouts. He had his first pack meeting last week and was so excited to go.

He even received his shooting sports award for the things they did at day camp this summer. He really doesn't love being in front of people.  But he has some really great leaders, and I think he's going to enjoy Cubs a lot.

8 also means he is old enough to be baptized, and he chose to do so this past weekend. We are very proud of him for that decision and hopeful to see how the gift of the Holy Ghost will help guide his stubborn willful little life.

Thad has a picture just like this with G&G Richards at his baptism. I need to track it down and do a side by side.

We gathered at my parents afterwards for snacks and family time. We did get an almost group shot with all the adult family members who were able to join us. No one wanted to wrangle all the cousins in to a picture.

It's been a month full of fun and now the holidays are almost here again. Time to get focused and organized!

October

I knew when I filled out our cute wall calendar at the beginning of October that it was going to be a busy and eventful month. I was right. So here goes post  1 of 2 to catch up on our October happenings. We went to Disney on Ice with Grandma and the cousins, but the suite we were in proved to be more fun that watching the show for my kids. I'm glad we had the suite but I couldn't keep them watching the show. They were climbing on things and hiding in closets and just everything but watching.

The first quarter of school ended and both kids did really well. Andi got straight A's, and Sam got the equivalent of that in numbers since 2nd grade still does not use letter grades for who knows what reason. Parent teacher conferences also happened and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Sam did really well with the testing they do each quarter with the new common core stuff. Apparently he's really smart, which is part of his behaving in class problem. He gets bored. But his teacher this year is amazing and he's doing so much better. In our house good grades get ice cream.

I was able to go on our youth Temple trip with the Young Women. Every single one of these kids had family names to do work for, which was really impressive. Our group keeps growing and I'm loving all our new girls.

Soccer has been in full swing and Andi has become a decent little goalie. Her team party is tonight, and luckily for us the team sponsor owns a taco place. .. no pizza party for us!  After her game one saturday we stopped at a barber shop to get the boys hair cut. Normally I do it, but I didn't want to. Peter loved his handsome hair, but I'm not sure why he's smiling crookedly.

Sammy on the other hand was not happy. He hated the product they put in and the way they combed it and all the way home kept saying he couldn't go to school with his hair like that and he looked dumb. I could not figure out why because it looked so good! After he showered out all the gunk and tamed it down he was fine with it. Who knew he was so picky!

We hit the pumpkin patch early this year, which was good because it wasn't crowded and because the pumpkins were able to cheer up our little porch for a couple weeks. But Peter is used to carving the pumpkins right away and every day he asked "is it pumpkin day yet?!" It drove him crazy to have to wait to carve them.

We got to watch Alexis and Ashlynns girls one afternoon and Andi was a big help. She said she was practicing for Babysitting. They were all watching Curious George in the car while we waited for Andi at piano lessons.

Maggie just loves Sammy.

And Opal looks like she wasn't sure about this adventure, but she was having a great time too. 

We did eventually carve the pumpkins and Peter was so happy. Peters happy face, Sams scary face, and Andi's cat and moon.

Halloween felt like it was strung out this year. Andi had 4 dress up occasions. An activity days party, her first friends party, the ward trunk or treat, and the actual Halloween day. I don't think I like Halloween enough to make it a week long event.

The kids boycotted our family costume this year and Andi chose to be Hermione, Sammy went as Ash and Peter was Pikachu. We kept calling him Peterchu and it made him so mad.

These kids brought home so much candy it's ridiculous. They aren't even concerned when Thad and I take some because they realize they have way more than they could ever eat.

 

And Peter was his normal adventurous self this month as well. 

There is no keeping him in anymore. I might just low jack him so I can always find him when he escapes.  Tattooing our address might also be effective, so whoever finds him can return him.