Christmas Eve Jammies

Every Christmas Eve we go up to visit Parley's parents in Bountiful. This year it was a smaller group with just our (wild) gang and Kim and her family. We had a great time visiting but Josh was literally bouncing off the walls. He was digging it all and couldn't wait until the end of the night when we got to open jammies. Here they are. Lauren and Josh got Sponge Bob and Taylor got Mario Kart. I think they were happy :)

Temple Square

Last night (Saturday) we decided to go downtown, along with 80% of the STATE. It was crowded! There was also a Jazz game (against the Lakers, whom we saw coming out of their hotel), a Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert, High School concerts and dances. There was a lot of hustle and bustle but it just added to the excitement. It was also somewhat "warm." Which means it was in the high 30's instead of the teens. I think we all had a great time and are glad we can check that off our list of "things to do" for this Christmas season.

You Better Watch Out

Santa Claus came to town. We had a church party up in the canyon at Camp Tracy Lodge and after dinner and a little program, Santa came!! It was crunch time for the kids to figure out what they wanted to tell Santa. Lauren almost didn't do it because she wasn't quite sure what she wanted yet and she was afraid to tell Santa something and then change her mind. Let's hope Santa pulls through :)

Let it All Begin

And... let it snow. It's so cold. I don't want the snow but the kids really do and Christmas is all about the kids, right? We've got all the decorations up. Some present under the tree (from cousins) and the sugar frenzy continues (it started before Halloween).

Birthdays and More Birthdays

This has been a fun birthday week. This past weekend we had a big 75th birthday party for Parley's mom. I think she loved it. Almost everyone was there, just a few grandkids missing (missions and school).

Yesterday was Parley's birthday. We didn't party too hard but went out for pizza and had cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday Parley!!

Halloweeeeen

We survived Halloween. Now the sugar rush has begun, for all of us. We have a great neighborhood to trick-or-treat in where the houses all like to hand out candy. The kids can get a good stash in about an hour. After trick-or-treating we stopped by some friends for hot chocolate. Lauren wanted to go with her friends this year and had a great time and got more candy than she'll ever know what to do with. Let's hope we can keep the braces from popping off. I was hoping she'd sell some of it to the local dentist who pays $1/pound but no such luck. The first picture is from our ward trunk-0r-treating. It's the only time I get remotely dressed up.

p.s. At the party a little girl (about 6ish) was staring really close at my fake eyelashes. I asked her if she was looking at my pretend eyelashes. She said, "yeah, and all those wrinkles around your eyes!" "Those," I said, "are unfortunatley VERY real." Gotta love kids and their honesty! (her mother was mortified :)

Family Pictures

Last weekend we FINALLY had our family pictures taken. I've been wanting to do it all year. I REALLY wanted to get them done in the summer with everything green and all of us tan and in our summer clothes (not that we TRY to be tan, we use lots of sunscreen, it just happens. The kids all have Parley's skin). Summer came and went. Fall almost came and went but I have a good friend who is a great photographer and she helped me finally get it done - thanks Diane! Lauren was sick with a fever (which is why she wouldn't let me curl her hair) and I hadn't bought us all new clothes to wear, but I think it actually turned out well. My favorite one is going on our Christmas card, so you'll have to wait to see that one :)

Gardner Village

Last Friday it was "reasonably" warm, it was early day and the kids wanted to do something FUN. For me, free = fun so we went off to Gardner Village. It was packed but fun. It has turned into a yearly tradition to go and see the witches and somehow the "Witchey Poo" one always seems to be a favorite :)

Bear Lake Reunion

Parley organized a little family reunion with his family. We had someone make some condo's available for us in Bear Lake. I think it's safe to say we all had a great time! We missed some and only saw others for a short time but those who were there got to experience some great weather! We couldn't have asked for better at the end of September. The kids loved being in the lake (too cold for me) and had lots and lots of fun digging in the sand. We all left with pink cheeks and full tummys :)

A Day to Remember

It was 8 years ago today that I was sitting in bed with a newborn (Taylor) and I decided to turn on the t.v. The first plane had hit one of the towers. We were all wondering if it was just a horrible accident. Then the second plane hit the second tower and suddenly we knew. Our world as we knew it had forever been changed.

As hard as I try to explain it all to my kids each year, they'll never fully understand. It was tragic, horrific, uncomprehensible and completely life-changing.

Sandy City does this healing field each year. It is so amazing to see all the flags and realize each flag represents a person who died.

I wish I could write like my cousin Jordana. I have so many thoughts floating around in my head but I'm not very good at transfering them onto paper. Here is a video I love that is pretty amazing and awe-inspiring...

Labor Day Triathlon

Today Lauren got up at 6 a.m. to go and do the Murray City Triathlon. She was nervous about it but did great!! She got a cool medal and won second place in her age category. She's way too big for her bike but did great, she rocked the swim (75 yards was a piece of cake for her) and the run was hard but she did it! Way to go Lauren!!
The girl with me in the picture had most of her kids do it too, and she's the one that's been swimming with me twice a week all summer trying to make me a better swimmer :)

It's All Good

All three kids are now in school. Life is good :) Lauren is a big 5th grader and seems to be enjoying it. Taylor is in 3rd and had a great teacher who's father was the head zookeeper while she was growing up. Taylor loves her zoo stories.

Josh did it!! Parley had to take him (the teacher specifically suggested that I not do it). He played with his friends on the playground for a minute and then walked right in. After he said it was "rockin awesome." We can all breathe a sigh a relief :)