December

 Wow its been a busy couple of months glad the hustle and bustle is over (I think).  Rachel was baptized on her birthday.  It was a special day for her, but it over shadowed her birthday a bit.  We didn't have birthday pie until a week later.  Oh well we celebrated two days instead of one.  Just a few pictures from her day.  I didn't get any of the dinner, I forgot with all the craziness of getting other pictures and stuff. 

Little Miss Rachel on her baptism day.

 

We had pumpkin pie for Rachel's birthday a week after her birthday.  

Jonathan was in the school play.  Holy cow I think he was at play practice more than he was home in October and for sure in November.  Between school and practice he only came home to sleep.  It was fun to watch and they did really good.   This is a picture of  the "bandits"  in the play.  They did  A Christmas Story.   Most of the kids had more than one part that's why Santa is in this picture.

 Jared and his friend in the snow cave they made.  They would work on this everyday after school until dark for a couple of days.  They were glad to finally have some snow to play in.  We still don't have very much but at least we have some.  I hate it when its just cold and no snow, doesn't seem like winter that way.

 I have gotten so lazy with taking pictures.  I need to be better the kids had their Christmas programs this month too.  Jonathan had his on  Monday with band and choir.  It was good.  But no pictures what is up with me?  Do you think he would put his choir robes on and  let me take pictures?  Yeah me either.  The girls had their program on Thursday and once again no pictures, Jared had his on Friday and again no pictures.  Its hard to take good ones with my little point and shoot camera I need a new one, someday maybe.  They were all the week before Christmas and all at the high school auditorium  I swear I have lived there this past month with the play and programs.   We had our ward Christmas party and no pictures either.   I didn't take many on Christmas day either, and none when the kids were opening gifts.  

 Jared and Rachel with there Christmas PJ's they get to open on Christmas Eve.

 Sara with her doll Christmas day

Jonathan with some of his Christmas stuff.

Its been a long year for us.  Wow I sure hope we have learned what we needed to and hope for a better year this coming one.  Its been hard for me to just keep it together some days.  So here's to a new start and a better year for us, no matter what comes our way.  Oh and more picture taking for sure.  Just what my kids want too.  

Update

Its about time I updated this.  What the use of having a blog if its never updated?  (not that anyone reads its)  But anyway the kids stared school the end of August it was a good day they all survived including me.  WOW big changes for this mom this year.  But I started watching a sweet little baby so its not too bad.  Poor Jared was so hot he didn't feel good after school his room was way to hot for him, that's why his smile is missing.  Just glad he would be in the picture now the trick is to remember where their signs are so we can do a last day of school picture and see how they changed during the school year.

Yes I did it!  I got a new family picture.  It was a HUGE deal NO one wants to do pictures anymore!  I only ask for a few.  We were able to get a few.  I want to do another one in the winter we shall see.

We celebrated Jared's 10th birthday in October. Has it really been 10 years?  He is our spice in the family and keeps us on our toes.  He is such a sweet boy.  I took him and 4 of his friends to Fat Cats, for his birthday party, sorry can't share those pictures but it was fun.  I sure got an earful on the way home.  Boys are so much fun!

A few days later we celebrated Jonathan's 15th birthday.  I can't believe how he has changed this past year.  He is taller than me now, and is growing up to be a very nice young man, sometimes I still can't believe he is mine.  He changed our lives forever and we would never change anything.  I remember how small he was when he was placed into my arms and the joy and peace I felt knowing he is truly our son.  He has been very busy with school actives this fall, but more on that next post.

Halloween came way to quick for me this year.  I didn't get a picture with all the pumpkins together.  Jared and his pumpkin

Trick or Treat time!

Little miss cowgirl, the grim reaper and a witch.

I do believe Jonathan is getting too old to trick or treat besides he was sick that day.  It was so warm that day that the kids didn't even need a jacket.  So not like the other Halloween's we have had.  It was fun but they were glad to come home when we did not so much into trick or treating I guess.

Jared had an Idaho History project to do.  He had to make a map of Idaho and add mountain ranges, rivers, lakes,  city's, etc.  It was a fun project.  I LOVE school projects!

 

Finally they had a contest at the orthodontist and Jared won.  It was write what you are thankful for and why and you could win a pie.  He wrote he was thankful for pie and teeth cause if he didn't have teeth he couldn't eat pie.  Too funny!  He won a $5 dollar gift card so he could get a pie.  What a funny kid!

I have more to update Rachel's birthday and baptism as well as other things but that will have to wait. 

Update

 WOW!  Its been a long time but here is a little bit of what we have done this summer.  I have gotten really bad about taking pictures, not sure why.  We finally went camping YAHOO!  It was a weekend trip but it was fun.  I didn't get many pictures of "camping" and none of us floating the river didn't want to risk the camera getting wet.  I know how the kids are and I was right there wasn't a dry spot on me and I was in a boat figure that out.  It was fun even smelling like river water for the rest of the day.   Saturday we went to West Yellowstone for a car show,  it was fun and very interesting  some of the kids were not too happy but they made it. Just a couple of pics.

 Dennie by a truck that was a couple of years older that the one he had in high school, he sure wishes he still had it.

 Jared and Grandpa checking out an old time car

Jared was fascinated with this little trailer, he loved it he said he was going to have one when he grows up, the sad thing is there is only 2 still around.  It was really cool.

On the way home we stopped at Warm River and saw the big fish, we took Miss Emma with us, Jared went with Audrey and Evan, and Jonathan went with Clingers for the week.  They had so much fun.  Thanks so much for taking the boys.

Dennie made beds Abby and Belle I went down and helped Audrey get their room ready.  We moved her scrapbook room and painted the twins room and then the next day painted Emma's room.  Dennie brought the beds down and took the boys home and I stayed another night and put the last coat of stuff on the beds and helped do little paint touch ups.  It was a fun week but busy.  Two kids got sick that was a joy NOT its hard enough being sick but its worse when your not at your own home.  All in all it was a good week and we got lots done.

When we got home we had only a week left until school started.  We really didn't do much just played and relaxed.  We wanted to start getting up early, but of course that didn't happen for one reason or another. 

This week school started.  AHHH!  What a week.  Its been busy, but good.  Monday I had a meeting at 1pm, at 3 I got extra kids and had them until 5pm, it was meet your teacher night for the girls from 4-6pm  we went at 5ish got home took Jared to his back to school BBQ at 5:30 didn't get home until close to 6:30 had dinner.  Thankfully I had FHE done and planned.  We all went on a little bike-ride came home had FHE and then Dennie gave each of the kids a father's blessing for the start of school.  What a choice experience that was to hear each of the kids blessings.  They are all so different and have different needs, reassures me that our Heavenly Father knows each one of us and the things that we need.  So thankful for a husband that is so willing and able to do this for our kids.  Jonathan went to school on Tuesday for Freshman orientation.  Then Wednesday morning was the big day.  It was great.  I also started watching a baby which is good for me, and he is such a good baby.  (Hope it lasts).  It was a good day for everyone.  I took this picture after school, poor Jared had a tummy ache after school so he looks a little unhappy but all in all it was a good day!

Now the plan is to take another picture like this but on the last day of school.  Just need to put the signs someplace that I can remember and be able to find them on the last day of school.  Hope we won't have to move between now and then, they have had a ton of people looking at this house.  UGH!!!  Its such a pain.  

What a Difference a Year Makes

 Last year I wanted to trim Sara's hair and it well lets just say it ended up shorter than I had planned and then she took the scissors to and Jared cut it a couple of days later.  Needless to say I was not happy, and she wasn't either.   Her bangs were maybe a 1/2 inch long.  UGH!  Poor girl we had to be very creative when we did her hair and pull what little bangs she had to the side and spray them and put them in a barrette.  

    

We let it grow and a year later this is how long it is.  I think its close to where it was before I cut it, just think how long it would have been now if I hadn't cut it.  She doesn't want it cut again either.  Lesson Learned!