Preston's 9th birthday

 

 

Preston's birthday kind of snuck up on me this year.  His birthday is Dec. 10 which is actually tomarrow Monday.  I was thinking I had another week so when it was last Sunday the 2nd I realized his Friend party would be that Saturday the 8th oh my.. So I posted on facebook for ideas and help from my dear friends for ideas what to do with 10 little 9 year old boys. I got some great ideas thanks to everyone. 

WE live in a basement apartment and the thought of 10 nine year old boys in our small home gave me bit of a panic attack.  Preston had asked if we could have his party at Get Air in Kaysville at first I said no cause I thought it was going to be to expensive bu after I looked in to it and the money I would have to spend to put together a party at home for 10 boys it actually was close to the same amount. 
I am so thankful we went there. The boys had a blast, even little sister Karleigh.  We had cupcakes and icecream and presents in a birthday room there and dropped the boys off on our way home.  It was weird not to be home.  We have always done the party's at home with the pinata and games but as the kids get older it's getting a bit to much.  Preston loved it and had fun.  That's all that really matters to the mom anyways right?



Tree Cutting

 

 

Every Year we head up the weekend after Thanksgiving to get a tree with our dear friends the Squires and the Nichols. 

This year we didn't get out until Dec.1st.  There was hardly any snow.  In years past we havn't been able to go to far up the uintas without having to have snowmobiles or  four wheel drive. This year was so weird to not be treching through knee deep snow. 

Preston is our Tree Finder ( not to colton's liking)  he has a knack for finding the perfect one.  Maybe it's the artistic eye he has. 

The last 2 years he has found our tree and again nailed us a perfect one this year.  He is so proud when he finds that tree.   He wanted to cut down a little one for his bedroom and I forgot to tell Chad to buy 2 passes so we promised him one for next year . 

It really has become a fun tradition.  

Confessions...

What better way to start of the season of giving then to Bake Sugar Cookies.  I have to admit I LOVE Sugar Cookies but I HATE Cleaning up after baking them.

Karleigh loves Baking.  She always is asking to make cookies, bread, well anything. 

I am NOT a baker.  Nor am I one who enjoys cooking it causes me a small anxiety attack every day at 3pm when I hear the words in my head "what are we going to have for dinner." I would rather clean bathrooms all day then have to cook dinner or lunch or breakfast.  I realize that when I signed up for motherhood that I was going to have to overcome this "small" fear of mine.  When Chad and I got married I worked so I ate out for lunch then his mom insisted on us eating dinner at her house.  So see I never had to learn to cook.  After about a couple of years after we had been married I thought I really needed to start learning some basics cause heck I was going to have kids some day and then what? Was I going to say hey kids your hungry? Let's go over to Nanas.  Yeah that sounded so wrong and so not "normal" .  So I started to dappel a little I could make the easy stuff.  Lasagna, spaghetti, anything from a box.  Frozen Stouffers That solved much of my dilema.

Needless to say we ate at Nana's ALOT almost everyday.  About 6 years ago it stopped I "grew" up and started to feed my own family.  It has been one rollercoaster ride.  I don't think I will ever be the great cook or baker like so many pintrest pinners and facebook friends, neighbors, and family around me but I am learning more about myself while on this ride. 

THis ride of self discovery has not been fun.  It has not been enjoyable but one thing is for sure it has been at time laughable!

I am thankful for my mother in law that doesn't laugh when I call her with questions such as "how long to boil a egg? How do you make baked potatoes? What is a scallop? " the list could go on and on. But to save myself from more self embarassment I will stop there.

 

There is one thing I CAN bake though and that is Sugar Cookies.  I have the best recipe it is my mom's "secret" recipe and it is the only thing I make perfect!!! So here is the start of a great Christmas Cookies season

Lessons learned from fishing :)

Over Thanksgiving Break we spent 3 days out on the Pontoon boat Fishing.  It was so much fun.

We have found Colton's True love to say the least. 

We had been out for about 5 hrs. When it was getting dark and cold and I said it was time to head back and Colton said "No not yet... one more" After 3 more we really needed to head back Colton was still not ready he would have slept out there on the lake if we let him. 

 

Grandpa Wynn is the SAME way.  Can never get enough.  Grandpa Wynn was retelling Colton's dedication to his Dad Great Grandpa Passey G.Grandpa passey just laughed and said "hmm sounds like some one else at his age. " 

I just love when I see characteristics of my own parents played out in my kids.  It really helps me connect to each child in their own way in a very special way. 

Colton reminds me so much of my dad anyways  He has my dad's hands, little stature and dedication to the truth.  Everything to Colton is Black and White.  He is strong in what he believes and doesn't waiver. Much like his Grandpa.  What a amazing quality to have. 

 

Karleigh liked fishing as long as we were catching fish when we would hit a dead area she would be bored and want to leave.  As I noticed this I realized what kind of lesson can be learned by fishing.  One great lesson is Patience..

With Patience comes great rewards at time.  Also life can sometimes be exciting, very eventful, but then comes the quiet time to reflect and just relax.  Sometimes the time to just quietly reflect and relax can feel "boring" Or it can feel like a much needed vacation.

That has caused me to think about how I use my time and am I thankful for the quiet vacations or am I quick to fill them with something else.  Over the past few years I feel that I am trying to hard to fill up all my time.  I feel guilty if I have a hour or two to myself that when those times come I am rushing through it to get back to "life"  how silly is that? 

So this new year coming up I am going to SLOW down be thankful to my Father in Heaven for the small 1 hour breaks I may receive throughout the day and enjoy them, be grateful for them. 

A glimpse into our life with Karleigh

This is Karleigh just being Karleigh :)

She was told to go get her jammies on she came out wearing this I couldn't resist snapping a photo.  Enjoy:)

Halloween night

 

 

 

Here is Halloween night.  Kambria was a butterfly this night when on Saturday she was a kitty I originally had her being a kitty and i found the cute ears and all but then she tried on the butterfly over at her Nana's and was so cute in that as well. She would run around saying" fly fly "so I dressed her up as a kitty on Saturday and SHE wanted to be the butterfly on Halloween.

 

The day before Halloween Kambria got so sick and was still very sick I was going to just stay home and hand out candy with her but as everyone was getting ready to leave she started crying "tri tree" and I couldn't let her miss out so we put her in the stroller and decided to let her go to a couple of houses.  It was sooo warm.  No jackets were needed.  I don't remember ever having such warm Halloween you would have thought we were on a tropical island or somewhere.  It was nice since Kambria was sick.  After a few houses Colton was done and wanted to go home so Chad took him home.  ( he does not get that from his mom) .  Karleigh on the other hand does take after her mom and is a die hard trick or treater.  I headed out with her and Kambria, and after a few houses I would ask Kami if she wanted to go home or keep trick or treating she would time after time say "tri tree"  I think my girls take after their mom.  Karleigh would keep saying "a couple more houses mom then I want to go home" I would say "alright when ever you want to stop" and sure enough after the houses she would say "well couple more than go home" I just would laugh and say " what ever you want " hehe. 

Chad's uncle Ryan has been teasing Colton about his dad being a secret black ninja.  With Chad's job he travels a lot and Ryan tells Colton it is just a cover for his "REAL" job a ninja.  So for Halloween Chad showed up in a black ninja costume I had told them that their dad had to go help someone in the ward and that his friend "Blain" was coming to take them trick or treating until dad got done and then he would catch up.  Colton didn't want to go with "Blain" he just wanted to wait for his dad.  When Chad showed up in his Ninja costume Colton was REALLY not going with him he would just wait for his dad.  As Chad tried to persuade him to come colton was really nervous and trying to not cry.  He was a bit scared of him at first.  Finally Chad showed his face and it even took Colton a few seconds to realize it was Chad. We were all laughing.  Colton didn't like it that much and was a bit mad about being tricked.  I guess it wasn't such great idea.  Preston and Karleigh thought it was great though.


Halloween Fun....

The Saturday before Halloween we headed to Station Park trick or treating.  It was the first time the kids got to get all dressed in their Halloween attire.  I am loving having Station Park so close. 
That night we had our annual carving party with our friends. We love this tradition and love we have such good friends to be with.  We start with dinner and homemade rootbeer yum :) and then get to carving.  Above are the finished products. 

She's 5

This is a really late post. Sept. 12 Karleigh turned 5. So we headed to the zoo she loves the zoo.  We had a really great time. Then on Saturday she had a friend party. It was so fun.

Things she loves right now
1. talking time
2. Preschool
3. Playgroup
4. Playing with friends EVERYDAY
5. shopping with mom
6. Bubble gum
7. Money for Bubble gum
8. Trips to the gas station for Bubble gum ( get the picture)
9.Sugar
10. Giving Hugs ( She is the BEST HUGGER )
11. Reading books ( she begs to learn to read and loves reading books she has memorized)
12. She loves church and primary
13. She loves Jesus and learning everything about him
14. She loves to say the prayer.  Wether it be family prayer or blessing the food she always wants to say it. 

We love her and her contagious smile. 

Jackson Hole

Chad was headed to Jackson for the dog carnival and we tagged along this time.  We had fun swimming at the lodge and eating out. We drove home through Yellowstone Sunday stopping at Old Faithful.  The bottom two pics one with Kambria she had a blast playing in the rock gravel she didn't care at all about old faithful.  The boys and Karleigh thought it was cool.  We love Jackson and Yellowstone. 

Mueller park

Every year after the morning session of Sunday conference we head up to Mueller park for family pictures.  I didn't go this year.  So sad :( I will regret that for years and years to come but here is a picture of all the people that make up my world!!

I love conference.  I love hearing what is prepared it always finds a way to speak to me.  I always find answers to what ever is concerning me and feel so blessed to have been born into the church and been raised by Strong parents with strong foundations built on the saviors teachings and am so grateful that they instilled in me such a love for the gospel.  I pray I can do the same for my children.

 

 

 

 

Oh this girl melts my heart!!! I love her.  She misses the deadline for kindergarten by 12 days so she is in Preschool one more year.  I am sending her to Appletree Preschool in Kaysville I have heard some really great things about them I really want her ready for kindergarten next year and not to be bored this year.  This is the place I guess. 

We went to the open house to meet her teacher and she really liked it there she goes on Tues and Thursdays and today on Wed.  She just can't wait for tomarrow. 
She is also part of a playgroup with the girls that live in our neighborhood and she loves to be with her friends. 

She loves her little sister and is a great little mommy.  She loves babies and playing with her brothers and cousins. 

She loves books and practicing writing words.  ( mom just needs to be better at helping her)

I love this girl!!!!

 

 

Colton 1st grade

 

1st grade is much much harder for me as a mom.  Kindergarten is only half a day and you kind of get used to them gone half a day with preschool and playdates but All day school that is so hard for me.  The morning of the first day Colton had some real anxiety he didn't want to go he was so scared and nervous.  I told him I would stay as long as he needed.  We went to Back to School morning and found his desk and met his teacher then went to Preston's class and met his teacher and got the rules and disclosures for the classes then I walked Colton back to class and he was feeling much better.  As I left I found myself worrying a lot about my little guy.  How was he doing?What about lunch?  I was tempted multiple times to go down and check on him.  When he came home he was so excited he had a great day. 
I talked to his teacher that night she said that she had to seperate him and his friend for talking to much...OH NO.  If you read my report cards from 1st grade all through school it reads " Celeste is such a joy in our class if only she could not talk soooo much"  I have a feeling Colton is going to be like his mama!!! At almost all parent teacher conferences my parents were told that I needed to be quiet.  I would like to say that I learned something so I could help him but I didn't.... I still love to talk.  I did sit down with him and talk with him and told him it's not good to have problems on the first day of school and we talked about some things he could do.  Needless to say I love him and know he will do awesome!!!

Some of the things Colton is doing right now

Loves to play with his best friend Louie
Loves Soccer and is REALLY good
Loves to try reading and is doing really well
And he loves is DAD .  He is his buddy and shadow ( he gets that from his mom)

Shool Days

 Preston 3rd Grade

Looking back on my school years the first real school year I remember is 3rd Grade.  I remember going down to the school the week before it started and finding out I got the "worst and meanest" teacher and crying and begging my mom to switch me.  Mom said lets meet her and see how things go.  That teacher ended up being the one that notified my mom that I may need glasses and I did, She was the one that got me a extra tutor for my multiplications, and the one that pushed me and encouraged me to strive harder in class.  I ended up really liking her as a teacher. 
On a social level it is also the grade that I was bullied by  a girl in my class, got called midget, 4 eyes and a slu of other not so nice things.  Those things stuck with me throughout my school years. 

 So am I excited for Preston to enter the 3rd grade?

Yes, said with some reserve.  I am excited for him to really stretch this year in academics, I am excited for him to really search and find his place in this big wide open place they call school.  YET......

No, I am not looking forward to those "mean" kids.  Not looking forward to hurting along with him as I watch him struggle with new concepts and ideas.  

Though I am excited to watch how he overcomes this new start in life.  I feel that 3rd grade really is the start of the love or hate School. 

Some of the things I love about Preston:

His willingness to help
His servants heart that he got from his dad
His love for his little brother and sisters
His compulsive attitude to detail and organization ( I can attribute my organized rooms in my house to him)
His love of music and art
His love for theatre

So here goes to a new chapter.....