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.