the plan

Every once in a while it works.

  For the first time in November all the girls went to school today, despite Kate's pending eye something.. she says it hurts and keeps rubbing but I can't see anything.  Wow I have a hard time keeping these kids well.  Puffy cheek, allergies, and ears are going to be the death of me.  Yes they still get normal things like colds but seems like all the weird things are up right now.
but today I have 2 hours... that's alot.  I guess I'll go get something productive done.

thanksgiving---the day

This year we spent the holiday with my side,  We try to see how long we can be together.  :)  So we started at my house that morning to do a little service.

Uncle Lloyd hooked us up with a great project.  We made bead geckos that they add to the school kits.

It took us a bit to get the hang of it and in the end took us about twice as long as we thought it would BUT our own Thanksgiving miracle men and children kept focused till our goal was completed.

125 of those little guys were created much to Max and Hayli's excitement!

Then off to Mom's for the big dinner,  um I was eating so apparently no pictures past the place card the kids were able to make.

I did get some of the sweets...of course!

Then finished off the day with gingerbread houses and trains.  (thanks for the work Mom) Kate was so excited to put her train up she wanted to stay up that night and get rid of all things Thanksgiving.  So her train could have center stage. (um no we did not stay up, that was another day)

All and all we laughed, made fun of each other, (that means you are loved in our family)  ate like champs and remembered how much we like to be with each other.  How grateful I am for family.  No one makes me laugh like my sisters.

black friday

This is how we spent the day...

No shopping done here.

But I did get my fridge cleaned,

 And Christmas is put up.

 That is a big deal over here, I hate to clean the fridge.

thankful

It's Thanksgiving...

if our thankful chain and thankful tree are any proof---

 Man we have a lot to be grateful  for.

let the feasting begin!

birthday weekend

Casey needed to be in St. George this past birthday weekend for work,
so we decided to make it a family trip!

We spent some of the favorite time in the hotel pool!

Of course we met up with  the Wimmers to have soup and candy with a carousel ride too.  A tradition when we are there.

Jacque is amazing and pulled out cupcakes for Kate's birthday with candles,

 She let the kids make amazing sugar cookies (Jacque really makes great sugar cookies), and topped it of with waffles with strawberries and whip cream for Casey's Sunday morning birthday breakfast.

Not to mention shopping, and more shopping,

Hungry hippos,and good friends too!

Maybe we could be snow birds, have to admit I loved the "off season" as they called it.
Thanks again Wimmers and St. George.
 Mark that down as a great weekend!

casey 38

Happy Birthday!

Hayli- He helps me with my homework,  I love to go swimming with him.  He takes care of us.  I like it when dad comes home early.  I like it when he lets me play his computer.  I like it when he builds new things.

Kate- I love dad. He helps me clean my room and feeds me dinner.  He swims with me.  He plays with me and tickles me.  I like it when he takes me to St. George.  I like it when he buys treats for us.

Gentry- I love dad and Disney land!
I love you.

kate lorraine 6

You are six today!!
You have been counting the days!

Preparing to be the center on attention has taken much preparation.  You thought out every last detail, even down to the treat to hand out in kindergarten, you wanted taffy the pink, brown and white ones. Unfortunately your procrastinating mother waited till the night before to even look for them and could only get Christmas taffy...but you rolled with it because they came in a giant candy cane you thought was fun! 

 Whew!  It has been a big year for you Kate, number one being you wear PANTS!  Almost everyday now, I have to admit I never thought you would, you are VERY picky, but you do wear them.  You still love barbie, barbie movies, barbie color books, and even still barbies!  You have become a major crafter, artist I'm not sure what to call it.. but you must "create" something every day.   You love your coloring, cutting and gluing,  mixing and if you can add glitter...all the better!! 

You are learning to love learning!  Preschool was always fun but Kindergarten... it is every day.  You often ask when we are going to take a break :)  You look forward to the weekend like a adult does.  Loving to take it slow in the morning and play all day!  You are learning though, which makes me smile!  Your printing has improved 100%, and sight words,  you find them all over now!  You love to pull out a memorized book and read to us.  You are soo proud! 

I love that you play with boys more often than you play with girls,  I love that your never ending energy exhausts me,   Being in the middle of 3 is a hard place to be. You are stuck with being mom's buddy alot, I love that you still think being my shopping buddy, baking buddy, whatever we are doing buddy, is fun. I love that you know exactly what you are getting for your big day (I heard Gentry tell you... time to start shopping alone.) But you act like you don't have any idea.  I can tell you will keep Santa real for me for a long time...Thank you.   I love you Kate Lorraine!
Happy Birthday, little one. Can't wait to see what this year brings...

veteran's day

Happy Friday...

to the Navy man who still protects and takes care of me and now my family.

skiff

We woke up this morning to a skiff of snow,

Had to try the slippery tramp for  a bit,

make a couple snow angels.

Squeal and scream to make sure all the neighbors heard us!

Most important Casey came home a day early!!  More squeals and screams!

a reason to get out the snow clothes,
Dad came home early, 
a no kid lunch with my sisters,
seat warmers,
So much to be grateful for---

makes for a good Saturday at this house!