There is not much going on here. We are just getting ready for christmas and such. Last night while I was making french toast for dinner all the bread that I got out of my pile on the counter to dip in the mixture was wet. I thought that's strange. As soon as I finished cooking that batch I grabbed out more bread and set it on the counter to make more. Then I quickly realized why the bread was wet. Avrie was sitting at the bar licking eat slice of bread on the front and back. She thought we had to get the bread wet before we dipped it in the egg mixture. I thought it was pretty funny and I never told the rest of the family but I did tell Brad after he was done eating. :)

ticked.

Annie really ticked me off this morning. I took my kids to school at 8:45 this morning. When I take them to school I have no make up , hair isn't done, flip flops, lets just say I'm pretty scary looking. So anyway, I pull up in the kid drop off lane and there are tons of cars behind me. Everyone gets out and heads to their classes except Annie. She refuses to get out. Her excuse is " I'm too tired mom." She wouldn't budge from her seat. She was perfectly fine earlier in the morning when she was running around but for some reason she was being stubborn. I wonder where she gets that from? So after about 5 minutes in that lane I decide to go park off to the side of the school so I can talk to her and maybe give her a little spank on the butt. Well, finally after 20 minutes of me trying to get her to go I was fed up. I marched her into the school and she got a tardy slip which made her even more mad. I had to walk her to her class ( remember how presentable I looked ) and had to give her teacher the tardy slip. Annie was still crying and was still not cooperating. Her teacher said that she would take her. She got away once and started running down the hall but I got her. Anyway that was so embarrassing. She has never acted like that before and hopefully she never does again. I feel like an awful parent.

House Plans

We hired someone to draw our new house plans. Brad and I knew what we wanted in the house but didn't know how to put it all together to look good. Anyway we kinda sketched something up and wrote a list of the things we wanted. We got our house plans back a few days ago to review them and make changes. They turned out so good. They are exactly what we want but they are a little on the big side so we don't know when we are going to start building. With the economy the way it is it's kinda scary. Originally we wanted to be in our new home by August but that might be pushing it but we are definitely holding on to these plans! :)

Gingerbread houses

The kids put together gingerbread houses yesterday. This is them during the process
This is the mess after. Brad and I took an afternoon sunday nap and woke up to this. As you can see they had already taken apart their houses and had eaten a bunch. Well, those lasted long.

Katelyn made Avrie the hat she is wearing. She has been into knitting lately. She didn't get that talent from me. You have to have patience to do that sort of stuff. She must have got if from my mom and Brads mom. :)

Tuacahn Performance!

Katelyn

Brad, Brooklyn, Courtney and Brenda

Mindy, Grandma Baker and Megan


Katelyn and Noelle . Im retarded and can't get the picture to rotate

Tyler and Kyle

We went to Tuacahn last night to watch Katelyn perform. She did such a great job with her solo and was very brave. The kids also got to sit on Santa's lap because he was there - well everyone but Avrie. She wouldn't even get close to him. She was freaked out. Oh well maybe next year she wont be so scared.

Katelyn is growing up so fast. Today as I was taking the kids to school I was listening to christmas music on my xm satellite and as we approached the school she said, "mom, turn that music down, it's embarrassing." Ok so now I guess she is officially old enough to get embarrassed by me. I mean she's only in 4th grade. I remember telling my mom to drop me off a block away from school because the car she was driving back fired so loud but hey I was in 7th grade - there's a bit of a difference in age there. Anyway I felt kinda bad but I'm sure there's more of that to come when the teenage years hit. Wow, come to think of it that's only like 3 years away.

Our skinny christmas tree that barely fits in the front room. Notice the top of the tree lights have already gone out.Avrie standing in front of the tree that Kyle and Annie decorated.
Katelyn taking a break

Brad and the boys working on the reindeer

The outside of our house

We put up Christmas lights last night for our family home evening activity. It was freezing cold. I have started reading my kids a christmas story every night so they can keep the true meaning of christmas with them. This time of year is my favorite but it seems that it's never celebrated for the right reason. It makes me sad that "seasons greetings " has replaced "Merry Christmas." It seems like people are so consumed with what they want for christmas or what they have to get somebody that this time of year seems like a burden for many. Does anyone have any ideas on things we can do as a family so we can feel the true spirit of Christmas this time of year?

Thanksgiving weekend!

We had a great thanksgiving. We went up to Beaver Wednesday night and stayed with my parents. We took family pictures while we were up there. The kids looked cute in their nativity picture (notice the sleeping reindeer on the floor in the front)

My dad relaxing after the big feast.

Aaron and Corbin

Tamron

The kid table

Mandi making faces so the kids will smile for the camera

my cute little reindeer

going 4 wheeling in 15 degree weather

katelyn before she fell off the 4 wheeler onto her bum.

Annie and kyle.

We hope you all had a great thanksgiving!

Happy late birthday Mindy!

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Mindy, happy birthday to you!

The weekend

We went on a family bike ride on Saturday because it was such a nice day. It was fun until Brads back tire popped and went totally flat. We were about 1 and 1/2 miles from home when that happened. So, next time we will make sure all the tires are good to go. It's fun that the kids are getting older and we can do more outdoor activities with them.

Brad and I also stocked up our food storage over the weekend. The way the world is these days and the whole gas issue, it's nice to feel like were somewhat prepared. The only bad thing is we are going to have to move it all again when we move and this is only some of it.

The kids had their story telling festival last night. There were all kinds of booths, games and food. It was lots of fun. Later that night Tyler got to tell his story " Skeleton Hiccups" again because he got 3rd place the first time he told it. He did a great job! I totally forgot my camera so I have no pictures. Katelyn just found out that she is going to sing a solo in one of the songs her vocal class will be singing at Tuachan so she is pretty excited. Not much else is going on here. I feel like all I do is pack lunches and drive the kids to school and classes and help them with homework. Life seems really busy all of a sudden. I can't wait till Thanksgiving so we can just relax!!!

Tag I'm it!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:30
2. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the movies? Have no idea
4. What is your favorite TV show? Heros, 24, lost
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? grape nut flakes with 2 tab flaxseed
6. What is your middle name? Michele
7. What food do you dislike? I like everything
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Manheim steamroller christmas
9. What kind of car do you drive? Gmc yukon
10. Favorite sandwich? Peanut butter and honey
11. What characteristics do you despise? Lazy.
12. Favorite item of clothing? Jeans
13. If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go? Caribbean to see Ben and Jill of course
14. What color is your bathroom? Brown and cream
15. Favorite brand of clothing? Who knows
16. Where would you retire? St. George
17. Most memorable birthday? 30th birthday
18. Favorite sport to watch? I don't mind basketball but that’s about it.
19. Furthest place you are sending this? My blog
20. Who do you expect to send this back to you? No one
21. Person you expect to send it back first? No one
22. Favorite saying? Live well, laugh often love much
23. When is your birthday? In september
24. Are you a morning person or a night person? Neither
25. What is your shoe size? 71/2
26. Pets? 1 cat Tinkerbell
27. What did you want to be when you were little? An interior designer
28. What are you today? A Mom / co business owner
29. What is your favorite candy? Reeses peanut butter cups
30. Your favorite flower? Rose
31. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Christmas
32. What church/synagogue do you attend? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
33. What are you listening to right now? My kids laughing cuz their watching “ Americas funniest home videos.“
34. What was the last thing you ate? Fries and reeses peanut butter shake from arctic circle
35. Do you wish on stars? Sometimes
36. Do you believe in Angels? yes
37. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Light blue
38. What is your pet peeve? When things are dirty
39. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Daughter Katelyn
40. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Yes
41. Favorite soft drink? rootbeer
42. Favorite restaurant? Ruby River
43. Hair Color? Blonde, light brown
44. Siblings? 3 sisters 1 brother
45. Favorite day of the year? Christmas Day.
46. What was your favorite toy as a child? Our Barbie cruise ship and my Barbie “ Goldie”
47. Summer or winter? Summer
48. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
49. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
50. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
51. When was the last time you cried? Today when I got my braces taken off.
52. What is under your bed? Not a thing
53. Who is the friend you've had the longest? My Mom
54. What did you do last night? Went Christmas shopping with Brad.
55. Favorite smell? Fresh orange rolls out of the oven
56. What are you afraid of? Everything! Brad says I have a Steven King mind.
57. How many keys on your key ring? 1
58. How many years at your current job? 10 years being a mom!!
59. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
60. How many towns have you lived in? 1
61. Do you make friends easily? Sure
62. How many folks will you send this to? Just putting it on my blog.

I tag Mindy, Jill and Martha!

They are gone!

Just got back from the orthodontist. Let's just say that was a very painful experience. Tears actually started rolling from my eyes. First he prys each bracket off and then scrapes off the glue on each individual tooth. When the glue is close to the gums it kills! I asked him if he could numb me in any way and he said he didn't have a needle in the building so I just had to take the pain. I wish I didn't have such sensitive teeth. I'm so glad thats over. First thing Annie said to me was " mom, you look freaky." Oh well.

Annie ballet

Annie takes a ballet class at Westside studio. Yesterday her class was open to parents. She had alot of fun and did a great job. Here are some pictures of the event.

Snow Canyon

We had a fun weekend. We decided to take our kids to snow canyon. We went on a hike and went in the Lava caves. Our kids had so much fun. I was a little freaked out with the Lava caves because it was a big deep hole to get in them and only a little steep path you follow to get down. I thought my kids were going to fall and kill themselves. We made it out alive though and had lots of fun.

Brad and I have found a lot that we love in Villa Bonita. It is in our ward that we just moved from in Santa Clara. Its actually a block away and across the street so it's still close to the school and close to all our friends. It's in a really nice gated community ( most of the houses back up to the sunbrook golf course) and the lot that we want has a 2 acre grassy area and tennis courts off the back. We are hoping that we can make it happen. The houses in Villa Bonita are the mediterranian style homes. I've noticed those house plans are hard to find. We did find one that we love but it's 5800 square feet. The smallest house in their is 4800 square feet and the largest is 7000. We are looking to build the minimum size you can build in their which is 3500 square feet. Anyway, this is a picture of the house I love. It's cool because the house is kinda H shaped and has an inside courtyard in the front and a courtyard in the back but we have to somehow cut down the square footage.

Braces almost off!

I just got back from the orthodontist this morning and found out that I'm getting my braces off next wednesday ( a week from today. ) Finally after a year of these things I'm finally getting them off. So, if anyone knows where I can get my teeth cleaned and whitened where they will put me totally asleep let me know because I'm such a baby.

Halloween!

Our Halloween was pretty fun. Avrie had a Halloween party at preschool and my other kids had a Halloween parade. Brad, me , Annie and Avrie went to Ruby River for lunch and Avrie ended up throwing up. She wasn't even sick and she said she was going to throw up. I immediately grabbed a bowl from the table and luckily she got it all in the bowl. Nobody was by us so we were glad for that. We ended up covering the bowl with a napkin. Just then the waitress came by and Brad told her what had happened and What we should do with the bowl. She just said to chuck it and then bolted off. So we chucked it. Well, Avrie hasn't thrown up since. I hate it when those kind of things happen in public. We had a good day after that though.They got tons of candy
Avrie the witch

Kyle the storm trooper

Tyler the storm trooper

Katelyn the pirate

All the kids. Annie wouldn't cooperate with me that's why I don't have a picture of her by herself. She was totally pouting before I snapped this picture. She gave a smile for the picture then continued pouting. What a little stinker.

Avrie with our carved pumpkins

Having fun


Hope you all had a fun Halloween!

Happy Birthday Katie bug!

Happy Birthday Katelyn. I can't believe your 10.