Christmas 2009

I love Christmas and it is even more fun when you have kids. It is so great to see how excited they get as they count down the days until Christmas. This year we let the girls trade names with each other and pick out their own gift. That was fun, they really got into the spirit of giving. We also did a sub for santa for a little girl and got to pick out clothes and toys for her. The girls thought that was really exciting. Bu nothing can top Christmas morning as they unwrap their presents. To see their little faces light up is so exciting. I guess I should have at least brushed their hair.

Skate Night

Every year Burton Elem rents out the roller rink and we finally went. The girls had so much fun. I think Scott had alot of fun on his skates too, but I forgot to get a picture of his speed skating. Annie saw a bunch of her friends from school. I didn't skate because I was afraid Mags and Ellie would pull me down and they would have. It was their first time skating and they spent alot of time on the floor.

New Rooms

I realized that I never posted pics of our finished basement, so here goes. A few months ago Annie moved to a another new room and Ellie moved downstairs into the bottom bunk and Mags went up to the top bunk. The first night of the move, we were upstairs in the kitchen doing homework and it was bedtime and Ellie was so fussy. I told her to go to bed thinking she would go get into her toddler bed upstairs, but she went downstairs. Ten minutes later we finished homework and headed downstairs and it was completely dark. Ellie had walked downstairs in the dark, she got in her bottom bunk and was sound asleep. It has been that easy putting them to bed ever since. Here are a few pics of Mags and Ellie's room.

Here is Annie's new room. She wanted to paint it green, but I really didn't want to repaint over new paint, so I found this new bedding set at Target and she loved it. She still needs the lamp and a few pieces of the set, but that is what Christmas is for.

Here is the fireplace Scott and I built

We decided not to put furniture downstairs yet or the girls and their friends would probably use them as a trampoline, so I put my ugly exercise equipment down instead.

My awesome Laundry Room. It has great built in shelves that Scott built me that I put boxes of all the clothes the girls have outgrown.

Built in computer desk we don't use yet.

Count your Blessings

I should really let Korie blog this because she is a better story teller than me, but she wasn't fast enough. So today Korie and her two boys were over playing. My two youngest and her boys were playing in my car while Korie and I were talking in my front room with the door open. All of a sudden Korie jumped up swearing and started to run from the house (I thought she was over reacting if she just forget an appointment or something). But I followed right after her to see my civic rolling backwards out of my driveway and across the street and right towards Korie's house. We both started running after the car. At first I thought Scott was backing up the car, but quickly realized that Korie's little Mason who is almost 2 was the driver. The car went down my driveway, across the street up Korie's driveway and amazingly right into her little 1 car garage. The car ony stopped because Korie and I grabbed hold of either side as it ran over bikes and bigwheels in the garage. It was a miracle that none of our kids were run over. My girls and Mason were in the car and poor Ethan was feeling bad because he was standing in front of the car in the driveway watching the whole thing. I think he felt bad he missed the adventure and he was upset my car ran over his bike. We were so blessed that our kids were safe, that no one was run over and that the car didn't slam into the house or they would have big bumps on their heads or worse (they did not have their seatbelts on, what were they thinking?) Mags was so scared and Mason and Ellie were oblivious to the danger they were in. Somehow Mason steered the car perfectly into the garage. I don't know how it didn't crash into the side of the garage or Korie's car parked in the driveway. We are truly blessed. Funny thing is I told Scott he should keep his car locked and he told me I should watch my kids. Ha Ha. I have big prayers to say tonight!!!

14 Years

It has been way too long since I posted, but I couldn't miss our anniversary. I can't believe Scott and I have been married for 14 years. I don't know where the time has gone. My sweet mother-in-law watched the girls and we went out for a date. We love our girls, but it is so nice to get away!! Scott wanted to go on a trip, but I talked him into waiting until next year when I'm not giant and pregnant. We went to a great mexican restaurant in Ogden where the Ogden mall used to be, went shopping (kidless which was so worth it) and rented a movie to watch at home. Madilyn works so we didn't want to stay out too late and movies are better at home. It was a great night! It didn't matter what we were doing. Scott is an amazing man. He is loving, fun, thoughtful, adventurous and can fix or build anything. He is super patient and understanding with the girls. He is a great father and husband. He is my soulmate!

Halloween

A Dragon, a Lion and a pop star!!

It's a .......

It's definitely a surprise. We went to our 20 week ultrasound today and I couldn't talk Scott into peeking at the sex of the baby. I thought I could make it, but I had a moment of weekness. Not Scott though. The ultrasound tech had us close our guys a couple of times, but she sent me home with the DVD. I think I will have to send it home with Korie.

So Maggie hates eating dinner. She has been getting a little better, but today she was such a stinker. Scott and I made her stay at the table until she ate something (the super nanny would be so proud) and the funniest thing was she fell asleep at the dinner table. I can't believe I missed the picture, but I was so worried about making sure she was alive, I forgot about the kodak moment. I know, of course, she was still alive, but I was feeling guilty about making her stay at the table.

Craters of the Moon

Last month we took the girls camping in the Craters of the Moon. It was great fun. We had always wanted to stop by and check it out. We dragged the poor girls in 5 different caves. At first they were crying and by the end they thought it was fun. We took little hikes and nature walks

The girls were so dirty.

Trek

Scott and I just got home from being Ma's and Pa's on Trek. What an amazing experience. My sweet in-laws kept our kids so we could go. I was pretty worried being 17 weeks pregnant, but I survived with help from alot of praying. I really didn't want to get an IV or have to ride in a medical car and I didn't have to. We walked 13 miles the first day and 10 more over the next 3 miles. Scott was amazing with the kids. I was so impressed with him as he taught the family lessons and such. Our kids were great. I would go again next week.

Scott, Sheldon, me, Hannah, Daniel, Chelsea, Erinn, Kenzie and Kyle

Our kids pulling the cart.

Yellowstone

Our yearly Yellowstone trip up to my parents cabin. Ted teaching Annie how to fish

Playing in the river

Our 3 mile hike in the rain. Good thing for us Ted brought rain gear. I wish my camera hadn't died because we stuck Ellie's head out the top of the rain jacket we were sharing. Oh it was funny. She thought it was so cool.

SuMmer FuN

Here are a few random pictures of our Summer so far. Ellie and Mason taking a mud bath. Typical for my kids.
Having so much fun.

Scott and the girls playing on the Slip and Slide. Scott is such a great Dad. Otis and I were way too wimpy to go down the slide.

We got the girls a trampoline for their birthdays. They have had such a great time.

Ellie sporting a pretty big cheeser!The girls helping out with yardwork!

Camping

We went camping up Smithfield Canyon with some friends. It rained most of the time, but was still pretty fun. Well except for the lake in the bottom of the tent.

Scott trying to tip the trailer over.

We tried to drive up to Bloomington Lake. We spent hours trying every road we could, but all ended just like this one.


We spent one of our afternoons playing in Bear Lake and eating Raspberry Shakes. It's never too cold for a shake.
The kids playing in the water. Way too cold for me.

I go pee pee

Who could think that potty training could be so exciting? Not me. I started training Ellie yesterday and was completely frustrated by a morning of peeing on the floor. It didn't help that I had about 9 extra kids over for Mags birthday party either. I didn't give up thanks to Korie and the evening was a success. Today has been great except for the last hour because I have been trying to blog. Ellie is so excited when we cheer for her after she goes potty. She has even had a poo in the potty. What a big girl. It is a good thing it has been so rainy because I found the best method of training has been to watch tons of movies and hold her on my lap and than set her on the potty every half hour. It's amazing. She is loving it. She is finally getting it down and will bring me the potty after she goes to the bathroom and tell me "I go pee pee".

Margaret is Four Years

I'm a little late because really I am quite burned out with 3 birthdays in 2 weeks. Wow. After a bunch of parties, I am glad to be done. Well what can I say about my cute little Mags. She is a cute little girls who insists on dressing herself. She comes upstairs with the funniest outfits that totally clash and says pink shirt/pink skirt, see mom they match. Though what she doesn't realize is that a skirt with red plaid and a pink striped shirt don't really match, but that's okay. Mags is full of trouble. She is a little leader and loves to play with friends. She is naughty, but sweet. And she really doesn't love having her picture taken and ususally hides from the camera.

We Love you Maggie Gene!