LIFE

This week/month/first half of the year has been incredibly busy. SO much to do and very little time in which to accomplish my goals. Now more than ever, everything is a work in progress. As I mentioned before, I am trying to see my never ending "to-do" list as a way to realize how very fortunate I am, vs. getting discouraged that the room I just vacuumed now has cracker crumbs all over the floor. I am fortunate that most of the time, the children's friends play here. It isn't uncommon to have 9, 10, 11 kids here at a time. How fortunate that their friends are comfortable here, and that I know exactly where my children are and what they are being exposed to. (It goes without saying that the homes they are allowed to go to, I have complete trust in those families and what they may or may not be exposing to my children)

This past week I have been able to get lots accomplished in anticipation of an upcoming move (hopefully things work out) I have been purging like mad, even though the move is 6-9 months away. I figure if I purge now, and then purge again, I will get rid of WAY more than if I had just done it once. My kitchen was a toughy. My mom had come over last year and we purged my kitchen like you wouldnt believe. FILLED the trunk of my van full to the brim, but my cupboards were still bursting at the seams. I have SO much stuff that doesnt get used, especially Tupperware. Anyway, I repurged through my kitchen and got rid of so much stuff. I had 7 9x13 pyrex dishes, I cut that down to two. (They are sitting in my basement with all our other yardsale stuff and I keep debating if I should bring them back up and start doing freezer meals again. That was so easy to make two meals at once and freeze one..... any advice on that one?)

After I hit the kitchen I hit the hall closets. SO much stuff that NEVER gets used. A Lite-Brite cube I got Sage for Christmas back in 2009. I put in the lightbulb and it hasnt been touched once. Lots of extra sweaters and sweatshirts. Three huge bags, just from those two closets. When Aspen got home and saw what I had been doing, she was VERY excited.

She is a born organizer. She reminds me of Emilie Barnes. She knows just how to get everything in a place and she likes it that way. At four years old she would, on her own accord, transfer the wash to the dryer, being careful to set aside items she had seen me hang dry before. When she puts away her laundry, all her clothing would come out so it would be color coordinated in her drawers. (sage is my messiest child and them sharing a room causes Aspen a great deal of stress when it comes to the messes Sage leaves behind) As I was saying, mess and disarray drive her insane. She unloads the dishwasher every morning first thing when she gets up without ever being asked. She is always trying to keep things in order.

So, it is no surprise when she came home that day she was VERY excited. She asked for free reign over their room, which she was granted. The only rule was as she filled each bag, she had to get approval from me for the items. She filled five garbage bags with toys, books and clothes. All I pulled out was one book and one little purse (which was mine when I was 2) She was IN her element. (a few months ago she told me she didnt understand why people get their kids toys for christmas because the kids play with them for a day then they sit under the bed. She thinks instead of items, families should take a nice vacation they will always remember.) That girl is wise beyond her years.

Last night I cleaned out the game armoire. We have a beautiful armoire we bought for our bedroom. It doesnt fit, so our nicest piece of furniture is used to store board games in the living room. We often have family game night, and I play games almost daily when they kids are home and Farren is at work. The huge armoire was so full you couldnt shut it. Games had to go. I started sorting games and puzzles and Aspen and I were able to cut it down by about half. We got rid of about 15 preschool games and all our Melissa and Doug puzzles. That was harder than I thought it would be. I have so many memories of not only my babies, but nephews and friends children struggling with the ABC train puzzle the first few times. It would take forty minutes to piece it together, we would have to sing the ABC song at least 25 times to remember what came next. When they finally attached Z, they were always so very proud of themselves. But, it had to go anyway. The only preschool age game we kept was Crocodile Dentist, as it not only entertains the smallest of children (last week my cute nephew Zane (almost 3) and my adorable niece Gretchen (12 months) played it forever. It also entertains all of my children, and my husband too!

The kids also (finally) finished school yesterday. We had rootbeer floats to celebrate, and I discovered all my kids are weird and don't care for rootbeer floats. Only their friends wanted floats. Crazy kids :) I LOVE year round school September through May, but when May hits, I wish we had the traditional schedual. I would LOVE my kids home all summer AND often through the school year as well. The best of both worlds! (One can dream cant she)

I have LOTS of things I want to do with the kids this summer, I am excited that we can FINALLY get started!!

Friday, July 30 2010

Yesterday we had so much fun!! The day started off slow, but ended great!! I had plans to take the kids to Cecret Lake or to Silver Lake. We headed out the door with plans to stop by my Mother's house for lunch with my brother, Victor, and his family, and also my sister Kristine and her two youngest kiddos. My Mom grilled steak and we had that along with salad and baked potatoes. (Kids enjoyed Turkey Dogs) Thanks Mom, it was DeLiSh!!

Zane, Sage, Kyson Aspen

But, my favorite part was snuggling the two newest additions to the family. Gretchen Sophia and Zander Jonathon. They are only a few weeks apart, and both just adorable. After lunch we all hung out and just spent time together. Sage and Aspen LOVED playing with their cousin Zane again since we don't see him as often as we use to now that I am not his daycare. It was lots of fun!!

Aspen with Zander

Zane loving on Zander.

Sage and Zander

Aspen and Gretchen (I promise she isn't dropping Gretchen)

Sage and Gretchen

Zander and Gretchen

After everyone else left, my kids were still playing, and I had a headache, so we opted to stay and play at Grandma's House rather than head to the lake for a hike. The kids went out on the tandem bike, and when they came in they STUNK. Poor Sage, you put her outside in the summer and she smells like a wet dog. So, my Mom and I ran to Walmart and bought them all clean clothes so I could toss them in the tub at Grandmas. We ended up getting them new jammies.

I bathed the kids and decided to put the girls hair in rags. Looking back, Aspens was a bit too short still, because the back rags just wouldn't stay in (and I have no after pictures because I forgot that also)

For months my Mom has talked about how much she loves the movie Julie and Julia. I hadn't seen it (shocker I know for all of you guys who know how much I enjoy a movie) so we popped it in. I liked it. Mom says that Meryl Streep should have gotten best actress for her portrayal of Julia Child instead of Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side, stating that Meryl did Julia perfectly, but, I am not familiar with Julia Child in any way other than knowing her name, so I can't compare. Maybe tonight I will find some old footage online and watch.

What started out as a quick stop by Mom's house was an all day affair. We didn't get home til 1130 last night!! Thanks Mom for having us for so long!

This morning we did our "Saturday Chores" and then I got in the mood to bake. We made a Lemon Chiffon Cake for dessert. (I made Santa Fe Chicken and Spanish Rice for dinner. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Lion House Cookbook. It ROCKS) I found these old pictures from a few months ago that I realized I hadn't shared, so I figure I will add them here as I write about our adventures in baking. The girls love making rolls. It is one of their favorite activities!!

After dinner we went back to my Mom's house for a game night. First we played Clue with everyone, then had a slice of my Lemon Chiffon cake for dessert. After that, the adults played Ticket To Ride. LOTS of fun and if you don't have it, I suggest you get it. I have the North American version, but I have heard that people enjoy the European version better. LOTS of fun!!

So I'm a Wee Bit Behind...,..

And I won't even go into details. If I come across pictures I will post them, but just so you all know we ARE still alive, I will give you a quick run down of the last 4 months.

April-
April 10 was Savannah's 3rd Birthday. So odd to imagine that it was 3 years ago that we said both hello and goodbye to our little girl. I remember every detail and every smell, it seems like just yesterday.

Aspen broke her elbow and had to have surgery. (well, actually just a hair above the elbow) She was jumping on the neighbors trampoline and got bounced off. OUCH. As often as I am taking pictures, I dont hve one picture from the whole time she had her cast on. (she chose orange by the way)

We got season passes to Lagoon, so we went a few times this year, not as many as we usually do with Apsens arm, but we still got lots of whirling twirling and sliding in!

May-
Farren, Kyson and Aspen all had birthdays!! It was also the start of the track season, and this year, all three kids ran track. They all did incredibly well, and at the all county meet (in July) Aspen took first in the 800 meter. That girl is a distance runner. She should give her Mama some lessons!! Luckily she got her cast off in time, she did NOT want to miss track!

June- June was incredibly busy with PTA activities at the school. The year end always is, and because we are year round, we do it all twice.

June 25th my adorable neice Gretchen was born. She is so sweet!

Farren and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. CRAZY to think it has been THAt long!! Love ya babe!!

July- The kids got out of school July 2 and we have been running ever since!!

July 3, Saturday afternoon Aspen fell asleep and basically didnt wake up til Tuesday morning. She wuold wake up and take a few steps, but that would exhaust her so much that she would lay down, right where she was and sleep for hours, even on the kitchen floor. She walked into the wall, but didn't seem to realize she had. We took her to the hospital and she was admitted. They ran every test they could think of, but could find no anwsers. Her only other symptom was a fever. She was still sleepy after Tuesday, napping 3 or so times a day, but soon got back to that silly little girl we know and love.

Kyson attended a Football Camp at BYU where all the coaches were past BYU players who had gone onto play in the NFL. He had a marvelous time and is already counting down the days til next year. Kyson is all about football, so this was perfect for him!

We have made quite a few trips up to Pineview REsivior this month, and that is ALWAYS a blast. We love playing in the sand and swimming in the lake. We have plans to go up next week and rent waverunners. We always pack a huge picnic (that hardly gets touched since we are playing so much) It is one of our favorite places.

Farren decided that our minivan that we had for the last 6 years was "on its last leg" So, the search began. We drove all sorts of vehicles, but we kept coming back to the same one. I know have a beautiful 2011 Toyota Sienna in my driveway. I love her, and especially love having seating for 8, where all 8 seats are real seats (lap only belts don't count as seats at our house because I don't let the kids sit there, so a lap only belt is really just wasted space) I wasn't wanting another minivan, but, considering we have plans to go to California numerous times in the next year, I needed something with better gas mileage than a fullsize SUV, and we couldn't find any midsize SUVs where we felt the back seat had adequate leg room for our growing family. (growing as in growing up, not as in growing by how many people)

The dealership we bought it at carries the name of an ex-Jazz player, karl Malone. He was coming into town to do a promo, and Kyson wanted to go so badly. I did NOT want to take him (bad Mom I know) Luckily, the kids slept at my Mom's house the night before he was to be here, and our friend Bill took the kids to meet Karl. Kyson proudly displays his signed bsketball. Thanks Bill!

July also brought about another new baby!! My little baby brother had a baby of his own! Zander Jonathon was born July 17th and is just so snuggly. His birth brings the total for Farren and I to 15 neices and 10 nephews.

Yesterday we took the kids to Snowbird to do all their summer activities. It was so much fun!!!! They had a wonderful time doing all the activities available!

We have also gone swimming many times, enjoyed the local parks and the Splashpad. We have really enjoyed our Summer so far, and all the good friends we get to spend it with!!

I have a hike planned for Cecret Lake tomorrow, but, considering it is already 1123 and Im usually in bed by 9, I'm not sure that will happen. Maybe we will have a game day or drive up to the park we love in Heber.

I will try and do better about updating this, more so for myself than for anyone else; I like looking back and seeing the fun things we have done over time.

It was all good til I hit the floor!~End of Summer Fun!

Yes, I know Summer isn't over, but school starts tomorrow, so things will definitely be different.

We have been having so much fun spending time together as a family. It isn't that often that EVERYONE in the house is available at the same time.

Thursday we got up and I packed a picnic lunch. We hopped in the car and headed to Pineview Reservoir for the day. We all swam in the lake and had a great time. It was a bit cooler than when we went about 2 weeks ago, so the water was cooler, but nothing to complain about. Kyson seems to think I am THE coolest Mom ever because I swam out to the buoy. (It wasnt THAT far)

Aspen made a new friend who swam with us and played ball with us. The BEST thing was that this time, our keys didn't get locked in the trunk and we didn't have to get a tow. (Last time Aspen locked them in the truck and we had to get towed and the kids hadn't had lunch and it was awful, BUT, we met some very nice people who fed the kids)

Over the weekend we had Game Night again and of course played Blokus. That is the favorite at our house! We need to add some variety so we are hunting out new games for this Christmas!

Sunday morning we were at Sams and our friend Bill called. He invited us up to Snowbird where he works so we could enjoy the activities they have to offer.

The kids had so much fun!!! They rocked the rock wall, and the Alpine Slide. We rode the tram up (which I HATE, I dont do heights) and then hiked a short way down and rode a ski lift the rest of the way down. I was NOT planning on hiking and had dressy shoes on. Oops! Oh well!

We got back down and Bill and the girls went to the bounce houses, and Farren Kyson and I went to do the zipline. I was SO not sure I wanted to do this and I almost chickened out, but once they opened the doors, I had no choice I was sailing. It was AWESOME and I am so glad I did it!!!

After we did the zipline, Kyson wanted to do it again so I sent him, Bill and Farren up while I kept the girls. They wanted to do the bungee trampoline. We stood in line FOREVER. I was standing there, and next thing I knew my vision was kinda orangish. The next thing after that I hear a lady saying are you okay? are you okay? then yelling We need some HELP over here.

Yes siree I fainted. My hip is killing me today! But the good news is my camera is no worse for wear which I was worried about. As soon as the girls jumped we left. We had SO much fun and hopefully can go back again!! Thanks Bill!!!

Today is a slow day, doing laundry and getting ready for school to start. Its going to be a BUSY week!!!!

Our Week So Far

Late last week we went up to Park City. Farren and the kids went up the Ski Lift and rode down on the Alpine Slide. Its these cement tracks you ride down the mountain while sitting on these little plastic car things. Aspen wanted to do the Zero Gravity Trampoline instead, so I hung with her while she did that. I dont have any pictures of Farren, Kyson or Sage coming down the track because the line for Aspen took FOREVER!!! But here are the pics that I do have! On the way home we drove through Guardsman's Pass.

Sunday we went back to Park City and did some shopping and drove up Lambs Canyon (waste of time)

Today we packed a picnic and Headed for the Alpine Loop (despite the name, its not near the Alpine Slide and actually is a scenic drive from Alpine to Heber.) On the way up, my Mom had asked that we stop by the campground we have reserved for Saturday, just to check it out. She was a bit worried since that was the ONLY one unreserved. No worries Mom, it was great. Right by the water and restrooms, clean and fun!

We continued up, my mistake though, was we drove the van. My plan was that we should drive the van so the kids couldn't touch/lean on each other. They have been getting a bit annoyed with each other, and lately it seems it is the end of the world if one happens to fall asleep and leans on another. However, the brakes on the van didn't like my plan, and the car would have handled much better. Chalk that up as a lesson of what to do next time! (Or rather what NOT to do)

On the way down we stopped by Sundance, and just walked around for a bit. Then we continued on to Heber and had our picnic at the park. It was lots of fun, but the equipment was too hot to hold too much enjoyment.

We haven't made it to bear Lake yet, the day I had planned other stuff came up, but we will go soon. This Saturday everyone is hiking up Timponogus and then we are cooking out and doing smores. Yummy! I will definately remember my camera (I hope)

I just noticed Sage is wearing the same shirt in both pictures, and so is Aspen. I promise it was washed in between, they just have certain outfits they really like!

here is video from Aspens track meet!!! She ROCKED it and took 3rd overall in this race out of 8+ heats! GO ASPEN!!!!!!!!! (She is in the bright blue)

Pioneer Days

This morning we drove out to Tooele to an old Historic Mill that was having a Pioneer Day Celebration. The kids had so much fun! They churned butter, dipped candles, washed clothes, played Pioneer games and milked a "cow" Let me tell you, Kyson is a natural milker. It was hard, you had to do it just like you would a real cow. He would get constant streams of milk out, where the rest of us could only get small drips!

We had lunch and the girls bought new aprons. We put a bonnet on Kysons head, but he wasn't willing to pose for a picture and was laughing so hard he couldn't stand up!

We had lots of fun and Im glad we made the drive out there! We will be very busy over the next week, but hopefully we will have time to share pictures from our planned outings, like Bear Lake this Wednesday!