A New Year of Events

Wow! The past month and a half has FLOWN by!!! I remember when things used to settle down after the Holidays. Not so much anymore. Now its the beginning of gymnastic meets, dance competitions, and the second half of soccer, leading into baseball and football! I LOVE it all, but it always leaves some things wanting, and those things are usually this blog and my social life! I'll have time for that when my kids are older, right? (The social life part) I really enjoy watching them doing things they love to do, and seeing all their hard efforts be rewarded!

In January Boston had his very first gymnastic meet.

He was super nervous about it, because he wasn't sure what to expect. Once he got there and warmed up he started to relax. He loves his coach and the boys he works out with. So the meet was also a social event for him.

He didn't do his best on all the events, but really pulled through on the high bar and the vault. He is very fast, and strong so that really helped him. As the medal ceremony began I started praying that he would at least medal in one event so he wouldn't get discouraged. One event after another they were not calling his name. I started feeling a little worried, and when they got to first place for the vault they called Bostons name. He was grinning ear to ear, the subtle little, "I'm trying not to show that I'm too happy about this" grin! I was so elated for that confidence booster.

He then got 5th for the high bar!

(This was out of about 28 boys) A

fter the meet, I took him to his choice of venue for lunch, and he picked McDonald's. He wore his medals around his neck, but changed out of his gym clothes. He hates people seeing him in them! LOL This particular McDonald's had an air hockey table and the boys had fun with that for about an hour!

Our next big event was Aubrie's first dance competition of the year. She took two small group dances to this competition. The pictures below were for her Hard Knock Life dance.

An easy dance for this age group, because these faces came naturally! Ha ha!

It was super cute, and they had these costumes custom made for the dance. Aubrie said she felt like a pioneer. LOL ( Too bad she wasn't taller, then she might be able to use it for Trek! LOL) The judges really seemed to like both of their dances. As soon as they were done, we (Kim and I) rushed the girls back to other side of town (after grabbing lunch at Cafe Rio) for their soccer game.

The soccer game wasn't the best game, but the outcome of their competition was. They took first place with Hard Knock Life and received Gold for their other one. The girls were excited, but also a little disappointed that the first time they took first they weren't there to accept the award!

The next HUGE event was their performance at Disneyland. Ben and I decided it was best for the whole family not to go because Sophia hadn't hit the 40 inch mark yet, and because Boston had a gymnastics meet. Ben stayed home with the rest of the family, while Kim and I took our girls to Disneyland. We had such a great time!!!! Of course, we stopped at the outlets on the way and had some "success"!

We got into Anaheim in time to check in and grab some dinner at Naples, in Downtown Disney. The wait time was a bit long, so we were able to shop a bit before we ate. Once we were seated, the fireworks started, and we had a great view from out table!

After dinner, we were BEAT!!! We went back to the hotel and got some good sleep for our full day of Disney. I have to say that I HATE not being there on an annual pass! It's much more stressful, feeling like you have to fit in every ride to get your money's worth! Despite that, the unseasonably HOT weather, and the unseasonable CROWD, we actually had a blast!!! We downloaded wait time apps on our iPhones, and also had fun tagging one another on Facebook. The girls had a blast being there together (the younger and the older ones;)! We got most of the important rides in, except Space Mountain & California Screamin, which kept having issues. Tower of Terror and Space Mountain are my favorites, so I was hoping for some time after Aubrie's performance the next day to get on. After watching the new Wonderful World of Color, which was amazing, we DRAGGED ourselves to our hotel rooms!

(nice sun in my eyes!)

The next morning we were up bright and early getting the girls all made up and ready for their performance. They had to be there a half hour before the park opened. We also had to check out of our hotel before we went to the park, in case we weren't done in time. Once the girls were in the park, we had to wait about a hour and a half before they performed. They took the girls back through one of their "secret passage ways" without us, so we had some time to ride a few rides until they started. We promised them we wouldn't ride Space Mountain without them, so we decided we would take Kims youngest daughter on Peter Pan really quick and then get fast passes for Space Mountain. Peter Pan already had a 45 minute wait by the time we got there!!! Then when we got to Space Mountain there were NO fast passes!!:(

The girls performed at 10:30 and it lasted about 45 minutes. The girls were so nervous, but did great. Disney is very strict with the costumes and music that they allow. So the music was a little more mild than the jamming music we are used to them dancing to. Their performances were cute, and they loved being there. So it was a great experience for them!

After their performance, we waited over an hour before they brought the girls back. We headed to Space Mountain where it had a 50 minute wait. Looking at the line, I knew there was no way it was that long. We went for it and were glad we did, only waiting for 25 minutes. I always love being on that ride. I really think its a combination of the fact that its a fun ride, and it reminds me of my times at Disney with my Father. Every time I go on that ride I flash back to those times. After Space Mountain, we got some ice cream, bought some things in the gift shop and headed back home.

The ride home was enjoyable. Kim and I had a great time talking and the girls slept, watched movies, played DS's etc! It was a great trip, but I was glad to be home with the kids. When we got home Ben had left only hours before, for California, to help out my brother. I had to wait until almost midnight the next day (which happened to be Valentines) to see him!

The next weekend was another round of soccer games in perhaps the coldest weather EVER! It actually started nice, but turned for the worst during our second game (which was Bostons). I was planning on a great time. I packed lunches for everyone knowing we would be there till 3 for Aubrie's game, too. Sophia and I didn't even put on jackets, over our long sleeved shirts, because it was so nice. Half way through Bostons game the clouds turned dark so fast, and the temperature dropped at least 15 degrees. It was also extremely windy. Aubrie grabbed Ben's coat, for Sophia and I, and poor Ben was coaching and freezing at the same time. We were still cold with his jacket. My body was shaking, I was so cold. With ten minutes left it started raining. I handed Sophia over to Ethan while I started packing up our stuff to get out of there. I then looked over to see Ethan taking off his coat and wrapping it around his sister. That seriously was my high for the year, I think! He was being so protective of her, and also very helpful to me. He moved faster than ever, helping me break down chairs and carry things to the car. (In the meantime, Aubrie was over at her field getting dumped on, as she was waiting for her game to start). When Boston's game was over, Ben took all the kids back home while I waited for Aubrie's ref. to call her game. They waited for 30 minutes before they called it. She was so bummed that she was the only one who didn't get to play, and she wanted to play more than any of them! It definitely planted a memory she nor we will forget! A reason I find joy in those type of situations!:)

This weekend is actually a break for us all. Boston only has baseball practice, there are no soccer games, and only one birthday party! I'm relishing the break, but of course that means time to catch up on yard work!:) Ahhhh, I love life. Not a dull moment!

Kids say the darndest things in Primary.

This Sunday I substituted for Ethan's primary class. During sharing time they ask if anyone had any missionary experiences, and if they do they get to put a jewel in a jar. A few kids raised their hands, and one talked about how he spoke to a kid on the bus about the church. After that kids comment, I look next to me to find Ethan with his hand raised. The primary leader conducting looked at me and I shrugged my shoulders as to say, "I have no idea what he's going to say!" Boy was I in for surprise. Ethan says...

"Today when I was getting ready for church my brother was saying potty words and I told him he shouldn't talk like that. He then asked me why and I said, 'Duh, its the Lords day!'" It was the first time, in a long time that I laughed so hard I cried!! Tears were streaming down my face. I did good to not laugh out loud, and all the other leaders tried to avoid looking at me to avoid laughing. The leader kindly reminded him that they had to be missionary experiences with someone who isn't a member of the church, and then she moved on! I leaned in and asked Ethan what kind of potty words Boston was saying, almost afraid to find out. He told me that he was just making fun of Ben. Whew! That was a close one. Not that I condone the teasing of Ben, but much better than other things I could imagine! The whole experience makes me wonder what else he is saying in Primary! Maybe I should put a wire on him! LOL I should mention that when Boston was his age, his primary teacher told me that he said we were smoking when we went up to Utah. We finally figured out he was talking about our breath in the cold! When your in the Primary you have to take the stories they tell you with a grain of salt!

Another Season GONE!

Well today I had to say goodbye to another season of my life. That would be the season of having nursery aged children. Last week we didn't make it to church because of illness, so today was Sophia's first time in primary. After Sacrament she took off with Ethan, and I ran after her and said there was no way I was relinquishing this moment! I brought her to her row and sat her down and gave her a big kiss and hug. When I left she had her arms folded and was reverent as can be. I held back the tears as I left. I then peeked on her a few minutes later to find her talking to a friend behind her. That was before they started, so I don't know how she did during sharing time or class. I did spy on her right as they were releasing Jr. Primary to go to their classes, and hers was the last to be dismissed. Ethan was the second to last, and as his class was leaving he ran over and gave Sophia a big hug. It was really cute. I ran over to the president and asked how it went and she said they did well, and that Sophia was a happy and willing participant! That didn't surprise me. After church I asked how class went, and she said her class wasn't reverent because they were fighting over crayons. Good to know she is honest and aware!

Later tonight, during dinner, Sophia started singing a song she learned in primary today. It had hand motions to go along with it. It was the cutest thing (we got it on video). What a sweet thing she is! She just needs to grow up a little slower!

Back in the Groove!

Well, the hardest things about Vacation is getting back to reality. I was dreading the normal routines of school and activities and knew there was the daunting task of reorganizing my house this month. I was pleasantly surprised that this past week went smooth, and that I was able to get so much done.

Monday I spent grocery shopping. Christmas leftovers in the refrigerator made it seem like we had food, but once those were tossed, and a grocery list was made, I was walking out of Sams and Walmart five hundred dollars later! If felt good to be stocked up! I always like to have more food in my pantry than I need for a few weeks....just in case!

After school activities went off with a hitch, and all homework was completed in a timely manner! Yeah for a great Monday

Tuesday was back to the gym for me, and boy did I need it. I dragged Tirza with me, too! It felt great to get back. I took Tirza's kids so she could go shopping, and I spent the rest of the morning organizing the kitchen, both refrigerators and pantries, while the kids played. I organized to some of my old favorite Erasure tunes. It brought back memories while I was cleaning. It was a great way to clean!

That evening Boston went to the police station for scouts and had a GREAT time. He has some really great leaders that are very organized and on top of things. He is lucky to have them. Aubrie also had her first soccer practice since the break. Inbetween we had a Family Home Evening lesson on showing gratitude. I had all the kids write notes to those who bought them Christmas gifts (they are still sitting in my butlers pantry waiting to be mailed! oops)

Wednesday I spent all morning catching up on the blog. Back blogging for 6 weeks is not an easy task. It was also another busy day of activities, but its also the day that Aubrie is home till 6. I had some time with her, which was nice. Ethan also had his first day back to music and is playing a "real" piano book now.

Thursday I finished organizing downstairs (even alphabetized my spices!) and worked out. Then Sophia and I broke out her new playdoh and had a great time.

Friday we stayed home with the kids and pushed our date night to Saturday. We did sneak in an hour next door for a game of Settlers:)

Saturday was SUPER busy, but was a great day. I woke up at 8 and made crepes for the kids before Aubrie's dance practice and Boston's gymnastics clinic at 9. After I dropped them off I rushed back to shower and get myself ready, along with Ethan and Sophia, then picked up the house and gathered soccer stuff for all our games that started at 11:30. I was able to watch Boston on the pommel horse and mushroom before I had to take him for his game. He did really well, but he was acting so put out and disinterested that it was to his detriment. When I asked him how he did, he said he finally got a skill he had been working on, and I told him he could have fooled me by his demeanor! He is a funny kid.

Boston had the first game. Before it started one of our coaches overheard the other team saying how our team sucked and couldn't make a goal. Well our team beat theirs 7 to 2. I didn't know the other team had said those things, and I was rooting them on towards the end feeling bad they were getting killed (knowing what that is like). I can't lie and say I wasn't happy about it after hearing what they said. It was a great morality boost for Bostons team. He played well, having a goal and a few assists.

Ethan had a great game, too. He was full energy the whole time. It was like someone gave him one of those 24 energy bottles. He made two goals and his team won, also.

Aubrie played hard and well. She made the first goal. She was also the goalie for awhile. She was sad when she accidentally stepped over the line with the ball in her hand, giving a goal to the other team. She tried to hold back the tears, but from the other side of the field I could tell by her body language that she was crying. I felt so bad for her. She is a good goalie, but is soooo hard on herself when she makes mistakes. Her game was tied, 2-2.

We finally finished games by 3. Amazingly, I really enjoyed being on the fields. The games were all back to back, which was perfect, and the weather was nice and cool. The kids watched each other play, and Sophia even watched some.

After the games, Ben and I relaxed for a bit and then freshened up for our date. We went to the hockey game with some friends. I hadn't been to one since North Carolina. We had the best seats, right on the glass. It was fun to be so close to the game. Afterward, we grabbed a small bite to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. It was a great night with friends and a great week back to "reality!

Midway with the Hellewell's 2010

I once heard that its not the quantity of friends, but the quality of the friendships that really count! We are definitely blessed in the "quality' department. We have so many amazing friendships that have lasted through our 14 years of marriage. One of them are our great friends the Hellewells. Ben met the husband his freshman year of college, and he and his wife have been our good friends through the years. We have shared lots of game nights when we were childless and in college, we vacationed together, spent Thanksgivings together when we both lived out east, away from family. This year, for the Christmas holiday, we spent 5 days

with them at their parents house up in Midway, Utah.

We were really looking forward to this trip. Snow was in the forecast, and we were ready with all our snow gear to enjoy the weather with sledding, etc.

We left Tuesday morning, and for the first time took the Vegas route. We thought we would give it a try now that the new Hoover bridge was finished. We were all excited to go over the bridge, but were highly disappointed that a huge wall blocked out view down below! The trip up went fast, though it included a long stop at the Cafe Rio in St. George. When we arrived in Provo, we made our first stop at Grandma & Grandpa Jenkins. We spent about an hour there visiting, and then headed to Midway after picking up a few groceries.

When we arrived the kids put their snow gear on and headed outside, while I got settled and Ben and Mark got more groceries and picked up dinner. We had to make sure we were stocked up because we were expecting a huge snow storm and didn't know if we would have access to food!;) After dinner, we put the kids down and played games for a few hours and went to bed.

We woke up Wednesday to a winter wonderland. It snowed all day, and it was some of the biggest snow flakes I have ever seen. It was like cotton balls falling from the sky. Boston was anxious to get out and shovel the walkways!!! I couldn't believe he WANTED to do that! After breakfast, the kids had a blast playing in the new fallen snow all morning.

They took the shovels and dug caves in the huge snow banks made by the plows. The adults just hung out and relaxed, which was NICE! I told everyone that being snowed in forced me to do NOTHING for once! I kinda liked it:) I didn't like Ben taking this picture, though!

For lunch, Mark and I made crepes. They are one of my new favorites!!!

After lunch we took the kids sledding. Ethan had fun throwing snowballs(it was the best snow for snowballs) at people sledding down the hill! I'm surprised none of the kids pommeled him. Boston didn't sled much because his mittens were wet from being in the snow all morning, and so he sat on my lap to stay warm the entire time. Sophia had a blast sledding, until about an hour into it, when her and Aubrie completely wiped out. They had taken a few spills before, but this one sent them head over heels. That ended our sledding adventures for the day. We all went home and warmed up with hot chocolate!

We then played Settlers while the kids watched TV. The kids started watching us play, and started getting interested in the game. Never thought kids would get into Settlers! (They ended up playing it the next day) After some "gameage", Kristen and I started making dinner. Once we got it going we headed over to the the outdoor ice skating rink that was conveniently around the corner. It was VERY cold, but because of the storm we had the place to ourselves. When we first got there Ben and I were freezing out our hands as we were trying to get the kids skates on. After about two kids, one of the workers points to a room and says, "We have a warming room to put on skates!" Uh thanks for telling us now!

Once we got out on the ice, we also found out that Ben couldn't hold Sophia. So he had to go get her skates. It worked out for the best, because she had a great time. We all did! Well almost. In the beginning I immediately had to help Boston. He was having a hard time, and was getting very frustrated every time he fell.

As I was helping him I realized that I left Ethan putting his skates on. I looked up to see where he was to find him in the middle of the rink skating, jumping, etc. He has NEVER been skating (ice or roller) and you would have never guessed it. I think him being FEARLESS had a lot to do with it. Ben and I decided he would probably make a great hockey player! LOL

Boston was done after 20 minutes, and sat and watched us the rest of the time. Sophia had a BLAST and started to get it a bit. Aubrie was having the time of her life and started working on skating backwards.

Once Boston got off the ice I also had some time to help with Sophia. Then I got some time to skate with Aubrie. I hadn't been skating since Ben and I were dating!! (I'm a poet and don't even know it!) It was fun to do it again, but especially because I was enjoying it with my kids. Well, most of them!

After ice skating, we headed home for homemade Chili and corn bread, that was cooking while we were gone. It was so YUMMY! All the kids loved it (except Aubrie). Boston even asked for it the next day.

After dinner, it was bedtime for the kids and game time for the adults. It was a good day!

Thursday we planned on going to Provo for the day, but last minute we changed our minds and decided to go sledding and stay close. On the way sledding we noticed our car was bouncing a lot. I got out and saw our suspension wasn't working. Luckily there was a dealership in Heber, so we took it there. They had it all day and we couldn't pick it up till morning. The Hellwells picked us up and we hung at the house the rest of the day. Later that evening, we went back to the ice skating rink. Boston and Ben stayed behind. We had an even better time. I was surprised because this time is was like 5 degrees, but for some reason it felt warmer. Also, this time they had emergency cones out for the kids to push around for balance. Sophia used one and she got really good on the ice. It really taught her how to hold herself, and let her concentrate more on the footwork. She is really good on the balance beam in gymnastics, so it didn't surprise me that she took to it so fast. Ethan used the cone to learn how to go backwards. Because Sophia had the cone, Aubrie and I got to skate together a lot. I was sad when it was time to go. We all met at the Dairy Keen ( a shake and burger joint with a toy train that runs along the the top of the store) for dinner. It was nice to hang out there for a bit (a change of scenery). We then took shifts driving home (we had to do that all day). Mark took Kristen and I and the younger ones, so we could get them down. Once they were down the others got home and went to bed, and then it was back to games for the adults. Do you see a theme here? We love playing games!

Friday (New Years Eve) we all went to Provo for the day. We first hit BYU only to find it closed. So we went to Fat Catz instead. Everyone had fun bowling. Boston was happy to get his first real strike, and almost everyone beat Mom. I'm no good at bowling, but still love it! After bowling we went to brick oven for lunch. Aubrie loved that she could get anything she wanted from the Market Buffet. I was happy to have my apple beer! (That sounds bad if you haven't been there before!)

After lunch our car started bouncing again. The suspension stopped working, again! Though it was New Years Eve, and the chance of getting the car fixed before Monday was almost impossible, I still had a calm feeling. We drove it up to Uncle Davids, and while we were in the house it started working again. We drove the car back to Midway and stayed there the rest of the night. We planned on going to Soldiers Hollow, but with temperatures below zero, we decided to opt out. If the car wasn't excitement enough for the day, we got a knock on our door right before dinner from a poor guy who hit a dog right in front of the house. The dog was right by our car, and the kids wanted to go take a look. It was exhausting keeping them from peering through windows, sneaking out through the doors to take a peek. I didn't want to make a scene and make the poor guy and his family feel bad. Animal control came and took care of things pretty fast.

After that drama, we got the kids fed. We let the kids have random things for dinner, ie cereal, PB&J's, along with huge bowls of ice cream for dessert!!! Ok, now that I think of it the whole dog thing was after dinner! Oh well!

For New Years Eve we played games (big surprise) and let the older kids watch the countdown and have Martinelli's and do the poppers! They thought that was the coolest thing! They felt so grown up. Once they were down, we played games a bit more and called it a night, because we had to get up early for the long drive ahead of us. We went to bed with "arms crossed" that the car would work the next day!

We were supposed to wake up at 6, but I didn't hear anyone up until 7. Sophia was coughing through the night (I forgot to mention she coughed every night we were there, and she slept between Ben and I. So that made for long nights without restfull sleep), so Mark and Kristen felt bad waking us early. We quickly got ready and got the car packed and started (hoping that if it was warmed up for an hour it would work). After eating and cleaning up the house we headed out Midway on a car with no suspension:( The Hellwells followed us out the canyon and then we headed up to Uncle Davids again. He said that we had enough clearance to drive, but that we needed to be careful. I kept praying and praying that it would lift, and was suddenly envious of all the cars that passed us, as I looked at their working suspension! LOL When we got to Payson, we stopped for a potty break. When Ben got back to the car he said, "Lets sit here for 5 minutes." Within a minute I heard some noises and got out and our suspesion had started working. It worked on and off, either the fronts or the back lifted, but not all at once, until lunch at Beaver. When we stopped there, I could hear the compressor working again, and all tires had lifted! Yeah!!!! I guess all it needed was temperatures of 14!!!! We were thanking the heavens when he got back on the road and all was smooth sailing. The car problems only put us back about an hour, thankfully. We hit a little traffic by the damn on the way home, but besides that there was no traffic!

We finally stopped for dinner at a Subway in Kingman. This was our hilights of the trip. When we first go there we noticed a couple who looked like they had been through hard times, sitting on one side of the restaurant. While Ben was in line, unbeknown to me, the lady came over and asked the worker how much a bowl of soup was. She then relayed that to her husband and he told her to get it. As the worker was getting the soup she was scraping the bottom of the container barely filling the bowl half way. She looked to the lady and told her she could give her a discount. Ben was disgusted that she didnt' just give it to the lady for free. Ben gave the worker some money to take care of their food, and asked the worker not to tell the couple where it came from. The worker told them anyway, and later the husband came over thanking Ben. It was then that I was clued in to what was going on, and was glad to hear that he wasn't staring me down as I went to and from the restroom for nothing! Aubrie asked what was going on, and Ben told her the couple was homeless and needed help. Soon after the boys were done and restless and so he started to leave to take them to the car, while I stayed behind with the girls. As he was leaving the husband came over with these tattered small stuffed animals for the kids. The boys thanked him and went to the car. After the boys left, another worker (not the one scrapping the soup) said that was the coolest thing he has ever seen, and that he didn't even realize people did that type of thing anymore. I thought, we have not only helped a couple out, but also set an example to a young man that might pay it forward himself one day! He insisted that I let Ben know how cool it was what he did. After I was done speaking to the worker I looked over to see the husband making faces and doing silly tricks to get Sophia to laugh. She was loving him, and he was loving that he could bring happiness to her. Before we left, Sophia wanted to say thank you for her stuffed animal. The next thing I know, Aubrie pulls 20 dollars out of her wallet, that for some odd reason she brought in with her, and gives it to Sophia to give to the couple. As I saw what she was doing a part of me was in shock, thinking , "Thats your Christmas money, you sure you want to do that!" I instantly shook that off and my heart rejoiced in her willingness to give up her money without one hint of hesitation. She didn't even want them to know it came from her. She quickly left for the car without a word. The couple was so touched, and I let them know who it was from, so they could see how giving out those simple stuffed animals, when they had nothing, touched a child enough to give without thinking. I honeslty can't think of a time that I have been more proud of Aubrie. She has a very tender heart, and always does thoughtful things for people, but that act of charity was amazing. I began to reflect on the events of the day and thought that maybe, just maybe, the car delayed us for an hour for a reason and that could be the reason I felt peace amongst all our car troubles!

We all left Subway on a high, and the rest of the trip home seemed to go so fast. We made it back in enough time to unpack and unwind for a bit before bed. It was a good trip! On a side note, the kids asked me to wash and mend their stuffed animals, and Ethan and Sophia have theirs on their bed every day.

Christmas Day 2010

After the opening of gifts, I immediately hit the kitchen to get breakfast going. The Hawkins were joining us for a Christmas brunch. Tirza made some yummy pumpkin Belgium waffles with a special syrup, and we made crepes with all the yummy fillings along with sausage and bacon. It was the best Christmas breakfast I've ever had. We stuffed ourselves and visited for a bit. Then we went back and forth between houses checking out and playing with all the new gifts throughout the day. Later that night we ate left overs from the night before and went to the movies to see Narnia. Besides the clutter of all the new gifts filling each room stressing me out, it was a such a nice relaxing day with friends and family.