The presents

These were some of my favorites...my favorite is the one of Kolbe hugging Avery. He'd just opened his zune and was celebrating! Just a few moments of what had just laughing for hours!!!

Christmas Happenings...

We had the best Christmas this year. We started the celebration at my parents' house where all of my mom's family met for Christmas Eve. I would never have guessed that many people would fit comfortabley in one home(and perhaps there are those who would argue the term 'comfortabely')...but it was so fun. It is definitely lacking the spirit of grandma mac and grandpa, but I am sure they had a good laugh at all the chaos! I love this tradition...and am hoping that it holds, so that we can stay close as an extended family.

Christmas day was ours alone...which is something that means so much to my husband. It works for me too...because we got home so late from Fairfield, the kids slept in a bit. In fact, when Kolbe yelled that Santa had come, only Kenna jumped out of bed. Eli and Avery would have stayed in bed longer but we carried them out. Eli didn't take long to notice his horse...he said, "YESsssss....and hawsssssss!" And he rode em cowboy all day long!

Christmas manages to just keep getting better. Our kids are so fun. It was fun...the big gifts were the horse for Eli(my garage sale find), microsoft zunes for Kolbe and Kenna, and a doll set for Avery. I think they're pretty much convinced that santa spoiled them wildly!

I am so thankful for my family. Christmas is most definitely more about family...about the role it plays in this great plan of happiness...which centers infinitely around our Savior. I am so thankful for this time of year...for the reminder to focus on Him this intensely all year...not just for the Christmas season.

I'll post pictures of the present opening mess in a bit! Nate's been home 'babysitting' all day and is dying to leave the house...boob!!!!!!!

Computer-less....STILL

Just a few updates...

This past week was wild-in true PItcher form! I turned 31, which was apparently AWFUL luck because my computer officially died. The hardrive crashed, but thankfully we saved our important stuff, like music, pics, church talks, and quickbooks! yeah!!!
...I slid out of the driveway and side-swiped the neighbor's jeep in Nate's baby(his maxima)...the damage was minimal but will cost money to fix(obviously). I have to work something out with our buddy Trevor on the body damage, some small dents and a crease. He already replaced the rod in the tire so the wheel is straight and the car driveable!

I have the cutest pics of the kids in their Christmas Sunday outfits, but obviously its hard to post without my computer(I'm at work now!)The oldest 3 sang in sacrament meeting this week...which I loved. I can't help crying whenever KEnna does anything in public...its such a miracle to see her speak(sing) after so much trouble!

I am so excited for Christmas...I haven't even peeked this year!

Oh...I ordered my laptop...so the countdown is on!

Stinking computer....

Just a quick note to let everyone know that my computer is not well...it advised me the other night it had 39 viruses...AGAIN....so its been in the shop all week and the tech is a bit miffed at what to do with it. So who knows....maybe I'll own a hot pink lap top soon!!! Until then...

Deck the halls...

I personally think this is the funniest picture ever! Eli is extremely difficult to keep dressed now that he's done with diapers. So, this is what he brought the the Christmas decorating...

The kids loved decorating the house...I am always anxious to get it up, but by the day after Christmas I'm eager to have my clean house back. I'm amazed that Eli hasn't bothered presents yet...the ornaments were rearranged a LOT during the first week but now he's left them alone too.

Tonight we're writing letters to Santa for family home evening...the kids have changed their minds a ton so I'm going to have to manipulate the letters a bit!

Bandage free!!!

This is earlier this week when his fingers were healed enough to make an appearance. He sat and picked at her finger tips for quite some time, glad to see them I'm sure! Eli had his check up this morning and of course the doctor was shocked at how fast it has healed. In fact, she said we should/could go without bandaging it if he would tolerate it so that he'd begin to use his hand again. She was trying to encourage him to use it...she asked if she could touch it, to which he furrowed his brows and said, 'NO!' so she quickly poked it and he said "I GOT AN OWIE!!!" Thank goodness for personality! He's loaded...so then she offered him a sticker, of course to that hand and he reached for it with the other. She said to use his hand and he said again, "NO I got an owie!" kind of annoyed, like 'look lady, can't you see I'm wounded?' I was giggling inside. But his hand looks awesome! Still sort of purple and shiny, but she says its going to be perfect...we have to watch so that it isn't hypersensitive, but I think he'll be fine.

Nate had the opportunity to go to a Hutterite funeral this week. I HAD to work, from being gone all last week with Eli, so he went alone. He said it was like a 2 hour service, in German of course. But he talked and talked....and talked about how fascinating it was. We have a dear friend, Sam Whipf(spelling?) that has been so good to our family and his father died this week. Nate loved that he was fed twice...and that when offered a sandwhich he stood to go get it and was ordered to sit. Then the man simply said his wife's name and she hopped up and went to get it. They don't have kitchens in their homes...a bench along the wall and a few cupboards, but all the eating is done in the main hall and so he said that both times he was fed Sam's wife went to the kitchen and then brought food back for him. He thought he could get used to that kind of service...hummmm...not likely to happen!

Avery had a speech evaluation today and it was determined that she needs some therapy to correct a slight disorder...which has a big fancy name, but I don't remember it. She swaps out b and p and some other main sounds. Apparently its not common that a 5 year old would still do this, so it could cause some issues with reading for her! Now, a few years ago I'd be so discouraged...but this is nothing compared to what we did with Kenna! So, its one more thing on the calendar for me!!! But its free, so its totally workable!

We're headed to Fairfield tonight...Nate's got youth conference this weekend and Fairfield's in the big play off for football. I'm not going but Kolbe's super excited! I'll just hang out at mom's where its warm...Go Eagles!!!

Just some stuff

Its early Sunday morning and the kids are playing some made up game together and Nate's upstairs snoring still. We had the adult session of stake conference last night and it was great.

These are the pics of yesterday's activities. We finally got around to raking the leaves in the backyard...The kids played in them but Kolbe nor Eli could stand them on their heads so they couldn't get a picture all covered up. I tried...they just couldn't do it! Nate's finger is healing fine..I get grossed out by the stitches...I don't know how we get them out??? I can't do it! Eli's hand is healing nicely...its starting to really itch, which is a good thing. He keeps digging into it to scratch and was begging me to help him. He does NOT like it when we have to wash it and re-wrap it...yesterday required pinning him. I hope today is easier...I'm looking forward to conference today!

Updates...

I have no doubts in the power of a blessing...and this situation was further proof. Today the doc said that Eli's hand was 'as good as she could hope for'...the procedure went really well. They knocked him out and removed all the skin and it looks as though everything will be fine. Thanks for everyone's thoughts...

It just has been a crazy couple months...with LOTS of random medical scares for us. I have had my share of pity parties but tonight I am giggling at the run down of the last few months! We feel blessed that despite the craziness...the only thing that lingers is a medical bill. We have had no serious complications from any of our scares so we know that Heavenly FAther is protecting us. A friend of mine pointed that out tonight...and it was comforting to hear...that we've had plenty of near misses...I'm SO SO SO thankful for that.

For cherries on top, Nate sliced his finger open tonight and had to get stitches. Of course the only option was the emergency room-AGAIN-so I called in a favor to our friend, an endodontist!(that's a specialized dentist) He stitched Nate's finger-six stitches in all...in the shape of a smile! I just spent 30 bucks on all varieties of gauze and sterile wrap for my two babies. Wish me luck on a fun night...remember...I'm laughing!

Hmmmmmm....

Eli's hand is a bit worse than the first doc thought. We went to the pediatrician today to have it scraped and cleaned and he said it was likely 3rd degree too, and that he wouldn't touch it. He bandaged it again and referred us immediately to the plastic surgeon. After a consult, we were somewhat relieved...somewhat not. He is scheduled for a surgery tomorrow morning to clean the wound and determine how bad the damage is.The pediatrician mentioned the possibility for skin grafts, the plastic surgeon, who never actually looked at it, said she doubted that would happen. So, tomorrow will tell. We are hoping for good news. He is one tough kid! He's been so tough and brave...he loves his mommy a little more than usual right now and clings to me alot...which is a little heartbreaking for me~ I love the snuggles but its obvious that he's hurting. Thank goodness for doting bro and sisters who've been babying him like mad! He's thrown out the ,'I have an owie!' card more than once to get favors! That part is cute...little manipulator~we'll keep info posted...

Halloween

I love fall, and I love halloween...but I'm always glad when its done. All in all everyone was happy with their costume. I bought a super cool costume for Kolbe, but true to character he was still scared of the mask(even though he'd be the one wearing it!) so he opted for zorro. He's a kick. Eli was a monster, which is the perfect perfect costume for him. Avery was a fairy princess and Kenna was Gabriella, from high school musical.We had bought spray to color her hair but she weenied out...so it was fun to do her make up anyways. We had a fun trunk or treat at the church...hit the mall...and our great neighbors brought over a bowl of goodies/gift certificates for the kids. It was fun...Nate had inventory at the store so he broke free for an hour or so to come with the kids and me and then it was back to counting!

War Wounds...

So...most of you know...but Saturday morning I was cooking mac and cheese with Eli's help and when I turned to drain the noodles he crawled across the stovetop. I instantly knew it was bad, so after brushing my teeth really fast we jumped in the car and headed to the doc. They got us in right away. Poor Eli was miserable...he was white from crying so hard and he was wreathing in pain the whole time. They ended up putting an anethseptic numbing gel on it and some silvadine cream, bandaging it and sending us home. He is on some heavy duty pain stuff too...He holds his hand up in the air no matter what he's doing...last night was rough...he cried through the night. Sunday we went back to the doc and they cut the blister, which was DISGUSTING, and this afternoon I changed the dressing myself...hence the nasty pic of his blisters. He is a trooper...and mommy is so so so sorry that I wasn't paying better attention. Tomorrow he has to go in and have the dead skin removed, which should be largely traumatic for all of us. EWWWWWwwwwww!

Nate said it first...

So....Nate and I were laughing hysterically because he's built so funny. Its not as bad as it looks in the one picture, so DON"T email me with concerns for my chubbo! But Nate pointed out that he is built like my grandpa Mac...and brother Jerry...both of which liked their tighty whities too!

Primary Program

So this is probably my favorite Sunday of the year...when I'm not in primary...because there is nothing so sweet as the little kids singing and bearing their tender testimonies. I had to sit in the front row with the youngest kids, so the audience had full view of us! I was actually pleasantly surprised...we only had a few episodes(one punch-but it was behind the pew so no one saw). Anyways...everyone tries to look their best for the day. The girls discovered that their Christmas skirts from 2 years ago still fit(not sure how it ever did fit Avery then) so they were determined to wear them. Have to find some new gold shirts...Walmart had some gold satin ones that would look good with them...anyways...Kolbe is getting so big and handsome. I love my good boy...he's a treasure. Eli borrowed on of Kolbe's old ties and thought he was hot stuff! Well....he was!

On a side note...WE ARE POTTY TRAINED! For the first time in 9+ years there are no poopy diapers here...pull ups for bed, but I can handle that! WHOO HOOO!

From one tight wad to another

So, I am insanely addicted to the thrill of a good deal...so I'm sharing my good fortune! I LOVE the Childrens Place clothes...and right now www.thechildrensplace.com is having SUPER good clearance sales. Its 5 bucks shipping, so stack it up!

The real deal is at goapex.com Type in the name of the store you want to shop at, like the children's place coupon....and then find a coupon. I got an additional 15% off on things...and spent under fifty bucks and got 8 things...2 of which were full price sweater vests for the boys. Smoking good buys.

I also used goapex to find a coupon for kmart online. Try it out, I love it!!!

The end of one season...

Today marked the end of flag football for Kolbe this year! Yahoo...no more cold days in the wind. We are glad its done, but it was SO fun this year. We are seeing a more competitive Kolbe emerge, which is exciting to Nate and I! He was way more aggressive at chasing down the flags and was surprisingly fast this year! For all those who know him you know how much he resembles my baby brother Brad...in fact we laugh at how he even runs like him. We were all a bit worried that perhaps he'd also inherited Brad's super SLOW speed(sorry Brad), but this year he left uncle Brad in the dust!

Our favorite play was probably last weekend when Kolbe ran about 30 yard down the field, spinning in and out of the defensive kids...the last few yards he'd managed to clear some space so he held the ball above his head and stretched his strides and sort of danced into the end zone! Then he did a monster celebration dance..it was funny, but as a parent...you cringe because it looks bad! So, I watched Nate, who's always on the field because he coaches, march the field to where Kolbe was still celebrating, and send him walking to the sidelines! Kolbe will tell you with a smile that he 'got a little cocky on that one!' I love watching him grow up. He is such a good kid...and I realize that I probably don't focus near enough on how thankful I am for that!!! He is my low-maitenence, beautiful boy!!!

But we're so so so glad its done, because basketball is going fast and furious...3 or 4 nights a week. They had their first game Thursday and won. We have an awesome team this year...and it actually looks like basketball!

I love Nate for his willingness and ability to handle all these crazy kids and coach one sport to the next!

The first pic is of Kolbe and Easton, Kolbe's new BFF!!!!

AVERY...

Just wanted to share some funny things my Avery has said this week!

1. Avery is really into writing letters of the alphabet lately...she writes all sort of random letters and then asks me to read what she writes. So the other day I read the letters, as they were, and it obviously was mumbo-jumbo...she puckered up her face and asked, 'what's that?' I realized she was a little sad it didn't make sense so I said, 'oh, that's japanese for 'have a sunshiney morning!'. She made the funniest face again, and then said, smiling, 'I know Japanese?"

Love her!

The other night my parents brought over a toy bull for Kolbe. After they left Avery, and Kolbe and I were laying on the couch deciding what to name it. I kept suggesting things like 'sugar' and 'sweet thing'...and Avery said in this really funny voice, 'we should name him hot lovva' I laughed out loud and seriously had tears, and I asked her again, and she repeated it...but I could tell this time she wasn't saying lovva, but lava. It was her voice that made me think she said hot lovva...I personally like that name the best!

My kind of pumkin....

Since I have serious issues with strange textures...i.e. raw pumkin...I CAN"T bring myself to carve pumkins. There have been times in the past that Nate will handle it, but even he has become accostomed to the 'mr. potatohead' kind of pumkin! All I have to do is poke a few holes, and we're done.

Probably our favorite halloween tradition is to go 'spooking' as a family. Our goal is to do more than the year before...but last year I was insane and so this year I'm starting over! We have this cute little ghost poem that attatches to treats and you drop and ditch on friends...

It has become our family goal to get the Arkoudas'...they are so dang good...we were sure we'd be sneaky this year but the darn dog got Sam's attention so he found us creeping across the back yard. We are so gonna get em next year...we already have a plan!

The funnest, and most frustrating for Nate and I, part of this is that the kids, especially Kenna, can't be quiet...so when we're hiding she's giggling hysterically. But that's the fun part for her and its funny.

I love fall...its my favorite time of year. I love the colors...the weather...the smells...But, it brings winter, which I hate. So, as I watch the snow flutter right now I'm sad...and cold. And there's nothing I hate more than cold....

Reasons to smile...

It has definitely been 'one of those' weeks...maybe months. But I have really felt more peace and understanding in recent times than before. I am so thankful for the gospel. I NEVER email or blog about church, because it is not in my comfort zone. But I have to just say that I am grateful for the perspective the gospel brings. I read the best blog today of a friend of a friend who has some TERRIBLE challenges and she quoted Elder Holland. I don't know what talk it was, and there were so many great parts, but the overall gist was that the gospel is the way to happiness, and that 'when things are tough you don't jump ship, you hunker down under the oars and ride it out'. I love this gospel.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't laugh at my kids...I hope they see more of that than the times I'm frustrated by messes made(I know, I'm borderline OCD) or silly mistakes. They are an absolute riot. I also love Nate...He is so calm, maybe that's the wrong word. But he grounds me, because I am easily excited and am apt to react quickly to things. Nate always encourages me to wait and he always says the right thing. I think I did SO awesome when I found him...my ONLY complaints against him are his love of golf and city league basketball! Not bad huh?

Look at the pic of Eli...he got this wood gun, and usually had pants on that he stuck it in. Since he was short britches, he used his diaper. I had the camera, and realized this would pose some difficulty when he tried to remove it. Seriously laughed myself into tears and he 'tenderly' removed the gun from its holster!!! It only happened once...

My Kolbe is always sneaking away to have quiet time in his room, away from the others. He has always like to be on his own. He's a good mix of Nate and I's personalities...I am so thankful that he loves his siblings, and for the most part, loves playing with them nonstop.

Girls are just an experience. They are so different from boys from the moment they arrive. But its a fun balance to the boys, and its fun to see them grow and develop their own interests and personalities. They're so much different from each other, different strengths and all...But each of our children is the perfect fit to our family. I couldn't imagine being short one(or duplicated one!)

All in all...life is good...life is happy!

Some of my projects

So I don't really finish one thing before moving on...as you can see from the downstairs bath

room pic, it isn't really finished...I still have to tap the nails, fill and caulk and paint it...but even just this looks SO good compared to the plastic brackets that were screwed around the edges to hold it in place. I am really liking tinkering with the saw...I may want one of my own for Christmas!!! Nah...I'll just keep "borrowing" dads.....The other pic is Eli's room. For those of you who've visited, you'll recognize the horses. They have resurfaced again, as Eli loves them now! Kolbe took forever to outgrow this phase so I was hesitant to give in to Eli but the horses are awesome, my mom painted them years ago. I think I'll paint an eagle in the left corner...if you've seen the movie Spirit you'll remember the horses, and the eagle was an important character. I wish I could convince my mom to paint the mountain and lake scene she did for the original bedroom, but she's not interested. So, I just painted grass instead! It works....