Christmas idea for Jeff!

Uh oh- I am already feeling a little guilty for not running this one by Jeff before posting- but isn't it easier to ask for forgiveness than permission- or something like that?

No, you don't have a smudge on your screen- this is Jeff's smile as of last week. There is a story behind it-

Last year while Jeff was skiing with friends, the binding broke on his boot and his ski flipped up and hit him in the mouth. Luckily Jeff is a happy guy and must have been smiling because it didn't hit anywhere but just on his teeth. It broke one of the front ones in half- which we quickly fixed (church was the next day and I think Jeff was conducting) but the other front tooth has given him problems ever since.

Well, the dentist finally x-rayed and discovered Jeff had a fractured root and the tooth had to be removed. So, out it came! When the dentist pulled it, it even came out in pieces! He has a retainer with a tooth on it but he doesn't wear it much at home. I'm even starting to get used to how it looks. They funniest was the kids reaction when they saw him smile for the first time.

It will be about 6 more months before the new tooth gets put in. I'm not sure why so long. Don't worry- he is glad it is gone. It was kinda like the toenails. Good riddance. Now he can bite his food again!

However, seeing the bill from the dentist only confirms what I concluded long ago. Skiing is a very expensive sport. (for us particularly) Oh I don't mean all the gear- or even the season passes, that's nothing! I'm referring to the ACL reconstruction surgery and now a tooth implant. Jeff can't hardly wait for it to snow again so he can hit the slopes!

I just think it's a pity it didn't happen BEFORE Halloween. He would've made a great pirate or hockey player!

Grandpa's Punkin Patch

One of our most favorite fall traditions comes from Grandpa N. Every year he grows enough pumpkins to give each grandkid, and better yet- he delivers them!! In all my October chaos, I managed to only get a picture of Zack with his, so I thought it would be fun to see some past years too.
Zack in 2008...

Gma & Gpa N with the kids in 2007...

Pumpkin guts in 2006...

Nope, not Lucas- Zack in 2005...

Lex & Kobe in 2004. Wierd- our house used to be white and our kids used to be little! (or unborn)
If we did pumpkins before this it was pre-digital camera. Fun!!! Thanks for all the spooky pumpkins Grandpa!

Strange things creeping around our house...

Okay- I am still attempting to catch up on my October posts- so please forgive me for living in the past. I've had so much fun seeing everyone's pictures of their kids' cute Halloween costumes, and I gotta admit we've had some crazy characters showing up around our house too...

I'm not sure if I am psycho or just crazy- but somehow all of my kids ended up being like 3 different things. Lets see..we all dressed up to go to the Family Fun night at the school the week before Halloween, (3 princesses, a pirate, and a he-woah(hero))then again the night before Halloween so we could get free kids meals at Sizzler- (this time a hula girl, jedi, witch, pumpkin, and Tigger), then finally for the real thing-(Pirate(but different kid), jedi, Snow White, Tigger, and a pumpkin). Phew! I'm sweating just talking about it-

NO SNOW WHITE!!! I'M PRETTY SURE YOU SHOULDN'T EAT THAT APPLE!!!!

I must admit- Halloween is not my favorite holiday. I don't like creepy or scary things, it is always stressful getting everyone fed and ready to TOT, it's always cold, we spend all night getting candy that I really don't want my kids to have, and I hate spending money on costumes- so I don't and my kids feel jipped.
This year my friend Polly helped me out with that last pet peeve and brought over 2 HUGE totes full of great costumes! This is how we pulled off being several different things.

This is what we were for the REAL Halloween night. Lucas had shed his costume by the time I found my camera, so I have no pictures of him dressed up on his first Halloween. Gosh. He must be like the sixth child or something. For the record- I did dress him up. He was a Hotdog in a bun.

I am always fascinated by the intricate sorting that goes on in my living room after we get back from trick-or-treating. Once everyone has all their gum and licorice and suckers in separate piles, that's when the Candy Swap starts. It's pretty funny to watch. Brooklyn drives a hard bargain.

Lucas found something good to chew on, but it wasn't candy, it was Tigger's tail!! Jeff's parents came for the end of the night and my mother-in-law helped me out with the overwhelming candy situation. She bought (yes, bought!) Kobe and Lexie's candy for $10 each! I think they were so eager to sell it since they knew they could bug some off their younger siblings later. Lexie was a little horrified to hear that her candy was going in the garbage.
Good job sweetie. Your teeth will thank you for it later.

It sure is great to turn 8!!

Before we get a breather from the Zack birthday festivities, here comes Kobe's birthday! This year was an extra special birthday since he was also baptized a couple of weeks later.

Of course, Kobe had to have a BYU cake. Actually- so was Zack's. Here's Kobe- what a great kid. Now I get to tell you some of the fun things I love about Kobe!

• I love how you always have a clean room!
• I love hearing you sing when you practice the piano
• I love how you are always the first to remember to pray when we need help
• I love watching you set goals and achieve them. Not many boys do that at your age!
• I love when you tell me what you want to do when you grow up
• I love that you are always willing to wash the dishes and help clean up- even when it's not your mess
• I love watching you play sports and do well
• I love seeing the cartoons you draw- and your self portraits-what a ham!
• I love seeing your tender heart show through when someone is hurt
• I love your reaction when I make Potato Bake or Chicken Bundles
• I love seeing you read to your little brothers and sisters
• I love seeing you do things with your daddy- like campouts and boys trips -you are alot like him!
  

I only do friend parties on odd years (5,7,9 ect) so we partied with each other and ate our second cake within a week! Kobe loves to build cool things so he got some shnazzy Star Wars Legos and K'nex sets.

His favorite presents, however, were 2 video games his daddy picked out for him. Does this one look familliar? ZELDA!!!! Bet that brings back some memories! Yeah, our poor kids have a 20 year old Nintendo. Kobe thinks its pretty cool. He also thinks its cool that he can beat Darin Wallace at Super Tecmo Bowl (if Kobe gets to choose both teams). Jeff also got him Tetris.

Wow! Look at those handsome guys! And doesn't Kobe look like a missionary in his new suit? I nearly missed the dang baptism picking it up from the hemmers. (I didn't mean dang baptism...) The baptism went wonderful. I LOVE when I get to see Jeff use his priesthood to bless our children. How grateful I am for all he does to live worthy and to be an example to his kids. Kobe has some big shoes to fill someday- and looks like a suit, too.

It was so fun to have my parents come up- of course my dad is the only one who made it to the baptism since mom was sick. Jeff's parents were able to be there, and Greg and Christy and their girls Riley, Parker, and Josie were able to make it, as well as our friends the Jensen's and Kobe's primary teachers. My parents thought ahead and brought a turkey so we could feed a crowd- but oh yeah, we were sick!! No one dared come over after so I still have a freezer full of turkey.

I am so proud of Kobe. I look at him and I am truly amazed at how much he really understands at the tender age of 8 about the gospel. He is a spiritual giant in a little body. I know he recognizes the spirit from past experiences and that he honestly appreciates the great gift his Heavenly Father has just given him. Good job buddy. Your mom and dad sure love you lots.

Guess who's four!!!

October was BOY BIRTHDAY month at our house. Zack was the first- he turned 4 this year on the 9th. Although most of my posts seem to involve Zack a lot- and this is a little late- I still thought for your birthday you deserved to get your own post!

So whoo for Zack! Wow, what would my life be like without him? I can't imagine how someone so mischevious could be so likeable. He has proven to me time and time again how there is no such thing as a good hiding place for anything in my house- or car for that matter. I think it is because of his insane curiosity. I'm sure this will turn into a strength for him some day. Until then, I hope he survives his own curiousness. Having said all that- I must admit that Zack is a ray of sunshine in our home. He is so sweet, fun, and obedient (to your face). I love this kid to death.



Zack has such a cute sence of humor. Could it be possible he could be more of a tease than his dad someday?
Just a few thoughts off the top of my head--Zack, Mommy loves it when you-

• be sweet to Payton when she's not being lovable
• help me with breakfast- you are an especially good egg-cracker
• beat me at your match game
• take naps with me
• make robots out of your mashed potatoes
• bring Lucas toys to cheer him up when he is sad
• beg to set the cups on the dinner table
• sneak into snacks- but always make sure to get enough for your sister
• build elaborate lego towers and don't hit Payter when she knocks them down
• ask me to play Chest (Chess)
• say you are my boy
• say 'sh' when you pronounce your S's (I will miss it once you figure it out)
• always say 'Sh-orry' when you can tell I am frustrated

I don't do the friend party thing until they turn 5, so this year we had our little family party with cake and ice cream. The balloons were a big hit- I think they had them all popped before the night was over! Here are all 6 party animals getting their sugar high before I try to put them to bed.

I got Zack his own little hard hat, goggles, head lamp, and leaf blower. Way to go mom- I managed to buy a great annoying toy! At least the light was right up his alley. Maybe now I will stop finding my flashlights under his bed.

Happy birthday lil' bud!

How I know my mommy loves me...

Gosh it feels good to me posting on my blog again! Yeah, there have been lots of reasons why I have neglected it lately--
October was a slightly insane month for us. We had two birthdays, a baptism, Halloween and all of the accompanying joys, family visiting for a week and a half, and our computer crashed- to name a few of the big things. But the real kicker (for me at least) was getting sick, then getting sick again, then again, and caring for everyone else as they went through it too. I've actually been well for like a week until last night and now I am back down with a fever. Joy. I hope that didn't sound like I was complaining, because I was.

It seems we are jinxed. Whenever I am going to see family, we seem to get sick. Even if its been a long time since we were! In spite of my germy house, my parents showed up right on schedule for their visit. Despite what would have been in their best interest, they said they weren't cancelling their trip. I'm not sure they realized how much I needed them. Instead of doing all the fun stuff you are supposed to do when family comes, mom and dad took over for me while I was wiped out from a terrible cold, then again the next day as I had stomache flu- and even helped with my baby as he went through the flu the next day since I was again wiped out.

So this is how I know my mommy loves me. She knew when she came that she was next. Mom just got over a cold before she came. She had the flu the day before she left, and dad was coming down with my cold. Then mom got the cold. Mom even had to miss the baptism- the main reason for the visit- since that was the worst flu day. She didn't even complain or say anything that made me feel more guilty.

Thanks mom and dad. I love you too.