My long lost photos of Lexie's Birthday!!

Okay, okay . . . I know it is December and her birthday was in July . . . but I really wanted to blog these pictures from her birthday and I could not find them!!! Come to find out I saved them in some obscure file that I just found tonight while I was uploading some other pictures. Since I am hopelessly behind on my scrapbooking (Read: Lexie doesn't even have a scrapbook yet!) I felt I better post these pictures so that when she is 13 she won't be able to say that I never took any photos of her because she was my last. Enjoy Lexie!

These pictures are from date she went on with my parents to lunch and then to Build-a-Bear. She loved it!

What do you think?

I have often considered Lexie to be "artistic". I can picture her doing something creative when she grows up - maybe singing, dancing or being an artist. Do think she may have talent as a hairdresser? These are examples of her abilities at self-styling her hair. She wants to do her hair herself and is offended if I mess with her masterpieces. I am learning to never mess with the "Master". I will also include one of her singing a song for your enjoyment.

Goblin Valley

On the day after Thanksgiving I had the urge to get away. I convinced my older children to come with my parents and I to Goblin Valley. It was a little further away than I remembered but the scenery and the Outlook's DVD player made the drive doable. I actually like going on long drives especially when gas prices are not $4.00 a gallon.
We had lunch and then just let the kids run wild in the MUD! Another thing I had not anticipated was that it had rained the day before. There was a goopy mud everywhere! I think my parents wondered if I was trying to kill them as we literally slid down some mud hills. It was still fun even if Michaela had to go barefoot because her shoes were stuck in the mud!

JT is a poser!

Lexie shots!

More pictures!

Okay so if you don't want to see the picture for our Christmas gifts this year -- close your eyes. We went a few weeks ago down near the canyon and had some pictures taken. It was freezing! The kids were actually fairly well behaved so I shouldn't complain too much. I wish I liked some of the ones of the individual kids better and that we could teach JT not to "cheese it" for the camera, but I hope you will enjoy.

More random pictures!

A Zach and Lexi boast!

Lexi is definitely the most artistic of my children. Her obsession with "dwawing" started at 18 months and is still going strong. I can't believe that she is already writing most of her letters and is trying to "spell" -- notice her dyslexic name across the top of this page. I also thought her curls were cute in this self portrait.

Zach was selected to go and report a news article for the Deseret News. He was given this opportunity because he is one of the best readers in fourth grade - we are so proud of him. He did a great job. If you want to see it you can go to the www.HeraldExtra.com and click on NewsKids. He did the story the Health Hikes.

The best part of Halloween

I don't like Halloween. I hate how much emphasis is placed on CANDY! Even though it is fun for the children to dress up, every year I am reminded of why I really don't care for this holiday. Where is there anything good, praiseworthy or of good report in Halloween? Yet there is one part that I admit I like. I like staying home and passing out the candy! After making dinner and getting my own children dressed and ready to go - the hour or so with the children gone is my little piece of heaven. Now if I can figure out how and where to ditch all the candy they got - I can be glad it is over for another year!

P.S. Pictures of my children in costume will be forthcoming. (Michaela looked scary pretty to me wearing make-up! I am not ready for her to grow up!)

Why I haven't blogged, you ask? . . .

Here are my best 10 excuses as to why I haven't updated my blog in so very long--

1.) We were having too much fun swimming at Seven Peaks all summer - thanks Ken and Denise.
2.) My children have lost the cord to the digital camera so currently I can't recharge it!
3.) I am addicted to Facebook instead.
4.) We are ALWAYS at one of Zach's soccer games.
5.) We didn't go on any trips this summer.
6.) I am busy with my church calling all day everyday.
7.) I don't want you to feel jealous because my kids are so cute.
8.) Whenever I get on the computer I have a report to write for work.
9.) I am busy homeschooling with JT in the mornings on www.time4learning.com.
10.) Life is boring around here. (Okay that one is a lie.)

We are ALIVE!

I can't believe that I have completely forgotten to blog all summer long and now it is almost Halloween. I intend to repent and begin posting something each week -- but sometimes my best intentions remain just that. Here are just a few pictures to prove that we are alive and breathing.

Our new toy

I have a new "Outlook"

Well, for those of you who know this news is really old news -- but it definitely deserves a blog entry. On the 5th of the month, I was driving up in Woods Cross coming home from work and was involved in a bad car accident that totalled our minivan and banged up my legs pretty badly. It was definitely the scariest thing that has happened to me in a long time. I was just driving straight heading toward the freeway when I guess the other car turning left failed to see me and pulled out in front of me. I basically hit them head on as I had NO time to react except slam into them. My airbags deployed and my seatbelt was on, but my knees were slammed up under the dash. I was taken to the hospital in the ambulance - I don't remember a lot except that I know I was hyperventilating and in shock. X-rays showed that nothing is broken or torn in my legs I just have contusions and bone bruising on both knees. Sometimes I have wondered if I would have been better if something was broken as these contusions have been incrediblely painful.

It has now been three weeks and I am finally getting back to life. I am still struggling with climbing stairs and I don't know if I will ever be able to crawl on my knees but I get better at getting around everyday. I have been told that I walk like a Grandma. We actually rented a wheelchair for a week or so, so I could get out to do a few things. Sadly, our vacation was planned for that next week so it was shortened and changed dramatically.

As for a new outlook - I am grateful for my husband and children more than ever. I am also really grateful for some good friends who basically took over for a week or so as I sat on my couch. I also appreciate my health and am grateful just to be able to get myself to the bathroom on my own accord. I don't like to think about if it had been worse. The only positive is that it has meant getting a new car. It is a Saturn "Outlook" and definitely the nicest car I have ever owned. Now if I can just get over the mental anxiety I have driving on a busy road and enjoy driving it.

In case you missed it!

We are grateful for Jay's mom giving the kids piano lessons. She is a great teacher and although Zach won't ever admit it he really loves music. As long as he doesn't have to practice!!!

JT is growing up!!

It is true!!! On March 29th he turned 11!! That means he is old enough to go into boy scouts and on campouts and everything. I think he may be more ready for all these new experiences than his mother is. These pictures are from the Pack Meeting when he got his Arrow of Light and his birthday party. For his birthday we just a few friends over for a party. He has been most excited about the video game he got called Lego Star Wars. He is becoming just like Zach in his interest in gaming.:(

I should also mention that his foot has finally healed and he is walking well again. Sadly, he had a hard time getting used to wearing the boot and then when it was time to take it off that was hard too. We are just hoping he won't have too many fears to ski next year!

Lexie is "Sweet and Sour"

Lexie's personality continues to blossom. She will be three in July and sometimes reminds us about the joys of parenting someone who is "two old". She can be sooo cute and then so naughty in a matter of minutes. My favorite thing about her is the spontaneous songs that she sings all day. It is kind of like living in an opera. She also has a pretend friend "Lemon" that is blamed for her misdeeds - kinda like her alter ego! I also need to photocopy some of her drawings and writings. She still loves to "DWAW" all day and on everything. The other day I heard her singing in her room, "We don't draw on our bodies, . . . just on paper . . .or Mom will get REALLY mad!" (Sorry the sound isn't great in this video as the kids are playing Wii in the background.)

JT's jump!

On Thursday JT and I had a scary experience! We went skiing at Sundance while Zachary had his first ski lesson. (BTW -- I was amazed with how well JT can ski! He has been skiing with his Dad and is so fast I can not keep up with him. He also loves to do jumps and things well beyond my abilities.) Anyway, on about our fifth run, we were about to get off the chairlift when JT was momentarily distracted. He forgot to get off the lift with me and was stuck headed further up the mountain alone. Neither of us knew what to do and JT realized he was too small to pull down the safety bar. So he decided to jump off! He fell about 10-12 feet with his skis on and landed like a limp rag. The operator ran over and asked if he was okay. Many people who saw it said that an adult would have broken a leg for sure falling from that height on packed snow. He was extremely freaked out and bruised his heel bone. Although he was unable to ski anymore, he quite enjoyed the snowmobile ride off the mountain with the ski patrol! We did have his foot X-rayed and it is not broken. There is a possibility of a stress fracture but we will just have to see how quickly it heals. He can walk as long as he doesn't put any weight on his heel.

One interesting thing -- This was the first time I have ever seen JT embarrassed. One of the first things he said when he calmed down enough to speak was, "Promise me we won't tell Dad what happened." I tried to assure him Jay wouldn't be mad, but he really didn't want to tell him. Also, when other skiers came by worried about whether he was okay, he would cover his face and tell me not to tell them what happened. I think it was because he knows better than to jump off the lift under normal circumstances, but he was so panicked he didn't know what else to do. I sure wasn't much help to him. I just stood there in shock not able to move or anything. I find it interesting that he has progressed to the point of worrying about what others think of him. When we were checking in at the Radiology Lab he was telling the receptionist what happened and he finished with, "But my Mom understands why I did it."

I hope he heals fast so he can get some more skiing in before the end of the season!

Michaela turned six!!!

I can't believe that my little girl is growing up so fast. I kept teasing her about turning 4 instead. Sometimes I wish I could freeze my children in time because I know I will miss these stages of their lives.

We began her birthday with breakfast and some presents in the morning before I had to leave for a Girls Camp meeting. Then I hurried home so we could go to Backyard Adventures for a party with her class. It just happened to be her Kindergarten teacher's daughter, Tayah Brown, who is in her class was born the the same day. We decided to combine parties and just invite the whole class to celebrate the birthdays together. It was a great way to simplify and save some money. About 20 kids came so it was quite a group and really fun.

In the afternoon Michaela went to have a sleepover with her Aunt Emily. We have been so glad to have her close by for a little while. Michaela also had special dates with her grandparents. She went to Build a Bear with the Gardner's and bought a special Teddy Bear. She also went to lunch with the Palmer's and got to go clothes shopping with Denise. A quick thank you to everyone who helped her feel loved on this special day! We love you little Michaela!!!!

My gorgeous girls!

Katelyn straightened Lexie's hair and took these pictures the other day. I think it is so fun to see them start having a more sisterly relationship!

Merry Christmas!

Well - Christmas is well and past and I never did get my Christmas Cards sent. I don't know how other people do it all, but I always drop one ball or another. This year my blog may have to be my update to everyone. I blog to make myself feel better because I don't have time to scrapbook. Maybe blogging is the cure for many ills? Anyway, if you didn't get a card from me - please consider this blog as a allbeit belated Christmas wish from our family to yours.

We had a really nice holiday filled with food, family and fun. Here are just a few pictures to spotlight some of the joy.