**SIGH****SIGH***CRY***

Today I took a shower and Jenna cut her hair.











You can still see how it hung past her shoulders. ***sigh***

Christmas Concert

Here is Isaac....getting ready for his 2nd grade Christmas concert! wow he looks old!

His class sang Hip Hop Reindeer, and a medley of English Christmas Carols, among other songs...I was very happy to hear some traditional Christmas songs mixed in with all the new stuff! It was a really nice concert. All the children did a great job!

I took some video with my camera but, still can't figure out how to post them...Its a work in progress...

Happy Harley Christmas

Well, I suppose we should be grateful that we had a Christmas party at the Harley Plant. What with their "fortune 500" reputation and their billion dollar profits...we met Erinn on his lunch break and had breakfast at the Harley cafeteria. Then the kids got to sit on Santa's lap and choose between an Oriental Trading Co. rubber ducky or a bobble head pen.

I'm sorry, but, I think the least they could do is let the dads go to the party and maybe give the kids something genuine "Harley" not "made in china" isn't that their competition?

Don't go thinking that I'm bitter...I happen to LOVE Oriental trading co.... Merry Christmas!!!:)

Santa lives at Harley Davidson!

MERRY AND BRIGHT!!!

Hannah and Jenna have so enjoyed the Christmas decorations this year!


When we got the tree out, the week after Thanksgiving, everyone was excited to help decorate...Erinn went to sleep, (yup, you heard right...SLEEP:) the boys helped me get out all the boxes. Then we commenced the fake tree assembly...It wasn't long before Noah, Hannah, and I were the only ones left. SO we finished putting the tree together only to discover that we had one strand of colored lights and one strand of white lights (which only half worked). This was a problem...you can't put ornaments on until after the lights are on, so we waited until the next day, I bought four boxes of lights and put them on the tree. Well, they went ALMOST to the top of the tree. So, rather than going out again to buy more lights we decided to put on the colored lights and the half-working white lights....It looked really good, for awhile...then, after all the ornaments were up, the half-working white lights went out...taking a new strand with them! So, we only have lights on the lower half of our tree and ornaments on the upper half! Its really quite adorable, in a "kids must have done this" sort of way!
So, on to my Hannah and Jenna Christmas story!

Hannah has decided that ALL of the animals and people must be able to see Jesus, so she has carefully rearranged all of my Nativity sets in a lovely squished together arrangement!


Jenna loves turn the Santa's around so they can talk to each other and dance together. She also loves to let the cows and donkeys run noisily across the tables. So, one day I walk into the dining room to find Jenna hiding under the table with several of my Christmas things...I say what are you doing Jenna? she crawls sheepishly out from under the table and says, "I sowy mommy I bwoke your Christmas, don't spank me." I didn't know whether to laugh or cry...She is just so sweet. I told her its okay, just try to be very careful and don't break any more Christmas. So, I have a cow without a horn, a donkey without an ear, a Santa with no feet, and a Santa with no hat and SUPER GLUE is now on my Christmas list!!!



I love Christmas!!!

Sugar Hi!!!

Hannah and I went to her school Monday night for her kindergarten gingerbread house activity. It was so much fun for both of us. I love spending one on one time with her. She is hilarious and sweet. She just eats up life! She is so happy! I love her so much. Lately she's been singing Christmas songs, at the top of her lungs, everywhere we go....and my personal favorite is Rudolph the "Nose Red" Reindeer....she is so funny...I'll say, "Hannah, its RED NOSED REINDEER, and she'll say OH, RED NOSE REINDEER!!! Then she'll sing RUDOLPH THE NOSE RED REINDEER, HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE, LIKE A LIGHT BULB!! I just love this kid!! She also sings primary songs with her own words....She sings I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE, IN A VERY SUNNY WAY... She is just too cute!

The nothing blog....

I haven't blogged recently for two reasons...One, I don't think my daily life is that interesting to anyone. and Two, I haven't had a minute on the computer!! Erinn was home from work all last week, (often on the computer:) and the rest of the time we had things to do!!! Primary has been keeping me very busy lately...we had our program in Nov. and now its time to make class changes, print new lists, reevaluate class rooms, make new schedules for the year, etc, etc, etc... My cleaning schedule IS working, it really helps me to have something specific to do. I think I get overwhelmed with the thought of cleaning the entire house everyday. Its really just a mind trick because once I get started, I clean the whole thing anyway! Our Thanksgiving was wonderful, we spent thanksgiving day with Erinn's dad and brothers. Friday, Sarah and I were CRAZY and went shopping at 4am to dive into BLACK FRIDAY it was crazy...we just walked out of several stores, we cut in line at one place, and basically shopped until we couldn't shop anymore!! Then, as soon as I had crawled back into bed, I got a phone call from mom....Its time for thanksgiving dinner, come on over!!! So, I jumped out of bed :) and we had a wonderful family dinner with mom and dad, Seth, Sarah and kids, Jake, Misty and Gid, Hillary, Alex and kids! It was so much fun! I love seeing everyone and eating!!! Need I say more!!?? Saturday, we had a lovely visit from Kristi Channell and her family, the kids were so excited that they came to visit and we had so much fun together. We'll have to do it again!! That evening it was back to moms for Project Nativity...I know, some of you think we're crazy, but, you'll be jealous when were done! Okay so, this last week, I turned myself into a spoiled little princess...I slept until ten, had breakfast in bed, and rarely had to prepare a meal...just kidding!!! (except for the sleeping part!) Erinn was home and we got so much done! He took apart and repaired the fuel line vapor canister on my van (scary right!) well, he did a great job! (I didn't know he had that in him!), He put storm windows on our house, replaced the valve on the toilet, put up Christmas decorations, shopped for Christmas, I can't remember what else...(did I mention A LOT of computer time...:) Anyhow, we had a great week...which surprised me because I thought it would be torture, Seriously!!! Well, this got way too long so, sorry. Hope it wont be an entire month till I blog again! Isn't Jenna darling?!

The Skate Park

A few weeks ago, Jake invited the boys to go to the skate park in Excelsior Springs. So, we all jumped in the car and drove...The kids had so much fun skating, and I was impressed by how nice the other boys were to my kids (who don't skate that well). They were all trying to teach them easy ways to skate and show them how to do tricks...It was really nice to see and I know my kids loved it! Thanks Jake! What a blast!

Thats Life!!!

Okay so, life is crazy! I've finally gotten to the point where I can no longer stand the sight or smell of my house! So, I decided to make myself a schedule...You know, clean the kitchen on Monday, the bathroom on Wednesday, etc...I figure with the kids doing daily chores, and me always doing the necessary dishes, vacuuming and laundry, a once a week deep clean ought to be good enough (easily better than it is now right?!!) well, the other day I was washing dishes and ground up a cup in my garbage disposal! A small glass cup! It was freaky...I put my hand into the disposal (don't try this at home:) to get out the bigger chunks of glass and pulled out pieces until I cut myself....then I just ground up the rest!!! And....it still works! I know, its probably bad for the environment but, I think its a testament to how well things were made thirty or more years ago (my garbage disposal is at least that old!) Oh, and my girls climbed up my dryer to see what was in the washer...well, now the dryer wont stay shut unless I duct tape it shut!!! So, you can see how difficult cleaning is in my house! But, the schedule is working! Its the most amazing thing. I have a specific job to do each day and it gets done really well! The rest of the house is pretty easy to keep up because it is clean from the day before! So, in less than a week I have fantastic results! And, I'm not afraid to go to the bathroom upstairs anymore! Bonus!!!! I know, its not as cool as Garth! Oh well....................*sigh*

Happy Halloween

Sorry its been soooo long! I know I am a blog reject!! Well, I thought I would make it up to you by inviting you to join me in sharing some Halloween memories! Favorites, funniest, scariest, you name it.....lets hear it! okay, I'll start...Remember when Darrell dressed up as Kermit the Frog? I thought that was the coolest costume EVER!!!!, how about when we worked all week to make the carnival in our backyard...that was awesome...remember David Durtschi wearing the real pumpkin on his head?? Hilarious!!! I still have fond memories of our amazing ballerina costumes...feather boas and all! Come on mom, make me a new one! Our Halloweens have always been so much fun! I have especially loved the last few years when we choose a theme...it is so much fun to gather all the stuff, and decorate the house!!! The kids (and the adults) are already planning next years Halloween party! Enjoy these next few pics...it was all I could find!

Lets go way on back.....

I guess I was once an angel!











and a southern belle




and raggedy ann.....
aren't we all so cute!!!!





This pic isnt Halloween, but it was a tragic experience for me....I had a costume party for my birthday...and dressed up like a scarecrow! All of my friends thought I was Jeremy Baird...a boy we didn't like...who wasn't cute....ugh..it was so embarrassing...I guess I'll save all my other pics of myself dressed as a male for another post....hey...so, that's whats wrong with me!!!!

who needs a reason to dress up???

FHE FUN!!!!













Alan and I exchanged outfits one Sunday afternoon!! WEIRD!!! NOOO!



NICE HAIR







The Lost Boys and Captain Hook

clownin around

check out these boys...a blast from the past....

and then there's josh...the pimp daddy!!! whoa, slow down girls......he's taken!!!!

ghosts of halloween past!

aren't they cute?

Noah is the vampire...devouring the pumkin cookie!

And here is my personal favorite...the robot superhero! yay for homemade costumes! ha ha ha

they were so little!!! and so cute!

The Mom Song Sung to William Tell Overture with Lyrics

I LOVE THIS!!! thanks to Sasha for the link!

Its Spirit week!!!

The kids have been seriously enjoying spirit week this week!!! Our high school homecoming is tonight so all week the schools have had different things each day to show team spirit! These are pics of crazy hair day!!! They also had crazy sock/hat day, pajama day, nerd day, and Dragon Spirit day/Black and Gold day. I love all this fun stuff. Its fun to see my kids let go of their embarrassment to participate in something fun/funny like this.

On a side note, I took the kids to the eye doctor this week and Sam HAS to wear his glasses ALL the time...I really like this new eye doctor though. The office ladies were friendly, they helped me with insurance stuff, they put up with the kids, and the doctor was considerate and patient. He treated me like he would his own family, and I appreciate that. Its not very often that you find a doctor who has genuine concern for the needs of his patients. It was nice not feeling like I was getting a sales pitch the whole time too.

I also had a lovely time at women's conference. It was nice to get out and be with the sisters in our stake. The conference itself was also wonderful, if you didn't go, you missed out! They talked a lot about families and how it is our role to defend the family, to teach our children and to be faithful. The talk I found very interesting was Barbara Thompson's talk. She isn't married, and has no children of her own, but, she had so much good to say. I know she was inspired. She basically said that Satan is working overtime to destroy the family, and we need to do everything in our power to combat that. She pointed out how forgiving children are and reminded us not to feel guilty about things we may or may not have done. Just ask forgiveness, change your ways and move on. (I needed that) She said do not neglect your family, they are your most precious possession, and strengthening the family is our sacred duty. Julie Beck said we must be strong and immovable in faith, family, and relief. It was the relief part that got to me. We need to take hold of our responsibility to be prepared in all things. She said, "focusing on relief will always bring sociality, whereas sociality will not always bring relief." I think its interesting how the spirit works and prompts us to do certain things at specific times in our lives. I have been particularly concerned with food storage and emergency supplies lately, so if anyone needs help, I can get you started (or at least tell you what to do!!! that's one thing I am good at!!;)
Well, we have General Conference, and Stake conference back to back. Soccer and flag football all day Saturdays, scouts, field trips, and primary stuff (meetings, the sacrament program) and Halloween coming up, and I am going to try to burn 10,000 calories in six weeks (should be fun)!!! Not to mention my current obsession with food storage which translates into canning like a crazy person! So hopefully I will be able to stay on top of it all!!!! and keep you posted!