Christmas Fun!

Snow Day!

We are dreaming of a white Christmas.

OUR FIRST SNOW DAY 12/18/08
Today is the first time my kids have no school due to snow. It started to snow around 4:00pm yesterday and it actually stuck to the ground. We knew last night that school had been canceled due to snow. Kids played all evening in the snow and they fell asleep around 11:00pm. I bundled up and went out and built a small snowman and put together some snowballs to get John when he got off work. I hid around the corner and waited...and waited some more. By time he got out of his car I had become the snowman. I did get him though. My family woke up early and went outside to the snow they made another snowman, built a fort, snow angels, and had a snowball fight. We wish you were all here to enjoy the fun with us!!!

I started my volunteering this week at the temple. I am so blessed to have the chance to go to the temple 2hrs a week every Saturday and work in the locker room. It is organized and so peaceful even in there.

While I was in the temple it had started snowing and the kids had taken ALOT of pictures with my camera. Both of my kids are outside in the cold and snow with no shoes on.

It's snowing and mom is gone! We are dreaming of a white Christmas! The kids are jumping for JOY!
Our family tradition is to read a Christmas story every night until Christmas. We also added this year, advent calendar from The New Era. It has something to do every night and Dec.15 was to write a Christmas list of things to give. Abby told me and I wrote for her. I thought it was sweet and was amazed at the things she thought to give. I really thought she would give everyone a barbie. Abby would like to give daddy new shoes. Mommy-New temple shoes. Alex- beautiful dress. Ashley-doggie. Jonathan-game. Aubrey-pink slippers. I know it's nothing like world peace I was just more amazed at how well she knew what each person would like.

Home Sweet Home

Okay I had the greatest weekend ever and I took my camera with me. When I got to Chandler I even took my camera out of the suitcase and put it in the front seat of the car. I did not get one picture! I regret not getting any pictures. Now I have to rely completely on a good friend to get some pictures.
I was blessed enough to have a safe trip and see amazing family and friends. I felt I went from one party to the next. I didn't want to sleep I wanted to visit everyone. I was able to meet with my sister in laws at Mimi's cafe for breakfast and had the BEST cream cheese french toast it was so yummy. If you haven't gone there and had it you should! We laughed and cried (sorry about that)! We exchanged our ornaments.
I felt like a teenager again we had a sleepover at Stacey's home. She is an amazing host. Food again was amazing. I came home 5lbs heavier. We had a photo session that lasted a couple of hours because we couldn't get THE right picture where everyone (mostly me) looks good. I am a hopeless cause when it comes to pictures, I am not photogenic at all.
I went to breakfast again with Becky and Brenda because they were not able to make the ward party and that was great to visit with them. I learned I have to start watching the Office on Thursday nights. I was late to the ward party but I did show. I learned lots of fun and exciting things, let's just say I am glad I am not drinking Chandler water anymore! I heard some talk of a get away weekend to St.George to go to a certain store... You girls know who you are you better stay here at my house or I will be really mad at you forever and you DON"T want to be on my bad list!
I had the most amazing fun trip ever, but it was absolutely priceless to be at home when my kids came home from church and my handsome husband and beautiful children ran into my arms and showered me with lots and lots of kisses and hugs! There is no place like home.

I tried on my own this year to take pictures for our Christmas cards. In every picture there is at least one child with eyes close or a cheesy smile. Mabey no Christmas cards this year. It might have to be new year or Valentines. If I were to do a picture which one would you choose?

Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving day we were in Mesquite, NV at my Brothers house. The adults and kids both played basketball, dodgeball, and Kickball. I think all the adults ended up with some type of injury.

What's thanksgiving without a little football! Jonathan and Brianna playing some football in the garage because of the rain.

Abigail getting ready to go pick out a christmas tree in pine valley. She was so excited she couldn't wait.

Alexandrea and Brandon after riding on the 4-wheelers. Aunt Darla told them not to go through the mud. What mud? We didn't go through the mud.

Everyone had a turn to help cut down our Christmas tree. Aubrey loved it she can't wait to go again next year.

Our first REAL Christmas tree. We have always had a fake tree. It smells so good.

Thanks Uncle Duane for taking us on the Rhino, and letting us borrow the trailer for our tree. We decorated the tree on Saturday. We are ready for Christmas.

I went with John on a ride along Saturday night. He took me out to the desert and he let me shoot his AR-15 (rifle) and the .40 caliber hand gun at some cans. I was scared holding a gun. John would tell me what to aim at, I shot and he asked did you see where it hit? I said no my eyes were closed. Once I kept my eyes open I actually could get close to the target. He had his camera and took a picture of me but later that night he arrested two boys with drugs. They had mushrooms, marajuina and LSD on them and they were all in separate baggies and were weighed out ready to sell. He only had one camera card and had to delete me off. He wants to take me out again and get another picture. I can't wait to go again.

There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today!

Okay I have to admit, I have been down a little lately. In a conversation a good friend was discussing that hard times are comming and how we treat people we know shows our true character. Then I started worrying, oh no have I really portrayed the person I want to be? I pulled out my Ensign and read the talk by President Thomas S. Monson Finding Joy in the Journey. The whole talk is amazing but a paragraph struck me. "Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days-as much as we can-with those things which matter the most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and deed.
Being November and the month of Thanksgiving it seems appropriate to count blessings. I am so grateful for an amazing husband, (sorry girls I look what's out there I really snatched up the best!) I have awesome family and incredible friends who make me want to be better. I am going to try to be better in my actions and my deeds. I am blessed. I love you all and miss you!
Do you feel the love?

More memory pictures

I cleaned out a few more boxes and I found some more cute pictures I couldn't resist putting them on. This is one of alex's birthday parties.
Top row left to right:1st girl we don't know...green, Tassainer,St.Clair, Burley, Campbell, (neighbor)Alex Campbell

Bottom row left to right:Shivers, Rogers, Riddle,Alexandrea, Larson, Elg, Fraughton.

Happy Birthday November Birthdays!!!

Happy Birthday!

Alexandrea Dawn Rogers is 14 yrs old today. I was looking through some of her pictures and I notice friends and family have been a big part of her life. we are so blessed to have such great family and friends. Everyone has been such a great example to her. Thank you.
November is a big month for birthdays! Two of Alex's long time friends birthday's is this month. Happy Birthday Susan and Rachael! Alex's cousins birthdays are this month... Noah, Makayla, and Brittany, Happy birthday to you! Alex's Aunt's birthday is this month Happy Birthday Aunt Jody! Our good friend Brenda Janda's birthday is this month. Happy birthday! Our adopted child is Brooklyn Larson's birthday is this month, Happy birthday to you! Grandma Thurston's birthday is this month! Happy Birthday GRANDMA! On the same day as my mom's birthday, the 23rd, it is also The best primary president,neighbor and friend who has adorable kids birthday... Maddy Rogers!We hope you all have a great birthday!

I need to spice Halloween 2008 up

I need to make my blog more exciting I know. I really want to pay Maddy to write my blog for me, her blog is so enjoyable to read. I always go away laughing. She always has tons of comments to. I just keep telling myself this is a great journaling for myself (and that shows).
To start with John was home for Halloween that has been the first ever! I have always taken the kids and entertained them. We had yummy chicken pot pie and fruit. Alex was going to have a halloween party at our house but plans changed and they decided they wanted to go trick or treating. I didn't plan on Alex trick or treating so no costume was ready. I gave her a list of stuff she could do that was just around the house...like a chef, tourist, football player, and Molly Mormon in her pregnant & barefoot stage of life. Molly Mormon won. Alex ate dinner with her big belly and she was whining that she couldn't fit at the table. Alex also was complaining that she was to hot and sweaty. I told her "IT"S A PILLOW!" We are all in trouble when the real thing happens. When John got home I don't think he was ready to hear he was going to be a grandpa.

Other kids costumes were ready and easy. Ashley, Jonathan, Aubrey, and Abby were able to wear their costumes to school. The Elementary school had a big costume parade, and each class had a party so they were ready to go.
I was sooooooo excited to stay home and pass out candy. I bought big candy bars to give from costco. I sat. I waited. Waited some more. I had maybe 10 groups of people come. I couldn't sit anymore, so my mom was here and she helped me make some pomegranted jelly! with 5 kids and all the extra candy I bought that no one came by to get we have tons and tons of candy! I think I will use the hard candy for food storage.

Halloween pictures

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Abby's preschool party

This is a unique halloween for my kids and I. Grandma was able to come see Abby sing her songs and trick or treat to the other parents and Grandparents. we so miss hanging out with friends but it was a real treat to be with Grandma.

For the 100th time will you wear shoes when you go out and play?

Why is it the older you get time goes by faster?

John informed me this weekend that my life is about half over. I guess that is why I am trying to fit everything in on the weekends. My girls went and saw high school musical 3 and they loved it! Aubrey has a high school musical folder and she put a heart around troy's face. she thinks he is so cute. While they went to the movie I canned 21 jars of beans. My chicken comes in this week so that will be next. Our FHE treat was a drink John actually saw on RachelRay show. It is flesh-eye-blood punch. It looks like real blood it took me awhile to try but it is very yummy!





I also finished reading the best book this week. I highly recommend reading Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright. He also wrote the Christmas Jars. It is such a great book but you need a box of kleenex with you while you read it.

How much can you do in one weekend?

Thursday we drove up to SLC. It was so beautiful up there in the fall. Leaves are all changing color.
Friday we left Aunt Darla's house at 8:00am and didn't return until 8:30. We saw everything we could possibly see in a day.
We went to...
Bingham copper mines
Temple square
tour conference center
liberty park
On Saturday we took a drive through american fork canyon and had to cut it short because we forgot to get gas. It was beautiful though.
My kids loved it all but they wanted more than anything to just play at Aunt Darla's house.
Alex did a slide show so make sure to look at pictures.

Jonny made a birdhouse and Aubrey made FHE treat (Frankenstein cake cones)this week! Abby wanted a pink one,so we made Mrs. Frankenstein too. Never a dull moment at the Rogers.

Visit to Aunt Darlas House

FHE halloween dinner

We made a meal in a pumpkin for our FHE dinner. When I say we, yes all 7 of us, in the kitchen cleaning out the pumpkin and cooking. It was a huge mess! When it was time to clean up it was amazing how everyone all of a sudden had homework or needed to go to the bathroom. Nothing clears out a kitchen like saying time for clean up! We had a lot of fun though. We also made a graveyard pudding it was yummy and everyone helped with that to. I recorded General Conference and we just watch 1-2 talks and then discuss it for FHE. It makes it nice and easy to do FHE.

Just a quick up date on the week...
John went to dentist and has 13 cavities!!! We are faithful in going to the dentist twice a year so just in the last 6 months. I guess I better stop baking!
Dori bought a new book not sure I would recommend it though so I won't say what it is.
Alex...Choir concert this week she did awesome! Grades come out on Wednesday it looks like she is getting A's...YEAH!
Ashley...getting A's and a B for her grades ! Yeah!! She has been going on long bike rides for exercise.
Jonathan...Was recognized as super scholar in his school!
Aubrey...passed off some skills in gymnastics
Abby...brought home Lacie her preschool bear and played Cinderella The Enchanted Slipper Game. It was so cute!
Hope all is well with everyone! We miss you!

Larsons Visit