New Year's Eve

Nate and I invited Nate's family over to ring in the New Year.  We had no other plans so why not have it here?  We played games, ate food, played more games and ate more food.  The kids ran around and played.  We counted down to the New Year at 10:00 p.m. so those who wanted to call it quits a bit early could.  We then didn't do much at midnight.  I think those that were still here were either playing Rock Band or just too tired to do much more celebrating.  I think it turned out great.  Tye thought it was so cool to stay up late.  (He changed his tune the next morning when it was time to get ready for church, though.  It was all my fault he stayed up late and was now so tired- so he says.)

We had a good 2011.  I know a lot of people who can't say that so I feel extrememly blessed to be able to say that.  There was heartache, but all in all it was a good year for us.  A fond farewell to 2011 as we welcome 2012!

Wrapping Up December

No, not with wrapping paper.  Just posting a few photos that never got documented.  If you haven't noticed, if I don't take a picture most likely it will not get written down.... unfortunately.  Maybe I can be better at documenting some of the everyday stories in 2012.  We'll see.  But for now here are the remaining December 2011 pictures I would like to share:

Eliza woke up from a nap, but wouldn't let Kaden get her out of her crib so to keep her happy until I could get there he set her up with the Nintendo DS.  What a nice brother.

Tye and his friends decided to crack a grocery sack full of walnuts on our porch.  I'm sure it was a lot of fun.  My porch is now stained with walnut oil.  It needed a good power spray wash anyway. :)

Sorry, this picture is a bit gross, but it's the only picture I have.  Nate had an eye surgery earlier in December.  It has taken a lot longer for this one to heal than the first one he had done, but it was a total different muscle and area they were working on so I guess he shouldn't compare the two.  As time has gone on he is happier with the results.  He doesn't want to do it again and hopefully won't have to.

Just a cute picture of Eliza.  She loves to put on hats.

One Sunday afternoon the kids (with a bit of Nate's help) made a Lego model of mine and Nate's bedroom.  Lamps, t.v., dressers, chairs, bed with pillows, windows, doors, etc.  It was very impressive.

The "beloved" Christmas outfits.  I was a slacker this year.  The little girls got new dresses, the boys new ties and Rachel new tights (which she hates!).  It ended up being a silvery gray theme.  They didn't want their pictures taken so I had to do it really fast.  Ignore the breakfast mess in the background.  We don't have time most mornings to clean up before we rush off to church.

And since it was on my computer, here I am at 22 weeks.

The End.

Christmas

Christmas came and went fast as it usually does, but we had a wonderful time baking cookies for Santa, cooking dinner and celebrating on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas Day going to church and visiting family.  It was one of the most enjoyable, stress free Christmas Eves I've had in quite a while.  Not sure how I pulled it off, but it was really nice.  We must have made it onto the nice list because Santa Claus paid us a visit.  Nate and I figured he had to have dropped by sometime between 1:00-1:45 a.m..  Rachel had a really hard time settling down and finally did around 12:30.  I checked on kids at 1:00, but still no Santa.  Then I woke up to a rustling noise at 1:45.  To be on the safe side I sent Nate to check it out.  When Nate came back to report I was told Santa had been here and Kaden was up checking it all out and organizing the gifts.... he quickly got sent back to bed. :)   As far as I could tell no one was disappointed and some even hooted and hollered that they got exactly what they asked for.  Phew!  Sometimes you just never know. ;)

We have made a tradition of making a turkey dinner on Christmas Eve.  It basically ends up being Thanksgiving all over again, but I don't hear anyone complaining.  We eat by candle light, too.  That's what we did when I was a kid so I like to keep the tradition alive.  Our ward did the luminaries again.  We love driving around looking at them.  And this year's Nativity stars: Tye as a shepherd and a wiseman, Haley as an angel and a star, Rachel as Mary (one of these years she's going to have to share that role with one of her sisters), Eliza as Joseph (he was very maternal and didn't share baby Jesus with Mary this year) and last but certainly not least, Kaden as a wiseman.  They all deserve an award.  They cooperated their very best ever to date!

Merry Christmas!!

Swensen Christmas Party(s)

We had the annual Swensen Family Christmas Party on Dec. 22.  It's always a fun and exciting evening with our traditional dinner, nativity, Christmas book reading (in honor of my nephew, Samuel), singing Christmas carols and opening gifts from cousins and Grandma and Grandpa Swensen (that's the "exciting" part and it's left until the very end, of course).  And since it was Eliza's birthday we sang Happy Birthday to her and she opened Grandpa and Grandma's present.  I vaguely remember my 2nd birthday.... we were at my Grandparents house and everyone was gathered around the table to sing to me and watch me blow out my candles.  I was terrified for some reason and started bawling.  Eliza was much more brave than me.  I'm proud of her.

I don't have any pictures, but we also had our traditional Christmas Eve, Eve dinner tonight (Dec. 23) with just the adults in my family.  I can't even remember how it all started exactly, but we have done it for years.  This year we at had it catered and ate at my parents house then played games after dinner.  It's nice to not be worrying about kids and just have fun every once in a while.... especially with all the stress of Christmas coming soon.

Happy Birthday to Eliza

Eliza turned two today.  Wow!  I just have a hard time believing it's true.  She is so much fun.  She is talking more and more each day.  I love how she says "oss" for off, "puck" for cup and "yesssss" for yes.  She loves to play with all her brothers and sisters.  She follows Haley around the house playing dress ups or with baby dolls.  She loves to watch Beauty and the Beast, but will also choose Tangled or Cinderella.  She's a good little girl and doesn't get into too much trouble.  She does know who to throw a fit, but that just goes with the two-year-old territory.  We love you Eliza Joy!  Happy 2nd Birthday!

She was multi-tasking while unwrapping Grandpa and Nana Bishop's gift.  Just couldn't put that cell phone down. :)  She also put on some cat ears for the festivities.  I guess she just had to dress up for the occasion.

Santa

We went to our neighbor's house to do some more service, but by the time we got there it was all done so the kids just got to sit on Santa's lap and frost a cookie for themselves.

Eliza would only sit on Mrs. Claus' lap and as you can see there is no Kaden.  He threw a fit about going.  He said it would be boring and no fun so he stayed home and missed out on a yummy treat and getting to tell Santa Claus what he wanted this year.  I hope Kaden made it onto the nice list in time. ;) 

Christmas Service

First of all, earlier in the month we helped tie quilts for a member in our ward who was donating them to less fortunate children.  It was our family home evening activity.  Rachel and Kaden were great helpers.  Tye tried to tie a few (say that 5 times fast!), but was extra grumpy so he didn't help much.  Haley and Eliza just played around us.  It still turned out to be a good opportunity for the kids to do something for someone in need.  I could tell they felt good afterward.  I couldn't help but think of the sweet children that were going to receive them.  I just hoped a little bit of our love was still in each quilt and they'd feel it each time they wrapped up in it.... cheesy, sure.  But my heart ached for those children.

Each year we do a service project with Nate's side of the family and it just so happened to be mine and Nate's turn to be in charge.  We've done lots of different things in the past... donations for women and children, providing Christmas for families, sewing dolls for the hospital, making kits for kids, stockings for MTC, etc..  This year we decided to keep it really simple and do some caroling to a BeeHive home, to Great Grandma Bishop and to my sister-in-law, Jessee's Grandpa.

Everyone gathered at our house to make little ornaments with a Christmas picture or message on them to give to the people we visited.  Then it was off to visit and sing.  The kids were so good and sounded so cute singing.  I really felt the Spirit testify of what we were doing to be good and truly meaningful.  I think it got a lot of us out of our comfort zones, but I know we touched them and brought a little more joy into their hearts that night.  I know it brought more joy into mine.  I'd say, mission accomplished.

The Big Reveal

That title makes me laugh because it seemed like a "big" reveal.  We went to the routine 20 week ultrasound with all five kids in tow.  I was nervous to take them all because it seems like these days you get a lot of looks and comments if you have more than 3 kids and I just wasn't in the mood for it.  Lucky for us (me) the waiting room was empty for most of our wait.  The ultrasound technician was nice and didn't mind one bit to have a grand audience.  The kids were well behaved.  There's usually a 50/50 chance that one or more will be squirrely so I considered myself pretty lucky.

The technician asked us if we wanted to know the gender.  Yes.  So she got started.  Well, about 5 seconds into it we all see "it", but no one says a word.  She checked the heart.  Then moved on.  It was pretty obvious.  No mistake about it and that's why the title makes me laugh. :)

Kaden and Tye wanted it to be a brother.  Rachel, Haley and I'm told Eliza wanted it to be a sister.  Nate guessed boy and I guessed boy (fully expecting it to be a girl).  I was completely surprised to be having another son.  Of course, I would have loved a girl, too.  To even the numbers just seemed really nice, but almost unrealistic.  Everyone is thrilled... even the girls.  We went out for ice cream afterward.  Those who guessed right got a slightly larger serving and dear old mom got some much needed french fries!

We are so excited to meet this little guy!  Now on to names.... I'm stumped.

Temple Square

We haven't made it up to temple square in a couple years so when my Aunt Wilma planned a little get together after seeing the lights at Temple Square I was in!  All growing up we would go see the lights then go to her house for dinner, but then families got bigger and her house didn't so the tradition ended... until a couple years ago when she added on to her house and now she can party all she wants.  :)  We had a fun time and I am so glad she planned it.

Little Things of November

Eliza is all ready for family prayer.... and to fly with the fairies.... and to build a snowman!

We always "deck the halls" the day after Thanksgiving or at least that weekend.  The kids are great at helping.  Shatterproof is key.  I don't think I have any glass ornaments left.  I kind of miss them.  They are definitely prettier, but not worth it while there are little ones around.  Everyone had a fun time for the most part.  Tye only had one melt down (I think).  See.... he's pouting under the tree.

Tooth fairy notes:

Girls night at my mom's house.  Doesn't happen very often, but love it when it does.  My brother, Rick, showed up for a minute so we snapped a quick photo of all us siblings. 

Haley decided one night the only place she would sleep was by the Christmas tree.  She slept all night and didn't sneak into my bed like she has been doing almost every night lately.  It was a welcome change to not wake up to a kick in the back!

We also made gingerbread houses (and trains) with my family the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  A fun tradition the kids love!  It's a nice kickoff to the Christmas season.

Thanksgiving 2011

We spent Thanksgiving Day at my parents house this year.  I took my camera, but only got it out when everyone sang happy birthday to Rachel and Abbey and about 20 minutes before we were about to leave.  What good is it sitting in its bag??  My sister took a few pictures with her phone and sent them to me.  Anyway, as Thanksgivings go, we had a fun day with lots of good food.  Most of the kids and dads went to a nearby park and played football.  I think all us moms were too pooped to get our lazy bums up and go watch.  Now I wish I had.  The kids came back to grandma and grandpa's house with exciting tales to tell.

Naps were had.  Games were played.  Stories were told.  But most importantly, memories were made.

Rachel's 10th Birthday

Rachel turned 10 on November 24, 2011.  It also happened to be Thankgiving so we celebrated a little on the 23rd and the 24th.  I now have a child in the double digits.... eek!  She is such a great kid.  She helps me so much and is kind and patient with her brothers and sisters.  She loves crafts, gymnastics, jewelry, listening to music, playing with friends, and helping in the kitchen.  She is a home body, but I don't mind one bit. :)

Happy birthday, Rachel!  We love you!

A Kindle was #1 on her wish list.  I think it's safe to say she was a happy girl!

 With Grandpa and Nana Bishop.

Rachel shares a birthday with her cousin, Abbey, who turned 15.  After our Thanksgiving feast we had a little birthday celebration for the cute girls.

Thankful

Here are some of the things my kiddos said they are thankful for.  I must say I am truly thankful for my children.  They teach me so much and I am blessed to be their mother.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday, Nate

Happy 33rd Birthday, Nate!  Thank you for all you do.  You are one amazing husband and father!  We love you so much!

St. George

Nate had work in St. George, Utah for a few days so we decided to make it a family affair.  Ryan and Shelly and their kids came as well and stayed in the same condo as us.  Rick and Carly and their kids stayed at Carly's parents St. George home.  While the guys worked we played!  We explored Brigham Young's winter home, Pioneer Park (climbing and exploring... the kids were in heaven) and other fun parks.  The weather was perfect.  The kids loved being able to still swim and play outside.  It was just so nice to be out of the house and take a break from the mundane things of life.  Now, don't you worry.  The guys didn't work too late so every afternoon we were all together enjoying the time together.

Oh, Happy Day

It's been quite the year and a half since Nate's motorcycle accident.  He's doing great.  He is having one more eye surgery in December to help with his double vision problems, but other than that he's good to go.  We couldn't ask for a better outcome and know we are truly blessed beyond what we probably deserve.  He originally got braces to prepare for jaw surgery since he only had a top and bottom molar in the very back of his mouth that could touch.  His braces did wonders.  His teeth moved better than the orthodontist or oral surgeon thought possible.  No surgery was needed.  I tagged along with him to the orthodontist for the fateful day of removal, November 9th.

He thought I was insane to want to be there and witness the unveiling of his new smile.  I was just so happy for him to have it done.  And isn't he just so handsome?

You'd never guess his face was ever a split open, broken mess.  He's my walking, talking miracle of a husband.  My cup runneth over!

October Randoms

I actually harvested something from my garden this year!!  We got one bushel of grapes so my dad came over and taught me how to bottle the juice.  I had never done it before and learned it was much more simple than I thought it was.  We got a total of 8 quarts of grape juice.  I love grape juice and can't wait to have it lining my shelves, but for now we are rationing it to last at least through the winter... maybe.

Found these two after church taking a snooze.  I'm pretty sure Tye drooled all over Nate's shirt!

Kaden brought this home from school.  I thought it was sweet to include the unknown sibling.