Reflections

Another year of reflections is in the books.  It is something that i have loved watching my kids participate in year after year and I have now been in charge for three years.  It is A LOT of work and it is always so rewarding at the assembly (but terrifying, too).
You would think I would be okay talking in front of people but I get so sweaty and nervous white I wait for the thing to start.  Once I am talking I get a little better, this year I didn't get choked up at all so that is good.  I am so proud of my girls and their hard work.  Annabelle got her trophy in Film and her medal in Literature.  Callie got her trophies for Music Composition and Literature.  These chicas are so talented and have such creative and imaginative minds.  I am so proud to be their mom.

Disney Spectacular

 Callie was in another play with Lehi City Arts.  It was no where near as good as The Wizard of Oz, but Callie had a blast and the kids did great.  It was fun to watch her sing and dance.  She LOVES to sing and always belts the songs out.  We are so glad Grandma Pam and Gigi Bonnie could make it.

Busy Weekends

 We had few normal busy family weekends which included lots of craziness and fun.  We got new appliances-fridge, microwave and dishwasher and Greg spent quite a few hours trying to install them.  He did a fabulous job, and we need lots of help from our little Callie to reach around the back cupboards with her skinny arms.  After quite a lot of work, we got it all solved and I LOVE my kitchen.  The appliances look and work wonderfully and I am so thankful we were able to get them.

 Annabelle and I had an activity day dinner.  We had yummy soups and then did a few activities.  This one was a blast.  Annabelle had to try and throw cheeseballs on the shaving cream on my head.  She got 1! So fun!

 Greg and I cam home from a date the other night to this.  It was repcious.  They were all talking and getting along and playing and I loved just watching and listening for a bit.  I got really sick afterwards for a couple days so this was a great memory.

 I taught a bread class for relief society.  Always lots of fun and I LOVE the smell of bread.  I need to make this wheat bread more often, everyone loves it and it tastes amazing.  I can hardly eat white bread because of it.

 There is a lot of wrestling that goes on in my home and I don't love it, but I know it is good for the kids.  Since the boys are getting so big, it is a little scary and probably too rough for the girls to join in.

 We hosted 2 thanksgivings in a row (Sunday and Sunday).  Luckily I only had to make the turkey once.  The top pictures is with Greg's family.  We had about 30 people and lots of fun playing games outside and chatting inside.  That amazing turkey was for my cousins last night and it was DIVINE.  It tasted amazing and smelled amazing and I was sad that my stomach has shrunk some and I can't eat as much. I love family and I love good food.  I am thankful that we are surrounded but wonderful family and I am REALLY excited to see my parents and two of my sister's families this week for yet another thanksgiving.

 The girls and I went to the high School performance of The Little Mermaid.  It was fantastic and I am so glad that we have so many wonderful performances we can see.  Earlier in the week we saw the middle school's performance of Peter Pan.  These kids are so talented and i look forward to seeing my kiddos on the stage some day.

 Greg spent a bunch of hours fixing his car again.  That truck!!!  This time was the biggest and craziest fix.  When I saw a giant black pipe that he had taken out I was a little worried.  But so far, so good.  This truck keeps going.  I would love for it to hold out for the boys to drive but I am not sure that is possible.

Nathan had his first climbing competition and he did AWESOME!  There were a bunch of schools there but he got first place for Lehi and he had some fantastic climbs.  It is so fun to hear Nathan talk about climbing, he loves it and loves improving.  So proud of this kid!

Girl Scout Junior Aide Badge

 My Junior troop wanted to earn their Junior Aide badge so they got things ready and practiced and then for the last 2 weeks they taught a lively group of brownies a journey that they had earned 4 years ago.  It was so cute and fun to watch.  I was proud of all them as they stood up and lead out.  They worked so hard and were really patient with the younger girls.

 

Voting and Math Games

 Greg and I did the early vote option and it was fantastic.  There was a 5 minute wait (maybe) and since we had gone over the ballot the night before we knew where we stood on all the issues and we were ready to just enter our responses.  While the verdict is hard to swallow and feels a little weird, I am thankful we have a republican in office and I pray that things get better instead of worse.

 Callie's friend came over the other day and brought her homework-a math game.  Callie LOVED it and requested she bring it over the next day as well.  They each have half of a deck and simultaneously put two cards down.  The first person to add them together gets to keep the cards.  Her friend is in 2nd grade so she won a lot more than Callie but she didn't care, she just loved the competition and wants to get better for the next time.

Spirit Week

 The girls had specific ideas for how they wanted for crazy hair day. I think I met their expectations.

 For Girl Scouts we were able to have the whole lesson outside and it was a lovely afternoon as they planned what they are planning to teach the younger girls next week,

Halloween 2016

 We started the morning off with pumpkin pancakes, they were delicious!  I love how the kids looked this year.
 Nathan was a chef with delicious cookies that he made by himself and passed out to his friends.

 Ryan was a nerd and passed out smarties to those who answered simple math problems.

 Annabelle was a Tigress - such a cutie!

Callie really wanted to be a cat but this witch cat costume was the closest we could find.  She loved it.

I had bought a purple wig for Probitas and so I wanted to find a costume that could use it.  I've always loved Strawberry Shortcake so I picked her friend, Plum Pudding.

 Greg was nothing this year but he stayed home and had fun scaring kids and passing out candy.

  For dinner we had blood soup, giant toes, and pasta brains.  It was perfect and easy and healthy before all that candy.  Nathan went to a friend's house for the evening and played games.  Ryan went trick or treating with friends for a bit but then watched a movie.  I took my girls and their two friends around half our neighborhood before they called it quits.

The aftermath.  I was so happy that the kids didn't trick or treat as much, which meant not as much candy.  They definitely had enough though.