Why??

We all use and love them....but sometimes you just wish you didn't have them....About a week ago, Brinley had the scissors and she was happily cutting up a piece of paper into itsy bitsy pieces. I was watching her, and glad that finally she found something to entertain her with minimal screaming and fighting with her sister. She had been cutting for probably 30 minutes very contently!! I turned my back for just a minute and then she came running up to me all proud of herself. In her hand she held a big wad of her hair! She cut about 5 inches of hair on one side of her head. I of course freaked out, which in turn made her cry. Wanting to make the most of the moment in hopes that it will never happen again began to scold her about not cutting her beautiful hair! After surveying the situation, I realized it could have been a lot worse. She could have cut her hair all the way to the scalp and not been able to take her to get her hair fixed at all. Lucky for me I just had it cut into a cute little bob (again). (Last time it was because of fruit stripes gum)At least it will grow, and she does look quite adorable with shorter hair! I can't help but think, why did I let her play with scissors?

Merry Christmas Peoples!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Cristmas Peoples!!!!! Thanks for the Happy Birthday. I had a really happy birthday last wednesday Dec. 16,2009. At my birthday party I got alot of stuff I wanted.Hope you get really wierd presents on Christmas!

Love, Addie


P.S. I'm kidding about you guys
getting wierd presents. It was
just a joke I wanted to do on
you Peoples!!!! So don't get mad.

Happy Birthday Addie!

I had this whole other thing typed out yesterday, but of course it didn't save/post. Addie has been driving us all near crazy over her birthday! She has been sooo excited for weeks! She woke up at 5 AM and could hardly contain herself until Derek got home from his paper route so she could FINALLY open all of her presents. Her teacher called me 2 weeks ago to make sure that in fact I was bringing a treat to her class on Addie's birthday. We love Addie's enthusiasm. There certainly are no dull moments when she is around. I honestly can not believe how quickly each of my children are growing up! I can't believe that Addie is 8 already. She'll be baptized next month! She started going to Activity Days this month, which she thinks is about the coolest thing ever! I am a mean mom and don't have friend birthday parties for my children. I do however let them have one when they turn 8. Addie so excited for that. I am doing that Friday after school. I am not a very creative party planner, so we are doing some crafty things (donated by grandma) and making gingerbread houses. I was trying to keep things simple and not very expensive, but I just don't think you can do a birthday party under $75 dollars. I'm avoiding mopping my floor, and doing much cleaning until after her party. I know my kitchen will soon be covered with powdered sugar, sticky candies, and who knows what else! It should be an adventure! Anyhow...Happy Birthday my big 8 year old Addie! We love you!

Here's a few pictures of her birthday party. (I barely made it....)

addie

10-31-09 Halloween By:Addie
Today is Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m going to get lots of candy!!!
I hope I get the candy I like best witch are kit-kats crunches and
reese’s peanut butter cups. This type of candy makes my mouth
water because they are so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



(Addie loves to write stories. This morning she discovered we had microsoft word on our computer and this is the story that she wrote. She makes us laugh..)

halloween parties...

One of my friends had a halloween party on October 24th....it was a lot of fun, I just can't believe these pictures were taken less than a week ago. No coats...leaves still on trees....grass is green...now it's all white.....! Trick or treating ought to be fun............yeah right!

Snow Day Times Two!

We are having some huge snowfalls here in Colorado! We've got about 18 or so inches of snow as of right now and it's still snowing! The kids have been out of school for 2 days. Yesterday we made cookies, soup & bread. We stayed all cozy and warm and watched movies too. Today I just couldn't convince them to stay inside!

Chandler turned 10!

I still can't believe I have a 10 year old! This summer we did the summer reading program and got free kids meals at CiCi's. For those of you who don't know it's an all you can eat pizza/pasta/salad buffet. If you know me, I HATE buffets. Just thinking about who touched what, or the last time people washed their hands....gross....ward potlucks....yuck, yuck....I have to stop thinking about it. Anyhow we took the kids earlier in the summer to use their coupons and they thought this place was "IT". Chandler and Addie both decided right then and there this is where they wanted to eat on their birthday's. So, I put on a brave face and we took them again for Chander's birthday dinner. Chandler was determined to eat 10 plateful's of food. I was getting worried he would make himself sick, so we counted his fork and cup to total 10! He surprises me on how much food he can eat! And then 5 minutes later being hungry again. I don't get it!! So...here's a few pictures of the kids at CiCi's.

Our Latest

This was taken a couple of days after school started. If you look closely at Brinley's nose it's all skinned up. She fell and "rug burned" the end of her nose. It looked so awful!!

Proof that sometimes he will practice his piano!

Addie after her 1st day of 2nd grade. She did great! AND had a great day! Thank goodness!

I can't believe I have a 2nd grader and a 4th grader.....

Brinley on her way to try to find someway to stow away on the bus too!

Chandler at the end of his first day of 4th grade.

Chandler, Addie & Sydnee (girl I watch) at the end of their 1st day of school!

If you look closely you can see Addie lined up ready to get off of the bus on her 1st day of 2nd grade!

Lined up ready to get on the bus for their 1st of school! Addie was very nervous! Chandler thinking he's so grown up!

Brinley, Addie & Chandler ready for their 1st day of school. (Not Brinley yet, she just wants to grow up way too fast!)

Let's see, where to begin.....well school started for Chandler and Addie. They are both thrilled to be back to school! Addie loves her teacher this year and is FINALLY excited to go to school each day. Thank goodness... I don't think I could put up with another year of tears everyday!

Piano lessons started again with a new teacher. Our previous teacher moved to Oklahoma and now her daughter has taken over for her. She is a college age girl and so far is doing great! The kids seem to like her and the treats she hands out at the end of her lessons.....

Soccer season has also started. I think we are officially an over the top soccer family. Derek plays, Chandler and Addie play, Derek coaches and he referees. It is keeping our evenings and Saturdays very, very busy! Brinley wants to play too, so when the kids put on their soccer gear she insists on having her cleats on as well. I just couldn't bring myself to add one more game to our Saturdays just yet. Derek is coaching Addie's team this year. He has a team of nearly all girls with only 2 boys. A couple of the girls are in our ward so it makes it fun for Addie. The nice thing about Addie's age group is the games are usually around the same time and always at the same place. She's a good little player and not afraid to get her petite little self in the thick of it all. Derek is proud that she can knock over other players twice her size....Chandler is on the traveling team now. So I will be taking him to most of his games by myself. I get to venture further into eastern Colorado to teeny tiny towns and hopefully won't get myself too lost. I figure as long as I have cell phone coverage we'll be in good shape! Chandler is a great player, not nearly as aggressive as Addie, but he can run fast and is great at passing. Derek is playing on and adult men's indoor league in Ft. Collins. His games are usually Monday nights around 8:30, so we haven't been to any yet this season. Now that school has started the kids are usually wiped out by 7:30ish. I am assuming he's doing great. He comes home happy and tired.

Chandler is involved this year in some new activites. He decided to run for student council and was elected. He has student council meetings every Monday before school. Luckily a bunch of other kids in our ward and neighborhood were elected as well. So we have quite the carpool going. I think I'll only have to drive every other month. Another new thing he is starting is band. In 4th grade the kids can start playing instruments. They are bused to another elementary school in our area after school and get to do that. He has been excited about this all summer. Last week we went and tried out some instruments and he has decided to play the trumpet. I smiled and secretly thought ohh...I am going to need some serious ear plugs! I keep teasing him he's going to have to practice in the garage.....although that may become reality once we get the instrument later this week. He also celebrated his 10th birthday on the 1st. I can't believe I have a 10 year old kid. My how time flies! He's turning into quite the young man. I am amazed daily by what he knows and how well he can handle himself. He's very patient and mild mannered. He's a great kid and I feel blessed to be his mom!

Brinley is home with me. She is lonely without Addie and Chandler. She asks everyday about them and then asks "Where we going, Mom?" and usually follows up with "What friends are coming?" She then is very disappointed to find it is usually just me.

Derek also started working from home. Most days it's nice to have him home, but I miss having my own space. We are adjusting to being around eachother so much. I am trying to not get in his way or give him a hard time about all the soccer games that he watches while he works. Overall things are going well. We've certainly kicked up our schedules. Some days I feel like all I do is run up and down Highway 60, but I suppose this is what life is all about....:)

2 days until school starts.....

I can't believe school starts in 2 days! It is so bittersweet for me. I hate the thought of them being another grade older officially and just growing up so stinking fast! However, it will be nice to go the grocery store with only 1 child instead of 3. It sure makes things simplier that way. I think in some ways I do crave "routine." I always look forward to having no set schedule but, then having routine helps me structure my time better. I tend to procrastinate way too much.
Addie had a rough year last year with her 1st grade teacher. She was a great teacher, but not always very nice. So she has had anxiety all summer long about having to return to school. We met her teacher (which I already knew since Chandler had her for 2nd grade too) and I did explain the issues we had last year. She is such a great teacher--she said she would go out of her way to help relieve Addie of her fears. Hopefully it will all work out and Addie will have a better year this time around! Chandler's teacher seems awesome too. I think he will have another great year!

What we've been doing since I last posted is lots of swimming, Nana, Papa & Uncle Zak came for a visit, riding bikes, swimming, playing with friends and visiting Grandma.

I talked Derek into taking today off of work so we could do some fun things with the kids as a "so long to summer" type thing. He's been busy, busy with work so we haven't done a whole lot with him. One of Addie's favorite places to eat is at Qdoba for breakfast....so we got up early and took the kids to breakfast. The best thing about that is I didn't have a dirty kitchen to clean up! Then we went to Fort Collins to use our free miniture golf passes we got for completing the summer reading programs. We went to Fort Fun. We let the kids minature golf, even Brinley. She made us laugh because she kept getting into the water and stealing everyone's balls. Watchout if you were near her when she was hitting. Whoa!! Derek took Addie on the go-carts and Chandler is finally old enough that he got to try them out all by himself today. He was soooo proud! He went super slow around the track and kept getting hit by all of the older kids out on the track, but he loved it. He can't wait to go back and do it again! That boy loves cars and has since he was 6 months old. I hope that never changes! Derek also took Brinley down one of those super high 20 foot slides. The first time she had a look of fear on her face and then she broke into a huge grin and said Again, Daddy, again! So he took her one more time she screamed in laughter the whole way down. Chandler and Addie did it too and they said it was "Totally Awesome!!"

It was a fun day. I know I'll miss the laziness of summer...hopefully this year is a great one for us all!

summer...........

I can't believe we have less than a month left of summer break. The kids start back to school on August 19th. Doesn't that seem early? I think it gets earlier and earlier each year. I really enjoy summertime. Having the kids home, sleeping in, having no schedule, going to bed late...it's been such a nice break in our usual routine. I'm not looking forward to them going back to school at all. I did have such high hopes to do all of these fun things with the kids each day. I bought them workbooks to work in to keep up all that they learned this past year, but I can't remember the last time I had them work in them. I wanted to plan "field trips" but, never quite got around to it. We've been swimming a lot, but that doesn't cost us anything as we're trying to stick to a strict budget. I just don't feel like we've accomplished enough I guess? Maybe I read too many books, or watch too much TV that makes you think you need to do all of these "things" in order to have that perfect summer. I hope my kids feel like we've created some memories together...that we've accomplished all the things that they had in mind...but most of all that they're important to me and that they're loved. So, here's to enjoying the last couple of weeks of freedom before the craziness of "routine" starts again......

Derek Turns 35!

The cake says: Rush Moving Pictures (a name of an album).

I am behind on getting things posted, but here are a few pictures from Derek's birthday. A few days before Derek's birthday, Chandler says to me, I know what kind of cake to make dad. I said oh, what kind, a spice cake? Chocolate? What do you think, and he says Nooooo! We've got to make dad a Rush cake. Derek is a huge music fanatic especially of the band Rush. He has all of their CD's, some vinyl records, cassette tapes and DVD's of them. So, Chandler actually made this cake all by himself for Derek for his birthday. All I did was turn on the oven for him and help set the timer. He did the rest! I also made Derek raisin squares for him and I think he ate the whole pan that same day.

Chandler's Earned His Bear

Here's Derek, Brother Sigmon (scoutmaster), Chandler, me & Brinley when he was receiving his award.
Here's Chandler pinning on the mother's pin.




A couple of boys from the Bear den, Chandler is in the middle and Sister Child his den leader behind them.

Here are a few more boys that are in his den. For Chandler's age group in our ward there are 14 boys and only 2 girls.

Chandler (and me!) have been working hard over the past year but, mostly this summer to earn his Bear in Cub Scouts. I think the scouting program is awesome. I love what they teach the boys. Chandler has had so much fun in the scouting program. In another month and a half he is going to be Webelo.....I think I'll let Derek help him earn that one!! (June 2009 Pack Meeting)

Primary Temple Trip

I found myself at the end of second quarter, primary president, and needing an activity that wouldn't be too much work, so we thought let's visit the Denver Temple. The temple staff do a wonderful job showing the kids pictures, and pointing out interesting things about the building not to mention the beautiful flowers all over the temple grounds. It was a lot of fun for (I hope) the kids to be at the temple with their families. There seem to be a lot of pictures of Brinley...do you think Derek had the both the camera and Brinley duty? Yep! It was a fun day and we had a pretty decent turnout even considering everyone had to travel about an hour and half to get there! Now.....what to do for 3rd quarter's activity.....?

Hiking up Poudre Canyon

all done!

Off we go!

This is a little old, but when I had my pictures uploaded I discovered these pictures of mine and Brooke's kids together. We decided that while they were here we'd take a hike up Poudre Canyon. The hike was approximately 2 or so miles. It was a lot of fun. We took pictures at the beginning and the end of the hike. (There were some in the middle as well, but this is what I'm posting.)

I took the lead chasing Chandler and Jayce up the trail and occasionally Addie and Joey would try to beat the boys. Derek was packing Brinley on his back. Brooke & Adrian took turns helping Jett along the trail (he's tall, but only 3 and a half). I had so much fun pointing things out the kids and climbing up on rocks and jumping out and scaring Derek and the others when they caught up. I had forgotten how much I enjoy hiking! It's been years since I think I've hiked. I'm sure before Brinley was born at least! The kids had fun trying to see if they could get in front of me, but when I was tired I exercised my mother voice and said, nobody can pass me just so we can all stay safe! By the end of the hike, we were all tired an thirsty (yes we packed snacks and water!).

All sunscreened up and ready to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, we are officially a month into our summer vacation. I think my kids are beginning to feel the affects of our super long spring! My goodness! We've had so many rainy and cold days that we've been couped up forever! Addie has asked me numerous times when does summer start? We'll I think it has officially landed. We hit 90 degrees for the first time this year this week. So, of course my first thoughts are lets go to the pool! I think everyone is tired, burnt and thank goodness sleeping!!

Brinley has just taken right off swimming all around our pool this year! She has amazed both Derek and I. I put those arm floaties on her and stick her in an intertube, and she is off kicking all over the pool trying to keep up with Chandler and Addie. Chandler loves to dive into the pool and also dive under to pick up our diving sticks. Addie loves to count how many somersaults she can do in the water....I think at last count it was like 32. I am grateful we pay our HOA's so we can have access to our neighborhood pool. I don't know that my kids would frequent swimming pools nearly as often without it!

Laughlin Cousins

One morning I went in to check on Addie & Joey and here is what I found. I had set up a bed on the floor for Addie to sleep in, but apparantly they had other ideas. Too Cute!
Addie and Joey on their way back to my house after swimming at my pool. Cute little toothless grins don't you think?

Jett and Brinley and my feet!

Jett

Jayce (blue) and Chandler at our swimming pool.

(Left to right) Chandler, Jayce & Jett hanging out at the temple waiting for pictures to finally be done with!

Joey & Brinley playing in the fountain at the Denver Temple.

Jayce playing video games first thing in the morning! Boys!

Addie & Jett hanging out at the fountain.

One of the perks to Kenny getting married is that Brooke, Adrian and their family came for a visit. (My sister from Seattle for those of you who don't know:) My mom had a full house with my brothers families staying with them in addition to those that are still living at home, so Brooke and Adrian stayed at our house. Derek and I are the oldest in our families, we started having kids first. Brooke and Adrian's children are the closest in age as far as cousins go for our children on both sides of our family. Our kids had so much fun together! We both commented on how alike our kids are in many ways and wished we lived closer so that our children could play more often. Not to mention we could hang out as well! Jayce(boy) and Chandler are about a year apart and they did the boy things. Mostly video games.... Addie and Joey(girl) were all over the place. They did makeup, hair, tortured their younger and older siblings and listened to Taylor Swift and sang at the tops of their lungs. Those two are so much alike it's hilarious. Not to mention that Addie looks just like me as a little girl and Joey looks just like Brooke. For only seeing each other probably 5 times total (if that) in their entire lives it's crazy how similar they are. Brinley and Jett (boy) are the same age and they were constantly running after each other. I found them often playing dolls (sorry Adrian:) in Brinley's room or dressups in the basement. It was a fun week of memories for our families. My kids are still asking when we'll make a trip to Seattle to visit them. Maybe someday.....We miss you guys!!