Proud To Be An American

Check out the video at this link. It's pretty powerful.
www.campaignamerica.blogspot.com

Another First

Look what Britton did when we told him it was time for prayer! Now if I could just get the girls to keep their eyes closed, maybe he would learn to do that during prayers, too.

Look Chelsi - We did it!

We have German Pancakes for lunch EVERY Sunday, and my little sis showed me a new way to make them - in a muffin pan. The girls loved them! Thanks for the idea, Chelsi!

A New Look

This was my "costume" for our ward Halloween party. We were late, and I stayed after to clean up, so I didn't get any pictures of the girls or Britton, but I'll get some on Halloween. This was after, so my lipstick was starting to disappear, but you get the idea. I got a few votes for "scariest costume," but Britton just laughed at me.

111,111 Miles

While in St. George, we found out that we have to replace the engine in our van. (I won't get into all of the thoughts and emotions that brought up) Anyway, my little sis and her hubby are letting us use their Pathfinder for the week while the van is repaired. On our way home, we hit 111,111 miles. Don thought that it was an event that needed to be recorded. Of course, he wouldn't be in any of the pictures, but you can see how excited the kids are about it.

A Festivus For The Rest Of Us

Last Thursday we headed to St. George for the Leavitt Family Reunion, 2008 Edition. Don's brother, Mike, was in charge this year and decided to make it a holiday extravaganza. We had a New Year's Eve party Thursday night to begin the reunion. On Friday, we started with an Easter Egg Hunt, followed by a Memorial Day/July 4th/Pioneer Day/Labor Day hike and picnic, and ended the day by celebrating Halloween. We spent Saturday celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas, and even had a visit from St. Nick himself. We all had a wonderful time and are so grateful for the love and friendship we share with the Leavitt family.

The older kids had to do the Easter Egg Hunt "tied" to a cousin.

Britton and Maddy enjoyed the hike...

until Britton got too tired.

That's what you call "relaxed."

A view from the underside. You can see his head resting on his arm which is resting on his leg.

Marathon Weekend

Okay, so I'm a little slow posting about the trip, but Maddy, Britton, and I went to St. George last weekend to cheer my little sis in running her first marathon. We went through Koosharem to see my maternal grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Wickham, where Britton started walking. Chelsi did a great job in the marathon, despite the constant rain, and I was so proud of her.

This is my Grandpa Wickham, my mom's dad. I adore him!!!


It was raining enough that we tried to keep Gracie and Britton protected in the stroller (designed for one). They didn't appreciate the close quarters...


Britton fell asleep in the stroller, and Gracie had to check in on him.

This is Chelsi's fan club after the race. We were all a little soggy (Chelsi was soaking wet), but we were so proud of her!

We had a chance to visit with Don's parents. Britton just loves Grandma Jani.

Kid Tag

I've been tagged by Emily. You ask your kids these questions and record their answers. Don wanted to be part of it, too...

1. What does Mom always say to you?
Sydni - "Put the book away and do what I asked"
Kenzie - "It's the tone in your voice..."
Emma - "Stop fighting"
Maddy - "Do your dishes job"
Don - (answer edited for the purpose of this blog)

2. What makes Mom happy?
Sydni - me making dinner
Kenzie - Daddy
Emma - Britton
Maddy - breakfast in bed
Don - peace and getting her way

3. What makes Mom sad?
Sydni - cutting raw chicken
Kenzie - when we fight
Emma - when someone dies
Maddy - when we break something that's glass
Don - missing Survivor or Amazing Race

4. How does Mom make you laugh?
Sydni - Kenzie "smarting-off" to Dad
Kenzie - Dad "smarting-off" to Kenzie
Emma - Britton
Maddy - me trying to dance
Don - when I (again...edited)

5. How Old Is Mom?
Sydni - 35
Kenzie - 35
Emma - 35
Maddy - 36
Don - old enough to know better

6. How Tall is Mom?
Sydni - 5'6"
Kenzie - 5'7"
Emma - 5'8"
Maddy - 5'7"
Don - just right

7. What does Mom like to do?
Sydni - talk
Kenzie - talk on the phone with Aunt Chelsi
Emma - spend time with Chelsi
Maddy - take pictures
Don - stay busy

8. What is Mom's job?
Sydni - helps kids with math at the elementary
Kenzie - helps classes at the school and takes care of us
Emma - parking lot patrol
Maddy - car patrol
Don - babysitting me

9. What is Mom's favorite food?
Sydni - chicken mushroom chowder
Kenzie - she doesn't have one
Emma - yogurt
Maddy - Dove dark chocolate
Don - chocolate and polish sausages

10. How do you know Mom loves you?
Sydni - she doesn't throw me in the street when I act like a snot
Kenzie - she helps us fix our mistakes
Emma - she cooks dinner for us and she buys us clothes and stuff
Maddy - she just does
Don - she tells me every day

Now I'm tagging Chelsi, Stefanie, Lisa, Lyndee, Katie, and Kristol.

A History Lesson

Sydni took part in this year's History Fair with a project on Helen of Troy. Tonight we went to the Junior High to look at all of the displays, and learned something new. According to a project on Brigham Young, when he arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24th, 1847, he took a handful of water from the Great Salt Lake, put it in his mouth, spit it out, and declared "This is the place." Guess that means that the statue at the mouth of Immigration Canyon should really be out by the lake...

And He's Off...

On Wednesday night, Britton took about five or six steps - the farthest he has walked so far. He even stood up in the middle of the room and took a couple of steps. And then yesterday, he just took off! He is now walking across whole rooms, turning around, and walking back. He still looks a bit like a drunk sailor, but it's dang cute!!!

Kenzie's Birthday

Yesterday Mackenzie turned 12 years old. It was a great day, and I am excited for this new phase in her life, but it makes me sad that my kids are growing up so fast. She didn't want any regular ol' birthday cake this year. No, she wanted a chocolate cheesecake. I have never made a baked cheesecake before (I have the yummiest no-bake recipe), but I think it turned out pretty good. Nobody complained while eating it, anyway.

Her number one birthday request was a new comforter for her bed. Guess the cute little girlie one just won't do when you're twelve. She wanted one with no pattern - just a dark purple or blue.