Fall Happenings

Since I'm soo far behind, I frankly exhausted (hence why I haven't blogged in a while) I am going to do a recap of the fall.  Micah started back up in soccer this year.  Their team did great.  It's fun to see these boys grow and get better every year.  He scored a few goals and had a blast.  He's playing on the bigger fields this year so there is a lot more running involved.  I find it humorous that he wears the same two colors every year, either black or lime green. 

 We went up the canyon this year instead of doing our annual hike with friends we had a weiner roast.  This kids had fun doing something different, and Masie loves Doritos apparently.

 Randy had a little too much fun tending the fire.

 When we were all done and cleaned up, we headed up Squaw Peak to show the kids what a spectacular view it is from there.  It was freezing but they loved singing all of the Utah Valley.

 We also went to the BYU Homecoming parade again.  This year the Nordfelt's went with us.  After eating our blue pancakes, we headed down to the duck pond  while we waited for the parade to start.

 The kids went back for 2nds on the pancakes.

 Trying not to freeze.

 Then it started and the kids were mezmorized.

 One of the ballroom dancers wanted to show Morgan his moves.  She loved it.

 Next up was McKenzie's 1st band concert.  She started playing the flute at the beginning of the summer at a band camp and she really likes it.  She struggled at first and got really frustrated that she didn't sound like a professional right from the get go, lol.  She's learning a lot and doing great.  She wouldn't smile for the camera for me, cuz apparently that's not cool anymore.

 So I made her take another picture later. . . smiling.

Then Malia did her first Rad Kids.  We are so excited for her to participate.  She did great even if the Lobster man wasn't able to come to this one. 

 She was so excited she forgot to give her teacher a high 5.   1 down 2 more to go this year.  I'm really grateful our school has this program.  It puts my mind a little more at ease knowing that if my kids were put in a scary situation like getting abducted, they have some tools to help fight back and not become a victim.

Ya, I'm getting older, so what!

I just don't really want to talk about it, I am not enjoying this thing called age. . . probably because I feel like I'm getting older.  Oh well, it has to happen sometime I guess, right.  I am a very practical person when it comes to gifts and this year Randy did not fail me.  I got something I really wanted for the kitchen.  This, as stupid as it may seem is a cookie scooper.  My last one broke and I really miss it ( I know dumb, hu) so Randy got me a new one and couple other practical things, cuz he luvs me, :)

 What birthday would be complete without some goofy kid pics.

 I received some really old silverware after my grandma passed away, a lot of it is mismatched, but it's something to remind me of her.  Randy spent the afternoon cleaning and polishing and them up for me.  What a sweetie!!!!

 I didn't care what kind of cake I got as long as it was chocolate and I didn't have to make it.  This is what Randy found at Costco.  It looks chocolaty enough for me, lol.

 Man look at those candles.

The best birthday present I received was this one.

I took a test on my birthday and it finally came back positive.  I had take 2 other tests that came back negative which didn't make sense since I was really late.  This little baby just wanted to make my birthday that much more special.  He/she will be arriving beginning of May, gender coming soon :)  We are all so excited to have another special little spirit join a family.  And for those of you who think 6 is a lot. . .I'm from a family of 9, 6 is nothing!  Happy Birthday to ME!!!!

Morgan's 10!

 Ya, Ya, Ya I know.  It's almost Christmas and I'm now posting her birthday from August.  You can say it, I'm a horrible mother.  -K- Now that we have that out of the way.  I can't believe how much this girl has grown.  We have another double digiter (it's a word right?) and there's no stopping us now.  This year Morg had a "friend" party but since her birthday landed on Labor Day weekend we opted to wait a week for the party since a lot of her friends were going to be out of town.  So we celebrated as best we could before that.

A typical Morgan Face.

 For my birthday my MIL got scheduled me for some cake decorating classes.  She knows I make the kids' cakes so this was great.  I got some good tips and learned to make some new flowers, like this cute white ones.  

 Oh and Randy got me a beautiful cake stand so now my cakes will pretty. . .right?

 Morgan wanted a Lego party which made me very happy.  I love easy parties.  We played some Lego games. . .

 Ate some cake. . .

 And while we were opening presents. . .the lights went out and huge storm came through that ended up flooding about 20 neighbors and hundreds of others in the area.  It was crazy.  Luckily this was not Morgan's actual birthday because the rest of the day and into the night was spent helping everyone around us out.  We were ok, had a little dripping in the basement . . .

 And had our back door leak quite a bit but nothing we couldn't handle.  

It was amazing to see how quickly we all got together to help each other out.  There were about 6-10 homes that were so bad that restoration companies had to come and pump out water (like the water in the window well breaking windows to basements and having a wall of water crash through basement doors).  The kids thought it was pretty exciting to see the chaos.  

Anyway, we are so grateful to have Morgan the "mini mom" in our family.  She's always there ready to help.

1st Day of School 2013

Here we go again.  Only this year is a little different.  

1)  All of my kids are gone alllll the live long day, HORRAY!!!

2)  They are not all in the same school like last year, BOO!!!!

3)  I have a Jr. High Schooler, that is NOT OK!!!

Here is Kenz all ready for her "first" day of Jr. High.  Schedule and all.

Malia's ready for 1st grade, and so am I, ;)

Micah's in no mans land in 3rd grade.  He gets moved up to the "big kid" playground this year.

And Morgie is all that and a bag of chips in 5th grade, lol.

My 3 hoodlums.  It's sad not having Kenz around, I only got the one shot of her.

And now for traditions.  The corner walking group.

Fierce-some threesome.  These girls are growing up fast.

The goofballs.

And the not so newbies.  These 3 are in the same class this year.  They've been playing daily all summer.  This might get interesting, lol.

And poor Masie has to put up with me "all days yet." (name that quote)

Mrs. Whitaker, awesome as always.  So glad we got her again.

Mrs. Grover, the sweetest teacher you'll ever meet.

And although we really wanted Morg to get Mr. Crandall again, we couldn't go wrong with either of the 5th grade teachers this year.  Mrs. Edler is amazing.  So excited to see how these two interact.

And then there is Mrs. Gleed!!!! She left me high and dry for a job at the school.  No more walking buddies.  I'm a little depressed and now have to find other ways to be motivated to work out.  Isn't she so cute being cheerful at the front desk.  Good luck with the crazies girl, miss ya.

As for me, I think I will sit back, relax, watch some soaps and eat bon bons till next summer. . .NOT!!!!  I feel like I've accomplished nothing since school started but have done so much.  Hopefully I'll get a rhythm nailed down soon.  Happy School year to all you mom's out there!!!!

Malia's 6!!!!!

My little girl is 6.  Can't believe that much time has passed.  It was a "friend" party year and she wanted to do a make over party (man I love easy parties like that)

Here it is before the chaos commenced.

 The girls after their makeovers.  We did nails (obviously) and a little bit of makeup. 

 She loved it.

 Then on Sunday, Grandma/pa and Billy and fam. came to help celebrate one more time.  I made her a 2 tier cake (like Masie's).

 Such a sweet/spunky girl we have in her.  We may have problems with this one as a teenager, but man I love her so much.  Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Oh and you can't forget Birthday Pancakes!!!