Esplin Updates

Funny Things

2012-01-05T21:53:00.002-07:00

My kids love to look at my friend's blog and read her monthly post about the funny things her kids have said over the month. They laugh so hard, and really, her kids say some of the most random, cute, funny things--I love reading it too. Jared asked me why I never blog about the funny things they say. Ummm? I teased the kids that maybe they weren't that funny. They definitely took offense, and I took the blame for not writing the funny things they say down immediately after it happened. Because, let's face it, I forget things pretty quickly. Maybe if I had an iPhone I could keep better track of the cute things my kids said (that's a plug for me getting an iPhone in case you didn't notice.) So at the end of our conversation Jared started running around the house yelling, "Everybody, say some funny things so Mom can blog about them!" I thought that in and of itself was pretty funny. I will try to be better at documenting these cute moments...I will try. So, for my kids and our memories:

This actually happened several months ago. Amazingly, I haven't forgotten it. We checked out a book from the library about football. It was discussing the differences between pro football and college football. After we read a few pages Jared stopped and very seriously and almost solemnly said, "Well, I guess I'll have to be in the pros." I asked him why and again very seriously and matter-of-fact he replied, "Because I'm so good." I hope Jared's confidence continues with him as he gets older!

A new boy started school after Christmas and Jared's teacher asked Jared to be this boys buddy. I asked Jared if they got along and Jared said, "Oh, yeah, he's already my third best friend." I asked him who was number one and number two and he told me it was Jack and then Brecken. If you remember a post way back when Kindergarten started you'll know that Jared had a very difficult time because a boy was telling him over and over that his dad was a police officer and when he came to volunteer he was going to arrest Jared. That boy was Brecken, his now #2 best friend. Listening to the conversation Brynn quipped in a melodramatic voice, "His worst enemy becomes his best friend...that always happens in love movies."

I was explaining to Ellie over our trip to Utah that we were going to take the big kids skiing and she and Nathan got to stay home with grandma Esplin. Ellie was not happy about being left behind but I assured her that she would like staying at grandma's house, and I was trying to help her remember some of the things about grandma Esplin. She wasn't convinced and said, "Mom, I just can't remember what her face looks like."

After our trip to UT I was talking to Ellie and we started laughing about her comment that she couldn't remember what grandma's face looked like and Nathan chimed in his two year old voice and vocabulary--"Yeah, can't member gampa's cheeks look like." I thought it was cute that he could equate what we said about her face to her cheeks. I could go on and on about Nate. He repeats everything you say to him and I smile all day long because of it!

Nate runs around the house looking for Jared at every spare moment saying, "Jed (his version of Jared) shoot hoops!" He wants Jared to shoot hoops with him on the over-the-door Nerf hoop Jared got for Christmas. Jared told me he gets tired of it, but he does it anyway because it's so cute that Nathan wants him to play with him. Cute boy. Oh, and I should mention that Nathan is making more and more shots on that hoop...it's kind of scary!

Nathan Had a Birthday!

2011-12-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to our 2 Year Old!

Nate celebrated his birthday 2 days after Thanksgiving this year. Seriously. Where. Does. Time. Go? I can't believe this guy is already two. He brightens every day and is incredibly spoiled by everyone here.

Nate loves to jump. His run is always like a little hop-skip-and jump. He runs, throws in a skip and a hop or two and always jumps as he stops. It's so cute! He loves to be with Scott, and Nate definitely has his dad wrapped around his finger.

Nate loves all the kids, and as you can see by this picture he adores Jared. He loves to throw the ball with Jared and play football. I often hear Nate saying "innersheption!" and "pass" and "chuchdown" when he's playing with Jared. The other day Jared was doing something and didn't want to play football with Nate when he asked. I offered to play with him, but he didn't want that. He gave enough loves to Jared that guilted Jared into playing with Nate.

For Nate's birthday we all went swimming at Scott's work, and Nathan loved it! Brynn made him the cute Santa hat for his birthday.

I'm still amazed everyday at Nate's vocabulary. This morning he told me he didn't eat his breakfast burrito because it was disgusting. Then he said he ate a cookie in the kitchen instead. Great. He does everything the kids do, and picks up on everything ever said. The other day he came in from outside and said, "What the heck?" He definitely has older siblings, as evidenced by his premature potty language. When he gets mad at the kids I often hear him exclaim, "No, poopie!" Trust me, I do not condone this language, but it is hard to obliterate when it is always met by giggles from the other kids (and I have to kind of force a serious face too).

Nathan is at such a fun age. I wish everyone could know this kid and see his funny antics. Of course being two, he's also very independent and it often takes an extra bout of patience as he wants to do everything himself. He also loves the "Chifus (Christmas) Tree." Nathan is truly a blessing in our family. He unifies us all, as he's often the focus of what we do. We love you Nate!

All I Want For Christmas

2011-11-13T20:26:00.000-07:00

The other night at dinner the kids were talking about what they want for Christmas this year. Brynn and Kaitlyn told me they both wanted sewing and craft stuff, and Jared said he wanted some Ninjago (Ninja Legos) stuff. Everyone had very reasonable requests until Ellie chimed in and said, "I want an iPod for Christmas! And an iPad!" We all started laughing and the other kids were quick to respond that they wanted those things too! I'm not even sure how Ellie knows about iPod's and iPad's.

Ellie definitely has Christmas on her mind because another time while in the parking lot of Hobby Lobby a lady driving one of those SMART tiny cars drove up next to us. Ellie looked out the window and exclaimed, "I want one of those for Christmas!" They do look like little toys, but I think I'm going to have to use the power of suggestion to help her out on her wish list!

Go Cougars!

2011-11-12T22:15:00.001-07:00

Jared wanted to be a BYU football player for Halloween this year so look what he started. It's Cougarmania around here! Three BYU cheerleaders, one BYU football player, BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall, one BYU fan, and the football!

I sewed Kaitlyn and Brynn's cheerleading costumes and Nate's football costume. We borrowed football pads and a white jersey for Jared's costume. I cut out some felt letters and numbers for the jersey and for his helmet.

I wasn't sure little Muff would acquiesce to my plea to wear the cheerleading outfit--she had another costume in mind. She was good to wear it for the ward Halloween party, and for trick-or-treating and her Halloween party at school she got to be what she really wanted to be.....

This funny dinosaur! She loved this costume she found in our costume box.

Nate was the football. He was the cutest thing ever!

11-11-11

2011-11-11T16:38:00.001-07:00

In commemoration of 11-11-11 the kids did not have school (and maybe because it was Veterans Day too). We went on a hike around the Bosque by the Rio Grande River. We really didn't hike very long until we came to a wide opening and pretty much made camp for the next hour and a half. The kids played some kind of prison game and ran all around enjoying the leaves and nice weather.

Nate and Keian could have had fun the entire time throwing rocks into the water below.

I'm pretty sure that stick in Jared's hand is in the trunk of the van--somehow Jared is drawn to big sticks and thinks they all need to come home with him.

We had 24 kids and 5 moms!

Ellie found a log to play on and actually let Amber take these cute photos of her! I love them all!

Dirty nose and dirty face Nate--I love this picture of his cute eyes. Again, all these pictures are complements of Amber. Thank you!

My Greatest Joy

2011-11-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures we captured of my favorite thing to see....the kids all playing together so nicely! The kids like to play school, and I love how Ms. Karen (Kaitlyn) and Ms. Jen (Brynn) are such good teachers to their students. They seriously teach Jared and Ellie a lot of things. It would be really hard to play school without lots of siblings! I love these guys, and I especially like when everyone is getting along and working together.

Guess What Muff Can Do?

2011-11-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

Ellie can now.....

TIE HER OWN SHOES!

(and that's not all)

Ellie can now....

RIDE HER BIKE WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS!

In June, just about a month after her fourth birthday, while I was getting everybody ready for church Ellie asked me to show her how to tie shoes. It was a bad time--it's always a race as I make sure everyone is ready, and we didn't have much time. I was sure it would be a frustrating experience for her and me, but I stopped for a minute and showed her two times how to tie the laces on Jared's tennis shoe. That's all it took! She was a pro before we even left for church! Way to go Ellie!

Scott has been taking Ellie out every once in a while to work on riding without training wheels, and Ellie has got it nailed down! We have some video footage of it, but I don't have a picture yet. This girl is growing up so fast! She is so proud of her new bike skills and likes to show off to Jared's friends outside.

I just had to include the funny goggles pictures to show her true love for them. In September she was wearing these goggles every day and took them off only when she had to for school. She also got a sombrero from the dollar store and loved to walk up to school with her goggles and sombrero on. She claimed the sombrero kept the sun off her face. Isn't she funny!

Ellie likes to talk about her day at bedtime and asks me to ask her questions about school. She was so excited to play with the new "cashy rasher" at school. It took some delving to discover she meant she loved the new "cash register."

First Day of School - August

2011-11-08T09:13:00.001-07:00

I wrote the following in my journal after the first day of school:

The mornings have become a bit darker, and sometimes there has even been a slight chill to the early morning air. The kids have begun to fight more to spell off boredom, and my patience for the constant business of five children and all the messes imbued throughout indicated only one thing—school would be starting soon. I knew it was time—the kids knew it was time. We were all looking forward to it.

So why do I always feel a tinge of sorrow when it finally comes?

A new school year proves the passing of time—one year older for everyone. This year marks Kaitlyn’s last hurrah in elementary school—have I really already had that many “first days of school” with her? It happened way too fast. Kailtyn and Brynn are old pros and don’t look back after the first school bell since May rings. Jared is more timid and unsure and catches my eye again and again as his teacher leads his line into the school and up to his classroom. I can tell he is fighting to hold his composure, and truthfully, so am I.

I fight back tears every year. I wonder if my kids know how much I think about them during the day. Do they know I rejoice at their victories? Do they know my heart aches when I see them struggle? Do they know I pray for their happiness and success? Do they know how proud I feel when I watch them try their hardest?

I met the kids at the bus stop after the first day and all three seemed to be bursting with excitement to tell me all the fun things about their class and teachers. I’m grateful for amazing teachers, a great school and good friends for my kids.

Update: It didn't take long for us to all adjust to the school routine. I am grateful for such responsible kids who always try their best. Everyone is excelling, and I feel grateful for a wonderful school and teachers that are helping shape my children.

Esplin Family Reunion--July

2011-11-06T20:40:00.000-07:00

Max's extended family always has a reunion around the 4th of July. We went up to it this year since Max was in charge. There is always a lot of four-wheeling and even more dirt!

We stayed in Mt Carmel one night and went looking for the reservoir that Max and some of Scott's cousins built. Max wasn't with us, so we were trying to find it with all the "landmark" directions he gave us. Scott drove our minivan all over the back country roads up the mountain--I was sure several times we were going to tip right over. I even asked Scott to let me out of the car, because I was so nervous!

We finally found the right path that led us right to the reservoir. You can see how pretty it is up there. The reservoir is huge, and I'm glad we were able to finally find it!

Scott's cousins brought up several horses for everyone to ride. Jared has been asking for years to ride a horse so he was in heaven.

They put me on a horse with the stirrups way too long and Ellie on the front. Ellie kept trying to hold the reins and I felt totally out of control. When another horse collided into the side of the horse we were on I was done! Scott's cousin wouldn't let me bail and told me to get right back on. This time Ellie went with Scott which was much better.

Scott and I were in charge of the annual treasure hunt. The last clue took the kids to the cave. This is how we get transported when we're on the 40.

The kids found the treasure deep in the cave--deeper than it probably should have been, but we let Brian be in charge of hiding it. :) Each child got their own marshmallow gun that I made out of PVC pipe.

Grandma Asay

2011-11-06T20:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about our trip to Utah for Brian's wedding was that Scott's grandma, Grandma Asay, came out from Lovell, WY. We haven't seen her since Brynn was a baby when she went to Nauvoo with our family when we lived in Kansas City.

Grandma Asay is 94. She lives by herself, goes to the temple every week and drives herself all over town!

She made the silky blankets that Nate and Ellie are addicted to. I was grateful my kids had a chance to visit with her for a couple of days.

Brian Got Married

2011-11-02T14:33:00.000-06:00

Brian and Carolyn got married at the end of May. Our family actually flew to Utah for this event. The kids thought flying was the greatest thing ever, and made our trip an even better adventure! We stayed in a hotel close to temple square which made it much easier to go back and forth between wedding events. We all love Carolyn and can't wait to get to know her better.

It started to get cold and windy while we were taking pictures after their ceremony. It is always so fun to be with everyone in the family--it makes me wish we could all live in the same cul de sac and raise our children together.

If I wanted to take the time I'd cut me out of this picture--ignore me and my eyes closed and jutting chin. This is the only picture I have of cute Abby and Kameron who drove all the way up to Salt Lake on Saturday to stay with my kids during the sealing of Brian and Carolyn. I just love these guys--they helped so much, and I thought it was so much fun to spend time with them too.

Kaitlyn and Elise. Kaitlyn couldn't wait to see Elise again and hung out with her most of the time.

The older cousins waiting for Brian and Carolyn to come out of the temple.

I loved this picture, because you can see all the adoring kids watching Carolyn. She was bombarded with kids the minute she walked out of the temple, and was such a good sport about sharing her wedding day with a million nieces and nephews.

There was a beautiful luncheon at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and the reception was at the Beehive house.

Rock Canyon Rafting

2011-11-02T13:26:00.000-06:00

I promise we had a really fun summer...I just never blogged about it. I've been looking through some pictures, and thought I'd better document some of the good times we had.

Utah was blessed with more rain than usual this year. The mountains were greener than I ever remember seeing them--even in July! With all the extra water run-off from the mountains, Grandpa Esplin didn't have to go far to take the kids rafting!

This is at Rock Canyon Park! When Max said he wanted to raft at Rock Canyon park, I didn't know what he was talking about. There isn't usually any water in this ditch!

It was a perfect place for the kids to wade in the water and just enough to raft too! They loved every minute of it.

Ellie and cousin Kate.

Kaitlyn and Brynn with Tanner and Carter.

A Milestone for Nate

2011-09-25T20:38:00.000-06:00

This summer Nate gave up his binkie! Or rather, I took it away. My friend is adamant that 18 months is the best age to take away the pacifier--she claims they are young enough that it is easier to take it away. It's like they forget easier about it. The reasoning sounded great but I wasn't sure I was ready for the challenge. When we took away Kaitlyn's binkie when she was two we were unprepared for the crazy convulsions she had like a drug addict trying to come clean!

And let's face it--the binkie is fabulous. Nate was a screamer, seriously high-pitched like you've never heard before. Plop in the binkie and it stopped immediately. Could I really get rid of it?

And Nate LOVED his binkie. I wanted him to have it on our trip to Utah to help him sleep, and I wanted him to have it while my mom was watching him while I did CMT--to keep her sane.

I couldn't imagine it would really be easy. The morning after we dropped my mom off at the airport after CMT was over we came home and I could NOT find that pacifier. I was sick of looking, and Nate was very tired. I told him I was sorry but I couldn't find his binkie and he'd have to go to bed without it. I put him in his bed, sang a song and went searching for the binkie just sure that he'd never go to sleep without it.

Nate lightly cried for about five minutes and then fell right to sleep. I found the binkie, but I never gave it back to him. I seriously could not believe how easy it was!

It is liberating to be free of pacifier searching! And gratefully, Nathan's vocabulary has exploded and he rarely bursts my eardrums with his shrill scream--just during Sacrament Meeting when he's bored and wants to go out :) Smart...

I Wanna Be A Pirate!

2011-08-17T21:00:00.000-06:00

Sharee and I directed another year of Children's Music Theater. This year we had two casts and two different plays. Both plays were about pirates so we could use the same set. We had 78 children participate this year! It was a lot of work, but I still love it. I love helping my kids and so many others have an opportunity like this to perform and build confidence. In years past, we rehearsed for three weeks before the show in Sharee's living room. This year we condensed it to 5 days of practice with the performance on Saturday. We were able to rehearse and perform at a high school, which was really nice. It was an intense week!

Elementary Cast

50 Kids ages 5-10

"Pirates! The Musical"

Elementary Cast performing on stage

My three pirates!

This is the best picture of the set I have. When the elementary kids first saw it one of the girls said in awe, "This is going to be the best day of our lives!"

This is the Elementary kids practicing at dress rehersal.

In years past, Kaitlyn would not try out for any main part. This year she tried out for everything she could and did amazing. She got to say a lot of lines and sing some solos too. I'm proud of her for pushing past her fear and showing what I knew she's always had inside her.

Jared was NOT happy about wearing make-up, but he relented.

This is what it takes to help five year olds understand what they need to do!

Middle School Cast

28 Kids ages 11-14

"How I Became a Pirate"

The middle school kids had a blast together. Their show was much more difficult, but they pulled it off amazingly!

I am so grateful to my mom for coming out for the week to help watch the kids so I could do this again this year. She watched kids, cleaned, did laundry, made meals and yummy desserts too. My kids had a lot of fun with her, and I'm glad they got to spend some time with her. Thank you so much Mom!

Our Cute Ellie

2011-07-28T21:00:00.002-06:00

Our little Ellie Muff is one of a kind--she keeps us all laughing. She had a birthday in May and turned 4! We love this funny girl.

I love Ellie's hair this length and wish I could convince her to get it cut again. She told me again and again after this haircut that she did NOT like it short and she never wanted it cut again. Silly girl--especially since she throws a fit every morning when it's time to brush it. She never wants to wear a pony tail of any kind, and only likes a barrette. I told her we'll have to cut it if she won't let me fix it for her.

Ellie is rough and tumble and wants to play everything with Jared.

Doesn't Ellie look so cute in a dress?! She doesn't like to wear dresses or skirts EVER! Every Sunday it is a battle to get her to wear one. She has some leggings that she wears almost every Sunday under her dress that she calls her "church pants." Her church pants don't always look so hot with what she is wearing, but I figure it's better than nothing. Some Sunday's she brings her clothes to change into immediately after church in the car.

She really is the best big sister ever. She is nurturing and always makes sure Nathan is okay. I love to hear her every morning when she sees him say, "Hey, bud" and rub his head or back.

She loves every baby she sees and told me the next time I have a boy I should name him "Jacent." I told her I didn't really like that name so she thought for a minute and said, "OK, how about Carlos?" Hmmm.
She also loves to dress her bears up and plays with them all day long. She likes to dress up in bear, clown and pirate costumes, but never in princess costumes.

Ellie loves her swimming goggles and wears them on her head like this a lot--we call her Amelia Earhart.

She loves her tie-dyed t-shirt and her green shoes. She definitely has her own sense of fashion, and I've come to really appreciate her uniqueness.

Ellie loves reading books and knows all her letters. Like her big sisters, she loves to craft, cut, draw, etc. Tonight while I was reading her bedtime stories she leaned over and kissed me on the cheek, and I loved it! She brightens our day!

Piano Recital

2011-07-26T21:36:00.000-06:00

In May, Kaitlyn and Brynn performed at a piano recital. This was Brynn's first recital since she just started piano lessons in January. It was Kaitlyn's second recital. They did fabulous, and I'm proud of their hard work on the piano. I especially love when they sit down at the piano to play songs that weren't even assigned to them.

Star Wars Birthday Party

2011-07-26T21:25:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Jared's birthday with a Star Wars party at the park.

We had obstacle courses.

A Death Star pinata. I thought about making a Darth Vader pinata like my brother Ben made before, but my generic giant ball pinata took me long enough!

We had Jedi training.

Nathan liked the light sabers just as much as the big boys. He even makes the light saber sound when he uses it. Just recently we discovered his amazing hand-eye coordination when my mom pitched him a ball while he had the foam light saber in his hand. He hit the ball every time!

Nathan obviously liked the cake too.

And, of course--Darth Vader appeared. Darth Vader later told me he was actually fearful for his life when nine Jedi's came racing toward him with light sabers swinging in all directions.

We had a lot of fun, and no one was maimed by a light saber so I'd say it was a success!

I Want to Be A Dad

2011-06-22T20:41:00.003-06:00

Tonight at dinner Ellie told us she wanted to be a dad when she grew up. The kids were trying to tell her that wasn’t possible. I said, “Ellie, the mom stays home with the babies and the dad’s go to work.” Knowing the little momma Ellie is to Nate, Jared and a million bears and dolls, I thought this explanation would make her change her tune. She was adamant though, “Yeah, I know. I love going to work.”

Later as I told Scott this story we both laughed—until Scott announced it was time for him to leave for Mutual (hadn’t he just barely gotten home from work?). I was in the middle of corralling kids up to the bath and looked around at the house inhabited by five monkeys and feeling the utter exhaustion of summer days spent trying to teach/convince/cajole the kids that they should clean up after themselves. Scott smiled sheepishly at me, and I started laughing again. I think Ellie has something there! No wonder she wants to be a dad when she grows up! :)

Happenings

2011-06-09T22:03:00.000-06:00

I have a lot of blogging to do…like posting about Jared’s fun Star Wars Party, Ellie turning four, our trip to Utah for Brian’s wedding, Kaitlyn turning 10…it will happen sometime. But for now, so I don’t forget…

• Summer started and so far we’ve had a great time together. Kaitlyn, Brynn and Jared started swim team this year. This is Jared’s first year on the swim team. The first day of practice Jared woke up at 5:30am in anticipation and got completely ready. I had to tell him to lie back down until at least 6:00am—it was really hard for him! This morning after practice he said, “Mom, I just love swim team.” He’s so intense and hard working at everything he does.

• We got doughnuts with the Breinholt’s after our first day of swim team (actually it was the third day, but the first day in the water since the pool was getting fixed). It’s become tradition to get doughnuts after the first day, and I love it as much as the kids. It’s nice that something so little and easy can make their day, and make a lasting memory.

• Nathan has been letting Kaitlyn help him more than he ever has. The other night she got him ready for bed and read to him while I was getting Ellie and Jared to bed. Even after I was done and ready to put Nate to bed, he was perfectly content with Kaitlyn. She sang some songs, helped him say his prayers and put him to bed, and it worked! It was nice to have an extra helper.

• Nathan has had an intolerance to dairy and has had to drink Almond Milk. While we were in Utah I ran out of his milk, and he was desperate to have the cow’s milk we were drinking at breakfast. I let him have it, and he guzzled a glass down like it was the best drink in the world. Gratefully, he didn’t have a reaction and has been drinking whole milk ever since. Scott and I swear he’s heavier than he’s ever been, it really seems like he is gaining more weight now. He was only 21.4 lbs at his 18 month checkup (10%).

• Nate went to Nursery for the first time last Sunday. He went right in and didn’t seem to have any problem. The Nursery leaders said he wanted to be part of everything and tried to be a big boy like all the other kids. He really doesn’t like to miss anything at home and thinks he is just like the big kids.

• The other day in the car Ellie asked “How do you get rid of your head, Mom? Do you have to cut it off?” I was confused by her question until I realized we were listening to a children’s song that said, “Let’s get the rhythm of the head.” Poor girl thought they were singing about getting rid of her head.

• Last night Scott and I were talking about the kinds of trips we’d like to take with our family someday. I mentioned I’d love to take the kids to Nauvoo. I said it would be fun and testimony building as well. Brynn overheard and said, “There’s a testimony building in Nauvoo?” Not exactly.

• I have been working on the Children’s Music Theater I will help direct again in July. It’s a lot of work, but I do have fun.

• Scott biked 50 miles last Saturday with the Young Men. They were dropped off in Santa Fe and biked home. They will be going on a bicycling High Adventure soon. He is using an old bike that his dad gave to us. He put new tires on it, and has oiled it up, but it is still probably one of the worst bikes of the bunch (at one time it was a really good bike, but now it’s just old). Of course, I think Scott likes it that way and refuses to rent or buy a new bike.

Jared is 6!

2011-05-22T20:46:00.001-06:00

Jared used to be tiny--well not too tiny, he was 8 lbs 12 oz when he was born! Brynn wanted Jared to wear this striped onesie everyday!

Jared grew fast and kept his big stature--here he is in a Phoenix winter--5 months old with chubby cheeks!

This picture was taken shortly after his 1st birthday at the Old Rock Church in Mt. Carmel, UT.

Jared loves being with his dad. He loves to wrestle, watch sports, fight with light sabers and build legos with Scott. Nathan loves to play with Jared too--Jared throws balls with him and lets Nate hang out in the backyard with him and his friends.

Jared wants to play every sport there is--he loves them all. He had a great soccer season and is playing T-ball for the first time and loves it. He's pretty cute in that Red Sox uniform too, I'd say. He's going to try swim team this summer for the first time.

Jared loves to hike and play outside, and of course is a True Blue fan--he loves Jimmer as much as Scott does, and knows the numbers and names of all the BYU basketball starters.

We can't forget his debut as the Hare in our musical production last year--he surprised me by being quite the ham in front of an audience too. His teachers always tell me he is the best singer in the class.

We love this kid and the fun, kind person he is!

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-05-22T20:14:00.000-06:00

I took Ellie and Nathan to the park for an Easter Egg Hunt with friends from the ward. Nathan didn't really care about the hunt itself--just the eggs full of candy. That boy definitely has a sweet tooth (fits right in with the rest of the family, I guess)!

I love Nate's cheek full of candy in this picture.

This is Ellie with her favorite friend, Wyatt. Wyatt and Ellie are only a few weeks apart and had an instant bond with each other.

Nathan loves to pal around with Ellie, and she still loves to mother him too.

Swinging With My Boy

2011-05-22T19:58:00.000-06:00

I love these unstaged pictures my friend captured of me and Nate at the park. Nathan loves to swing whenever he can. He spends a lot of time in the backyard on the glider with the kids too.

California Beach Memories

2011-04-28T20:37:00.000-06:00

After the couple days with Ben and Val in Disneyland we went to visit Brent and Heidi and their cute family. My kids wanted to go to the beach more than anything, and despite the forecast for rain and cold we ventured to the beach with swimming suits and all. I told the kids it would probably be too cold to swim, but they could run through the water and look for shells. The day turned out to be nicer than expected--the kids were undeterred by the cold water and enjoyed looking for shells and swimming a little in the water too. We practically had the whole beach to ourselves and stayed for four hours! This was definitely a highlight of our trip.

These two cousins were cute to watch. They played all day together like they were best friends.

I love this picture of Brent showing us something in the tide pool. I thought the tide pool's were the coolest things, and I loved watching for little creatures.

These girls also had so much fun together!

If you look closely, you can see the star fish that we spotted in one of the tide pools.

You can tell this cute girl was a little cold, but she wasn't about to put her clothes on!

Jared looks for sticks wherever he goes.

Jedi Training Academy

2011-04-28T19:57:00.000-06:00

Jared has become a bit of a Star Wars fan. Last year for movie nights we watched the original three Star Wars movies. I'd always been a little hazy on the difference between Star Trek and Star Wars, and knew my brother would be ashamed of my Star Wars ignorance so thought I should watch them once to get it all straightened out in my mind. Jared went crazy over them--he knows way more about Star Wars than I do so I think the kids at school must talk about it.

He was thrilled when he heard about the Jedi Training at Disneyland. Ben and Val told us they chose kids out of the audience to train to be a Jedi, and then they got to fight Darth Vadar and Darth Maul. Ben told Jared and Xander they would have to be really loud and raise their hand high if they wanted to be picked. All morning before the show Jared told me he was going to practice his begging so he'd get picked. It's funny how nervous I was as the guy started choosing kids--I knew Jared wanted it so bad, and I wanted him to get picked! Amazingly, his begging practice must have payed off because he was chosen from the audience and got to practice his Jedi moves.

When Darth Vader and Darth Maul entered the scene you could see the amazement in Jared's eyes. Half of the kids fought Darth Vader while the others fought Darth Maul. After the show was over Jared said, "They must have really had the force with them because they chose the best fighters to fight Darth Maul, and they knew to choose me to fight him."

Now Jared wants a Star Wars birthday party!

Disneyland!

2011-04-10T21:02:00.001-06:00

This year for Spring Break we went to Disneyland! The best part about our trip was that my brother Ben and his family met us there and we got to spend two days of fun with them. Ben works for Pixar Animation as an incredibly talented animator. One of his perks is some free passes to Disneyland which he graciously let our family use. It was fun to have Ben and Val show us the ropes to ride as many rides as we could, and waiting in lines was a breeze with cousins to hang out with. We spent one day at Disneyland and the next day at California Adventure. We loved every minute of it (except maybe the times Nate had enough and screamed at the top of his lungs in his high pitched voice and made it look like we were kidnapping him or something).

It seems like most of our Disneyland pictures are blurry and grainy, and I'm afraid the camera must have been on the wrong mode all day.

I had to include the giant Mr. Potato Head--that guy just made my day! He even took out his ear for us!

We went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at the beginning, which Ellie did not like at all. She still tells me daily she didn't like all the bad guys in that ride. Her favorite part of the whole trip was that she got to ride the entire time in a stroller!

Sometime during the first day I realized that one of our bags was missing. This was the bag that we were bringing on each ride since it had our cameras and our next days admission passes. We could remember the last time we had it, and realized it was missing within twenty minutes of losing it. Scott and I both backtracked looking for the bag. My heart was heavy as I thought about the next days tickets we may have just lost. After one of the workers told me they treated abandoned bags as bomb threats, I was pretty sure we'd never get it back. Scott went to the lost and found clear on the other end of the park. Gratefully, in the twenty minutes since we lost it it was turned in! I was so grateful for this blessing. Ben commented that this was why Disneyland was called the "greatest place on Earth."

Thanks to Ben and Val and crew for a great time!

Mommy's Little Helper

2011-04-10T20:43:00.000-06:00

Ellie's Sunbeam teacher asked us to email pictures of Ellie helping me, helping Scott, and helping a sibling. Ellie is at that age where she wants to do EVERYTHING with me. She's actually truely become quite a help (when she wants to be). She likes to make lunches with me in the morning. I put her in charge of making baggies of carrot sticks or crackers--she always ends up wanting a sandwich for breakfast. She helped me make zuccini bread the other day. Again, notice her aversion to cameras. She wouldn't act normal or give me a cute smile once she saw the camera.

Her real help comes about with Nathan. She continues to love that boy like he is her own. Today at lunch I smiled when Ellie swept Nate in her arms and said, "Come on Bud, let's get you lunch" and then proceeded to put him in his booster seat, put his tray on and then give him some craisins to munch on while I made the rest of his lunch. She knows what he needs even sometimes when I don't. She feeds him when I can't, and runs around chasing him which he loves.

One day while we were in the car the older kids started calling Nathan a monster. As if on cue, Nate started flailing his arms and screaming--generally acting crazy just like a little monster. Ellie remarked to Nathan, "Nate, you don't have to act like that--the kids were just pre-teasing you." I rather like her combination of 'pretend' and 'teasing.'

This winter a pipe in the ceiling of our church burst and flooded the entire building. There has to be extensive work done before we can meet there again. Ellie must have picked up on what was going on. I realized she didn't completley understand it when we drove past the temple and Ellie pointed and said "Look, the temple! But that's not our temple." I wasn't sure why she didn't think it was ours so I asked her and she said, "Because ours exploded and we can't go there anymore."

Brynn's Baptism

2011-04-10T20:34:00.000-06:00

Cute Brynn was baptized on March 5th. She thought the month she had to wait from her birthday to her baptism was the longest span ever and was so excited for the day to finally be here. We were blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa Porter, Caleb and Abby with us for this special day. They arrived just a couple of hours before Brynn's baptism on Saturday and left the next morning--it was a quick trip but we were grateful that they made the effort to come.

Scott gave a great talk on baptism, Grandma Porter led the music, Abby played the piano, Abby and Kaitlyn sang a special musical number accompianied by myself, and Caleb said a prayer. Both Grandpa Porter and Caleb got to be witnesses to the baptism, and Caleb thought it was so cool that he got to be a part of that. So did I. It was such a sweet service, and we are so proud of Brynn for the sweet girl she is and her strong desire to always choose the right.

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I am grateful for the happiness I enjoy when I am doing what is right, and want my children to know if they follow the commandments, read the scriptures, and listen to the prophet they will find true happiness in their life as well.

A New 'Do

2011-02-28T21:14:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I took Kaitlyn to get her hair cut. Her hair had gotten so long, and she needed some weight taken off to revitalize her curls. The hair stylist recommended a stacked bob for curly hair and said it was really cute. Kaitlyn was up for it, but was shocked when she saw the finished product. Her curls were definitely revitalized--and it made her hair about as short as her ears. She cried. And, I knew how she felt--because I have cried after several shocking haircuts. I straightened her hair for her and she felt much better. The next day at church she made her debut with a new 'do--she got so many compliments I think she decided she likes it after all!

I have to help her straighten it, but we got her a shower cap so she doesn't have to wash it as frequently, so it hasn't been very hard to maintain. Cute Brynn asked me if she got her hair cut could she wear a shower cap too? In a couple of months I'm anxious to see what it looks like curly again. I think Kailtyn has enjoyed the change.

Long Hair. Short Hair. Curly Hair. Straight Hair. It doesn't really matter--this girl is beautiful no matter what!

Valentine's Traditons

2011-02-28T20:33:00.001-07:00

When I was a kid I remember my mom always made us big individual rice krispie treat hearts decorated with our initial in M&;M's. Every Valentine's Day I intend to do this for my kids, but haven't. This year I made them for everyone. The kids thought they were great--I'm pretty sure the ones my mom made us were much bigger than the ones I made for the kids, but I thought these were plenty big given the fact that almost every Valentine they get from friends comes with several pieces of candy!

This year the girls helped me make a nice dinner for Scott. I made Fettucine Alfredo with Shrimp--it was actually the first time I ever bought shrimp and had to call my friend and ask her what to buy! Since I can't stand the look or texture of shrimp, I never even think to buy it. Scott and the kids loved it! We made red jello with bannanas, garlic bread, fresh broccoli, and had red cranberry juice to drink. The girls decorated the table with a red tablecloth and a balloon centerpiece. They folded the napkins fancy, and printed a menu. We all had a fun time making a nice dinner, and Scott loved it! I think we need to make this a tradition.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T10:17:00.000-07:00

Look at the CUTE wreath hanging on my door. Brynn made it!

Thanks to my good friend who knows how to throw a grand party for girls! Brynn had a blast making this conversation heart wreath, and I am grateful for Amber and her fun ideas.

My amazing sister-in-law (actually, ALL my sister-in-laws are amazing, but a couple actually blog about all their coolness) Andy from Poppies at Play posted this cute idea for cupid's arrows. We adapted her idea a bit into this:

I found small and large hearts and we thought it looked cute without even having to cut the back part of the bow. I had small bags from something I did years ago so we put a couple arrows in a bag with a sticker I made and now all the kids have a cute Valentine to share with their friends on Monday. Every year Kaitlyn and Brynn want to make their own Valentine's, but it always seems that they lose their interest after making about ten, and then I have to step in and help them finish up. This was a perfect Valentine for them to make--they never tired of it!

I had to make Jared's sticker a little more manly--he's really excited that he's giving arrows for Valentine's Day.

Snow Days!

2011-02-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

Last week we had FOUR snow days! We also had record breaking FREEZING temperatures, and were colder than many parts of the country. I do not like the cold. I think the schools were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday because of the snow (although most of the snow was melted by Wed. anyway). On Thursday we woke up like it was a normal day and went about our morning routine, and then Scott left to take the kids to school--apparently we weren't the only ones who missed the memo that school was cancelled. Scott said there were five or six other cars trying to drop their kids off to an empty school! We hadn't received the automated phone call from our school district that we usually get when school is cancelled or delayed, and it hadn't even occurred to me that school might be cancelled again since most of the snow was melted. Apparently, the buses wouldn't start due to cold weather. And then New Mexico was facing a shortage of Natural Gas, and many customers were without gas to heat their homes, so APS cancelled school again to keep the thermostats down and conserve gas.

So now instead of getting out of school before Memorial Day, the kids have to attend school through June 3rd. Kaitlyn actually thinks that is cool since that is her birthday, and she doesn't usually get to celebrate her birthday at school.

The kids played in the snow, and Nathan was screaming to go out too. He loved it until he slipped in some wet slushy snow and fell face first in it.

Photos courtesy of Brynn

I know Nate's coat is way too big. He doesn't have a really good snow coat that fits him, and I had just bought this one on clearance for him to wear next year. At least it kept his hands warm. He also had no patience for me to even try to get that tag off--he just wanted out as fast as he could!

I read a lot to the kids, and even taught them how to make homemade cinnamon rolls. Everyone was part of our "cooking lesson" and I had a fun time with them.

We made ten loaves of bread. Thanks to a good friend who has a kind, serviceable heart we got to share in the joy of donating most of the loaves to a homeless shelter.

We also spent A LOT of time on science projects! They are due on Monday...hallelujah!

Happy 8th Birthday Brynn!

2011-02-10T22:10:00.001-07:00

Brynn turned 8 on January 31st--she will be baptized in March. She is sad that she has to wait a whole month until her baptism, but our Stake is not having Stake baptisms in February due to Stake Conference. We gave her scriptures for her birthday since she has to wait awhile before her baptism. It has been fun to see her read them everyday; I hope she keeps it up.

Brynn is a joy! She is super responsible, but very silly too. Her teacher loves Brynn's sense of humor, and so do we. She makes us all laugh! Brynn has a great desire to make good choices, and she is very sensitive when she thinks she has done something wrong. She is also very kind to others. She loves to play on the bars at recess, and she's really into owls. As always, Brynn loves to craft and create things--I think she may use my glue gun daily! She seems to always be making a house or a bed for someone's stuffed animal when she sees a cool box that I put out in the recycling bin.

We made these cute owl cupcakes for Brynn to take to school on her birthday. She loved them, and it sounds like everyone else did too.

Brynn wanted scones for her birthday dinner, so we ate scones with strawberries and whipped cream, honey butter and powdered sugar. It was like having dessert for dinner--no wonder Brynn likes scones so much!

This was Brynn's year to have a family birthday party. She chose to go roller skating at the new skating rink here in Albuquerque. She and Kaitlyn got roller blades for Christmas, and they had a blast trying them out at the skating rink. Afterwards, we ate at Dion's for dinner--another one of Brynn's favorite things.

Brynn wrote the following poem at school about herself:

September 10, 2010

My Poem
I am respectful to everything.
I want everyone in the world to be nice to each other.
I worry about fires in my house.
I dream about being an artist and author.
I try to choose the right things to do.
I am respectful to everyone.
I wonder if I'll be an artist and author.
I cry when my feelings get hurt.
I hope to have five children when I grow up.
I understand how to play soccer.
I pretend that I'm an animal with my friends.
I am respectful to everything.
I am crazy about soccer.

We sure love this girl, and are so happy she is part of our family. Happy Birthday cute Brynn!

Everyone's Gotta Have Some

2011-01-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Because everyone needs a turn licking the bowl....

I Have a Dream Fort

2011-01-26T21:03:00.000-07:00

Since the kids had Martin Luther King, Jr. Day off of school they BEGGED me to let them build a fort and sleep in it. I've let them do this before. I know exactly what it entails--a huge mess, a brood of tired kids the next day, and a ton of fun! I figured if Martin Luther King, Jr. could have a dream--I shouldn't squash my kids dream, so I caved. It was all the things I expected. Scott help them build it big enough that all the kids could fit under it.

Every blanket and pillow in the house succumbed to the pressure...not to mention the sleeping bags, flashlights, headlamp and lantern.

The kids stayed up way to late...Ellie finally gave up and went to her own bed after awhile. At three in the morning I heard my name being yelled--someone had apparently stepped on everyone else as they made a bathroom run.

But the next morning, we huddled under their fort and read Percy Jackson together, and later I heard a few of the kids say in their prayers that they were grateful that mom let them sleep in their fort. And that made the ginormous mess all worth it.

Christmas Memories

2010-12-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

As seems to happen often, December flew by in a flurry. We decided to visit family in Utah before Christmas this year so we could see Scott's sister and her family who were visiting from California at that time as well. It was a bit hectic trying to get everything ready to go. I wanted to leave Thursday after school and go half-way so we'd have more time with family before we had to come back home. The weather became ominous the day we wanted to leave--luckily I was able to get everything ready and we left shortly after the kids got home from school--just as it started to snow on our route. We had an hour or so of snow on our path, but we were able to get ahead of it and make it safely all the way to Moab where we spent the night in a hotel. Hotels are always fun--for one night.

We didn't bring our camera to Utah--one of the things we realized shortly after we left, but with the imposing storm we didn't feel like we could turn around. Luckily, Kaitlyn and Brynn both got their own camera so hopefully they will help me capture 2011 memories. Here are some of our Utah highlights:

Seeing the reindeer and lights at Thanksgiving Point with my family. For those of you there with us you know the truth--not worth the effort, except still nice to be with the ones you love! There were two reindeer who stood in the middle of the corral and didn't move. After buying some food from a little candy machine to feed them Brynn remarked, "That was the biggest waste of a dollar!" The reindeer were obviously well fed and turned their noses up to our offering.
Porter family Christmas Eve. We always draw parts from the Nativity to act out. We get just a few minutes to run around the house and come up with a costume. Scott was a sheep, and I loved his creativity. He draped a Kleenex over each of his ears to mimic sheep ears--it was pretty good. My mom got a present for each of the grand kids to open. As much as Scott and I try to teach that it is better to give than get--getting is always so much fun. When we asked the kids their favorite thing from Grandma Porter's house several of them announced it was opening a present from Grandma.
Cousins! Cousins! Cousins! Seriously--they are the best! Whenever we visit family the kids run off together with all the cousins, and they love every minute of it. We got to meet my sister's newest, Dodge, too.
Having lunch with my Grandma and Grandpa Porter.
Sledding with Grandpa Esplin. Of course, no sledding could take place until Grandpa Esplin had cleared the driveways from snow of just about everyone in Provo with his four wheeler. What a great example of service he is.
Shepherd's dinner with the Esplin's. Grandpa wanted to make the experience more genuine, so he cooked up some lamb. Our bunch wouldn't have made it well as real shepherds with the taste buds we all have.
Bowling at BYU. My kids love doing this every time we visit Utah. This year was especially nice, because it wasn't very crowded. Jared loved bowling and smoked even the big kids.
Granny B's tour. I've been wanting a tour of Granny B's since Jeff bought the company. It was amazing to watch the production line of all the pink frosted cookies. And seriously, they are the best tasting too--so go buy some now :)

I love to visit family, and always feel a bit melancholy when we leave. Some of the kids left teary-eyed as we drove away too. We feel so blessed to be part of such wonderful families.

Parent/Teacher Conference

2010-12-03T20:05:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to parent/teacher conferences for Kaitlyn, Brynn and Jared. I came home beaming, and feeling so grateful that my kids are doing so well right now. Each child's teacher spent the time telling me how wonderful they are.

Kaitlyn's teacher says she is extremely responsible, and always on task. She said she is very strong in math and language arts, but she especially shines in her writing. Her teacher was impressed with the voice she has in each writing piece. She was one of the only students to score very high in both math and language arts on their DBA test.

Brynn's teacher thinks Brynn is so funny. She said she is also always on task, and a very good leader. She is able to help others, and can explain things so the other kids can understand. Brynn's Enrichment teacher said Brynn is the most responsible second grader he's ever taught.

Jared's teacher thinks he is one of the sweetest boys. She showed us his journal and the darling pictures he is drawing. He has improved so much since the start of school! He is kind to everyone, always attentive and on-task too.

When I was a teen-ager I remember after showing my report card to my parents my dad would remark something like he was proud of my good grades, but then he'd say he'd love me even if it wasn't filled with straight A's. One time I asked him why he always asked me that. He said he didn't want me to think his love was contingent on a perfect report card. I did (and still do) tend to be a people pleaser, but I had an intrinsic desire to do well. And really, I don't remember that it was very hard to get good grades.

My dad proved he meant what he said when after my first summer semester at BYU, I called home crying with a {gulp} 'C' in American Heritage. (For the record, that was my one and only blemish on my BYU transcript). My parent's weren't upset, and even offered comfort! It was great to know that my parents did in deed love me--even though I wasn't perfect.

Now, as a mother, I have the same feelings as my dad. I sure love to go to conferences and hear that my kids teachers can see how special and neat they are. And I am proud of their success. But, I also want them to know that even if they are not perfect (since none of us are), I love them no matter what.

Birthday Boy!

2010-11-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

This sweet boy is one—and I don’t know how it happened so quickly! As I prepared for Thanksgiving this year, I couldn’t help but reflect on what I was doing “last year” at this time. The memories are so vivid, that it is hard to believe it was already a year ago. I spent Thanksgiving last year in a hospital with a warm newborn cuddled on me, and a plate of leftovers from the meal my mom prepared for my family. This year, that little baby sat on my lap munching on his own roll while we ate.

We celebrated Nate’s birthday by going swimming together at Scott’s work. He had pumpkin pie for his first birthday cake. Don’t worry—he can have any kind of dessert he wants on his birthday as soon as he has an opinion. For some babies, their first cake or other sweet is given to them on their first birthday. Not so for Nathan. He’s already sampled his fair share of cookies and cake! He loved the pie!

Some notables on Nate:

• Nathan LOVES to play ball! When he was only seven months old he was watching Scott throw the football to Jared and started bouncing up and down while making baby noises. I told Scott that Nathan wanted a turn, and sure enough when Scott threw the ball to him he grinned from ear to ear. And then he picked it up and threw that ball right back to Scott! He throws and chases footballs and basketballs all over the house.

• Nathan also loves cars—or anything with wheels. It is so cute to watch him push cars all over the tile floors. I often find him clutching wheels he’s rummaged from Jared’s stash of Legos.

• Nate has never really “crawled.” He gets around with a funny gorilla-type scoot. It’s hard to explain, but we have some good video footage for memory sake.

• Nathan has been taking several steps at a time for the last couple of weeks. He is so proud when he does it and looks around with a huge grin on his face making sure we see how big he is.

• Nate is attached to his blue silky blanket that Grandma Asay made. Every time he sees it he giggles like he hasn’t had it for years.

• He loves to turn off the TV while the kids are watching it. It drives them all crazy, but it’s hard not to laugh at the same time. He pushes the button off, looks around at everyone and starts laughing like he is the funniest thing!

• Nathan has never slept through the night.

• Nate brings such joy to our family. I love how everyone rallies around everything he does. They love every new accomplishment and I often hear one of the other kids exclaim, “Mom, guess what Nate just did!” He loves to play with the big kids, and lately he has taken quite a liking to Kaitlyn. He loves when she takes him outside or lets him play the piano. We love this boy!

Words of Affirmation

2010-11-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

I'm a "Words of Affirmation" kind of a person (from The Five Love Languages) so imagine my delight when after telling the girls how Scott and I met, Brynn responded, "Oh yeah, I can totally see why Dad thought Mom was catchy!" That comment is still keeping me going. Thanks Brynn!

I Can't Decide!

2010-11-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

Scott is mad at me for the family picture I posted on my heading--he is accusing me of choosing it because it is one of the better pictures of me. Can you believe it--would I do something like that? I think all the family looks good. But, I will post some of the other favorite family pictures. I really wanted family pictures with our New Mexico scenery. It's hard to get seven people to look good all at once. I wish I had the awesome talent of my sis-in-law who can photoshop pics to really make them stand out. Which one do you like?

HALLOWEEEEEN!

2010-11-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

Posted by Kaitlyn and Brynn

Halloween was on Sunday so we handed out candy and did not go Trick- or- Treating. But we still went to the carnival at our church that is held every year.

Kaitlyn was an angel. She’s so cute with her angel costume that mom got at a garage sale. She really didn't need to dress up in the costume, because she is an angel everyday.

Brynn was a black cat. Look at the awesome makeup! Our dad did it. Mom made the tail and the sequins ears. And since we're talking about it, Brynn made the rest of the costume from things in her drawers.

Jared was a Lego. He won a prize for the best “building block” at the carnival. Mom made his costume. She used glue gun to write Lego on all the popping out circles.

Look at the AWESOME family!

Ellie was a clown. Unfortunately we didn’t get a good picture of her makeup, because she kept rubbing it off.

Nathan was a pumpkin. Unfortunately his costume got wet and he became a frog. Have you ever seen someone as cute as that?!

Mom was a witch. She had an awesome costume, and some pretty awesome hair, but you can't really tell from the picture.

Dad was just dad. I think?

We also carved pumpkins. We had four, but for some reason we only have pictures of these two. Go Cougars!

A Wise Boy

2010-11-09T20:43:00.001-07:00

The kids each have a night they are assigned to help me clean the kitchen after dinner. Tonight Jared asked whose turn it was. I told him I didn't have a helper tonight so I'd do it myself. He sweetly replied that he would help me tonight. As we did dishes together he asked me if he could get money for helping me. Before I could respond he quickly said, "Actually, some people only care about money. I don't want to be one of those people so I don't need any money mom." He is a very wise, very tender-hearted five year old.

From Jared's journal entry on Sunday: My friend's wanted to spy on their neighbors. I wasn't sure it was ok so I told them I wouldn't. They said I wouldn't be in the club if I didn't. I said that was alright I just wanted to do what was right.

I am proud of Jared for his strong desire to choose the right. I'm pretty sure his friends were not doing anything wrong, but I'm glad he had the courage to stand up to his friends anyway.

After a couple hard months, this little boy has conquered his Kindergarten fears. He is thriving at school and now says his worst thing of the day is leaving school. He likes to come home from school and write words and sentences for me. His major accomplishment has been that he's let Scott drop him off at the drop-off in the morning and walk into the Kindergarten area himself. He told me he'd do that more often, but that sometimes Dad would walk him to his classroom just for fun. "Maybe we'll do a pattern mom. Like, drop-off, drop-off, drop-off, Dad, drop-off, drop-off, drop-off, Dad." I smiled at my cute little boy and all that he is learning.

Jared loves to be read to. His attention span is amazing as he sits mesmerized listening to stories without pictures. Recently Scott read "Where the Red Fern Grows" to the kids. Jared loved listening about Old Dan and Little Ann. His imagination painted a vivid picture of each scene, and he often related to us the details of how he pictured the boy and his dogs. He also listened to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and loved it too.

Jared is always up for snuggles and loves...if only we could figure out how to keep him in his own bed at night! He invariably ends up in bed with us or we find ourselves in bed with him (usually Scott takes Jared duty, since I am still up with Nathan at night) every night. Jared told me one night after I challenged him to stay in his own bed, "I just can't help it mom. You guys are just so snuggly and warm!"

Then and Now

2010-11-02T22:08:00.000-06:00

OCTOBER 8, 1999

Bountiful, Utah

Exactly 11 Years later

OCTOBER 8, 2010

Albuquerque, New Mexico

T-shirt Designer

2010-11-01T22:17:00.001-06:00

Brynn's teacher named their class the "Owls." They wanted to have a shirt to wear on their fieldtrips, so each student got to draw a design. The class then voted for their favorite one to be printed on the t-shirt. Brynn's cute design won!

Isn't it cute? Way to go Brynn!

Ellie-isms

2010-10-31T20:41:00.000-06:00

Ellie's school picture proofs came back the other day. Surprise, surprise...she was not smiling. She asked me if the words said, "Ellie not smile." I told her they didn't say that, but since we were talking about it, I asked her why she didn't smile. She replied, "My smile batteries runned out." Oh! That explains so much--I'll have to figure out how to recharge them!

Later that night she didn't want to say her prayers. I commented that saying her prayers was a way to show Heavenly Father that she loved Him, and for her to thank Him for all the things He has given her. She said, "No, Mom! He not give me things--I give Him my prayers!"

This Little Muff of Mine

2010-10-22T21:13:00.000-06:00

We had family pictures a couple of weeks ago. We had them taken at Elena Gallegos, a park nearby us and by the Sandia Mountains. Little Muffy did NOT like the idea of pictures. Whether she was nervous of the photographer (who is a friend of mine, but Ellie doesn't know), or she was just being a stinker--I don't know. Probably a little of both. Here are a few individual shots of her.

Even with me next to her, she refused to smile!

She couldn't help herself on this one!

Once the photographer left, Ellie became her normal self and Scott got the next two shots with our camera!

Silly Ellie! Now why didn't she do that earlier?

Brothers

2010-10-21T22:00:00.002-06:00

Nathan and Jared already have a special "brothers" bond. Nathan gets excited everytime he sees Jared. He likes to hit on Jared and crawl all over him--his wrestling version I'm sure. Jared, of course, adores Nate too.

Someone to play ball with.

I love these little boys!

Swimming Champion!

2010-09-26T21:50:00.000-06:00

We had a great swim-team summer again this year. Both Kaitlyn and Brynn seem to have a great time, and both girls improved considerably from last year. Brynn swam her fastest freestyle at the district meet, and we were proud of her for doing her best and always having a great attitude.

Kaitlyn qualified to swim in the City meet in 25 yd freestyle, 50 yd freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly. At the City meet she placed second in the two relays she participated in, and took 3rd place in the 25 yd freestyle. There was a bit of discrepancy on her time in the backstroke since her lane timer stopped working. According to our calculations, she should have placed 3rd in the backstroke, but they had her placing 4th. I was proud of Kaitlyn for not making a big deal of this. She also placed 4th in the 50 yd freestyle and cut 5 seconds off her district time. She came away with a ton of medals. Way to go Kaitlyn!

We had a great time watching and cheering on Kaitlyn and Brynn this summer.

Grown Up Girl

2010-09-26T21:12:00.001-06:00

Ellie started her first day of preschool just a couple of days after the big kids started. She is attending the same program as Jared did last year so she is a peer model for a developmental preschool. When the teachers last year asked if Ellie wanted to be part of the three-year-old program, I was a bit hesitant. The preschool is four days a week, and I hate to push my little three year old out of the house so much. The teachers told me I could send her as little or as much as I wanted. I couldn't argue with that, and since we love the program and teachers I decided to do it.

I was a little worried about how Ellie would do. Ellie is a girl of extremes--she would either hate it or she would love it with no in-between. Apparently, this little girl has been craving a chance to be just like everyone else in her family and have something of her own.

The day before her preschool started I went to the school to fill out papers. Ellie came up to me and was whispering something at me with a very mad expression. I thought she was telling me she wanted to leave, but she was telling me she wanted ME to leave and her to stay by herself! That was a good sign.

On the first day of school funny Ellie refused to let me take a picture of her in front of the house. I brought my camera to take a couple of pictures at the school, and as you can see she refused to smile or look like she was enjoying herself at all. She immediately found the babies and busied herself with their needs.

She told me to leave, and so I did. She loves to talk about how she just "marches" right up to her preschool all by herself. In the past month she has grown-up so much. She dresses herself, gets her teeth brushed and tries to fix her hair every preschool morning. She can buckle her own car seat, and she continues to be a big help with Nathan. It seems like I have such grown-up conversations with her too.

She loves everything about preschool. She especially loves the songs she is learning, and I have heard her singing them to Nathan on several occasions. She definitely has no problem being away from me! I sure love this girl and am glad she has something she loves to look forward to.

Kindergarten!

2010-08-31T22:08:00.001-06:00

Jared started Kindergarten!

Jared is one of those "cool cat" kind of guys. In a house full of emotion, he keeps his cool and goes with the flow. Any talk of starting kindergarten was met with a blase attitude like sure he'd go if he had to, but he certainly wasn't overly excited about it.

He looked awesome in his BYU shirt and his new Nike's he's been dying to wear.

On the first day his teacher read "The Kissing Hand" to the parents and kids and then gave each child a Hershey kiss to give to his parent. I didn't want to leave--Jared was too excited about getting a Hershey kiss for himself that he didn't glance my direction once when I left.

Sending your child off to Kindergarten is a rite of passage--it's like the first step to giving them true independence. And here, it feels even worse, because Kindergarten is all day. That's over six hours a day where he'll be in someone else's care. Six hours that I don't know what he's doing.

He seemed to enjoy the first day, but didn't want to go back. He told me he was excited for the first day, but now he'd rather stay home. He was worried about getting on the right bus and none of my reassuring helped him. His sweet teacher stepped in and gave him a little extra attention for the next couple of days to assure him that he was getting on the right one.

Six hours is LONG for a little boy. He comes home very tired. I know in a few weeks he'll adjust to the schedule and school will be fine, but it is hard in the meantime. The teacher sent home a note reminding the parents of this, so apparently we are not the only ones struggling.

One night, shortly after school started I was laying by him at bedtime talking about his day. He said, "Mom, I almost cried today at school because I was thinking about all the fun memories I have of being at home with you in the day." My heart broke, and I knew exactly how he felt. I wanted to tell him he never had to go back to school--that he could stay with me forever.

I'm pretty sure Jared felt like his life of having fun was over. The next morning Jared woke up early so Scott spent some time with him building Legos. Jared was a new man after that. He seems to do much better after he's had some play time with his dad in the morning.

Back to School!

2010-08-31T21:39:00.000-06:00

I don't know how it happened so quickly, but the summer is offically over. School started two weeks ago for the girls! They, of course, are thrilled to be back in school and love their teachers. Both girls have at least one good friend from last year in class with them, which makes school even more fun.

Look out 4th grade...here comes Kaitlyn!

Brynn loves everything about 2nd grade!

These girls are growing so fast! They are both one of the tallest in their class. Aren't they beautiful! I miss having them at home with me. They are both so diligent about their school work and start their homework the minute they get home.

It is a bit difficult getting them ready to go and out the door on time in the morning...it's hard to get ready fast when you have a book in your hand and you're trying to read the entire morning! I never thought I'd tell my kids to stop reading, but these girls have a hard time doing anything else. They definitely try to multi-task and Kaitlyn told me she wished their was an invention where she could read in the shower.

Have a great year girls!

Garage Sale Goodies

2010-08-15T21:47:00.000-06:00

All summer long the kids begged me to let them hold a lemonade stand. Thoughts of sitting with the kids in the hot summer sun for seemingly endless hours on our quiet neighborhood street tucked away from any potential customers made me want to evade the subject each time.

They continued to beg, and beg, and beg.

And then I remembered the time my mom let us have a lemonade stand during a garage sale we had. She even made homemade cinnamon rolls for us to sell--I was old enough to know homemade cinnamon rolls took a lot of effort to make, and I remember thinking that my mom must really love us to do this. Of course the cinnamon rolls were a big hit of our sale, and I remember neighbors buying several at a time.

So when I heard a family from our ward (Steel's) was having a garage sale along with several other neighbors I decided I should jump on the chance to create a great memory with my kids. All their children are grown and they were happy to have my kids set up their lemonade stand during their garage sale.

And of course, I made cinnamon rolls for my kids to sell--so they would know that I loved them enough to do that too. (It was a good thing too since the morning we held our sale it was overcast and cool. A perfect day to sit outside for a couple of hours, but not the perfect day to sell ice-cold lemonade.) Scott helped think of the slogan for their signs "Garage Sale Goodies."

We all had a blast, and I'm grateful I had this opportunity to create a positive memory with my family. The Steel's and their neighbors were very generous with the kids and made several purchases. Brother Steel taught my kids about sales and so all four were yelling, "Ice-cold lemonade, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls" to every potential customer who walked by. The kids manned their sale for about an hour and a half and made about $30 to split between Kaitlyn, Brynn and Jared. Not bad for a summer day!

Best Quote of the Day:
Jared was beginning to get thirsty and complained to me. I told him he was welcome to have a cup of lemonade (I could already tell the bulk of the profits was not going to be from their lemonade sales) or I had a water bottle in the car. Jared quickly jumped on the water bottle choice and exclaimed, "I don't want to give us a bad bargain! I'll take the water."

The idea of a "bad bargain" kept all the kids from eating and drinking their products.

Book Reports

2010-08-08T21:05:00.000-06:00

Before school starts again, (only 10 more days of summer for us) I thought I should write about Brynn's 1st grade year of book reports. To challenge Brynn, whose reading level was already several grades ahead when she started 1st grade, her teacher had her read a chapter book and then do a book report "project." She made a Candy Land type of game based on the characters and plot of one book, she made a diorama for another and a mobile for another. She read so fast and finished her projects so quickly her teacher told her she was going to run out of ideas for Brynn. That made Brynn only more excited--she had plenty of her own ideas!

Her last project took her a bit more time. Brynn read The BFG by Roald Dahl and wanted to make a timeline of the book for her project. I was thinking beginning, middle and end. Brynn obviously went well beyond that.

Brynn had a full page written for every heading--"Before the Beginning", "Beginning", "After the Beginning", "Before the Middle", "After the Middle", etc. After each written page she illustrated it with wonderful drawings. She was very careful throughout the entire project.

Her finished report was over 20 pages long. She taped them all together in a time line fashion and literally had one of the longest reports ever! I was impressed by her hard work, and her teacher was amazed again by her creativity and writing ability. She is one smart cookie!

Can't Get Enough!

2010-08-01T20:42:00.002-06:00

Every one of us is mesmerized by this little boy. How can we not be...just look at him!

Nathan is already 8 months old! I realize more now than ever how fast time flies by. Nate barely has some blonde peach fuzz on his head. It sticks straight up and reminds me of his cousin Sam.

Nathan loves to eat real food and threw a fit today during church when the Sacrament was passed--he was not about to let us leave him out of a little bread and water! (Obviously he'd like to eat the grass too). He loves a tray full of Cheerios or baby food puffs and even enjoyed our fresh bread this weekend. It is nice that he can feed himself some of these finger foods now so I can put him in his chair while I fix dinner, and he is content.

He has the highest pitch squeal you've ever heard--it's piercing to the ears and can either mean he's very happy or he's very mad. I think a couple people at church got an ear full of it today.

Nathan definitely prefers his mom to anyone else. It looks like his first two teeth are on the verge of poking out--we can finally see them. He is so easy-going and puts up with a lot from his siblings--especially his little Ellie mom. He even seems to like some of the antics she puts him up to.

Nathan leans forward from a sitting position and puts his hands down like he is going to crawl, but his feet are in the way. It is hilarious, although he gets frustrated. It is nice that he hasn't been in too much of a hurry to be mobile--life will take on a new level of excitement when he's on the go.

Broken?

2010-07-30T21:55:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Brynn's insistence, we have Ellie and her "broken" leg documented.

On Sunday morning (July 4th) Ellie and Jared were jumping off the stairs and onto cushions they placed at the bottom. Apparently Ellie jumped but missed the cushions and landed on the tile. She was very upset and would not walk, but I largely suspected she was over-reacting due to the fact that we arrived home late the night before from our two week stay in Utah. I picked her up and buckled her in the car to leave for church, and didn't really think twice about it until she tried to walk on it during Sacrament Meeting and fell to the ground.

Still figuring it was more from being tired and wanting attention then anything, I took her to Nursery and mentioned that she was not using her leg and to get me if it continued. I felt bad when two hours later when church was over I picked her up from Nursery and the Nursery worker had held her the whole time. She said the one time she put her down Ellie crawled to where she needed to go.

I began to suspect she might not be over-reacting. I took her to our Dr's office which is open on weekends and they sent her for x-rays. They told us she fractured the growth plate at the end of her leg bone and put a full leg splint on her until we could see an orthopeadic surgeon.

Ellie figured out how to scoot around with her big splint, but I still had to help her a lot. She complained about the splint, and I was imagining how awful it would be when she got a real cast on. I pushed her in the stroller everywhere I could with Nate in my arms. I was quite a comical site.

When we finally saw the orthopeadic surgeon he took more x-rays and didn't think the leg looked fractured after all. He wanted to keep it splinted for 10 days, and if she hadn't used her leg by then he wanted to see her again to cast her. Gratefully, after about 8 days of wearing the splint Ellie started bearing weight on her leg. We never had to get a cast, and I was grateful to have Ellie be independent again!

Did I Mention Kaitlyn Turned 9

2010-07-30T21:33:00.000-06:00

Kaitlyn turned 9 on June 3rd--right in the middle of our Children's Music Theater. It was hectic so I didn't get to write about her, but she did get to bring brownies to rehearsals. She also had three of her friends from school come swimming with us at Scott's work. Afterwards we had pizza and ice-cream sundaes with tons of toppings!

Look at this cute curly-haired two-year old

Kaitlyn is a smart, sweet girl. She loves to read and we often have to make her put her book down to eat. She is very responsible and showing it more and more. Just today she made lunch for everyone without being asked, since I was not home and Scott had knee surgery yesterday and can't move around very well. When I came home and saw everyone eating I was so proud of her for stepping up and helping out. She always does her homework right when she gets home from school, and I never had to remind her about any school projects that were due--she was always ahead of schedule.

Kaitlyn also has a great talent for creating the mood in our home, and I love when she chooses to bring peace and love by getting along with her brothers and sisters. She has many friends, and I am proud of her for making good choices.

Kaitlyn is also a great swimmer and has done very well this season in swim team. She loves our garden and looks at it almost every morning and watches closely so we're sure to harvest everything on time. She also loves playing the piano, and is a great artist.

At Arches National Park

We are so grateful to have Kaitlyn in our family!

Welcome to the Jungle!

2010-07-23T14:38:00.000-06:00

For the past two summers my friend Sharee has headed up a summer children’s music theater program. My kids were able to participate in last years show, “Davey Crockett,” and loved every minute of it. Because Sharee was expecting a baby at the end of June she was not going to do it this summer. After a conversation Sharee and I had at the park one day we somehow got the idea that if we worked together we could make it happen this summer after all. I love this kind of thing, and wanted to learn how Sharee made it all work.

I organized everything and took care of all the logistics and most of the set, and Sharee mostly ran the rehearsals. She has a music degree from BYU, and it was fun to see how she taught the kids the music and came up with the choreography. There was definitely enough work for both of us—I can’t believe she did it all by herself in years past!

Here's some of the set without the banners and flags.

We had 47 kids participate this year—more than other years and I was nervous, but they were such a good group. We rehearsed for three weeks and then held one performance. Our main play was “Welcome to the Jungle” based on Aesop’s fable The Lion and the Mouse. Since it was only twenty minutes long to beef it up we added two other Aesop’s fable skits and songs. The younger group (entering Kindergarten and 1st grade) did The Tortoise and the Hare and the older group (all others to 11 years old) did The Fox and the Grapes.

To simplify costuming since our cast were all to be jungle animals we ordered t-shirts in four different colors and face painted the kids different jungle animals for the final performance.

Jared was the Hare in The Tortoise and the Hare and had two lines taunting the Tortoise--he was hilarious and one of the best parts of the show if I do say so. I didn't know he could be such a ham!

The day after the performance we left for Utah to help before Abby's wedding. We flew Mom out to help me drive out since Scott couldn't miss work. I was so glad she could see what I had been working on, and we put her talents to use as she helped face paint the kids.

Two of the parents in our group had performed in Cats on Broadway. They organized the face painting, and I can't believe what a fabulous job all the parents did. All the kids looked awesome!

Kaitlyn was the cutest hippo! I LOVED her eyelashes.

Brynn made a darling Zebra too!

This banner in the front of the stage matched the front of our t-shirts.

I was really glad to be a part of this and had a blast. I think it was such a good experience for my kids and all the kids involved. It was a welcome change from the monotony of motherhood and a chance to use my talents in a different way, however it was nice to get back to a normal routine.

Say Cheese!

2010-07-18T19:21:00.000-06:00

Abby had a photo booth at her reception with unlimited prints. People could get their pictures taken and then got to take home a copy for them and put a copy in Abby's guest book with a note. I thought it was so cool and told Scott I wanted to take a million pictures in it. Scott told me that was weird.

I wasn't the only one who wanted to spend all night in the photo booth. Brynn and Kaitlyn went in a million times--they watched the line like a hawk and jumped in as soon as no one was in it.

We even got some pictures with Max and Cheryl. I love how Jared disappears in the last shot.

I love the big orange glasses on Scott. Unfortunately I was busy most of the night and couldn't take more than a couple of pictures. I want to do it again.

A Lazy Summer Day

2010-07-07T13:56:00.000-06:00

We just spent the last hour reading The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Everyone is enthralled--especially Jared as we are returning to the tale of his hero Peter. Now we are eating fresh, hot homemade bread for lunch--we're already working on our second loaf. Brynn told me it was so good I should open a bakery--you gotta love when your kids tell you something like that. Ellie broke her leg on Sunday and has a full leg splint until tomorrow when she gets her cast on--I will post more on that later.

We got home late Saturday night from two weeks of non-stop fun with cousins in Utah. I loved every minute of it and as always feel a bit melancholy now that it is all over and I know it will be some time before we get to see everyone again. But this is close to a perfect moment with the kids, and I love it.

Miss America

2010-07-06T21:20:00.000-06:00

I went to a fourth of July party in the morning (July 5th). I got a flag painted across my face. I got home and went to the grocery store with my mom. When we got there the store manager said I had the best Fourth of July outfit then anyone who ever walked into the store. He gave me a rose. It was a really fun day.

~ Kaitlyn

Ellie Turns Three!

2010-06-06T22:16:00.000-06:00

Our little Muffy (as she prefers to be called) turned three on May 17th. We celebrated with her friend Wyatt Holmes and his family with a barbeque. Unfortunately, my camera batteries were dead so I don't have any pictures. However, we did take lots of video footage.
Where do I start about my Ellie? She keeps me on my toes and is filled with personality. She is a girl of extremes. She is either so ornery and strong willed I can't stand it, or she is so cute and endearing I can't stand it. She continues to be the best little mom to Nate. She dresses her stuffed animal bears in his clothes and diapers and takes good care of them too.

Ellie loves to play in water and has flooded the bathroom sink more than once. She wants nothing to do with any thing pink or princess. We have some great dress-up dresses that she refuses to even touch. She is thrilled to put on our little bear costume and any of Jared's capes or superhero dress-ups. I have to fight her every Sunday to wear a dress and have even resorted to bribing her with a piece of gum (her favorite) if she will wear the dress I want her to wear. She goes through phases of her favorite outfits--her favorites seem to always be my least favorite, and she never keeps the barrette in her hair to keep her bangs (which we have been desperately trying to grow out but were recently cut against my will by the hair stylist) out of her face.

She loves to play anything with Jared and especially loves to get every blanket and pillow in the house out and spread across the entire floor. Jared and Ellie can spend hours doing this.

She loves to collect rollie polly's in our backyard and recently named a big one she caught "Jacob."

She does silly things like climb in her hamper. We have been taking her out on her bike, and she is so proud of herself for being able to ride it (training wheels on). Now she keeps saying she can't wait to show her grandma when she comes to visit that she can ride her bike.

She loves her brother's and sister's and sings "I love Nate! Yes I do!" all over the house. We are so lucky to have this spit-fired little girl in our family. Her little voice and fun personality make us smile. Happy Birthday!

FHE Lesson by Kaitlyn and Brynn

2010-06-06T21:26:00.003-06:00

Kaitlyn and Brynn love to plan the Family Home Evening lesson, and ask if they can do it every week. Their lessons are so creative and fantastic that I've decided I need their ideas when I plan Sharing Time for Primary. A couple of months ago they planned a lesson on goals. They spent hours drawing a large soccer goal and making smaller soccer balls with string attached. On the back of the soccer balls we were supposed to write our goal for the week. They had boxes to check for every day we accomplished our task. When we had all the boxes checked, we got to put our soccer ball in the goal.

Scott and I were so impressed by their thorough and creative lesson. They even had certificates made to give to every person as they completed their goal. They dressed up as "special visitors" from The Friend magazine who made and accomplished goals. They always plan a game (usually a treasure hunt to find the lesson) for Jared and Ellie. Where did these kids come from--they are amazing! I especially love when Kaitlyn and Brynn work together nicely as they prepare the lesson. They both have great ideas, and it brings such peace to our home.

Great Grandparents

2010-06-06T20:43:00.001-06:00

We took Nathan to Utah to make a premier among many family members for our Spring Break. My grandparents came down from Bountiful to join us for Family Home Evening. I'm grateful to have some cute pictures with Nathan and Great Grandma and Grandpa Porter.

Grandma and Grandpa have three children, 18 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren with two more on the way. They even send a card to everyone on their birthdays--my kids always look forward to their card (especially since it always contains some cash!) We love to go see them. I especially love the email updates my grandpa sends occasionally. He sealed Scott and I in the Bountiful temple which was very special. My grandma always has treats to share when we go to their house. I love these great people and wish we could see them more.

Happy Birthday Jared!

2010-05-16T17:40:00.001-06:00

Jared celebrated his 5th birthday last Sunday, May 9th. He was gracious enough to share his day with me since it was also Mother's Day. Jared requested Oreo ice-cream cake. I love an excuse to make this yummy cake!

It's a good thing Jared likes Ellie so much--he even let her help him blow out his

candles. Ellie just couldn't help herself.

Here's Jared after a couple of bites and an already messy face, but he is showing off his favorite present. His face lit up when he unwrapped this sword, which made Scott and I smile. Generally, we only get our kids one present for their birthday, but I was afraid the sword wasn't enough so I got him something else. It turns out the sword itself would have indeed done the trick. Jared is in heaven. The girls made him a crown. He wears the sword in a holster held up by a belt of mine and all day he rides his stick horse and pretends to be Peter from Narnia.

See how tough this guy is? If you come over, he'll show you how fast he can unsheath his sword.

Jared spends most of his play hours pretending he is a hero of some sort. He loves using ropes or robe belts to tie things and people up. He begs me to play all day. I'm always the bad guy--he has a million super powers like freezing me with his hands or shooting webs at me. Luckily, Ellie loves to join in with Jared so I can get something done. Jared put this football uniform on and had me pin a red cape on him.

A couple of weeks ago a friend passed along a Power Ranger's dress-up costume to Jared. He was in heaven and proclaimed, "Mom I want every Power Ranger's for my birthday." I thought he meant he wanted all the play figures which made me laugh, because he NEVER plays with any of those kinds of toys. He clarified that he wanted all the Power Ranger's dress-ups. Yes, he would love those.

Jared has an incredible imagination and can take ordinary objects and make them the most exciting toy. He has a fascination like many little boys for all things weaponry. And isn't he handsome!

Jared has a tender heart and is kind to everyone. He loves to snuggle and sit on our laps. We went to the zoo the other day. Jared took it upon himself to act as Ellie's caretaker making sure she was always close-by and safe. Jared starts Kindergarten next year--it is all day here so we are going to miss him so much during the day.

We are very grateful to have this sweet boy in our family. He makes us all so happy!

What's Up?

2010-05-05T22:37:00.002-06:00

Here are a few things going on around here:

More baby bunnies in the garden! Mama Bunny is much earlier this year than usual. One bunny--so small its eyes weren't open--crawled out while Scott was watering. He was wet and shivering. Scott wrapped a small "blanket" around him and stuck him back by his hole until his momma came back. These bunnies are softening us all! Unfortunately the mom must not have liked our "help." Her litter did not survive.

Brynn is trying to win the "Nasty, Stinky Sneaker" contest at her school. She begged me to let her make her tennis shoes as stinky as she could. I don't think I support this program, but she REALLY wanted to do it. I finally relented since school is almost out and she needs new shoes for next year anyway. As soon as she gets home from school she takes off her socks and wears her shoes the rest of the day without the socks--she wants to make her shoes "juicy." How gross is that?!

Jared is engrossed with "Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," the movie. I wouldn't have even let him watch it, except he loved the book when we listened to it on our way to Utah over Spring Break and then I saw the movie at the library. He has spent hours building Lego horses with little men holding swords just like the fighting scenes at the end of the movie. Jared is "Peter" of course and tries to mimic the English accent by downplaying all the 'r' sounds. I love when Ellie plays with him too--she's Lucy.

Kaitlyn has her first piano recital coming up. She has really taken a liking to piano and has picked it up very quickly. We only have 3 1/2 weeks of school left until summer break. I can't believe I will have a fourth grader next year! Her teachers have really touted a lot of the creative, artistic things she has done lately.

Ellie wants to play every minute with her friend Wyatt. Those two kids are hilarious to watch and everyone thinks they are twins. She's demoted all her dolls and instead wants to play with all the stuffed animal bears we have. She took one of Grandma Esplin's bears home with her from our Spring Break trip to Utah. I thought for sure she would quickly forget about the bear, but that is not the case. It is her "Nate." She distinguishes between 'her' Nate (the bear) and 'my' Nate (our real baby Nathan). "Mom, where is your Nate?" "Mom, my Nate needs a diaper change, does yours?"

I've decided to head up a summer Children's Musical Theater in June. My friend has done it the last couple of years but is having a baby this summer so wasn't going to do it. She said she'd help if someone else would spear head it. Scott thinks I'm crazy to add another thing to our lives, but it has been a welcome change for me. It's a good distraction from the mundane tasks of my life, and makes me feel empowered to make this happen. I hope it turns out!

Scott is busy as always with a million youth things juggled with work. He is so great to always make time to play with the kids. He got the garden planted and is enjoying watching it grow.

Time Flies!

2010-04-27T16:54:00.000-06:00

Can it be true that my baby is already five months old! How did it happen so quickly!

We still can't get enough of this boy. He smiles at everyone who looks his way! He loves to play with baby toys. None of my other kids ever seemed to care, but if Nate is crying and you hand him a toy he is immediately happy.

We drag Nathan everywhere--endless errands, soccer practice, soccer games. He happily endures Ellie's mothering. I am grateful he is so easy going. He loves to snuggle with me at night--as much as I try to keep him in his bed he always ends up in mine at some point in the night. I know it won't last so I'm enjoying it. The kids are dying for me to feed him solids. As an experienced mother, I know there is no going back once I start, and feeding a baby is time-consuming and messy. I want to enjoy him as a baby just a little bit longer! I promise I'll give you some cereal soon Nate.

Family Rules

2010-04-18T20:35:00.002-06:00

I came across a paper in Brynn's folder that made me smile. Her class must have been talking about rules and so they were asked to write some of the rules they have at their house. Here's the rules Brynn came up with:

Pick-up as you go.
Don't kick the soccer ball in.
Play the computer for only 15 minutes.

Obey parents.
Have good manners.
Boys have to lift up the seat before they go potty.
No fighting.

I thought it was a pretty good list and wish a few were followed a little more regularly. Really though, I have the best kids who really try hard to do what is right, and I appreciate them for that. I laughed when I read number 6. This is a "rule" that Brynn has been trying really hard to instill in Jared and is doing a good job of policing it. Poor Jared has too many moms sometimes!

Making Slingshots with Grandpa Esplin

2010-04-12T22:04:00.005-06:00

The following came from something Scott wrote in his journal recently.

When we were in Utah we asked my dad to help us make sling shots. I remember how we did this when I was younger and thought it would be fun for a repeat.

Step 1—Procuring Forked Branches:

Before our arrival grandpa had scouted out some forked branches during his walks around the neighborhood. Most of these came from overgrowth on an isolated trail away from homes. However, one or two came from yards in the neighborhood. When Jared asked why we were cutting grandpa’s neighbor’s trees I tried to explain how we were kind of on the dividing line between two yards so it must be ok. Grandpa gets away with these things—kind of like in the winter how he rides his quads on the paved neighborhood streets pulling grandkids on sleds. I don’t know how you gain this special license. Maybe it’s due to the poise and confidence he shows as he walks around the neighborhood with tree pruners. Mostly I think it’s because he is very kind and serves those around him.

Step 2—Whittling, Notching, Cutting, and Assembly:

For this next step we broke out knives in grandpa’s backyard. We shaved off the bark and notched the ends of the forked branches. We also cut out leather pouches. Eventually the kids grew tired and started to squabble a bit—fortunately it was not with sharp pointed objects nor with the prototype sling shot.

Step 3—Final Testing:

This was the best step of all. We drove down to Utah Lake and tested our sling shots for accuracy and distance. We shot at drift wood, seagulls and ducks. Ok… the kids shot at drift wood. I was the one who took aim at seagulls and ducks (but only when attention was directed elsewhere so as to set a good example). But the fowls didn’t have much to worry about.

We all had a great time and thank grandpa for such a fun event.

Fun Easter FHE

2010-03-28T21:24:00.002-06:00

My sister in-law posted a fun idea to use for FHE. We tried it tonight and it was a big hit with the kids. Thanks Michelle. I thought I'd share the idea as well. I did change the recipe a bit--the original called for a lot more butter and sugar/cinnamon mixture. Even using the below amounts I had a little waste.

Resurrection Rolls

16 Big Marshmallows (Representing the Body of Jesus)

2 cans of crescent (Rolls Representing the cloth they buried Jesus in)
1/2 stick of Butter (Representing the sacred oil Jesus' body was dressed in)
1/2 cup cinnamon and sugar (Representing the spices His body was dressed in)

Roll Marshmallows in butter and cinnamon/sugar. Wrap a crescent triangle around it and seal it up tight. I'd line the pan with foil or wax paper. I tried hard to make sure the crescents were tight but some still leaked and it was a mess on my pan. Put it in the oven (the tomb) and bake for 10-12 minutes. When you take it out of the oven the marshmallows are gone (Jesus is not there but, is resurrected!) Eat and Enjoy!!

I liked this because it was easy enough for even Ellie to do and it was quick and not too messy. I had to help pinch the crescents, but that is all.

Once A Tease...Always a Tease!

2010-03-28T16:45:00.001-06:00

In preparation for the start of our “Juice and Journals” Scott pulled out some of his old journals to show the older kids. We had fun looking at the journal he started when he was only four years old. We especially loved the story his mom wrote about him in Jan. 1979. Scott was almost 5 ½ years old. She writes:

“At the table (dinner) tonight Shelly announced she had to go to the bathroom and didn’t want anyone to get into her food while she was gone. She went and a few minutes later Scott headed around to her place. I said “Scott don’t you tease her.” He looked at me so serious and said “I’m not going to tease—I’m really going to eat it!”

Not a week later as our own family sat around the dinner table Ellie announced that she had to go to the bathroom. She looked at Scott very seriously and said, “Dad, no eat my dinner!”

I started laughing and couldn’t believe that 30 years previous almost the same conversation occurred—different victim—same culprit!

Ellie’s comment was not sparked by Scott’s journal entry—she was napping when Scott read it to the kids. Rather, Ellie knows her dad as well as anyone. Scott loves to tease!

Every time Scott reads to Jared and Ellie he starts the story by reading it in Spanish. I usually hear the giggles of Jared and Ellie as they say, “English Daddy! English!” In fact, once when he started a story in English, Ellie so used to his teasing exclaimed “English Daddy!” without realizing he was actually speaking English. Strangely, none of them, including Scott, tire of this.
When Scott and I were dating we visited his grandma and some of his cousins in Lovell, WY where his uncle ran the family farm. His youngest cousin who was probably four years old at the time must have encountered a dead goat some time before we came. He loved to show us his depiction of the “dead goat.” He would lie flat down on the ground with his eyes closed, his head to the side and his tongue also hanging out to the side. Once we were married sometimes at night while we were talking in bed Scott became silent and completely still. When I’d look at him he’d have his eyes closed, his head to the side and his tongue hanging out just like that dead goat. And then he’d stay that way for several minutes while I started getting all worked up. Of course I knew he wasn’t a dead goat, but I still didn’t like how long he acted dead. Finally Scott would just start laughing exclaiming I was just like his sister Michelle and if I didn’t get so worked up about it he wouldn’t do it!
Just last night Ellie was searching for her favorite pajama shirt. Scott found it first, put his head through the hole and then taunted Ellie, “Look at my jammies, Ellie!” It’s no wonder sometimes I feel like I have six children instead of five!
Scott likes to tell Ellie and Jared that we’re going to take Nate back to the zoo and give him to the monkeys. Jared and Ellie were both a little worried the first time Scott mentioned this, but now just go along with it.
Sometimes when we’re all out in the car getting ready to go somewhere and I have to run back in the house for something (this happens frequently at our house) Scott will back out of the garage and act like he’s going to drive away and say, “Let’s leave Mom!” The kids were worried at first, but now Ellie chants it every time someone has to go in the house for something whether it’s me or one of the other kids, “Let’s leave them!”

Scott is such an awesome dad and husband. He throws so much of his energy into the kids and his teasing makes us all laugh (although I can see why Scott drove his younger sister crazy)!

Ellie's Determination

2010-03-21T22:02:00.000-06:00

Ellie is not yet three but has proven to be a pretty determined girl. Just today she was very determined when she knocked down Jared’s block structure set up with army men not equipped for her kind of warfare. Not much later she was unwavering when we caught her trying to cut the carpet and then a few minutes later the table cloth with her scissors. I also shouldn’t fail to mention how today we also found her sitting with a bottle of Elmer’s glue emptied out on the table, her hands and arms covered in glue, with the mess getting spread by each passing second.

Fortunately we have a recent example where Ellie’s determination has been for the good. For some time we have worried about her thumb sucking--it seemed to be getting worse with her thumb almost constantly in her mouth. Then her friend Wyatt threw away his binkies.

When I mentioned to Ellie Wyatt's brave act and issue into "big boyhood" Ellie immediately looked down at her thumb and tried to pull it off. With sadness in her eyes she exclaimed, "I can't throw away my thumb!" With a little more discussion and a promise that if she stopped she would be able to go to “Chuck E Cheeses” (her way of saying it) with her little friend Wyatt, she made up her mind and hasn’t relented. We’ve had only a couple of weak moments at bedtime where she didn’t want anything to do with Scott, but with me by her side Ellie held her own hands under her blankie and held tough.

She is very proud of herself--as she should be! What an amazing feat for someone so young. I have been impressed with this determination and am pleased to see it being channeled in a positive direction.

Gone are the days of pictures like these:

Scissor Happy

2010-03-21T21:36:00.000-06:00

Ellie is in the "scissor happy" phase. Kaitlyn and Brynn went through the same thing--Jared bypassed this phase and was out riding his bike all the time instead. I know it must be a common phase though because the day after I took these pictures my sister-in-law took almost identical pictures of her kids doing the same thing. Little pieces of paper everywhere!

Ellie can stay busy cutting tiny pieces of paper for at least twenty minutes. She has cut her hair--twice. Luckily both times she has cut hair in the bangs area and you could hardly tell--unless you were her mother who was trying to grow out those bangs!

This is Ellie taking it one step further. Little pieces of paper "food." And there is water in one of those pans too. This is often the scene as I'm trying to make dinner and hopscotching around her kitchen set-up.

Ellie is thrilled when Jared will play with her. Tiny pieces of paper everywhere combined with all my pots and pans and water equals a big mess, but I love this kind of pretend play. Who needs toys anyway? Besides that, Ellie is going to be a pro at cutting by the time she hits Kindergarten.

The Cutest Rat

2010-03-21T21:15:00.000-06:00

Brynn was the cutest rat in a musical rendition of "The Pied Piper." Ellie did not like watching the play one bit--she was very concerned about why Brynn was a "bunny" and where she was when she was off-stage.

In one part the group of rats were supposed to act like zombies being led away from the town by the Pied Piper's music. I loved Brynn's dramatic license--she was the only rat with her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth! Good job Brynn!

Three Months

2010-02-28T22:10:00.002-07:00

I remember when I was pregnant with my second child I worried if I would ever be able to love another child as much as I loved Kaitlyn. I was awestruck by our instant bond, and she had completely stolen my heart. The minute I held Brynn in my arms I knew for sure what my mom always says—that love multiplies—was absolutely true. I never needed to have worried. Here I had another tiny little person to hold, and instantly my love for her was every bit as great. With each of my children I’ve felt the same amazing, abundant love.

I wonder how a mother could ever deny the existence of a Supreme Being. A sweet, innocent newborn screams of a divine power. You need only to look in their eyes and know there is a God whose love is immeasurable.

Nathan is now three months old. When he looks at me he knows I am his mother. There is an unmistakable twinkle in his eye when he looks my way. I adore it!

I think Nathan has my expressive eyebrows!

The kids love giving Nathan "tummy time" and delight in his increasing strength. I love when everyone is united rallying around Nate.

Now... I looked in our old pictures and found this next one of Jared when he was three months old.

Hmm...do you see a difference between the two?! Isn't it fun to see how every child even within the same family is different and unique. I'm pretty sure Jared weighed more in this picture than Ellie does now! I remember when Jared was a baby and Scott was in the Bishopric there was a nice lady in the ward whose kids were all grown. She used to sit with us to help me with the kids. She loved to hold Jared, but even before Sacrament Meeting was over she was exhausted. Not only was Jared big, but he was very active. He never stopped moving and wiggling around! He was so fun, and continues to be one active boy.

I am a lucky mother to have such wonderful children! I feel very blessed.

Yummy!

2010-02-28T19:01:00.001-07:00

Posted by Kaitlyn and Brynn

Me (Kaitlyn) and Brynn started making Sunday treats. We barely need any help. We made Snicker Doodles last Sunday. They were so good! This week we made Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies. The thing we don’t like about it is cleaning up our mess. We love to eat the chocolate chips.

Let's get started!

We like to eat the dough off the beaters!

They're all done!

Delicious! Don't those cookies look perfect?

Yummy! Yummy! In my tummy!

It Makes Me Smile

2010-02-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

A few things from the last few weeks that still make me smile when I think of them...

I was a bit leery of setting up the baby swing—mostly worried for the safety of Nathan. From previous experience I know that two-year olds are enamored by what seems to be a swing-set in their house and can very easily get overzealous in the force of their pushing. The next thing you know your poor baby is being catapulted in the air across the room! Gratefully, Ellie innately understood the need to be gentle while pushing baby Nate. I watched perplexed as she pushed Nathan and then crawled on the floor under the swing over and over. When I asked her what she was doing she replied, “I give Nathan an underdog!”

Binkies are like socks…they seem to mysteriously disappear never to be found again. After what seemed like hours searching for just one of Nathan’s four pacifiers I was losing my mind—apparently Kaitlyn, who was helping me, had enough herself. Exasperated she screamed, “Those binkies need homing devices!” I totally agree. We need more than just the binky clip to their outfit. We need a pacifier that beeps when you clap for it!

Ellie kept kicking me while I was putting her diaper on for bedtime (Ellie has gratefully been potty-trained since this summer, but she is still not consistently dry at night). When I asked her why she was kicking me she said, “I Nate!” Yes, Nathan does kick his little legs during a diaper change. I started playing along, “Hello Nathan!” I said. Right on cue Ellie gave me a wide open-mouthed smile just like Nathan does. Isn’t it amazing how observant little kids are…makes you realize how careful you need to be about the things you do and say!

Jared is such a sweet boy. At night when he says his prayers he makes a point to remind us to be very quiet during his prayer. For some time he worried that if someone talked while he was in the middle of his prayer then it would not be answered. Of course Jared’s adamant warning of silence to us only eggs on Ellie. The minute he mentions silence she starts loudly jabbering anything she can think of for the sole purpose of causing trouble and annoying Jared. Isn’t it amazing that this trait can manifest itself so young? Jared has now taken up to “saying his prayers in his head” a few nights a week so Ellie can’t bug him.

Brynn prepared Family Home Evening one night all by herself. Since Valentine’s Day was coming up she chose to talk about love. She had us choose a picture in the Gospel Picture Book that had something to do with love and asked us to tell why we chose that picture. Then she had us all draw a family members name out of a bowl and gave us little cards to decorate. We were supposed to do something the following week to show the person whose name we drew love and leave them the card we colored. It was a fabulous lesson! Kaitlyn and Brynn want to prepare FHE every week and are bummed when I tell them Scott and I have to give the lesson sometimes too.

Daddy Cuisine

2010-02-07T19:59:00.002-07:00

Arepas!

A new family favorite inspired by Scott's mission to Venezuela.

Lately Scott has been making arepas for us. They are made from corn masa you find in the Mexican food section at the store...just add water! He forms them into balls and pushes them flat and then cooks them on our griddle. They open just like pita bread when they're cooked. We like ham and cheese in them the best...once Scott put fried tuna and onions inside too (Scott tends to be very creative when he cooks). We all love them, and I especially love that Scott makes them.

Juice and Journals

2010-02-07T19:30:00.001-07:00

Inspired by my brother-in-law's idea, our family came up with our 2010 journaling goal..."Juice and Journals!" Our church starts at 11:00am this year, so to utilize our morning hours we meet together every Sunday from 8:00am-8:30am (Scott has to leave at 8:45am for early meetings). And the best part...unlimited drinks of juice! I don't buy juice very often so this is a special treat the kids look forward to. It is a bit precarious...I worry about a spill every time! This is actually something everyone likes and has been really fun.

Happy Birthday Brynn!

2010-01-31T17:46:00.002-07:00

Brynn is 7 today! Happy Birthday!

Brynn brought home a paper this week that I thought embodied one of the greatest characteristics of our cute girl. I will type it for you the way she wrote it.

Question: What is the hardest thing you have ever learned to do?

Brynn's Response: I theink swiming is hard. I only can do back strock good. The reasen it is hard is that I have to put my face in. I am yooshly last to the side of the pool in swim team. Did I menchen that I do swmin team? Well I do. I like it. I want Jared to do swim team this year so I won't be hanging arawnd by my self. It is still hard for me to swim.

Brynn has such an amazing attitude about something that is hard for her. Keep in mind that last summer when she did swim team she was one of the youngest kids. She was never dettered about being the last, and she gloried in every ribbon she won whether it was for first or last place. Brynn also swam every event--not just the one's that were easy for her. I am proud of her for trying her hardest and not giving up when something got hard. She did not let fear of failure inhibit her fun. She will have a lot of success in life with such a great attitude.

Brynn is such a smart, sweet girl. She is also very good with toddlers. She always looks out for them wherever we are and they love her. She has a strong desire to do what is right. She loves to read and is a teacher's dream student. We're grateful for her cute smile and fun personality.

Five

2010-01-27T21:59:00.001-07:00

Five: The number of days old Nathan was before Ellie picked him up out of his car seat and walked to the other side of the room.

Do you blame Nate for his look of concern?

Ellie loves everything about Nathan, even the spit up and poopy diapers. While the other kids are grossed out, Ellie revels in wiping up spit up and changing a yucky diaper. Her eyes light up when I tell her Nathan needs a diaper change. "Oh, Nathan so poopy Mom!" she exclaims as she runs around locating the nearest diaper and wipes. I usually wipe Nathan mostly clean and then Ellie takes her turn and finally finishes the diaper change by fastening the velcro tabs. If only she were ten years older!

The cutest thing? Her babies are all named Nathan. She likes the green boy one the best. She uses Nathan's diapers and wipes and changes her babies multiple times a day. She had a garbage bag full of "dirty diapers." They were really all clean, but she had used them for her babies and then taken them off of them and rolled them up like she's seen me roll up Nathan's dirty diapers. I snuck them away so we could "re-use" them for Nathan. Later I discovered inside every one of them was a wipe! That girl is so cute! If only I could convince her to stop trying to pick him up!

Nathan's Blessing

2010-01-27T21:39:00.001-07:00

Nathan was blessed on January 3rd. He wore the same blessing outfit that Jared did. I would have loved to share this day with family, but I am so grateful for our good friends here that could be a part of the blessing. It was fun to show off our little guy to our ward family.

Scott has meetings both before and after church so he wasn't home either time to take a family picture. I brought our camera to church to take pictures in the foyer so Scott could be in some. Unfortunately I don't like any of the pictures so I'm just posting our silly faced one we took at home.

Little Fish

2010-01-23T21:43:00.006-07:00

Whenever there is free time Scott tries to take the kids swimming at his work. I am a fair-weather fan and only like to go if the water is really warm. I missed a great chance over Christmas break when the water was around 93 degrees. Everyone came home telling me it was like "bathwater." Ellie, not wanting to be left out but being a bit confused told me the pool was like "sinkwater."

Someone at church calls my kids the "stair-stepped" kids. You can really see it here!

Jared was very proud that he swam the whole length of the pool without his floatie. Being only four he's a little short on technique, but his giant effort keeps him afloat (sometimes just barely)!

Ellie is becoming more brave and now delights in jumping off the side by herself without Scott catching her.

Scott is such a great dad! He is so fun with the kids.

Hard to Resist

2010-01-05T14:40:00.002-07:00

Last night Ellie started screaming while I was helping Kaitlyn practice the piano. I heard Jared saying "Sorry Ellie! Sorry!" Apparently Ellie was destroying his Lego creations as fast as he could build them. Jared came running to me saying, "Mom, it was an accident. I accidentally pulled Ellie's little pig tails. Mom, you should take those out of her hair, they're too easy to pull!"

I guess those cute pig tails are hard to resist!

Smile!

2010-01-03T21:04:00.003-07:00

Nathan has been smiling for the last couple of weeks. Doesn't it just melt your heart? He is such a sweet little boy!

Brynn was actually the first one to capture Nate's smiles in these pictures.

I just wanted to add these pictures to show how chubby his little cheeks are getting! He has also lost most of the hair on the top of his head. I loved his brown fuzz, but I see little blonde hairs coming in just like his sisters and brother!

Brothers

2010-01-03T20:42:00.004-07:00

Look at two of the cutest boys ever!

Jared loves Nathan, and he especially likes to rub Nate's soft head. Jared is always close by when it's Nate's feeding time and ends up sitting right next to me to rub little Nathan's head the whole time.

Jared wanted to kiss Nathan today while he was sleeping. I told him to just give Nate one kiss so he wouldn't wake up. Jared came up to me a minute later and said, "Mom, I had to give Nate two kisses. He is just too cute to kiss one time!"

Jared claims Nate has "healing powers." Whenever Jared gets hurt he runs to Nathan and touches him so Nate can heal him.

We all seem to use the names Nathan and Nate interchangeably, but I've noticed that Jared almost always calls our little guy Nate. He is such a good big brother!

Little Nathan

2010-01-03T19:54:00.003-07:00

Nathan is growing so fast. I wanted to post some of the sweet pictures when he was still so tiny. These two were when he was two weeks old. He still fit into a little newborn size sleeper.

Here's Nathan at 2 1/2 weeks.

Nate at 3 weeks. Notice he's already losing some of his cute dark hair at the top.

Christmas

2010-01-03T19:42:00.003-07:00

We celebrated Christmas Eve with our traditional Shepherds Dinner with both the Hales and Staten family. As you can see, some "shepherds" don their garb for longer than others. It is always so fun to get together with other families. We did not eat anything very authentic this year, but it was fun to eat out of pie tins. Every year I remind the kids that I doubt the shepherds ever ate as fine a meal as we had.

Here are the kids on Christmas morning waiting to come down the stairs to open presents. The night before Brynn exclaimed that she didn't want Scott to take any video footage this year. When I asked her why she explained that it took way to long for him to get all set up and she didn't like waiting at the top of the stairs.

Christmas Friend

2010-01-02T22:12:00.002-07:00

A couple of days after Nate was born Scott spent a couple of hours helping the older couple he home teaches put up their Christmas lights. He took the rest of the kids with him, and they came home with this little gnomish Santa friend. He was quite the addition to our home throughout the holidays. You can't help but want to grab his nose and cheeks...Ellie even tried to take a bite out of them. The kids wrestled Santa and used him as a punching bag. After we put up our Christmas tree they placed him on a stool next to it. This funny little Santa made me smile every time I saw him.

Alas, Santa has been given to charity. I told the kids we could take a picture to remember him by, but he was much to big to store. Thanks Santa for the fun times!

All I Want(ed) For Christmas

2010-01-02T22:00:00.006-07:00

Is my two front teeth!

I meant to post this before Christmas. Cute Brynn with her two front teeth missing. She wanted to pull her tooth out at school (she's waited to pull two others until she was at school) but she was wiggling it at night in bed and she accidentally pulled it right out.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T15:50:00.004-07:00

Service

2009-12-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

I am surrounded by such good, wonderful people. I have great friends who are always so willing to lend a helping hand and have gone out of their way to help me while I was pregnant and now that little Nathan is here.

Mom

My mom and dad and Caleb and Abby came to visit for Thanksgiving with the hopes that our little baby would arrive while they were here. I am grateful that Nathan acquiesced to our plans. My mom stayed an extra week to help us. She was an awesome help, and I just love having her company. I was amazed at how much she could get done in a day. She made us dinner every night and froze a couple meals too. She washed clothes, changed almost every one of Nathan's diapers and took care of his circumcision, shopped for the things I needed, helped me make a million JOY blocks I wanted to give as Christmas presents, serviced and fixed my sewing machine, dressed up Nathan's burp cloths with fabric and ribbon, read a few books, and even knitted a bunch of scarves for her young women for Christmas. I am grateful for her service to my family. I would be a mess without her, and I'm so glad she got to be with me when Nathan was born.

River of Lights
Another "empty-nester" family in our ward took my kids out for a night on the town on Friday. They gathered all but Nathan into their Suburban and first took them out to eat and then to see Albuquerque's River of Lights. When the kids got home they had cotton candy and a couple bags full of magnetic rocks as souvenirs. They had so much fun, and I guarantee if Scott and I had taken them they would not have received such special treatment. Scott and I reflected on this couple's readiness and willingness to serve in all sorts of capacities. We want to be just like them.

McDonalds
On Saturday another lady from our ward called to see if she could take the kids to McDonald's to get a Happy Meal and play on the play place. Aren't I lucky to have such wonderful people around me?

Explora
Another good friend took Jared and Ellie to the children's museum Explora on Monday. She has four kids of her own who are all in school, and used her precious "kid-free" hours to help me out by entertaining Jared and Ellie. They LOVED it! I am so grateful for her friendship and all the things she does for me and my family.

I am incredibly blessed and feel so loved! I am awed by the goodness in people, and am grateful for their example of service and love. I hope I can emulate those qualities as well.

More Little Nate

2009-12-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

Beware to all my friends who think they are "done" having children. Do not come to my house and see Nathan. You will fall in love instantly and will find it hard to resist the urge to add another baby to your family. He already has everyone of us wrapped around his finger.

Nate has the sweetest spirit. He is the most perfect little person. After every feeding he wakes up and looks around bright eyed and quizzically. I've never had a newborn that looked around as much as he does. When you talk to him you can tell he gets excited and that his cute little mouth is trying very hard to smile. He is so peaceful and has been easy going so far. He endures being passed constantly from one person to another and is not the least bit phased by the chaos of it all. I already don't know what our family would do without this special little one.

Nathan eats like a champ. There will be no discreet feedings with him as he gulps every taste down like it may be his last feeding. My mom could even hear him eating while I was talking to her on the phone. I love a good fast eater.

I want to share this bundle of joy with everyone I love. It makes me miss living by family. It makes me miss the fact that I have a nephew and a niece that I've never even met, and that my parents and Scott's parents get no more than mere glimpses into the lives of my kids when we see them. I want them to be able to hold and smell and love and snuggle our little Nate and feel the joy he's brought into our family.

Our Baby is Born by Brynn

2009-11-29T18:52:00.004-07:00

On Thanksgiving morning Ellie and Jared ran in mine and Kaitlyn’s room. They asked us if we were awake. We said yeah. They told us Mom had the baby! I got out of bed and I kissed Ellie! We went downstairs and saw a picture of him. They baby’s whole name is Nathan Porter Esplin.

We couldn't go see him in the hospital because it is flu season and kids aren't allowed in the hospital.

Thanksgiving Day Addition

2009-11-26T20:21:00.011-07:00

We have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day as we welcomed Nathan Porter Esplin into our family early this morning. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

Sarah was amazing. The labor lasted only two hours or so -- short enough that Sarah didn't have time to get an epidural. She seems pretty happy about that feat now but not so much this morning just before 12:14am.

The picture above shows Nathan already flexing his muscles just after I taught him how to do his first push-ups. There is no doubt he is a perfect fit for our family.

Happy Thanksgiving!