I've Been Thinking

I've been thinking lately about a lot of things. Mostly I've been thinking about my Grandma Saundra. She was killed two and half years ago in a sudden accident. She was 64. My grandma was a huge part of my life. She was there for everything and always cared about what I was doing.

My thinking started when we were decorating our tree last week. My grandma gave us a new ornament every year for Christmas. This angel was the one she gave me the Christmas before she died. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I wonder, did she have any idea that she was going to be my angel very soon? And why is it, that ever since she died that when I see a bird it reminds me of her? I think it's strange that the angel is holding a bird in each hand.

I miss my grandma lately. Maybe it's because I've been feeling a little lonely and I wish she was here so I could call her on the phone and chat or get her latest recipe.

It seems like such a small thing, but I'm grateful for this ornament that my grandma gave me. It serves as a reminder that she is still with me and that I will see her again someday.

Birthday and Thanksgiving Celebration

Last week was one to remember! My WHOLE family came for the holiday and we had so much fun together. We started off with a big birthday party for me! We went to Hana Yori Hibachi Grill for dinner.

The girls did not like the big flames at all. Look at Chloe's face!! She was so scared.

My mom provided the cake and candles. I think there are too many candles on that cake! I didn't think I could blow them all out in one breath, but I did. My sister made me that cute hat and my parents gave me a Cricut Expression!!! I have been playing with it and making Christmas decorations. I love it.

We went swimming at the hotel. The kids got to have a sleepover with Grams and Gramps that included popcorn and a movie in the hotel theater. They were in heaven.

Ash gave all five of us a haircut. Benny liked his first real haircut. He just sat and played with some blocks and was so great while Ashley was cutting. I feel like a new woman with my new haircut and color! Thanks Ash!

Thanksgiving day was wonderful! I was so happy to have everyone at my house to celebrate. I had fun hosting at our new home. I always miss my grandma on Thanksgiving because it was 'her holiday', but I think she was there with us.

I made place cards for all of the adults with a picture of them when they were little. Then I helped the girls write why they were thankful for that person on the back of the card. It turned out pretty cute!

We set up a photo shoot in the front room since it was soooo cold outside. We couldn't pass up the picture moment when we were all together. My mom and dad are such good grandparents. My kids just love them to death. We'll have to get a new picture when Colin and Ashley's little girl arrives, this one is already outdated!

Here's the five grandkids. They were being so silly. Chloe was not in the mood to cooperate for this one.

Here's the whole family. It's amazing how it's grown over the past few years. I love it.

I am so grateful for my family. I love them so much! They are awesome. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you do for us. You truly are the best parents a girl could ask for. To all my siblings (including Ashley :): thanks for making me laugh and for being so much fun to hang out with! I miss you all when we aren't together.

It's a good thing we will all be together again in just a few weeks. I hope you are ready to party it up in Disneyworld!!

Not So Happy Halloween

Our Halloween week was rough. Chloe came down sick and was throwing up and complaining of a belly ache for three days. She didn't sleep for four nights straight. This was towards the middle of the week, so by the time our Halloween parties started we were all exhausted and a little grumpy. We had a party with our ward. I am on the activites committee so I knew what was going to go on at the party. I got my kids all pumped up for the games, hayride, prizes, food, and of course, a trunk-or-treat. They were so excited! Bryan started his night float that night so he had to leave early to go to work. My kids are going through a weird separation anxiety phase right now- mostly Niah- (isn't she too old for that?!) so they would not leave my side to go with their friends and play games and participate in all the fun things I had told them about. (Chloe probably would have gone no problem, but Niah's fits made her nervous, I think.) Keep in mind that it's pretty cold too because the party was outdoors. We have big coats on, blankets, etc. so my hands were FULL. Here I am trying to chase a monkey, but every time I would wander off to get him the girls would get out of line and start to cry and follow me. If I held the little monkey he would squirm and get mad because he did not want to be held. As I'm typing this it doesn't sound that bad, but it really was stressful, chaotic and really not fun! This went on all night. Finally, the trunk-or-treat came and they did a little better, but would not leave my side. Bennett had a lot of fun getting candy and would not let go of his candy. I'll spare you the rest of the details, but all in all I didn't get to talk to a single person at the party and my kids were big grumps all night. I was glad to get cleaned up and out of there. I thought the party was a success though! I think the ward members had fun.

Sadly, these are the only pictures I got of the kids in their costumes. Where's Chloe you ask? She was being stubborn and would not get in the picture. So, I have no decent picture of Chloe in her cute hippie costume. :( Here's my cute little monkey. He loved his costume and when people came up and said, "Oh, what a cute monkey," he would answer with a monkey sound. It really was adorable.

Niah was the cutest pirate I have ever seen! Arrrgggh!


I kind of gave up trying to get the kids excited about Halloween day. I down played it and as the day went on, I felt bad that they couldn't go trick-or-treating around the neighborhood- because it was Sunday. South Bend sets hours for trick-or-treating and they set it for Sunday night. Boo. I thought I should have made more of an effort to find somewhere to take them Saturday night. Anyway, the kids saw people out getting candy and wanted to give candy to the trick-or-treaters. We were all out of candy from the ward party so we had the idea to clean out their buckets and get rid of all the candy they didn't want. It worked out nicely! There were not many people that came down our circle, but Niah didn't let that stop her. She got a whistle and stood in the circle blowing the whistle and yelling, "Candy, we have candy!" If she saw someone at the top of the circle she would start yelling and try to get them to come down to our house. It was the funniest thing ever! I was laughing so hard.



Chloe and Bennett thought she was a little crazy! Oh, look- a picture of Chloe in her costume. She decided to just throw it on over her clothes so she could give candy away.

She's a cute hippie. Or as she says, "I'm a whoopie!" She didn't even wear the earrings that started the whole hippie idea. Oh well.

In the end, I think our Halloween turned out alright. The kids had more fun giving the candy away and weren't sad at all that we didn't go out trick-or-treating. It was truly entertaining to watch Niah yell down the street to passersby! The kids buckets are still full of candy from the ward party, so they have had their fair share of it- and so have I!

Wow. I didn't realize how long that post turned out to be. If you are still reading, I'm impressed.

It's Been A Long Time

It has been a very busy few weeks! Here's a quick break down of what we've been up to.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. We spent it with my dad's family and it was great. We ate until we couldn't eat anymore!

Black Friday was awesome. I woke up bright and early and got to Kohl's by 3:45 am. Then I met up with Bryan's mom, grandma, sisters, and other family members to shop some more. I got all of my Christmas shopping done in one day! I was so proud of myself. I love Black Friday, it really is fun.

We then went up to my dad's cabin for a couple nights to hang out and relax. I love the cabin and the kids love it too. They get to build snowmen (they built a 'touchdown snowman' for the BYU/Utah game!), ride four wheelers, play with lincoln logs, and watch movies.

We have also been busy going to family Christmas parties. It's been great to see family that we haven't seen in a few years.

Bryan started interviewing for residency about a month ago. We have been to three programs in Utah, one in Tyler, TX, two in Indiana- South Bend and Muncie, and next week we go to Boise, ID. Thanks to my mom and Bryan's mom Bennett and I were able to go with him to all of these places while the girls played at grandma's house. I am glad that I have been able to go and see all these places. We have met some really great people and have a couple programs that we like a lot. Sadly, I forgot my camera on both trips so I don't have any to share! Making the decision of where to go next will be a hard one.

I am getting a little tired of packing and unpacking. We haven't had a moment to rest. It will be nice to get back to Vermont and get back to our normal routine. The poor kids have been all over the place! I am excited for Christmas to get here. The girls have been so much fun this year. Charlie the elf made his appearance last week and they are loving that he brings them surprises. Niah asked for a real puppy this year- don't think that will happen! Chloe wants a baby and some playdoh.

We wish everyone a merry Christmas and hopefully I will be able to update again soon.

4th Of July

We had a nice, relaxing 4th of July this year. We decided to do our own thing since we weren't sure how I would be feeling. Friday night we braved the crowds and headed to the waterfront to watch the Burlington fireworks. Besides the rain and cold, it was a blast! I'm glad we took the girls, they loved the fireworks. Chloe kept saying, "Mom they go boom, boom, boom, down, down, down (as she motioned her hand downward)!" Niah kept her ears covered the whole time even though I think she really loved the noise and lights.
Saturday morning we went to the Colchester parade. There were lots of firetrucks, bands, and not much candy. The girls had fun waving their star wands we made and they got a few free frisbies. Here's B and the girls. Don't we all look so patriotic in our red, white, and blue?! Bryan even wore his patriotic socks, I was impressed.

Saturday night we did sparklers as a family. It wasn't that dark outside yet, but I wanted to get the kids in bed after a late night Friday. They had fun anyway, they didn't seem to care.

It was fun to celebrate the 4th as our own little family, but we did miss the big family BBQs that we are used to. As my dad always says, "May the Fourth Be With You!!" haha.

Baby Update: I had a Drs. appointment today and I am 3 cm dilated but not effaced yet. I was shocked. I was sure that nothing was happening. The clock is ticking! Any day now...