I try.... I really do!!

I LOVE pictures, love pictures of my children. I have taken the twins to get their pictures taken 1 time. We haven't had a family picture taken in 4 or 5 years. WHY? Do you know how hard it is to get four kids to look at the camera and give a decent smile at the same time- almost impossible. Then throw in 2 adults who are worried about what the 4 kids are doing, and.... it seems like it is no use. I have tried mulitple times, and this is one of the best we've got. I will keep trying.

Merry Christmas!!!

Grandmom told me once that the pathway to hell is paved with good intentions. I am well on my way, because... my life seems to be full of good intentions that just don't seem to evolve much more than that. Like blogging, I have lots of thoughts and moments that I would like to keep a record of, but.... Anyhow- Christmas is upon us, and it is one of my favorite times of year!!! I love the feeling it brings to me and it seems, to humanity. I love the lights, smells, music, stories, etc. etc. I love seeing the excitement in my children- Tyler LOVES decorations and lights too. Tonight he wanted to have all the lights off except our nativity and sing Christmas songs (yes, he did want to put on a performance of all the songs they are learning at school that none of us know, but... whatever). I love that he loves it. Yes, again I fight the battle of giving too much, teaching my children the true purpose, etc. I took the 4 kids to pick out an angel tree, did I teach them anything.... while screaming at them to stop thinking of themselves and pick something out for someon else???? So, I have been thinking that it is a process to teach our children. WE create a "feeling" and if we are stressed too much, or worrying too much- it isn't creating the feeling I want to be associated with this time of year. If I try to do little things and just create the memories and traditions that show true Christlike love and giving- then with time maybe they will pick up on what the reason for this season is. I LOVE this time of year.

Give Away

Alrighty... there is a blog- listed on my sidebar, and if I can figure it out- their button will soon be here too... it is a cute crafty/thrifty blog that I enjoy looking at- really when I want to sit and vedge- it is a blog I check daily. So... they are trying to get their name out there and so they are doing a give away to help do that. Check it out.
http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/

Happy Birthday....

to Zachary and Andrew.... Amazing- 2 years!!!! What an amazing adventure we have had so far with these boys. As I was looking through the pictures- trying to find ones of them together and them looking at me (believe me it is a VERY difficult thing to do)- I thought I need to highlight each of them as individuals, but... for now- I will share pics of them together- because that is how they are.... Together. Two boys- now Two years old. And I love them sooo much! We all do- they bring joy, laughter, energy, noise, love, and exhaustion into our home!! Happy Birthday Boys! (The one picture of the boys with the cereal.... I was helping Jessie and Tyler get ready for school and forgot to take the brand new boys of cereal off the table- the boys didn't want to wait to eat- so they poured it on their trays, floor, etc. and proceeded to lay in it, roll in it, stomp in it etc.)

Who's Napping?... NOBODY.... and First Day of School!

(This is my 2nd attempt at this post- FYI- I hate computers!!) Well, the boys have done it. Last Thursday they learned to climb out of their cribs. I.... am at a loss for words actually. They are not napping, and that is.... Horrible for all of us. I have locked them in their room for a fair amount of time- they NEED to nap! One day I did find Andrew asleep under his crib, and another day Zach fell asleep on the mattresses we took out of their crib. That was after he had assaulted Andrew- when I went in to get him he had bite marks on his face, hands, arms, legs, etc. Poor guy. We are seriously considering investing in some crib tents. My sanity is worth 200$- isn't it?

And... here are some pics from the first day of school. Jessie started 3rd grade this year. Her teacher is Mrs. Cox. She went to a new school, and didn't have any friends in her class, it was nerve racking (and enough tears to make your eyes swell a bit)- but... she has done very well. We decided to have her try to ride the bus the first day instead of me take her and it worked well. Within a few days of school her teacher called to tell me what an amazing girl she is. She said Jessie is responsible, and has integrity, and that we should be proud. WE ARE!!! She also chose Jessie to represent their class in the youth 2000 group. (I'm thinking it is similar to a student council type group). Jessie agreed! She has come a long way!!!

Tyler is in 1st grade this year. His teacher is Mrs. Miller. The first bit was Rough! Tyler is active, and sitting still for a whole day... not fun! But... he is getting more used to it. He enjoys recess (playing b-ball) and is making new friends. His handwriting is improving- even though he hates writing in his journal each day. And he has had school lunch a couple of times (pizza- of course). Oh yes, and his reading is coming right along. I miss the kids, but we are trying to get into a routine. Although the moment they get home- the infamous ???? "Can we play?" Is usually the first thing out of their mouth- Who doesn't love to play?

Catching up is never easy to do!!

I always think of what I am going to blog about, and then think... but I have to recap- chronologically.... what a pain- that is why my scrapbooks never get done either. So... I will post a few pictures of our summer- give a small rundown- then post more later, and more later, and then... maybe I will get caught up. This summer we had lots of fun. We went south for about a week right at the beginning (just me and the kids), we went to various parks, we went swimming a few times (the kids were hoping for more, and I wanted to, but... never got past the idea of taking the twins by myself), we had visits from family (always a GREAT time!!!), Jessie and Tyler did swimming lessons and improved so much- they both went off the diving boards at the aquatic center (Jessie even did the high dive- and made me do it once too- yes, I screamed the whole way). Let's see... we went to Hanna a couple of times, the kids did the reading program at the library, spent many hours playing outside, Grandma Oxborrow came to visit, Tyler had his first birthday party (a whole story in itself)- turned 6, we went to Hyrum Dam and Bear Lake, etc. etc. All in all, I thought it was a good summer. I like to do things and unfortunately my kids got that same "Drive" button in them- it is always on Go. But... we had fun, and made some good memories- hopefully!

Chicken Pox???

Nope!!! Last week my sister and her daughter came to visit. The kids definately take after me and Love having family around- thanks for coming guys!! But... the last night they stayed, the kids decided to sleep on the trampoline ( which I must add that cousins have quite the influence or my kids are just growing up- I was shocked that Jessie would be willing to sleep out there without an adult- ). I thought a few times that I should spray them with bug repellent, but... let the thought go. OOPS!!! The next morning they each came in covered with tiny red dots- like someone had taken a marker to them. Tyler's face, ears, arms were covered. The next day they were swollen almost like mosquito bites. I have no idea what it was, but we did get some cream from the dr to help. It did get them out of church- we decided other parents might be a little upset- at least until they heard the story. It is a week later and the bites are fading nicely. When asked if they will sleep outside again.... what do you think they said.... YES!

* Jessie is going to be thrilled that I posted this picture of her- I am starting every once in a while to see signs of caring what others think-- it's too bad.