Pumpkin Carving

The kids always look forward to the Monday before Halloween cause that means the annual pumpkin carving FHE. I got smart this year though and started without Andy cause if we wait for him to get home, then eat, and then start, it makes for a very late night! So we had our chicken noodle soup and started "gutting" our pumpkins. We had tons of fun and were so excited when Daddy got home to join us. And this year we put the pumpkins on the side deck and none of them were stolen. I figured someone would have to be very brave to walk up the deck steps and get hit with the motion detector light.

Pre-carving - I love my crazy kiddos!!

Bunch of goofballs!

I actually turned him loose to do everything himself this year! YIKES!! It was slightly scary sometimes (as you can see with the knife in the picture), but he did a wonderful job!

Aidan was pretty independent this year too. He didn't require a lot of help. He and Aaron worked together a lot on both their pumpkins.

What a face! Meg has this wonderful, fun, spunky attitude as you can see from this picture. She was determined to do the gutting all herself. She is very independent and doesn't like to be told she can't do something (I don't know where she gets that from!).

Our little cheeseball!! Kennie keeps us laughing with her made-up stories and songs.

Ash is getting big enough to really enjoy all the fun! The only problem is she thinks she can do anything the big kids can do. I gave her some foam stickers and a marker to decorate with until Daddy got home to help. I couldn't tackle all 5 kids by myself.

Daddy to the rescue!! Ash was so excited to get to finally carve her pumpkin. And getting to do it with Daddy was the icing on the cake!!


THE FINISHED PRODUCTS:

We Survived...

another Halloween!! I am such a party pooper when it comes to Halloween. I find it a useless waste of money on costumes and candy. What is really the point of Halloween? My kids play dress up all the time at home. We don't need a day that they get to go out in public dressed up. BUT...I try to at least make it kind of fun for the kiddos. We did carve pumpkins for FHE cause I remembering loving to carve pumpkins as a kid. (Those pics will come in a later post.) I do try and accomodate their requests for costumes (within reason). I do go to all their parties at school. I do take them to the trunk-or-treat at the church. And this year we spiced it up by attending a party, which totally made Halloween fun!! (Party pics to come in a separate post.) I don't have a pic of Aaron in his costume (which was sooo easy) cause my camera battery died at the school and then we picked him up on our way to the church cause he was at a pool party while we went to grandparents' houses so he wasn't in those pics. Then he and Aidan and Megan ran off on their own for trunk or treating so I didn't catch him then. I did take a pic of him at school with a friend's camera so I can add it when I get it from her. Kennie really enjoyed all the parties at the school. She enjoyed class hopping with each sibling but ended up eating in Aaron's class cause that was the one we provided food for the party. Our little monster aka Ashlee was home taking a nap (since Andy was home sick) so I didn't have to tackle her around all the sugar! So Friday we did school parties and then went to our ward harvest dinner. Saturday we slept in, got a little work done around the house and yard, visited grandparents, did trunk-or-treat, and then spent the evening at a fun party in Burlington hosted by the Gourmleys. Halloween 2010 is done and over with!! Hurray!! (and the kids are already planning for next year...SIGH!!)

Ashlee all cutified in her Halloween shirt and Halloween bow with her crazy curls!

Meg's spider web hair.

Aaron decided to combine a few different pieces of costumes on the way to Burlington - his mask from last year, Kennie's witch's hat, and his Percy Jackson costume.

Alien Aidan and the cutest witch ever Kennie (even though she said she was the wicked witch from Wizard of Oz - she was too cute to be wicked).

Meg the elephant

My little witch and zebra

Look at that innocent face - well not so innocent as she next started digging into her bucket for candy and anything to make a mess!

Aidan said it looked like Ash swallowed a tutu!

Loving trunk-or-treating! Ash really got it this year and made sure no one forgot her little bucket! They both walked the whole time.

4 of my 5 monsters!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Blue and Gold

(Feb. 16, 2010) No! I am not talking about the Cody Bronc school colors although Andy might like that if I did, but Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts. Aidan was lucky that his first day of Cub Scouts was also on his birthday and it was the Blue and Gold Banquet. The boys were supposed to make a cake and decorate it with their dads - absolutely NO mom help!! Andy and the boys decided that since it was the thick of basketball season and they all absolutely love basketball, it would only be appropriate to make a basketball cake. It was fun to watch them bring their ideas together.

Where is the picture of the finished cake you ask? I have absolutely no idea!! I was pretty sure I took a picture, but I cannot find one anywhere. But you can see that is was a half court basketball cake and if you look close you can see the little nerf basketball hoop sititng on the counter - that went at the edge of the cake. It turned out wonderful!! And I think the boys and Andy had fun doing it together. (I know I was very grateful that Mom didn't "get" to help!!)

Aidan enjoying his first day of Cub Scouts!

Megan's lovely tongue! There were many creative cakes and obviously someone used some yummy blue frosting!!

There are no more pics from the night because I slipped out partway through and went to my little brother Justin's basketball game. I think I took Ashlee at least and maybe Kenna, but Andy still had his hands full and I was grateful to at least have a few pics from him.

8 Already?

Feb. 16 ,2010 - It can't possibly have been 8 years already since Aidan made a very quick entrance into this world (and he hasn't slowed down since)!! Aidan adds so much laughter and joy to our family. He is our frog boy, do any kind of sport boy, which hand am I going to use for what boy (he writes right handed, plays sports left handed with a few exceptions like using both hands in tennis - he doesn't have a back hand only a forehand), and our little comedian with a temper that only occassionally comes out. He absolutely loves babies and asks for a baby brother all the time (which I have to sadly tell him he will never get). He is very social and thinks the more kids around him the better. He loves to laugh and is good at cheering his little sisters up when they wake up crabby. He might be little but he doesn't know it!!

After school his brother and sisters surprised him with with the gifts they had bought him. I love that my kids get so excited to shop for each other. They are always thinking of others and that makes me happy!

(Notice the beautiful flowers?! They were a wonderful surprise from a very dear friend that sensed I needed a lift one day!! Thanks, Cammy!!)

My 5 beautiful children on Aidan's 8th birthday!

Birthday treats for school!! This is just a small glimpse into Aidan's personality - anything and everything sporty!! I love you, Aidan!! Can't wait to post pics from your baptism day!!

The Plan of Salvation

How thankful I am for the knowledge of why we are here and where we are going! How thankful I am to know that this life is not the end! How thankful I am to know that we have a loving Heavenly Father that has a plan for each of us and that He never leaves us alone! I didn't think that the new that a high school friend and teammate passed away last night after losing her 3 year battle with cancer would hit me so hard and force me to rely so heavily on my testimony. Maybe it has something to do with that it hits somewhat close to home (no, I didn't go through anything like she did, but I do have those moments of "what if" and "what will the next checkup bring"). I last saw Leslie at Darcee's basketball tournament in Cody a few years ago. She was the same sweet, genuine, happy Leslie. I got to meet her wonderful husband and her two beautiful children. It was fun to spend a few minutes catching up on things. She was always such a positive person. (She never once mentioned her struggle then.) I recall her blowing out her knee mid-season of her junior year (my sophomore year). Her twin sister was also on the team and she was always there cheering her and the rest of our team on. She never complained that it ruined the rest of that season and her track season.

This news has brought on its share of tears. Tears for her husband and her children. Tears of selfishness on my part because I am so thankful that Heavenly Father had a different plan for me. I know Heavenly Father will take care of her family. I do know that! But it doesn't mean I don't feel for them. I am so thankful for the reminders that have come to me today to do some reprioritizing again. I am better than I was before I was expecting Kenna but I am not as I was 6 months ago. There are so many unimportant things that can bog down our days. I know it will be a constant battle, but I am recommitting myself to live each day to its fullest and try my best to choose the best of all the good things there are. I have 5 beautiful children, an amazing husband, a wonderful family, and awesome friends that may not know how thankful I am for having them in my life. I have a comfortable home, vehicles that run, food to eat and clothes to wear, Andy has a wonderful job, I have the best employers around (they pay in hugs and kisses), a healthy body, and most importantly a Savior that loves me and wants me to do my best! He knows me; he loves me; he made the ultimate sacrifice for me! He suffered not only for my sins but he took on him my pains and sufferings and sadness and frustration and all that I feel. I can never say that no one knows how I feel because He does. I will be even more diligent in keeping the commandments and doing the "Sunday School answer" things that will keep me focused on the most important things in life.

I pray that Heavenly Father will send comfort to Leslie's family during this sad time for them. I know He cares for each one of us. I hate that it takes this type of a loss to remind me of the things I never thought I would forget after that last year. I haven't totally forgotten but I have become lax. I have had my wake up call and am ready to do better!

Where in the world...

has time gone? Has it really been since Feb. 24th that I last posted? I have had good intentions but have just let time slip away from me. And SOOOO MUCH has happened since then. Aidan turned 8 on Feb. 16th and was baptized. Aaron turned 10 on March 4th. Kenna turned 3 on April 4th. Andy turned 34 on April 10th. We had a fun trip to Utah over Easter cause all Kenna wanted for her birthday was to go to college. So, off to college we went so she could celebrate her birthday at BYU with Aunt Darcee. We had a FABULOUS time and had the most wonderful hosts, Andy's sister Edie and her husband Jacob and all their critters. I am sure glad they all survived our chaotic bunch. We got to visit Grandma Enid who turned 96 right before we went to Utah. We got to have tons of fun with Aunt Amy, Uncle Ernie, cousins Ryan, Jessica, Spencer, Paul and Rachel, Aunt Juleen, Aunt Sara (what a fun surprise!!), Aunt Edie, Uncle Jacob, and Aunt Darcee!! It was a fun-filled weekend and I can't wait to post pictures. My problem with posting has been that a lot of pictures have been on Andy's camera and I haven't been able to get them on our home computer. So thankfully Andy downloaded them to his laptop and saved them on a flashdrive for me. So now I have no excuse (except the craziness of 5 kids, which after almost 18 months I still am not good at all the things I used to be good at). Let's see...we have also had basketball, soccer, wrestling, preschool graduation, marathon, having our house on the market to sell (we hope to build) and lots of other craziness that has slipped my mind at the moment. I also got released from teaching Gospel Doctrine and am now the Relief Society meeting coordinator (aka Enrichment leader). I am thoroughly enjoying my new calling but do really miss my preparation for my lessons. I am trying really hard to still pretend I have to teach each week, but it is so much easier to let it slip and just do the minimum. I MUST do better!!

Now that school has ended I am excited to try out a few our new "plans." For FHE we had each of the kids give us their goals of things they wanted to accomplish this summer and we also set family goals. Andy also had the fabulous idea of "Mission Impossible" for the kiddos. We have Agent 00AA, 00AID, OOME, and OOK along with "the secretary" also known as OOROSIE (the enforcer of the "no telling your mission" rule - she is armed and dangerous (with a nerf gun that she can't shoot without help)). These things along with the soon to be crazy summer academy and rec activities schedule, there is no excuse for the words "I'm bored!!" in our house. This will require cooperation and teamwork from all of us and should make for a FUN FUN summer!! In preparation for our next RS meeting, we have been preparing a Summer Survival 101 Guide and I think it has been more for me than the sisters we will be giving it too. I am armed with other fun ideas and looking forward to building wonderful memories with my children and amazing husband!! I am so blessed to be a wife and mother to 5 wonderful, energetic children!

WELCOME, SUMMER!! WE ARE READY TO GO!!!

Gratitude

As I was preparing for my CT scan last week, the tech asked me when I was supposed to start my treatment (he had obviously read my file). I told him I didn't have to start treatment cause they were able to get all the cancer with surgery. He looked at me and said, "No wonder you are so happy."

YES!! I am happy! I have so many things to be thankful for! I can't believe it has been a year since my surgeries. My one year checkup went very well. My CT and my labs all came back clean. I still have a large cyst in my abdomen, but Dr. Purcell has high hopes it will go away on its own. He is not worried about it and will continue to watch it, and I don't have to go back for a year instead of in 6 months!! What a wonderful day it was!!

I am so thankful to have found myself in the hands of such a wonderful surgeon and also a wonderful oncologist in Billings. I am so thankful to for the priesthood and the power to heal if it is the Lord's will. I am thankful for its for to provide comfort and guidance. I am thankful to know that my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ know me personally. I have been taught so many things about myself in the last year. I have learned I can't do it on my own. I know the Lord sends His help through others. I learned that He cares about even the little things that are big to us - like NG tubes, cold sores, drains, lack of energy. I have learned that it is ok if the house is not clean all the time, if a gourmet meal is not on the table every night, the girls' hair does not have to be perfect 24/7, it's ok to say no, and it's okay to spend time each day doing something for just me. I have learned that children are very resilient; they seem to sense just when you need a hug and a kiss; they will step up when there is no other option; they love to help out and can do more than I give them credit for. It is fun to work a little and play a lot with my kids - to stop and enjoy the little moments each day with them.

I am thankful to be able to workout again. I am thankful to be able to do the laundry for my family. I am thankful to be able to run my kids to their various activities and appointments. I am thankful to be able to fix meals for my family (I still don't enjoy cooking but I like that I can be the one not enjoying it!). I am thankful to be able to snuggle with the love of my life and not worry about tubes or sore scars. I am thankful to be able to jump on the trampoline, to push my kids on the swings, to shoot hoops, to play volleyball.

I can't believe how things have changed in a year. I have been blessed with a wonderful support system. I have a wonderful, amazing husband, 5 beautiful children, an awesome family, and the best friends a girl could ask for. There are still parts of me that need to continue to heal but what healing is left is so minimal compared to where I was year ago. I am so very blessed!!

Snow Much Fun!!

The kids had a 4 day weekend in January, and when Monday rolled around I just couldn't bear to stay indoors any more. I called Andy at work and asked if he had any ideas for something I could take the kids to do. He suggested going sledding in the gully by his parent's house. So we called my mom and Derrick and asked if they wanted to go along, packed up all our snow stuff, and headed out for a fun filled afternoon. As you can see from the pictures, it was a successfully fun afternoon. Everyone was full of smiles and laughter. Surprisingly, Ashlee loved being all bundled up! She even kept her hat on her head. She was ok with the first trip on the sled with Grandma pulling her, but when Aidan decided to give her a ride, she decided she didn't like it anymore. She just wanted to chill with Grandma or her sisters. She didn't want to go inside and was very content to just watch all the fun. The boys built a small jump and then had fun trying to make sure they hit it on their way down the hill. After all the fun, we went inside and enjoyed some yummy hot chocolate while the kids played Legos for a bit before heading home. Everyone left asking when we would be going back to sled again!

Mom and I didn't think it was fair that the kids were getting to have all the fun, so before we went inside we decided we needed our turn down the hill too. We found out why the kids were having so much fun!! It is fun to just relax and smile and laugh like a kid again!