The year in review

If you have never read my blog here is the best post to catch up on us.  If you have read it then you can just skip this one.

Every year I like to look back and see all the hard, wonderful, crazy, stressful, beautiful moments that we have had. So here is to 2010!

January we started the year off right by ringing in the New year with Mama and Papa. We went sledding with the Otteson's the first day of the year.  It was a lot of fun.The kids had their first and last(we hope) time at Chucky Cheese.  That place is awful.  This was the year that I became an Aunt for the first time.  I love that little girl as if she was my own.  Lucy is adorable.  It is fun for my kids to finally have a cousin.  JJ started babysitting for us.  We went to Emma's baptism preview and left him home.  It was awful.  We loved this new found freedom.  Emma is also a wonderful babysitter.  JJ took third place in the Geography Bee.  We are so proud of him for this.  Elsie moved to a big girl bed.  She is getting so big. The kids and I made kaleidoscope together.  Jeron grew a beard for the first time and shaved it in January.  I think he looks HOT with a beard.  Ellie had some major poop problems and I had had enough.  She got poop all over my house one night while I slept like sleeping beauty.  The part that makes it the worst is that I never sleep.  Ellie got into JJ's room and spilled his ink all over JJ's desk and all over herself.  I was able to sneak in and catch Jeron reading to Elsie.  Moments like that melt my heart.  January is NEW BEGINNINGS.   

February was a great month.  I arranged a much needed night out with my Monson girl cousins.  It was so nice to spend time with them.  Oh, how I love them. My family decided to see what Jeron and JJ would look like as girls.  It was crazy how much JJ looked like Emma.  I hardly every get to spend time with the ladies during the day without kids but Jana, Molly, and myself worked it out to squeeze a lunch in and leave the kids with our hubbies.  It was so fun.  Then Jana took me to a church in Draper where I met Jeron and the kids.  We got to see Fatima get baptized.  It was a very neat day.  Michael finally got his Eagle.  I am glad that he did it.  Our neighbor gave us a cute present for Valentines.  We were to write love notes to each other.  It reminded me of when Jeron and I dated.  It was cute.  Elsie has started sitting at the computer and saying "I'm working"  Who is she mimicking?  We had a fun Valentines and made some cute ones for the fam.  Grandma Jan and Grandma B came up for a visit.  It was fun to see Grandma B run around the house with the little girls.  They loved it. Elsie is starting to say the funniest things. It is fun to see her start talking and expressing herself.  Tara and I had a fun GNO.  It is great to have a sister in law.  JJ got his Bear this month.  He does great in scouts.  He really enjoys all that he learns.  JJ turns 10.  This sure made Jeron and I feel OLD.  He is a great kid.  He was able to have a friend party.  They did a gaming party.  He also had a family party and ALL of Jeron's family came.  So did all the Meads that still live here.  It was a fun night.  February is LOVE

March brought a crazy time.  First Ellie, Elsie, myself and my mom headed to Washington DC to see the Vogel's  and meet Lucy.  She is so darling.   It was a lot of fun.  We celebrated my mom's birthday.  I was introduced to Potbelly's, We went to Great Falls and the wonderful Wegman's.  We went to Mt Vernon.  And for a special treat we met up with Ashlee and Smitty.  It was great to see them, especially for Ellie.  She just loves them.  Emma turns eight and is so excited to get baptized.  Michael my brother gets his mission call to Paris, France.  We are all so excited for him. Emma has her first slumber party and it was a blast.  She also had her family party.  Elsie turns two and I can't believe our baby is so old.  We got a monster towel for Elsie and she loves to scare us in it.  The darn little Leperchan messed up our house on St. Patty's day.  Ellie and Elsie sneak around while Mommy works.  Maybe even raid the pantry.  The kids except Emma go on a bike ride.  We had the day off so we surprised Daddy and went to lunch together.  We decided to go to temple square and do the tourist things.  Ellie was reading through and noticed a Tea Party.  She set one up for Elsie and myself.  She really is a doll.  March is LUCKY.

April we had a really fun APril Fools.  I got a little more into this year than normal.  We tricked everyone by making a fake Daddy.  We had a silly dinner also. The girls and I headed to Trolley Square for a little girl time.  It was fun to do a girly thing with them.  We made Easter eggs and man that is a lot of eggs.  We had a great Easter with all of our family.   Ellie has started helping do chores and loves it.  The kids got some April snow and made a dinosaur.  The lock had to be taken off of the pantry and every once in a while you can find a child looking through the keyhole because they are stuck in the pantry.  The kids had the week off for spring break and it was rainy.  We did go to Barnes and Noble and get books.  We went to Lagoon a bit early and it was extremely fun.  We might always need to go in April.  the kids looked so cute in their Easter outfits.  Michael went through the temple for the first time.  Lucy oh ya and Maren and Ryan come to town. The kids love Lucy and can't get enough of her.  Emma gets baptized and it was a beautiful day.  Lucy and her shared their special day.  Lucy was blessed also.  It really was wonderful.  The guys get to hang out and had a great time.  Uncle Carl came to Ellie's soccer game.  She sure loves Carl.  Ellie had to get tubes again.   It was an easy surgery.  When we got home Elsie and Ellie made pet rocks.  It was a lot of fun.  April is FRESH STARTS.

May was started out in Park City for Brocks birthday.  We went swimming and had a wonderful time.  I have turned Elsie into my little model.  I take her for photo shoots all over and she seems to love it.  Mothers Day was a very special day.  The kids and Jeron spoiled me.  I started working out.  This was a hard thing but a much needed thing.  I even took up running.  I have never run and when I have I hated it.  Elsie falls asleep on the hard floor.  Ellie graduates from Preschool.  We are so proud of her.  I chop my hair and start to question what I had done.  I do like it alright now.  I take Ellie on a mini photo shoot and get some darling pics of her.  Ellie has her last day of school with her other preschool.  We go to Dairy Queen for her field trip.  Jeron and I finally go on our Melting Pot date night.  John watches the kids and we catch Elsie fast asleep on Grandpa.  Elsie wont wear clothes anymore.  She is our naked child.  Poor Emma smashes her hand in the hinge of the door.  Ellie graduates from her other preschool and tells everyone she wants to be a mom when she grows up.  I cried.  The little ladies got New shoes and were in love with them.  It was so cute.  We went miniature  golfing at Cherry Hill for Memorial Day with mama and papa and the Meads Clan.  Maren and Lucy also came for a visit.  May is BEAUTY.

June while Maren is here it means that we eat out a lot.  I was worried what this would do to my diet and working out.  I had been craving Pei Wei and it just happens to be the place everyone decided to go.  YUMMY.  JJ finds out that he needs glasses. So here we enter the glasses world.  The kids are out of school.  They loved their teachers.  Especially Emma.  We will miss them.  The girls all just love each other so much.  Sometimes I feel bad for JJ being all alone in a pink house.  Boo is silly and tries to scare us all the time.  She runs around with a mask on.  Maren was here for a few weeks so we got to spend some quality time with each other, which always includes Spanky's.  We also went swimming on the only warm day in June at Farmington Pool.  One of our families favorite places is the cabin. For Michael's last few weeks we made a point of going to the cabin and eating Hobo dinners.  It rained on it but us was still so much fun.  Smitty and Ashlee were there as well.  We headed to Cedar City with Jeron's work for the Utah Summer Olympics.  It was a lot of fun.  We learned about popcorn and Ellie and that there are "pig rocks".  We had another round of mini golf at boondocks and this time it was maybe NOT as fun.  "SHUT UP" it was fun. "NO, YOU SHUT UP"  We went to the MTC with Michael in a big 15 seat van.  It is always so hard to say goodbye.  See you in two years.  We had another girls night out with the cousins.  Love those ladies.  Jeron and Jeff played softball this summer.  It was a miserable season.  They lost every game by well, A LOT!  Ellie and Elsie just love each other and it is showing more and more.  Jeron had quite the birthday season this year.  he had 3 fabulous days all for him.  David finally took Jeron and I flying.  It truly was beautiful and amazing.  I suggest everyone go in a small plane and tour the mountains.  AMAZING.  Eclipse came out and I went with my friend Amy for the premier.  It was a lot of fun to act a little bit like a teenager again.  June is FAMILY FUN!

July is all about the red, white, and blue.  We love the 4th and this year Emma and Ellie got to be in the parade.  We had a Monson family party on the 5th.  We went to the cabin with the Richards minus the hubbies.  We had a blast.  We played in the sun with the little ladies and they loved it.  We spent a lot of time at Farmington Pool and I mean a lot.  Love the sun and the tan.  We had Jeron's nieces up for dinner and Jeron's cousin Turner.  It was fun to have them over.  Just me and the older kids went to a late night movie.  It was great.  We played with new hair do's with the girls.  The kids and I can't get enough of Pineview also.  We even ran on the hills on the road up.  Our ward did a neighborhood parade for the 24th of July.  On my birthday we went to Silver Lake to take pictures.  I loved it they all posed and didn't whine.  I can't believe I am 34.  The kids and I went to Classic with The Johns.  JJ got a paint chip in is toenail from the water-slide.  He had to have a procedure to get it out.  Yikes he is tough.  July is FREEDOM.

August was a lot of fun.  We started it off with a back to school fashion show.  This will be a tradition that we carry on until school ends.  It was a lot of fun. We had our ward camp out.  It was fun.  Jeron and Emma went on a daddy daughter date and painted pottery.  They had a lot of fun.  We headed to Pineview with our neighbors.  JJ learned to kayak.  He loved it.  Jeron and JJ had a date night also.  They went to a planetarium at Gateway.   I had a craft bug and painted wooden dolls.  I think they turned out cute.  We went to the Davis County Fair.  It was hot hot hot.  Elsie through a mug at JJ and split his eye lid open.  He got glued instead of stitches.  Pineview again.  Only this time Daddy came.  He was a sport but he hates it.  JJ had to go to the cabin with Mama and Papa because Elsie threw a cup at his eye and the glue couldn't have the Pineview water yet.  The kids head back to school.  Ellie starts Kindergarten.  JJ excuses Ellie from eating her veggies if she just gives us a kiss.  JJ and Emma head to the cabin with Mama, Papa and David.  August is INDIAN SUMMERS

September is time to get back to routine.  Elsie is just not getting the pee thing.  It is driving me crazy.  We had our Labor Day breakfast up at the cabin with the Cracroft family.  Jeron and I head to DC for our anniversary and our first trip away from the kids.  It was so much fun and we loved every minute.  Jeron loved Potbelly's.  We think Maren and Ryan are awesome hosts.  And Lucy is so stinkin' cute.  Ellie uses my lipstick and lies about it.  We had our family pictures taken by the Johns and we took theirs.  We headed up to Pineview to see the leaves and take pictures.  I got one of my favorite pics of Ellie looking at the lake. 
September is ADVENTURE.

October is changing weather.  I took the kids to Castle park for one last outing to the park. Ellie turns 6 and we are blessed to have her.  We had our semi-annual Priesthood GNO.  Ellie has her family party.  I can still rock the Chubby Bunny challenge.  We went to Gardner Village to see the witches.  I felt guilty I was going out of town for a GNO weekend so I had the neighborhood over for a treasure hunt with the kids.  Jeff and Tara get married.  I made a Halloween advent calendar and the countdown begins.  Jeron and I go to a Murder Mystery dinner and it was a lot of fun.  We make sugar cookies.  Emma wrote a darling poem for Halloween.  Elsie loves her silly ugly teeth and loves to pose in them.  JJ is Thomas Jefferson for the 5th grade Wax Museum.  We head to the pumpkin patch.  We carve pumpkins, and we celebrate Halloween.  Everyone came to the party looking awesome.  Don't be scared that is just Mama and Papa.  October is FANTASY.

November is when Elsie tells me that she is fabulous.  I love that about her.  Elsie bit her lip right through.  OUCH.  Emma is approached by a stranger and is scared to death.  Elsie is starting to make friends.  Lucy and Maren come for a visit.  Oh, how we love it when they are here.  We had a cousin GNO and had a blast.  I watched Parenthood and it brought back some hard feelings I'd been having.  It was good to get it out.  Jeron and I were pretty blessed with such beautiful kids.  I have a very thankful heart. I get to tend Lucy.  I loved every minute.  We had a great Thanksgiving.  First with the Meads and then with Jeron's family.  UTAH blocks the kick.  UTAH WINS!  November is GRATITUDE.

December is such a crazy month.  It was nice to enjoy a few moments like Elsie peeking in on the baby Jesus.  Ellie and Emma sing "Where are You Christmas" and get to dress up like "Who's".  Cute as can be.  We have the Johns up for our annual Christmas party.  Mama and Papa have the kids up for a Cookie Party.  Ellie didn't get to do because she was sick.  Turns out she was sick enough to go the hospital.  Then we all ended up getting sick. We throw Megan a bridal shower.  Mama and Papa take us to the Mo Tab concert and Jan watches the kids for us.  What a fun night.  The kids sing Silent Night in Sacrament meeting.  The kids visit Santa.  We spend Christmas Eve together.  Christmas is a beautiful day.  We get to talk to Michael.  Both the family parties were awesome.  We had a Monson family party at my parents house.  We hang out with Vogel's and Meads and have a great time.  There is hardly any snow but the kids and I make the best of it and go sledding.  We then had to go with dad.  Ti was extremely cold so the littles and I hung out in the car.  December is PEACE.


This year brought a lot of ups and downs.  The lessons learned were ones I will always treasure.  I just hope in 2011 I can learn a few less lessons:)  I hope 2011 brings you and yours much happiness.

Winter Wonderland

We headed to Mueller Park again because it SNOWED...finally. Jeron had the day off and so he got to come with us. We got there, got out of the car and HOLY MOLY it was freezing. I made the littles truck through the newly fallen snow. Jeron was able to get a tube for the older two to go down on. They were having some much fun. It was Ellie's turn to go down so her and I hopped on the sled and started down. It was windy, and I had to stop short so we wouldn't hit someone. I put my foot down and kept trying to get it back on but I was going to fast, and my foot wouldn't get back on. When we got to the bottom poor Ellie's face was covered in snow. She couldn't even breath. Since Boo refused to go down the hill I took the babies to the car while Jeron stayed with the older two.

After the little girls and I got back to the car a man came up to my car and started undoing his zipper. I was thinking holy cow this man is going to flash me. I put my hand on the horn just in case and then he walked to the car next to us and he opened the door. Then he turned about 90 degrees and I look out of the corner of my eye to see what the heck he was doing. He was peeing. He had no clue I was in my car. He got in his after this fine moment and looked straight ahead. Then he turned his head and we made eye contact. He got a look that was priceless and hurried and looked away. I had to laugh. I am sure he died. I am just think it makes for a great dinner party story. (maybe after dinner.)

Jeron and the kiddos had a blast. They froze but had a great time.

Where is all the snow???

The kids and I went sledding up at Mueller Park and as we were driving up there we started to get a bit nervous because there was NO SNOW! It wasn't until be were about a block away that we finally started to see snow. We were determined though. We admit it wasn't the best snow but it was doable. We were the only ones there so it was a lot of fun. Ellie even went down by herself. Boo would not get on the sled for anything.

We sure do hope it snows soon.  It was fun to hang out with the kids and do something fun.  I sure missed Jeron thought and so did the kids.

A few of my favorite things...

One of the things that I love about the holidays is that my family comes home. This year we got to have the Vogels and the S. Meads come. I miss my family so much while they are away so it is extremely nice to have them home. We spend a lot of time, eating, talking, staying up way to late, making fun of each other, and the occasional outing. 

We went bowling and had a lot of fun.  Jeron barley beat me and he used the bumpers 2 times more than I did.  Ha, the joys of bowling with the kids. 

Mom and dad spoiled us with gobs of food while we were their.  They really work so hard to have the whole family together.  I hope they know we appreciate all that they do.

Monson Family Party

We have a get together every year with the MOnson side. This year my mom did it at her house. I think she did a great job and making it really nice. The food was yummy and it was great to see everyone.

JJ and Emma were so excited because they got to see Boo and Maddie. They consider them "Their cousins". It is great when they have some kids their age to play with. In fact when they saw each other the gave enormous bear hugs and didn't leave each other the whole night. It makes me sad that we don't get them together more often. We promised we would get them together this week and Emma came to me tonight and said school starts tomorrow and you didn't ever take me to Maddie's. Oops:(

{Christ}mas with Grandma and Grandpa

We headed down to Grandpa and Grandma's and arrived to the family all there. It has been a long time since we have all been together for Christmas. It was really nice to have everyone. Grandma Jan made a full on Thanksgiving type dinner with all the fixin's It was yummy. After dinner we headed downstairs to open presents. The kids all got their own DVD player. They were so excited. Grandma had bingo set up so the kids could play bingo and win DVD's. They had a blast doing this and played almost the entire time.

Jeron's oldest niece Megan is engaged so her and her cute soon to be hubby were there. We drew names this year and they had us. It is weird to thing she is getting married. Julie had surgery this year just 2 days before Christmas so I was surprised that she came. She did great. I sure she was hurting but never let on.

Grandma and Grandpa out did themselves again this year. We had a great time. It was fun to see everyone and just hang out.

Tara and I were there we just didn't make the cut for pictures I guess.  Darn it.  I hope that next year everyone can be there again.  including little baby Snow (Tara is pregnant)  It was great to see Jan so happy.  She was thrilled to have all her family together for Christmas.  She had a permanent smile plastered to her face the entire night.

{Christ}mas with the Meads

This year was really awesome, everyone was able to come except Michael of course.  We did get to talk to him though...for TWO hours.  It was great to hear his voice.  He sounded just like Michael.  He was a punk but a cute punk.  He is loving France.  This really makes all of us feel happy.  After we talked to Michael we ate breakfast.  What, breakfast before presents.  This in unheard of.  But when a Vogel has to eat a Vogel has to eat...hahaha.  We completely strayed from our usual breakfast and made the same food we had for Michael's farewell.  It was yummy but a few of the fellas missed the blueberry muffins so desperately that we ladies hurried and scrambled and made them.  So along with orange rolls, french toast, potato casserole, we had blueberry muffins.  YUMMY! 

I was very impressed with the kiddos because they waited so patiently during the phone call, and breakfast.  They were pretty excited to get to presents.  Everyone got SPOILED as usual but the adults even received a little extra sumpin' sumpin' that they weren't planning on.  We all felt spoiled.  Thanks so much Mom and Dad.  They even got us all matching pajama pants.  Well the outlaw boys matched and the brothers matched.  I got my sew machine that I have wanted for Years!! Lucky me!!  The kids loved their gifts and I think Jeron was in shock and still hasn't recovered from the envelope he got to open. 

and of course dad went CRAZY with mom and she got 439 presents...I counted.  Okay, maybe not that many but almost.  The kids are so lucky that they have such great Aunts and Uncles.  This year it was extra fun because we actually had a cousin to give to.  Elsie was so excited to pick out Lucy's present.  Even though it was to big for miss Lulu.  It was also Lucy's first Christmas ever!  She was cute.  Her favorite place to play was in the boxes.  I guess what they all say is true.  In the end they just love the box it came in.

Merry Christmas family.

Merry {Christ}mas darling

This {CHRIST}mas Jeron decided to carry over one of his families traditions, which is the Dad waits until all the kids are awake and then he takes a shower just to drive them crazy.  I wonder if during this tradition, the mom was considered at all.  I think I will try my hardest to ban this tradition because the poor mother (in my case me) has to deal with all the kids begging to go open presents while dad soaks in the shower enjoying some peace and quiet.  Maybe we will turn it into a mom shower because after all who really pulls off {christ}mas?  Don't you think I deserve the shower with the peace and quiet?

Each year we get up on Christmas and we read Luke II and talk about our Savior.  This year we were reading a book called "A Christ Centered Christmas" and it had a little bit that we read also.  This is a new tradition and I am excited to do it again next year.  It helped us to stop and "BE STILL and know that I am GOD".  (The pillow my mom made this year)  Then it is time to line up and go and see if Santa came.

I don't know.  By the looks of it I think he might have:)

We do youngest to oldest and Elsie bolted while we were lining up.  She ran straight for the family room just laughing her head off.  It was pretty cute.  She was so excited.  This pic is after we got her back and she was just plain mad that she had to wait. 

And here is the one and only picture of us opening presents.  I know horrible. 

I will say though that Ellie literally opened all her presents in 3 minutes so you almost saw the whole thing.

The kids loved it, we loved it, and now it is off to see the families and talk to MICHAEL!  Yippee!!

Twas the night before {CHRIST}mas

And all through the house, all the creatures were stirring hopefully there was not a mouse. The children were anything but nestled all snug in their bed.

and still visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.  I, in the kitchen baking a batch of cookies for That Jolly old elf

While Jeron and the kids watched movies, I had to laugh in spite of myself. 

When what to my wondering eye should appear but 4 cute pajamas and the kids we hold so dear. 

We knew it would be soon that our house would see St. Nick  We hurried and got our jammies on quick

It was time for bed, Twas the night before Christmas we did read. Some alone time mom and dad did need.

As mom and dad did head out of sight the kids heard them say Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Elsie is a crack up

We were driving home from the Huntsman Cancer Institute going down a steep street. Out of nowhere Elsie says "First I'm going to throw up...and then I'm going to diiiie."  (She was quoting the Grinch)  We all got a huge chuckle out of it.  That little lady just makes us laugh.

Santa

There is something so magical about sitting on Santa's lap. It is fun to see each child's reaction. JJ likes to act cool but still wants to tell him his list. Emma is a little nervous and usually speaks very quietly. This year Ellie has decided that Santa is scary. This actually surprises me. And Elsie just loved him. She wanted to tell him everything.

Look at her feeling right at home with Santa

A few days after we say him she saw a back pack that she wanted.  

She begged me to get it for her and I said you will have to ask Santa for it. 

Her reply was adorable.  "Mom, then can you take me to the mall again...I need to talk to Santa."

Once she sat on his lap she was a lot more at ease with the whole situation. 

When did Emma decide it was okay to grow up?

Here is my list.  Now let's just get this over with. 

Santa ended up having fun with JJ.  He kept making jokes and when he learned his name he asked if we call Jeron  "J" becasue we call JJ "JJ".  They all got a kick out of him. 

Santa we love you. 

Christmas Sunday

This year I was so excited to find these darling outfits. I thought they looked quite smashing if I do say so myself. It was an exciting Christmas Sunday at our house. JJ and Emma were singing a duet of Silent Night in Sacrament meeting. There was a lot of nerves that went into it and practice so we were pretty nervous ourselves to see how it would turn out. They sounded so good together but I was nervous to see how they would do in an audience that big.

All of their practice paid off.  They did a great job.  They made me cry as well as a few others in the congregation. We were so proud of them.  They did it even though it made them so nervous to do.

MoTab Concert

My parents invited us to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert. It was literally the hottest ticket in town so we felt pretty special to be the ones invited. David Archuleta was the guest singer. We had never seen him perform so this was going to be a fun night.

Jeron and I got our exercise in that night.  We dropped my parents off at the Conference Center and then ran from the Triad Center to the conference center (in heals, hahaha) We got back to the Conference Center just in time for my parents to be walking though the doors.  Yikes we almost missed it. 

The concert was amazing.  They had singing, and dancing.  It was so good.  They did a number where they made a music box on the floor and then tiny dancers came out of it.  I loved it.  David Archuleta sounded amazing.  He did a great job.  It is neat to see a kid that has that talent be so humble. 

Thanks mom and dad for taking us.  It was a great night.  We loved it. 

Megan's Bridal Shower

Jeron's oldest niece Megan is engaged to be married at the first of the year. Jan, Tara, and I threw her a shower. She had a kitchen shower. She got a lot of great stuff. It is fun to watch her grow up and get married to a great guy.

One of the games was dressing three girls up like a bride using toilet paper.  It was so fun.  

And the winner is...

Megan of course, after all she is the bride:)

Megan was really cute about her gifts.  She was so grateful for everything. 

Throw up, throw up, and more throw up...if you think the post is gross try living it.

Early Saturday morning Ellie came in our room, snuggled in our bed, we tickled, laughed, and played. She disappeared like only Ellie can and when I looked in the hall I saw her laying there. I told her to come get back in bed with mommy and daddy. She said "NO" and off she went to the kitchen. That is when I heard the dreaded sound of heaving. I sprung from my bed to see what was the matter when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature human vomiting into a bowl... Ha, that is the end of my Christmas cheer. 
At first I really thought she was just faking because that is what she does when she see's the throw up bowl.  Yes we have a throw up bowl.  I even called her a doofus.  Then I noticed that she really did it this time.  Shoot a little bulimic on our hands.  Then about 15 minutes later again, and 15 minutes later again. and again and again.  She threw up all day.  She was getting pretty dehydrated and not looking so great so off to Primary Children's went headed.  Now, knowing that our other kids might have the bug just festering we didn't want to have anyone come and tend so we left JJ and Emma in charge while we took Ellie.

At the hosptial things looked promising.  She started to pick up and even drank a whole glass of water.  It had been about 15 minutes.  the longest she had kept anything down.  We thought we would be heading home.  They just wanted a urine sample.  I took her to the potty and that is when EVERYTHING she just drank came right back up.  Needless to say we were not going home.  So we call the kids to tell them and it turns out JJ has just thrown up in the TV room all over the carpet.  UGH!  Now I have to call my parents to go over and help the kids.  I should have know that they would also bring their Bissel and clean as well.  Poor them.

It turns out that they want to keep Ellie through the night and run more IV fluids.  So I send Jeron home and we stay at the hospital.  About 2 am comes and I start to feel sick.  Ellie is sleeping so I go and lay in the cot made up for me.  I am getting sicker and sicker until around 5 am I am so sick I am getting a cold sweat.  The nurse comes in and says "You don't look so good"  She brings me a Sprite, I have one sip and bam.  Now it is my turn.  I call Jeron around 9 am to give him a heads up and he informs me that through the night JJ and Emma were both throwing up.  Poor kids.  Jeron was even feeling sick himself.  Ends up that everyone except Elsie gets sick.  We finally get home around 2 pm and are all so exhausted except for Elsie of course.  Here comes the really good parenting moment.  We go to sleep and I mean SLEEP and Elsie is just running wild in the house.  She even answers the phone while we are sleeping and we had not clue.  Poor little thing.  All alone.  We spent the rest of our weekend looking a little something like this. 

Needless to say this was NOT a fun weekend.  We spent a lot of time in a room I really don't like and had to do a lot of laundry, but hey we did it as a family.  I was even suppose to speak in church.  Ha, got out of that one.  Only I really wish I could have spoken instead of felt like this.  Ellie is doing so much better today after she got a SLurpee at 4:30.  Her spirits picked right back up.  I even saw her playing with a Barbie again.  I sure hope Boo really escaped it...even though as I hold  her now I can hear rumbly in her tumbly.  Please no more.  Oh man what a weekend.



To make things even worse we infected our poor friends the Johns'  Get feeling better Griff and Tators.  I sure hope that is all that got it.  No Fun.

cOoKie pArTy

Growing up my family went every year to our Nana and Granddaddy's house for a "Cookie Party" We made gingerbread houses and saw our cousins. It was a lot of fun and I loved it. Especially the little santa to go on top. Nana always thought of everything.

My parents have continued this tradition on with their grandkids. My kids look forward to the Cookie Party as much as I did when I was little. Mama and Papa go all out and get the BIG houses. My kids each get their own. They get to spend time with Mama and Papa and create. We love it.  There was a lot of focus, determination, and effort going into each one.  They were all so creative and unique. 

JJ worked very hard and his turned out awesome.

With very little assistance Emma made a masterpiece.

Boo just had fun eating and watching mom.  

Occasionally she would stick one in her mouth and then on the house. 

But this picture is priceless.

If you are wondering where Ellie is she is home sick throwing up.  Daddy took good care of her while we were out.  We sure missed the little one and Daddy.  We will have to do it another day. Thanks Mama and Papa for such a fun tradition.

Christmas Dinner with the Johns

Every year we have the a Christmas party with the Johns' We trade houses and one year we even went to Temple Square. We LOVE this family. Jana and I are soul mates. It is always too long until we see them again but always wonderful when we do.

Anneka and Emma have turned into mini BFF's.  They just love each other.  

The boys had  great time tonight playing games and hanging out.  

And it looks like little BFF's in the making.  At least Binkie buddies. 

Jana and I tried our hardest to get a good pic but man we struggled.

Here are some of the good, the bad, and the ugly(on my part)

We sure giggled doing it though.

I love the bottom left corner.  Is that a UTAH sign Jana is flashing...hmmm

A while back we had Graydon and Jeron take a pic together.  

It was an awkward moment for them.

But a hilarious moment for Jana and I.

Now we have to have one every once in a while, just to make us laugh so hard we cry.

I love that JJ threw the pillow right at the perfect moment.  

(Don't tell him that thought)

While I was going through the pictures to pick out the perfect one I came across this keeper.  It looks like Jana or I have the small hands from SNL Lawrence Welk Show(Denise) and I couldn't stop laughing.  I showed it to Emma and she laughed so hard she cried.  

Anyways, we had a great time and thanks for coming up.  We just love you guys.

wHeRe aRe yoU chRisTmAs

This year our neighborhood did a "Whoville" Christmas.  It was so much fun and they did a fabulous job.

One of my favorite parts was they had all girls who wanted to sing, sing.

They sang "Where Are You Christmas?"

These little "Who's" did an amazing job.

Plus they looked darling. 

Good thing I had to get three girls ready or I might have done my own hair like a who.

It looked like so much fun. 

JJ ran all over the place all night.  I was lucky to capture him for a moment. 

I just love that I caught him singing.  

Jeron looks good holding that camera.

To bad Boo didn't get to be a "Who".

She loves that song and knows every single word.

She would have stolen the show.

She was okay to sit this one out as long as she could have a treat. 

 Ellie Lou Who

She loves center stage so tonight was her night.

Emma Lo Who

She did a wonderful job and looked beautiful doing it.

12-03-10

JOY

The miracle was a tiny baby

The gift was perfect love

The promise was salvation

I love capturing moments like this.

This little child, born in a stable and cradled in a manger, was a gift from our loving Heavenly Father. -President Henry B. Eyring-

Utah blocks the kick!!!

It was an intense game the entire time.  Jeron was one happy little cougar for the first 3 quarters.  Then in the 4th Utah finally decided to show up and scrambled and got on top.  It was the last 2 minutes of the game and the cougars had the ball.  They got into field goal range and I thought this is it.  Then a miracle happened, the cougars had run down the clock so that when they kicked their field goal there would be no more time.  Utes were going to lose.  Just as the ball was kicked you see Burton dive for the ball and he BLOCKS IT!  We WIN!  It was an awesome ending.  Well for 5 of us that is.  I just love football.  It has been a lot of fun this year watching a kid I use to babysit play.  He is an awesome defensive player.  That has made the season just a little bit more fun for me.  Thanks Chaz!  I almost want to cry now that it is over.  It just won't be the same anymore when we play the Y.  I will miss our little brother.  Good luck going independent.   Pac 12 here we come!

Happy Thanksgiving

Tara and Jeff hosted Thanksgiving this year and really did a splendid job. The turkey was one of the best I have ever tasted. They seasoned it to perfection. The house was darling, and the hostess definitely had the mostest. I love all these pic.  Especially the ones of Megs.  She just looks so in love.  I love it. 

Grandma brought fun crafts for the kids.  They all made paper chains to count down until Christmas.  The Jones girls were awesome to help Brock out. 

Here you see JJ counting to see how much to go.  We all had a wonderful time.  We played a few games after and Brock kicked our butts. 

This has to be my FAVORITE pic of the night.  I don't remember him doing the UTE sign. 

We will just have to wait and see who wins.  Go UTES!  It was fun to get together as a family and enjoy each others company.