December Blessings. . .

December was an amazing month! I don't know where the whole month went, but with my children being able to help with the Polar Express they have truly come to understand the true meaning of Christmas.

Brayden told Santa several different times that he wanted Jesus for Christmas.

The kids definately got plenty for Christmas from everyone, but we definately focused this year on what they could give Christ for Christmas. It was nice to give and share with several of our friends and family this year.

At the North Pole we changed the message a little bit to focus on the pictures of Christ. We could truly feel the spirit.

One of the most touching experiences we had was when a little boy (maybe not so little, I would say around 9 - 11 years old) came and sat on Santa's lap and said that he didn't want his dad to work anymore so that he would have time to spend with him. It touched the dad who stood in the back of the room. Come to find out, this dad works a good 60 hours a week.

I kindof chuckled inside thinking that I wished that Rick just had a job, but then I had the thought come to mind that if Rick was still working for the same company that he was laid off from that the kids could have easily been saying that about their dad. Even though financially it hasn't been easy, I think that Rick being laid off from his job has put real perspective on our family, our children, Rick's health, our relationship and our priorities. Our children have truly enjoyed having their dad around and building a strong relationship with him.

In everything, challenges and good things, there are many blessings to be discovered.

No wondered I was TOTALLY exhausted at the end of Halloween Week

Last Sunday I had pretty much hit exhaustion and as I was looking through my pictures from that week I am realizing how much happened that week.

It first started on Tuesday and Wednesday with 2 Pampered Chef Parties. Then we went into the Spooktacular Math Night on Thursday, October 23rd and then I hung out at the school on Friday night for the public night taking money. On Saturday it was running crazy getting ready for Red Ribbon Week and then off to the Legacy Center for the carnival festivities. As we were driving home I realized that we needed pumpkins for our annual carving activities at my mom's. We stopped at Macey's to let the kids each pick out a pumpkin. This is a fun picture of the boys picking out pumpkins.

The kids have been running up the driveway and standing against the garage to see if I will get close to them with the car. They always want me to get closer, but at least I flash my bright lights at them. This night was really funny because all of them lined up in their costumes. It reminded me of a line up at the police station (at least how I have seen them in the movies ;)

Sunday morning started with our Primary Program. I figured I would get a nice picture of all of them in their suits before they pulled their ties off and became crazy boys :).

Then Sunday came and it was Zach's birthday. We kept it simple on Sunday because we had a big party coming up on Monday. My kids don't like cake so we do donuts with candles. It seems practical to get something they are actually going to eat. Here is Zach blowing out his candles in the donuts on Sunday.

Then off to my parents for the evening for dinner, our Annual Halloween picture and carving pumpkins. I think this is one of our funnest pictures we do throughout the year. It's amazing to me to see how many in my family get into dressing up. Rick and I finally joined the ranks on Wednesday, but too late for the picture. This year it was my mom who joined. She and a friend made her costumes. Here are some fun pictures. It's amazing how many cousins there are now. It is a little crazy!

This is my crazy brother carving his pumpkins and having his wife hold it so it doesn't go flying from his power tools!!! It's always better that way :).

That is the beginning of our crazy week, but very fun week!!!

Tanner and my special picture

The week of Red Ribbon Week Tanner decided he wanted to hang out with me the day I was at the school for Sidewalk Chalk and planting the tulips. We were at the school from 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. It was a long day. We had taped off areas for each of the classes to draw a Drug Free drawing. Right by the front door there was an area that we didn't tape off for a class. Tanner had decided he wanted to draw me a picture. I was not paying attention and he drew me a picture right by the front door of the school. He showed me my special picture. It was great.

Then one of the classes came out and they needed a little bit more room. I told them they could draw around Tanner's drawing. He did not like that at all. Here is this little 3 year old telling 11 year olds that they can't draw by his picture. He sat right on his drawing and if they got too close he would push their chalk away. It was hillarious!

He is so cute and wanted to make sure that his mom's drawing was saved. Here is a picture of him sitting on his art drawing.

Since we were at the school all day Tanner, Zachary and I went and joined Michael and Brayden for Lunch. We have never done that so that was fun :). Michael left to go play outside for a little bit when I thought to take a picture.

Holiday Open House

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am having a Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Discovery Toys and Usborne Books open house at my house. It will be an easy way to get your Christmas shopping done. Gifts for the neighbors, co-workers, family, parents, children, etc. Look over your list and I am sure we can help. Please feel free to stop by or email me for information and I will be happy to get it to you.

Please feel free to stop by any of these times
Today, Saturday, November 8th: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday, November 10th: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11th: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

For an Open House discount you will save the Sales Tax on your whole order! Order has to be placed by Wednesday. You are also welcome to visit the websites and email me your order if you would like.

There are neighbor, co-worker or family gift ideas for under $ 5.

I hope to see you!!!

Red Ribbon Week

In the midst of Halloween and all of those festivities I had the opportunity to help with Red Ribbon Week. I got to work with Deone and Danielle. I have worked with Deone before, but I got to get to know Danielle. It was alot of fun working with them. We had a very exciting week!!!

Monday we had the firemen come and do autographs and let the students see the fire trucks and ambulance. Each of the students were given a notebook and a red pen for the autographs throughout the week. The students also got wristbands reminding them to be drug free. While we were in the lunchroom we got word that the firemen had water spraying across the lawn and parking lot. It was really cool to see and the kids were having a great time. The bad thing was that the kids were soaked and when they went in they were a little cold. It is definately something that the kids will never forget and as the firemen turned off the hoses the students sat and chanted, "Get us soaked." It was fun and unforgetful and we are VERY grateful to the fireman for coming.

Tuesday we handed out a water bottle to each of the students with a saying, "Being Drug Free is no Sweat." We also did some drawings at the Tuesday assembly. This was a lower key day. Approximately 650 bottles of water were handed out. It was crazy!

Wednesday we had each of the classes come out and do a sidewalk chalk drawing representing being Drug Free. The students also got to plant red tulips that will bloom in the spring and remind them to be drug free. We gave them each an Airhead Taffy that said, "Don't be an airhead. Don't let drugs sneak up on you." This took all day :).

Thursday we had BYU Cosmo Cougar come during lunch. He gave autographs for the students and we handed out popsicles. We had a banner that said, "Cosmo thinks it's cool to be drug free." We got done with lunch and then headed into a Red Ribbon Week Assembly. We had Hootz the Owl from the Orem Owlz UVU Baseball Team. The kids had a good time getting autographs from the owl. We did a power point with pictures from the week. It was a very crazy day!!! At the end of the assembly we gave out whistles to go along with the owl.

On Friday, since it was Halloween we just did Rulers that we gave to the teachers to hand out and it said, "Rule out Drugs."

It was a fun and exciting week, but it was good to have it come to an end. I am definately enjoying the quieter times right now. This week I actually got to stay home 3 full days with no where to go. YEA!!! That was so nice.

Fun Halloween Traditions

Halloween has become a long lasting, fun holiday for our family. We definately have our list of activities that we do as a family.

1. Legacy Recreation Center in Lehi. As a family we go over and do trick-or-treating and carnival type games. They have dinner and a haunted house. The kids have a really good time. It is a kickoff to our crazy holiday week.

2. Sunday carving pumpkins and taking a LARGE family picture with everyone in costume with the Anderson's. This is a lot of fun and we count on carving our pumpkins this night. It's nice to make the mess at mom's and not our house :). The funner part is everyone being together.

3. Haunted Train Ride at my parents. This is a 3 day activity that is open to the public. This year I believe we had almost 4000 people come through. Our children love participating in the scaring part of the train ride. Rick and I take our post in helping and then soup is served for those volunteering. The boys hardly trick-or-treat on Halloween night because of wanting to be at the train ride. Tanner and Zachary were able to help with the scaring during the kiddy hours and then Michael and Brayden went to work. Rick even helped scare for part of the time this year.

4. School Costume Parade. This is alot of fun to see all of the students in their costumes. There are always amazing and creative ideas. It's fun to see the teachers and what they dress up in, also.

We also have the class parties and all of the little extra things along the way. This year the businesses in Pleasant Grove did a trick or treat activity right after school downtown so that was the majority of the trick or treating for my kids.

It's fun to be creating fun memories of the holidays.

Zachary's Birthday at the Hardman's

I am way behind on blogging, but on the third Sunday each month we go over to the Hardman's for dinner. We did Zachary and Daniel's birthday. Grandma Hardman let Zach pick the dinner and he chose Burritos. As adults we thought that was an interesting choice, but it turned out to be really good. Daniel picked Pumpkin Pie as dessert and that was great. That is Zach's favorite dessert.

Here are some fun pictures of our evening over at the Hardman's.

Life has interesting turns

Last week was a VERY crazy week and I was looking forward to a quiet Sunday with nothing much going on. I sat down to write some blogs on Sunday when I missed a phone call from my mom. I called right back, but I couldn't reach her. I decided to call the house and see what she wanted. My brother-in-law, Sam, answered the phone and said that dad had a heart attack. I laughed at him and said, "Your kidding." Then he was serious and said that he really did. I coldn't believe it. It had happened a few hours earlier and he was out of surgery and doing well. In fact, he just wanted to come home.

We had a Priesthood Preview for Michael at 6:00 p.m. so we went to the church and then went over to see him. It seemed so weird to be going to the Priesthood Preview for my son who would be 12 next year. That is AMAZING! I don't think I should be that old :). I don't want my children to grow up. They are definately at very fun stages right now.

We went over to see my dad and the boys were having a hard time that they couldn't go see their grandpa so he called them from the hospital. The boys were able to go over and see him on Monday and he came home on Tuesday.

I think I take for granted that my dad and mom will just be around. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time. We have a close family and love working together. The children are at fun stages and are enjoying their cousins. As a family it is great to have the opportunity to give to the community through the generosity of my parents, brother and sister and their spouses. We have been greatly blessed with wonderful family around us.

Lindon Elementary "Spooktacular" Math Night

Tonight we had our "Spooktacular" Math Night at Lindon Elementary. It has become a VERY large event. We had almost 400 of our students (a school of only 600 students) attend. They visit different classrooms and participate in fun math activities. Once their card is filled they can come and go through the Haunted House that is put together by parents at our school. There are over 500 hours put into the haunted house and alot of creativity and money that goes into it.

Here are some of the pictures from tonight. To help cover the cost of the supplies we open the Haunted House to the public on Friday night from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. It is only $ 1 per person which last year people commented they felt the haunted house was even better than some of the public haunted houses. Everyone is welcome to bring their friends and come tomorrow night. The address is 30 North Main Street in Lindon.

Brayden and Grandma Brown

I was just going through my pictures and I just wanted to put a quick post up about my Grandma Brown and Brayden. For as long as I can remember Brayden has always found it important to go and give Grandma Brown a hug whenever she is around. He wants to help her and asks about her often when we are at home. All of my life I was really close to my Grandpa Brown. I loved spending time with him and I was his girl. He had red hair for as long as I can remember.

I find it really special that Brayden has the red hair that my Grandpa Brown had and has such a special relationship with my grandma. The picture tells it all :).

Exercise Boot Camp

My sister and sister-in-law have been doing an Exercise Boot Camp for the last little while. With a transition right now their trainer has been able to come over to my sister-in-laws and do exercise workouts for an hour. My sister called me on Monday and begged me to come and work out. I keep really busy and keep on the move, but not in the exercise department.

I had things going on during the week, but Rick and I decided to go today. The kids got to play with their cousins and watch a movie while we worked out. Holy cow!!! I was exhausted by the end and had muscles that were sore that I didn't even realize were being worked.

The worst part was realizing how exhausted I was the rest of the day. Good thing I didn't have alot going on today. Rick was the same way. I guess it was good to have a day to relax.

A part of me doesn't want to go tomorrow, but I am also excited to start getting in shape. Rick commented that he looked forward to the day that the workout didn't wear us out. I am sure we will get there. Then it will be worth it :).

I will write tomorrow on how it goes.

Mom Sanity Tip:

I have been content with where we are at in life as far as exercising and eating right. We can still do activities with our children and enjoy life. Today I went because of my sisters persistence. It actually felt good inside knowing that I had made an effort. I know that Rick felt the same. Our children were excited to see us working at it and they wanted to participate today.

If you have been wondering what to do or when to start exercising or making that change in your life start today. Take just a few minutes. Do something. Include your children. Their support makes it worth it. We will see where it goes from here, but it does feel rewarding to have made a start.

Rick's favorite saying

For a long time my brother and sister-in-law have had a saying up in their house that Rick always comments about. It definately fits my brother to a T. The other day we had cubscouts over at my brothers house and I asked Rick to take pictures of the boys. As I loaded the pictures onto the computer I noticed that he had taken a picture of the saying. I thought this would be a perfect time to share the saying:

This is my Mom Sanity Tip for the day. Enjoy every minute and live life to the fullest!

Chuck E Cheese General Conference Reward

For Family Night on Monday we went to Chuck E Cheese since we owed the boys a trip there. We usually go twice a year and that is right after General Conference. For every bingo they get from watching conference they get a Chuck E Cheese token. They earned alot!

We had alot of tokens left over from the last time we went, but we needed somemore. I went onto Chuck E Cheese website which is http://www.chuckecheese.com/ and found that they had great coupons. I didn't have to look through my ad's or pay retail price for tokens. While I was in there I found that they have certificates that you can print off for Potty Training, Completing your homework and many more. They are fun and colorful and when they are filled for 2 weeks the kids can redeem them for tokens. We printed off one for each child, filled it out and were able to additional free tokens.

The birthday club is great too! They send a certificate the month of their birthday and they get a free mini cheese pizza.

We definately can't afford Chuck E Cheese at regular price, but with a few coupons and certificates it can provide fun for hours! We were there over 2 hours.

Mom Sanity Tip: Become familiar with the internet. We don't go anywhere without me checking for a coupon or specials on the internet. I just go to www.google.com and type in what I am looking for. If I want a coupon I type the company name and coupons or discounts. I usually find some kind of savings or somewhere I can go for savings. It's worth the few minutes on the internet!

Birthdays, birthdays and more birthdays. . .

Megan Zachary Emily Julia

My brother, Scott

On the 2nd Sunday my family gets together to have dinner, have FHE (we rotate the different families taking turns) and then celebrate all of the current months birthdays. Due to my brother and brother-in-law being out of town in November we did all of October's and November's birthdays. That is the Sunday that we take our gifts for everyone over so that we don't forget anyone throughout the month.

In September I had just completed the carnival so I didn't take the time to get the presents together so we had September, October and November birthday's to give out. It was crazy! I was worried about missing someone and unfortunately, I missed one, but we recouped and made it right really quick.

Zachary is turning 6 in about a week. I can't believe it! He was very excited to get his presents from grandma.

Then came the big bonfire for dad and mom. Their birthday's are only 3 days apart so we agreed to let them blow out the candles together. You can see for yourself what kind of fire we had, but they did it together and they got them all.

To help keep my mom's sanity both of our families have gone to doing everyone's birthdays on a specific Sunday. We love being together, but sometimes it can become alot of time and hard to make it to everything. My family is on the 2nd Sunday and Rick's family is on the 3rd Sunday. It works out really nice!!!

If you have a fun way your family celebrates birthday's please share. I would love to hear your ideas.

First Snowfall

It has been a VERY crazy week so I haven't had a chance to blog about the week. Sunday morning we woke up and the kids were peaking out the blinds cheering that there was snow on the ground. They were dying to go play in the snow. The weather changes so fast that I told Rick that I had to get pictures before we left for church or we wouldn't have a picture of the first snow fall when we got out of church.

When we walked out from church the boys were very disappointed that the snow was gone. It has still been REALLY cold, but no more snow on the ground, just frost.

Here are the pictures of the first snow fall: