Sunday, December 28, 2008
December Blessings. . .
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.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
No wondered I was TOTALLY exhausted at the end of Halloween Week
Tanner and my special picture
Holiday Open House
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!!!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Red Ribbon Week
Fun Halloween Traditions
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
Here are some fun pictures of our evening over at the Hardman's.
Life has interesting turns
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.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Lindon Elementary "Spooktacular" Math Night
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Brayden and Grandma Brown
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.
Rick's favorite saying
This is my Mom Sanity Tip for the day. Enjoy every minute and live life to the fullest!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
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
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.