Thanksgiving

Each year my kids make a big poster "I am Thankful For . . . " and they spend all week filling it up. It's a tradition that I really like because it gets them thinking of all the little things we are blessed with in addition to the obvious ones. This year we went to my sister's for Thanksgiving since her son was getting baptized. She fed 30 people and housed 28 of those. We all had a great time. Tim and I even got a chance to go on a run together in the 17 degree weather. Thanks Daniel for helping my older boys babysit while we were gone. We enjoyed dinner, we enjoyed the company and we enjoyed the view of the Tetons. On our way home we stopped to see Tim's brother and his family and enjoyed our visit with them as well. We drove home a different way and got to see some pretty land. Our kids did great with all the driving. We have a tradition of setting up Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving but we couldn't do that this year since we were gone. However, we did get home early enough on Sunday to at least set up the tree. We'll try to set up the rest tonight for Family Home Evening. I'll post pictures of the weekend later.

Happy 9th Birthday!

Little J. turned 9 today and it's a special birthday since he turned 9 on the 9th (his Jubilee year) and also it's 2009. We planned on having all the family over yesterday after the primary program for lunch and cake and ice cream but unfortunately Little T. came down with croup so only Grandma Karen and Grandpa Sam were able to come and stay. I'm sorry not everyone could come but I would have been more sorry if we would have gotten everyone sick.
Grandma Karen and Grandpa Sam got the boys these handsome matching shirts.

Little J. is such a blessing in our home. He always has a smile (just like his Dad) and is always happy and helpful and obedient. His enthusiasm for life is great to have in our home. He is always kind to his brothers and he is very smart. He loves Cub Scouts and has been waiting to turn 9 since he's been done with all of his Wolf stuff for months. He has already passed off one thing in his book and is anxious to get working on all the other requirements. Happy Birthday!!

"They're at it again"

Remember the big hole my boys dug in the backyard? Well, they are at it again. This time they were told not to dig where the pool would go anymore so now they are digging a giant hole under the swings. They have a mote around it too. The best part is how enthralled Little T. is with the process. He isn't even 2 yet but he goes out there with the big boys and plays in the dirt and in the hole just like them. It's fun to watch them being creative and getting dirty and getting along.
P.S. - I had to put this post on because Little J. requested that I make another post since they were digging again and he even told me to label it "They're at it again".

Cutest Little T.

Little T. is just so cute. He is 22 months old now and he is so fun right now. This morning as the boys were getting ready to head out the door, he grabbed his oldest brothers lunch box and turned to me and said "bye mom" and went out the door with two of his brothers. He was in his pj's still and in bare feet but he was going as fast as he could (he knew I'd be after him shortly). He made it all the way to the corner going just as fast as his little legs would carry him in hopes of being able to get on the bus with his older brothers. A few minutes after we got back to the house, he started trying to find out where Daddy is. He's been doing this for a couple weeks now. He goes around the house saying "Daddy work, Daddy work, Daddy work" until he is satisfied that he really is gone to work. Finally he'll go to the door to the garage and say again "Daddy work" before moving on with the rest of his day. We sure do have cute kids!

Daddy's little helper

Little T. has been crazy about his Daddy lately. He has especially taken an interest in helping cook. Here are some adorable pictures of him helping Dad cook. Here is is making granola. By the way if you want a great granola recipe talk to my sister. We love making her granola as a snack or as cereal.

All my kids have gone through mommy stages and daddy stages. Right now is this little kids time to be in a daddy stage. Thanks honey for being such a great dad to all of our boys.

Red Ribbon Week

What mom would let her children go to school with these kinds of outfits. I mean really, look at all those mismatched socks. Well, I guess I am one of those mothers. I do have a good excuse though. Today was the beginning of Red Ribbon Week. A week dedicated to teaching kids to stay away from drugs. Today was crazy sock day to "sock it to drugs". My kids got really into it wearing layers of soccer socks mixed with purple Halloween socks and white and black regular socks.
Even my 1 year old wanted to be like his brothers so we put some soccer socks on him too.

The Bus

All three of the older boys are now in school all day long. I thought Little T. would have a hard time not having his brothers to play with during the day but surprisingly enough he has done very well and even seems to enjoy having the time to play by himself with various things. He's been fine for a month but the last few days he has had a problem with letting the boys go out the door to the bus. He cries and tries to push his way out the door saying "bus, bus" to go with them. Yesterday the older boys were gathering their lunches and Little T. went to get a bag with a handle and carried it around with him. Again today, he wanted a lunch bag like his older brothers so I gave him one with a couple snacks in it. Fortunately I seem to have resolved the crying when the boys go out the door. We've walked to the bus stop the last couple days and Little T. loves to see the bus. We wave "bye bus" after the boys get on and then he watches the bus drive away. After that he is totally fine. Hmmm, maybe it's not that he doesn't want his older brothers to leave, maybe it's just that he wants so badly to see the "bus".