Thanksgiving... posting photos of the fun after the dinner at Breck and Dixie's house... the kids loved the petting zoo.

okay... so, this is a bit stressful... I just noticed a ton of photos that I did not post about...isn't this supposed to be relaxing...???

back to before Thanksgiving.

Scott went to his annual tax classes in SLC. The kids were out of school so we decided to tag along. We decided to stay at our favorite Residence Inn for two nights and then went to Greg's for two nights. We had a great time. Scott took the trax to class and left us to veg for the first two days. We did many things - classic skate, swim, shop, ate with the Peery's (you know I must love them if I am posting this very disgusting photo of myself), and made yummy Thanksgiving pies and rolls. The kids always LOVE to get together with the Rich clan - thanks guys. (and ate at Cafe Rio ...mmm) Oh, Greg and Kristi took us adults (Nathan too) to Market Street Grill for dinner. It was so yummy and fun to get out without kids (we even tried oysters). One highlight was watching Allie, Austin and Ian run in their school turkey trot. Little Allie creamed her whole class winning by almost a 1/4 mile. Austin and Ian both finished in the top 2 of their grade - guess this family got the speed.

One blessing was Scott was able to visit his brother, Steve, while he was recovering from surgery in the hospital. Scott was very happy to be in town so he could check in on him to make sure all was well. It was a very scary time and we are so grateful he is doing so much better now!!!

Long overdue post

Scott and I read the Christmas Sweater over Christmas. It is a great book by our favorite, Glenn Beck. Glenn was at our local bookstore doing a book signing. I went with Shelly. Here is a picture of Glenn telling me how sad he is that Scott and I can't meet he and Tonya for dinner.

Christmas 2008

(Tavis- here are your pictures. It did not take Scott long after you left before he started enjoying the laser tag and rock band.)

We had a great day and enjoyed spending Christmas Eve and day with my parents and Nathan (Heidi) and Leslie (and Tavis, Mia and Parker) and Grandma Doris. It was a very laid back time but we made some fun memories and enjoyed spending time together and eating a lot of food. Here are some of our photos (thanks to Mckenzie and her new camera)

The kids have had a great time chasing Scott around with the laser tag (he slipped and twisted his knee down the stairs), playing bingo, wii fit (and 'we' are not fit :) ), legos doing our annual treasure hunt and just family time in general.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and are going to enjoy more time with your family.

Beautiful Christmas Card

Here is a beautiful Christmas card that Holt International put together. Holt is the agency that paid for Lili's foster care through generous donations of kind people.
Enjoy the sweet faces of these children who benefited from Holt's programs.
http://www.holtintl.org/christmas/
We are truly grateful for the kindness and sacrifice of these donors.
Merry Christmas!

addresses please

hey, I know everyone is swamped but ...please... will you send me your address so I can mail you a Christmas card???...please :)
I am trying to redo my address book and I am missing many family and friends (as far as cousins go - I could use all of the jacksons, jeffs, heiners (larry too), wards, damerons and browers - pretty much everyone- i think I have all of Scotts except for the canada bunch (darlene too) and mckees)
Friends, I'd love your addresses too- many have moved and I'm sorry to say that I have not kept very good records (if you havent moved Id love yours too )
Thanks for your help.
Hope you are ready for Christmas.

cute moment

Davis came running up to me this morning and gave me a tight squeeze and said, "mommy, mommy, mommy I love you cuz you adopted me."
It has never occured to me that he would think that he was adopted as well... so, we had a quick discussion on different ways children come into families.

I owe my mother

My mother sent this to me and I got quite a chuckle from it - so sad they are true :) but... I owe my mother :) and soon my kids will owe me.
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. 'If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.'
2. My mother taught me RELIGION. 'You better pray that will come out of the carpet.'
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. 'If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!'
4. My mother taught me LOGIC. ' Because I said so, that's why.'
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. 'If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me.'
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. 'Make sure you wear clean underwearin case you're in an accident.'
7. My mother taught me IRONY. 'Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.'
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. 'Shut your mouth and eat your supper.' 9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. 'Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!'
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. 'You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone.'
11 . My mother taught me about WEATHER. 'This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.'
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. 'If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!'
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. 'I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.'
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. 'Stop acting like your father!'
15. My mother taught me about ENVY. 'There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do.'
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. 'Just wait until we get home.'
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. 'You are going to get it when you get home!'
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. 'If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.'
19. My mother taught me ESP. 'Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?' 20. My mother taught me HUMOR . 'When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me.'
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. 'If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.'
22. My mother taught me GENETICS. 'You're just like your father.'
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. 'Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?'
24. My mother taught me WISDOM. 'When you get to be my age, you'll understand.'
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. 'One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you !

I am so EXCITED!!!

Just a quick post to show you how cute my kids are.... :) My brother-in-law and sister took photos of my kids last weekend. Take a look. http://www.tavisjohnson.blogspot.com/ If anyone is in need of a wonderful photographer - they do a fantastic job!!! (Ok... I'm feeling a bit braggadocios about my comment about my kids being cute... oh, well ... I'm mom ... take it as a mom comment :) )

Date night

We convinced our boys last night to come on our weekly date. They chose McDonald's for dinner and we went to Scott's office to remove the 100 yr old wall paper. The bottom layer is like cardboard. They had fun until it got past bed time, then they needed a break so they headed for the Mckenzie's pop fridge (her job) and candy bin and went and played office. It was a fun night. Scott and Reese took off first thing this morning to continue on... I'm suppose to be cleaning and then off to help... got a little distracted :) I should have taken the pictures when we first started to get smiles instead of tired stares.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!!

Reese's class has been studying Roman history this year. He has absolutely loved every second of it. History is his 'thing' he will say and Rome is his favorite. To end the unit the teacher had a celebration of Rome party. She had the room decorated like the Colosseum, the kids dress up as Roman God's, gladiators, or soldiers, had the slaves (parents) bring Roman food and serve them,

they performed "Androcles and the Lion", had to purchase their dinner by bartering (the women) and the men discussed legal matters... It was amazing!!! The kids had to bring pillows, rest on their left arm and eat with their fingers just like they would have in Rome. Reese had a wonderful time and I did too! I am amazed with the incredible things that take place at our school. His teacher is wonderful and when I ask Reese each day how his day at school was, he answers saying, "it was the best day ever." Love it!!!!

Lucky Charms

I've discovered the way to get all of my kids to breakfast at one time... tell them the box of Lucky Charms is ready. They all have to come at one time for fear that they will miss out. After they each had their bowl I had to get out my camera - it was a pretty cute photo op for me.

Homework and bed time

Mckenzie spends hours doing homework each night. Meili snuggled up to her and fell asleep - pretty priceless! She has to lick fabric to fall asleep and looks like she was enjoying Mckenzie's shirt.

Wheat Bread

This week I have been trying new recipes. Davis ground some wheat in our blender and we made some yummy whole wheat bread. They enjoyed kneading it to help. Davis is still home sick with pox and Lili is still refusing to wear clothes.

Good Sam vest

My grandma and grandpa use to take Ryan and I on lots of camping trips. Many of my younger memories are of hanging out with Ryan and my grandparents at Good Sam meetings, sitting around their table eating Raisin Rice and Rye (Ryan's favorite), motorbike riding and swimming. We always had a wonderful time. My grandma made this cute Good Sam vest for Ryan (she made me one too). We thought we were pretty cool because we were apart of the group and looked like all of the people in the club.

My grandma gave them to me. Davis discovered them and thought he looked pretty hot in Ryan's. He wore it proudly.

Family Home Evening and Chicken Pox

Reese had the chicken pox a couple of weeks ago. Now Davis does. Both have been immunized so I'm told they are not as bad as normal but still they have to stay home from school for way too long. Lili fevered a few days ago (has not been immunized, yet) so we are waiting to see if bumps show up on her. Mckenzie had them a long time ago - also immunized. By the time it goes through all of them I may be insane... :) Maybe we'll have to get a hotel for a change of scenery and Lysol it down when we leave.

Davis and Reese have been anxiously waiting for time to play with Austin and Ian. They were suppose to get together next week. Davis has come up with a quick fix to getting over the pox - he is going to stay in bed all day and have me bring his food to him. The "healthy menu" that he has created is, "for breakfast a healthy bowl of cereal, for lunch macaroni and cheese and for dinner a frozen burrito." He is going to go nuts (which means that Kristi and I will too) if they are not able to go.

I loved a few moments last night at Family Home Evening. Lili loves to participate just like the older kids. She loves to lead us in "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". I've included a few pictures of her at the 'podium' leading us in the song. Davis loves to sing "Book of Mormon Stories" and Meili loves to do the actions. Oh, and Lili is totally against wearing clothes so this is her look most days... I do get her dressed but the clothes come off shortly after.

Our new celloist (am I spelling this right?)

Reese decided he wanted to play the cello this year so he could participate in the school orchestra. After a few weeks of orchestra he began asking for private lessons as well. Today was his 3rd private lesson and he was so thrilled to learn how to bow. I love going each week with him to take notes and watch his mind work. Hopefully, he will continue to enjoy the cello... this reminds me of President Allen's talk at Stake Conference on finances... when we buy one thing (free orchestra classes) we end up buying 10 things to go along with it.... ie, cello, books, lessons, stand, chair, and on and on...

But, if he continues to enjoy this it will be well worth the investment of the 10 items. I love his cute hair today - apparently he made it through the door without me licking my hand and smoothing it down ... :) I love the boy!

Our baby is growing up

Mckenzie was asked to give her first talk in Sacrament meeting today. She did an amazing job - we are very pleased with all of studying she did to prepare for her talk and that she wrote the whole talk by herself. Her topic was repentance. Way to go, Kenzie!!! ( ... nothing like a fridge to make a lovely background- hey, and if you want to feel good about your clean house click on the picture and you can see our dirty water tray -I'll make sure that makes it in the dishwasher tomorrow :) )

Saturday fun

(I finally broke down and bought a new camera... wish I would have done it a few weeks ago so I'd have pictures of halloween...)

After Scott worked and we cleaned the house (and I went to a class that Don Aslett spoke on cleaning :) ) and the boys went to a Primary activity, we took the kids out to our lot. We bought the 5 acres at the end of last year... about 5 days before Scott was called as a counselor in our ward. Our intentions at that time were to build immediately but after the calling we felt like we needed to wait and so we are still waiting... then we thought we'd start this next spring... but, we really like our ward and who knows what is going on with the economy and the housing market so we may continue to wait. While we wait we enjoy going out and spending time together. My dad brought a tractor down a few weeks ago and they knocked the weeds down. We wanted to make a bike trail with the tractor but it had a flat (one Saturday when everything seemed to go exactly opposite of how you would have hoped) so Scott made some jumps with his shovel and the boys are in Heaven. It is fun to go out and enjoy being able to be loud. The dog loves the space.

Scott started to pick up the few rocks that we have on the land... we will need to make another Saturday activity to pick all the rocks up.