Date with Dad

The girls' school puts on a Daddy Daughter Dance every year around Valentines Day. They get so excited to dress up and go out on a Date with their Dad. They got to eat dinner, and have a hoola-hoop and a dance contest. They didnt win this year, but theres always the next one! They also came home with pretty bracelets and balloons. Alissa was so upset that she didnt get to go, so we took her picture too. She cant wait until she's big enough! This time she got to go with Mommy to get a kids meal and ice-cream and watch a movie at home with popcorn! She was okay with that.

Its official...

Ive stepped over into the van world. I always swore I would never drive a "Mormon Assult Vehicle", but I caved. It was sooo needed with the addition of our 5th kid, and not having nearly enough room for them in our SUV. The back door got stuck again, so Madi and Katelin were having to climb over the seats to get to the back, and with snowy shoes, and in dresses for church... lets just say it wasnt good. I also could not fit my double stroller in, so that limited me trying to go anywhere with the kids. Anyway, I have to admit, I am a little giddy about this van. Its not the model I wanted but I guess it looks alright; and YEAH my kids can get in and out and I dont have to shove the car seats together to get them to fit anymore! I can actually fit my stroller in soo easy, and have room for groceries too! Plus it has all the neat gadgets weve been missing out on in a car thats newer than 12 years, like heated seats, steering wheel radio controls, automatic opening doors and a navigation! Its pretty cool...for a van I mean.

Now the scary part. Its so weird being able to see out the back now, I feel like Im in a big bubble. Im so afraid Im going to wreck it...which almost happened to Ryan last night. Yes, we owned the thing for one whole day, and almost crashed it already! We were on our way home from the dealership to clean out our Montero, and it was snowing. The roads were really slick. He wasnt going that fast, and gave us plenty of stopping time, but the van just kept going anyway...right through the stop sign and into the intersection! He started honking, and luckily the car coming the other direction stopped just in time and didnt side swipe us! What is with that traction control stuff? So Im now even more paranoid to go out. Isnt that ironic? I finally get a vehicle that can fit everything in, and now Im too afraid to drive it! At least its fun to sit in. Here are some picts!

Alissa had to be in the pictures, the kids love it of course!

Picture update

I thought I would post some random pictures Ive taken over the last month, since they didnt make their own post's. First, and most importantly, Madison finally got her glasses! She is pretty happy that she can see now, and she likes the glasses as well. Thumbs up to eye sight! This one is of the girls pretending to be fire fighters and put out a fire on the stove. Somehow the backwards hats and sweater jackets made good uniforms, and the hose was made out of a paper towel roll with paper stuffed in the end. Zack kept walking around in a concerned manner repeating "fire", and Ive set off the alarm off twice since then from kitchen smoke. I think hes traumatized. Yes, I'm a good cook.

This was just cute. But I am a little upset that she is already two months old and at the amount of hair she has lost! At least she is happy about it.
This is Alissa with her static hair. I dont know how well you can see it, but she stood up from the couch and it looked like she had been electrocuted!

Our 'budding' artist! I couldnt believe she drew these roses all by herself. She was pretty proud, unfortunately she didnt color them on something a little more permanent.

Why does this kid have to put everything on his head? From underwear to juice pitchers...
"Here, Katelin...you try it on!"

Love Day

Does anyone make homemade Valentines anymore? I think Im done. After hours of 'helping' the girls with their valentines for school, I feel resigned to go the easy route from now on (I say this every year) after seeing all the store bought ones they bring home. Anyway, for the happy, lovey day this year, Ryan got some gorgeous roses for me, and some colorful flowers for the girls. What a nice Hubby and Dad. After spending the day eating half a box of chocolates, we went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner on Friday. Ryan did get a new cell phone, since his old one was from 1960, and he is gone so much with his calling, he needed to have a good one. So he should be e-mailing you with his new number, which now has a WI area code. Sorry. The next night we swapped babysitting with our friends so they could have their turn to go out, and we had fun making MORE valentines, and decorating heart cookies. I rented a valentines movie for them to watch, but of course, they chose to watch "Grandma got ran over by a reindeer" instead. Yes, the Christmas spirit is still alive at our house, unfortunately for Grandma. Here are some pictures of the cookie fun and the flowers.

Madison and McKenzie or M&M as Madi calls them.

Katelin, Courtney and Sydney being silly and acting like robots.

Alissa and Brandon, making cookies that look like them.

He said, She said Tag

I thought this was a good tag in time for Valentines day, to see how well you know each other. I think we did pretty good!

Here are Ryan's answers about me: (personal corrections or additions in red)

1. Sitting in front of the TV, what's on the screen? Seinfeld, American Idol yes, and True Beauty lately.
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does she get on her salad? Ranch preferably on the side
3. What's one food she doesn't like? Seafood
4. You go out to a restaurant, what does she get to drink? Some kind of lemonade, usually strawberry
5. Where did she go to high school? Bingham We're #1!
6. What is one phrase she says all the time? Dont have any
7. If she was to collect anything, what would it be? State Coins almost have them all. Anyone have Hawaii and Alaska?
8. What is her favorite type of sandwich? Red Robin Club actually its called a BLTA croissant, yum!
9. What would this person eat everyday if she could? Ice Cream yum!
10. What is her favorite cereal? Doesnt like cereal breakfast should be warm and filling!
11. What would she never wear? bikini that would be scary!
12. What does she always wear? underwear
13. Who will she vote for? whoever I'm voting for I hate politics. I trust his judgement.
14. Who is her best friend? me
15. How many states has she lived in? 2
16. Does she have any nervous habits? tries to avoid those situations my heart rate rises
17. What could she spend hours doing? playing games: Wii, and board games
18. She is: a wonderful wife and Mom Awww

What I said about Ryan:

1. Sitting in front of the TV, what's on the screen? Some sort of sports or the news
2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on he salad? Thousand Island
3. What's one food he doesn't like? coconut Yuck!!!!
4. You go out to a restaurant, what does he get to drink? water, "drinks are too expensive" They are a rip off at the restaurants!
5. Where did he go to high school? Kearns, and lives to tell about it!
6. What is one phrase he says all the time? Gosh! or Yes. Like Napolean does it pretty much the best thing ever...sweet!
7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? belly button lint That is true I had quite the collection on my mission...also excuses not to do my homework - I have a million of 'em
8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Roast Beef
9. What would this person eat everyday if he could? Cafe Rio style Pork, since he just stated that last night (That was some great grub last night - I would never turn that away)
10. What is his favorite cereal? total when I am in a health kick it is but if I am going off taste it has to be the sugary ones
11. What would he never wear? a tank top, only wears a coat if I beg
12. What does he always wear? shorts since it never gets cold enough to justify anything else, why not -yah, like 20 below isnt cold enough!
13. Who will he vote for? probably a republican
14. Who is his best friend? Me of course
15. How many states has he lived in? 3
16. Does he have any nervous habits? sucking in his lips, I guess it would be called "pursing" in Twilight
17. What could he spend hours doing? watching BYU play it never gets old, give me the re-runs and it is still awesome
18. He is: a goofball, and a tease...but a really great person and Dad and Hubby too! my face now matches the font

If you can get your hubby to do this with you, then you are tagged!

Better late than never...

So at the beginning of the year, there was a challenge placed to pick one word we were going to live by in 2009. I know we're already finished with a month of the new year, but Ive been reflecting on what my perfect word should be. Im a little slow, but I think I finally figured it out; and the best word I can think of to describe how Im feeling is:

So the reason I pick this word might sound a little corny, but Ive been painfully aware lately of how fast time flies. My oldest child will be in the double digits this year. Another 10, and she will be an adult! Thinking about how quickly the last 10 went, and knowing full well that the next 10 will probably go even faster, Ive decided to re-examine my outlook on life. Im determined to relax about the stupid little things that dont matter, like my kids eating crackers on the couch, or playing with the horribly messy moon sand, or finger paint; or sneaking candy out of the pantry. As strange as it sounds, Im actually trying to let my house be a mess, so that I can focus more on giving my kids the opportunity to have more fun, and giving me more time to spend with them, instead of worrying about how the house looks. No, I haven't totally lost it...I do still clean. Im just trying to not be so obsessed about it.

Anyway, the point is, Ive been feeling like a horrible mom, who has been missing out on all the fun opportunities I could be having with my kids, because Im too worried about messes, or money, or what a pain it is to load them all in the car and take them somewhere. Before I know it, they will be grown. The opportunities will be missed. It will be too late to go on that vacation we have been saving our whole life for...too late for that bedtime story. The memories cannot be re-made. So I am vowing to CHERISH the moments, while I can. To make them better. To make my time worthwhile. To make my kids happier. This will be a lifetime goal, not just one ending in 2010. Thanks for the challenge. Wish me luck, and if you come to my house, and its a complete disaster...congratulate me!

Blessing Day

Today was the special day that Brylee received her baby blessing. She sported an all white dress made out of my left-over wedding dress materials, which was also worn by her 3 older sisters. Considering that, I think its held up pretty well, except for one button that came off the back. Im glad it got its use! We were proud of Brylee for making it through the blessing without crying or spitting up on her dress (until it was over)! Some of the things she was blessed with included:

• a knowledge that her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ loves her.
• to make righteous choices, including getting baptized and married in the Temple.
• to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
• to learn wisdom in her youth, and abound in good works and faith to overcome challenges and trials.
• To view life with optimism and bring joy to others.
• love and support from her family

Ryan always does such a great job, and we are grateful that he holds his priesthood worthily, and uses it to bless our family. Here she is with us all, except Zack who kept running out of the pictures!