Jackson's 5th Grade Program...

Jackson has been practicing for this program for quite a while, and missing PE to do it! His school puts on really impressive programs with lots of singing, dancing, and this time a group of students had memorized and recited part of Abraham Lincoln's State of the Union address!

 

The night before the program, Jackson kind of freaked out and realized he'd forgotten to invite his grandparents and dad to the program! Of course, that was my fault in his book. But, he was so lucky that all of his UT grandparents and his dad dropped everything to make it to his 2pm show. As I watched the show, I could see why he REALLY wanted his Poppy to be there. They did a whole segment on Military Hero's, and they even had all the Veterans stand up and be recognized. I think everyone got a little emotional seeing all of these men from different generations proudly stand and be honored by the elementary students. It's nice to take the opportunity to ponder on our freedoms and those who have preserved them for us! I'm so glad Jackson is getting these opportunities to learn about America and be proud!

Sunday Dress Up...

For some reason, the kids all wanted their pictures taken this past Sunday afternoon before church. It has been a crazy week around here because we've had painters painting the trim and rearranging furniture everywhere. I love this little jacket that is 40+ years old! Each of our boys has worn it around 4 years old. It's going to be sad when Blaze grows out of it!

I love that Alanna wants to do dace poses for every picture! This was a special occasion for Alanna...she deviated from her normal Sunday dress and tried something new. We teased her that her teachers, the Morley's, wouldn't recognize her! She's got a closet full of dresses, but she will get stuck on one favorite and not wear anything else for months at a time!

I don't know where this flexibility comes from! I guess Caleb can do the splits on demand...

James took several pictures of this group, and none of them really "turned out". But, it just captures the stage of life we are in right now...happiness!

Adorable Cousins!

We got to babysit Peter and Max one night this week and it was so much fun. Peter and Blaze put their arms around each other for pictures and declared themselves "best buddies"! I love watching them play together. And when Max's parent's aren't around, he loves for me to cuddle him and play with him.

 

We happened to have tithing settlement that night also, so we took all six kids along. By the way, super glad that I don't have six kids...hearding cats! At one point Peter told our bishop that he knows who our leader is...it's "General Monson"! Our bishop has a great sense of humor and loved all of Peters comments, and those from our other kids. Bishop LeSueur was asking the kids if they have chores and what they are. Paul said he does "everything" because "my mom lays in bed like a log all day long!". Then we had a conversation about Thanksgiving and the zoo and bishop said they don't have little kids to take to the zoo anymore and asked if he could take the kids sometime. Paul said "you said that last year and you didn't take us!" So bishop said "does that make me a liar Paul?! I'm so glad he could make jokes out of Paul's comments, because I was beyond embarrassed! The kid won't talk to teachers or doctors, but he will say whatever he feels like to the BISHOP! I think we're going to have to have a talk before tithing settlement next year. 

Sarah's 37th Birthday!

Once again another year has FLOWN by, and I can't believe that I'm 37! It really isn't that old, but I still feel like I'm 21! I'm so blessed to have a healthy body that allows me to do the things I need to do, beautiful, smart, fun loving children, a loving husband, supportive extended family, etc. etc. I couldn't have imagined a better life. It's not perfect, but I appreciate the challenges that help me grown and strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

And I also have such lovely friends who I celebrated with going out to breakfast, lunch , dessert, etc. And I loved several birthday calls, texts, and Facebook messages, and gifts! My parent's brought over Kneaders French Toast for breakfast and donuts for the kids. So were pretty much on a sugar high for the rest of the day! Luckily, I got to send them off to school! The night of my birthday we went out to Tucanos, which may seem weird since I don't eat meat, but I LOVE their salad bar and grilled pineapple. James and the kids love eating there too, and it's fun to walk around downtown a bit. I told James for my birthday present I want to decorate our bedroom, so I've painted the walls and trim, got curtains, a new bed, bedding, etc. And I hired professional painters to paint all of our taupe colored trim white. I love how it brightens up the house, and I'm so glad I didn't have to complete the job. I started painting the trim, but I really don't have the time to be mom and painter!

 

Saturday night we went to see "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at the Capital Theatre. It was SO entertaining. The Grinch was a hoot, and at one point fake glittery snow was showering the audience making beautiful shadows and sparkles all over the theatre. Every time I looked over at James, he had a huge smile on his face! Before hand, we went out to dinner with some friends, the Withers,  to a really good Italian place called Faustina. I think I had the best Rosemary Focaccia Bread ever made there! We ordered a fried goat cheese appetizer that I should have taken a picture of because it was so fancy. There were four ladle spoons on the tray, glued to it with honey. On each spoon was a bit of salad greens, a small piece of grapefruit, the ball of fried goat cheese, and honey. Party in my mouth!! We also tried some of the Mac n' cheese with Parmesan cheese melts that were heavenly too! Can't wait to go back there :)

Lucky Paul...

Paul and Alanna had the book fair going on at their school this past week. There was a jar full of Belly Flops outside of the library for an estimation jar. All week Paul was telling me that he was going to win the contest, and I just smiled and nodded "knowing" that he wasn't going to because with 10 grades at his school it wasn't likely! But...he came home with it at the end of the contest. He really did win and told me so matter of factly told me he always knew that he would! What a funny kid. And we really needed some more Belly Flops around here too, after visiting the Jelly Belly factory and buying six lbs. of them two months ago. That didn't matter to our kids, they ate the entire jar within 2 days. Paul's guess was 400 flops, but he didn't remember how close he was to the actual count. I don't think he really cared either!

Happy Travels Andrew!

Caleb loves to throw the kids around, and me, and Lauren!

Andrew is moving to AZ, which is sad, but we are glad he will have new opportunities there. And much better weather!

I will especially miss watching him play with all of his nieces and nephews. He is SO good with kids.

I caught Paul and Andrew in a deep conversation...looking pretty intense.

Cache got the first taste of a black bottom cupcake with whipped cream cheese frosting...if you couldn't tell from his face!

Great Gran brought out her accordion for Andrew to play. I forgot to ask her how old it is, but I remember playing on it when I was a kid.

Beautiful Maxine! I gathered his curly hair and pulled it back into a pony tail so he looked like a baby girl.

Best buddies! Paul can't wait for family functions where K.C. will be in attendance. Hopefully someday he'll love our potbelly pig that I plan on getting just as much.

Luke and I had birthdays a few days later, so we celebrated with the family and had Nutella Trifle and cupcakes. Yum!

 

I don't think the kids really understand what it means that Andrew is moving away. We've been so blessed to have my side of the family all within an hour's driving distance of each other for the past 7.5 years. We are really going to miss him, but I hope he loves the adventures awaiting him!

First Snow...

 

Last weekend was our first snow of the season. It wasn't a lot, but that didn't stop the kids from bounding out of bed straight to the backyard. They didn't even eat their pancakes first! These were taken from inside since I was freezing and wasn't about to go outside! Both of the boys wished that Preston was there to help them build a snow fort, because Preston builds THE best snow forts!