Baby it's cold outside!!

I apologize first for not having a Christmas update. Christmas Eve my camera had batteries and in the morning it did not. By the time the battery was charged the presents were opened, and we'd moved on. Speaking of moving on...the reference to it being cold. Today we took three kids and cousin Chase to SkiCooper in Leadville Colorado. We should have known as we passed Divide and the temp hit -16 that the slopes were going to be chilly. I have no pictures because I was too busy keeping my kids warm. At base it was 6 degrees so on the mountain there are endless negative numbers to think about. I quite at 2pm due to the cold. Luke was not thrilled to stop his ski school but the boys(Garret and Chase) were plenty ready by their crying and whining and irritating behavior. Anyway, glad to be back at home where it is a balmy 20 degrees.

Gingerbread House

Our family tradition continued with the making of our yearly gingerbread house. You can see how it began. Only one crack in the front and all else held together. The kids worked together well and there was little fighting. I love a project when they all come together. Garret said Regan was happy because she could sit there and eat as much candy as she wanted and not be yelled at. Pretty much true for everyone.

We took a few pictures by the tree on Saturday. My vote is that I have the cutest kids in the world any one else want to chime in????

Regan Birthday

The night finally arrive and Regan blew out her candles by herself. She loved her cake and presents! I got her a magnet doll that the clothes can be changed. I'm hoping she'll start changing that doll's clothes and not her own.

Regan turns three

Today Regan Joy turns three. In my free time, I put together a slide show at the bottom of the page. Sorry for the smallness of it, its the best I could do. We love having her as part of our family and she is a great joy to be with.

Baptism

On Saturday November 15, Brenna was baptized by her dad. Her Grandma Nelson gave a talk and so did Grandma Morris. Garret and Mom gave the opening and closing prayers. Brenna even sang the musical number with her cousin, Paris. Todd's confirmation blessing was very moving and of course brought me to tears. I can't believe another child in our family has made that covenant with the Lord. She is a special spirit and we are grateful for her decision to be baptized.

Violinist Virtuoso

I think I could go on and on about this beautiful girl but I'll stop myself. Brenna performed her first Suzuki violin recital and did a fabulous job. She played 17 songs without stopping. She did great and got 24 roses to boot. She is thrilled to be done with the first book and so am I as we don't have to listen to those songs anymore!!

Brenna Birthday

November 13th marks the 8th year for Brenna in our family. Grandma Nelson, Paris, and Grandma Sandra have come to town to enjoy her special birthday. I made a ridiculously rich Paula Dean six layer chocolate cake. Since Todd was working all night she had her party in the hospital cafeteria. She couldn't have been happier. She loves visiting Dad at the hospital.

Ear Piercing

As promised Brenna went today, only 4 days before her birthday to have her ears pierced. She turns eight on the 13th and this is her birthday gift this year. She loved holding the teddy and did not even cry. What a beautiful little girl. Not sure how I feel about the earrings. She looks too old.

Where's Regan

On Thursday myself and Nancy(close friend across the street) went to lunch because Todd was home to watch the kids. At some moment Todd heard the front door open and close. As quickly as he could he stepped out to see who'd left. It had been Regan and she was no where to be found. He even drove around a little to find her. Finally Luke thought that maybe she had entered Nancy's backyard and was jumping on the trampoline. She was not on the trampoline but WAS inside the house eating a sucker and watching t.v. with the dogs. Harry had left the back door open and Regan got in. At least she has a place to go when she leaves home.

Star Presentation

Each kid in Brenna's class get to invite a parent in to share what they do for a career. Luckily all the stars were aligned and Todd made it to share his expertise in medicine. The kids LOVED him and loved even more telling him about how they had gotten stitches or been in the hospital. Sorry for the bad photos. I think Regan put her slimy fingers on the lens.

Lost Tooth

Thanks to mom's floss around the tooth, Luke lost his first front tooth. I think we'll have a toothless Christmas. He also wanted a picture taken with his new webkin which he paid for with the money I gave him for trashing his Halloween candy.

Headless Horseman

The process of pumpkin carving took on a new life this year as Todd told the kids about the headless horseman. I think he makes a handsome one!

Primary Program Stars

So Brenna was ask to play the obligato part for one of the songs in the program for Primary. I joined her since it was her first performance. We did great and I don't think we had a mistake during our playing. Brenna is soooo talented, I can't wait for her recital this month!

Halloween Ghouls

Here are a few snapshots of the gang. Garret went to the ward party as Mr. Smarty Pants...hence the candy on his jeans. Brenna was Penny from Hairspray. Luke a Pirate and Regan a cute princess. Jen was the standard hippy. It never fails that someone at the ward party comments about my dress and wants it for their closet. Todd is taking the picture because he is too chicken to dress up... there's always hope for next year!!

Chef Garret

There are few things that warm my soul more than a man in the kitchen. In addition to that he was a man cooking scrambled eggs for his baby sister. Isn't that sweet???

Disneyworld

Just a few shots from our trip to Disney. Brenna loved being in Paris. Even went to a french restaurant and she practiced her favorite language. Brenna and Garret are Roller Coaster freaks. Love them a lot and that's all they wanted to do. Regan was Grandma's best friend and I think the feeling was mutual if you look at this picture. Finally, is there anything better than a ride on your dad's shoulders. I'd venture to say...NO!

I Love Relief Society!

For one of our enrichment classes we did a three part cake decorating class. Great tips on how to make a good cake and working on boarders for cakes. I did everyting on this cake except the pink flowers. This was really fun and I'm hoping that the kids will still take Texas Sheet Cake for their birthdays.

Hair Crazy

I recently found a blog by some mothers obsessed by doing their girl's hair. We are falling neatly in line by trying this triple braid in Brenna's hair. We've discovered that using product helps tremendously. She loves trying new styles so we'll keep sharing.

Football Star

Garret is playing tackle football for the Rampart Chargers this year. His favorite positions have been...Linebacker and Wide Receiver. For a small guy he's pretty good at tackling(but what do I know). We're proud of his committment to the team and his ability to get all his gear on by himself.

Troublesome Twos

Okay, this Regan is giving me a run for my money. Went in the basement this afternoon where the smell of paint wafted from the storage area. Found Regan and her accomplice Matthew spraying paint. They had taken all the paint gallons from the paint cupboard and placed them on the floor. They then proceeded to use a can of spray paint to paint the floor. I think I got them out soon enough that no lung damage was done. I wish it was legal to tie up a two year old to keep her out of trouble. The saga continues!

Butterflies

On Friday, Brenna gave a report in school on the Monarch Butterfly. All the kids loved her poster and the great coloring she'd done. They also loved the "real" picture that we'd found on the internet. Here's an interesting fact about the Monarch Butterfly: They lay up to a thousand eggs on the same leaf except the last egg is on it's own leaf. Something to think about.

Incline Ascent

Here in the Springs there is a hike called "The Incline". It is what it sounds like. Almost a 50% grade, 2010 increase in elevation, climbing up an old rail track. My friend and I just finished this morning and it was painful. I'm glad I did it but even more glad it's over. At the top it was about 45 degrees so it was freezing. Oh by the way, this morning I also lifted weights with my trainer. I think I will stay in bed for the weekend.

Just so you know, I am proud to say I've lost 10lbs in the last month. With a little help from a personal trainer and a desire to eat less I did it. I'm happy and I'm shooting for ten more. Also, Regan is mostly potty trained which I feel good about also as Todd is never home to clean up the pee on the island or poop in the swimsuit. Hooray for kids growing up and moms using food to energize not comfort.

School Days

First day of school...did you notice their both wearing red? I didn't until I started typing. Yes I cried when I took Luke to the Kindergarten line. He is sooo grown up. Garret was not willing to take a picture so let me describe...His clothing for the day was from his dirty clothes basket, wrinkled shorts and stained shirt. Hair was quickly wet down with hands, definitely no teeth brushing. Clear image?? Today I'm thankful for school.

Water

We spent lots of time at the beach. Coeur d'Alene Lake is only 200 ft deep so relatively warm. The kids loved the waves coming in from the boats. There is a beautiful floating boardwalk that was a little scary to have Regan on.

Coeur D'Alene Vacation

So, just returned from Coeur D'Alene, ID. We rented a house 2 blocks from the lake with Todd's mom, two cousins, and his sister Melissa. That's ten people in one house trying to do the same thing. Man am I glad we're only having four kids. We all went on this great bike ride...The Hiawatha bike trail, use to be a rail trail. We went through multiple tunnels(one a mile and a half long) and many very high bridges. The pictures here are on the trail. p.s. The tunnels have no lights, you must rely on the light mounted on your bike.