November 2016

If it wasn't heading into winter November would be one of my favorite months.  I just love getting together with my family for Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season is always exciting.  Too bad I hate cold and snowy conditions.  Here's a few things that happened this November. 

Asher

 Asher took a drawing class at the Arts Council.  He really enjoyed what he learned there although the teacher was pretty flaky and just didn't show up some days or was a half an hour late.

Asher used his moldable eraser and sculpted a teacup one day at church.

Keeping this kid occupied is a full time job.  He isn't very interested in playing video games or watching TV like JJ and unlike Hannah he struggles to play on his own and entertain himself.  I find this very frustrating at times.  I try to be patient but I don't really want to play with him all the time.  He doesn't have very many friends and none in our immediate neighborhood so that rules out playing with friends.  I just do my best to help him stay happy at least some of the time.  

Pack Meeting

Hannah

Hannah loves being involved in stuff . . . the more the better.  This month she had lots of conflicting practices and concerts.  These photos are from one of her symphonic band concerts.  She really likes playing the flute and has some good friends in band. Although, I know that if she were forced to choose between band and musical theater she would drop band in a hot second.

Snow!

The kids were as excited as I was unexcited for the first big snowfall.  I dread the snow and ice season. However, I do LOVE hot cocoa so that makes things a little better.

From Cumorah's Hill

Our stake youth were asked to participate in a musical production called From Cumorah's Hill.  This required lots of early morning practices.  It was somewhat difficult to get JJ and Hannah enthused about participating but the eventually did. I have to attribute JJ's change in attitude to the fervent prayers I offered leading up to the practices.  I prayed so hard that the kids would have a positive experience at the first practice so that they would want to keep attending.  JJ came home from the practice glowing because he was made to feel needed.  Our favorite piano teacher Sis. Allred was helping with some of the sections of the choir and she praised JJ for being involved. JJ even was given a speaking part.  Surprisingly Hannah was a bit harder to motivate to go but she went with JJ each practice.  It was a lovely program held at the American Fork Tabernacle.

Pets

Spirit likes "helping" Asher put on his shoes in the morning - I actually think he is trying to slow Asher down because he doesn't want him to leave.  This puppy loves his people so much.  If JJ is laying on the couch this is where you will find the puppy.

Jax, the nut that he is, loves sleeping on peoples shoes.  You would think it would be bumpy and uncomfortable but he keeps doing it.

Spirit loves his toys so much that he snuggles with them and takes them wherever he goes.  He and Jax like to play tug o war when Jax isn't sleeping.

If I'm ever not feeling well you can bet I'll have two heating pads snuggled up with me.

Spirit absolutely hates to be left out of anything.  It is the saddest sight when the kids go out the door without him.  He starts whining so loud!

These two crazies are really best buds.  They get along really well and love to be together.

Spirit knows when Asher isn't feeling well too and will snuggle right up with him. 

Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.

Ashley McKinnon asked me if I would assistant direct a play over at the Arts Council with her.  It was a super easy play and lots of nostalgic fun.  There were no real main parts. Most of the kids had a song or at least a solo in part of a song.  They were a super fun group of kids.  I am grateful for this experience even though I was woefully unprepared for it.  I really have no dancing, singing or acting skills to speak of. But I am pretty good at kid wrangling and social media communication for the parents.

Lance and I took the kids out for FroYo after one of Hannah's performances. She would rather have that than flowers.

Thanksgiving

We were invited to have thanksgiving dinner at Charlie's house again this year.  We love spending time with our family.  Hannah and Asher played and played with Bridger.  We love making memories!

Bridger got to facetime with Dean!

Looks like the tryptophan has set in.

Movie Time!

We are true Marvel nerds so of course we had to go see Dr. Strange. It was a bonus for me that it had Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role!

Well look at that  . . . the Christmas tree is up so Santa must be coming soon!

Hannah is in Intermediate Choir this semester and had to wear a specific costume for concerts.  Strangely the skirt didn't come hemmed and was miles too long.  Thankfully Hannah's young womens leader is a seamstress and was able to hem it up for us.

March Highlights 2015

March weather went from snow to sun in the blink of an eye.  We took advantage of the days with sun.  We went on a walk by Utah Lake and the Jordan River parkway one day.  The dogs loved all the new smells and sounds.  

I can't believe how much the kids have changed over the years when I look back at the photos I have taken of them together on Easter.  

This picture illustrates Asher's personal style so well.  He likes being different from JJ by wearing a bow tie and cowboy boots.  His pants are a bit too short because he has shot up the last few months.  

JJ is a teenager now with his braces and cool hair style.  He now cares more about his appearance and styles his own hair.  He likes borrowing Lance's ties and sweaters for church.  He takes his responsibility to pass the sacrament seriously and helps the other boys who are just learning. He's not perfect but I am proud of his desire to be a good leader.

Hannah is a beautiful girl inside and out.  She is a bit of a tomboy and doesn't like to waste time getting her hair fixed or getting dressed up.  She is all about comfort right now.  

We were invited to spend some Easter fun over at my brother Charlie's house.  It was great to be with family and Hannah never gets her fill of playing with Bridger. We sure wish we lived closer to him!

JJ has to have his time with Bridger too! He loves his little cousin and tries to get Hannah to let him play with Bridger at least a little.

We had a picnic at the park too! So glad to see Ryan and Holly and their girls as well as Brandon, Dan, Becca, Emmy, Cam, Michelle, Jace and Chloe.

This cat of Hannah's is a stinker.  He climbs on the roof, tries to eat birds, and climbs the screen of the front door.

Asher's latest obsession is plants.  He is enjoying learning about cacti and bonsai.

The neighbors across the street were "goat sitting" for a few days. So of course we had to go over and say hi and tease Lance that we had gotten a new pet.  Lance did not find it nearly as funny as we did.

I was able to chaperon JJ's field trip to STEMfest 2015.  It was really fun - a little stressful at times and nauseous (the bus driver went in circles trying to find where he was supposed to let us off) but still really a good time.  JJ loved the underwater robotics area.

Freezing his DNA and putting it in a necklace.

The school had a spirit week where each day was a different theme.  The kids participated in some of them.  These were the ones they liked the best. Cowboy day . . .

80's day . . .

He's channeling a bit of Tom Cruise from Top Gun and Bender from Breakfast club . . .

Mommy, Daddy and daughter date for Hannah to go see Cinderella. We loved the movie and had great fun together!

Mommy Daddy and Asher date to Johnny Rockets!

What would our house be like with out the pets?  Cleaner for sure but very empty.

Happy St. Patricks day 2015!

Nobody was more excited to meet Emmy's new golden retriever puppy Piper than Asher.  He adores that dog!  He'd much rather all his cousins be of the 4 footed variety.

Happy Anniversary to me and my sweetie!

Asher's babies are very prickly.

Girl talk in the walnut tree.  I am so grateful that Hannah has so many great girlfriends who don't do drama or jealousy. They just accept everyone and are very supportive of each other.  It is so rare!

JJ and plays are the bane of my existence.  He is so talented and has a desire to be in the plays but he doesn't want to attend rehearsals or have anything to do with costuming.  

JJ was Papa bear and Papa Ogre and Hannah was a rat dancer and a Duloc dancer.  Not their favorite parts but the music in this show is so awesome!

This picture makes me laugh it looks like the girl next to Hannah wants to kill her or something!

Good job AnnaBelle as Teen Fiona!

JJ convinced his friend Thomas to be in the play.  Not quite sure if he enjoyed it or not but they did get to hang out during rehearsals.

The view out the school windows when a sudden snow storm hit.