Playing Catch Up

I haven't blogged in such a long time.  I've been very sick since November and I think the emotional aspect of my illness was so much more debilitating (to blogging anyway) than the physical aspect.  I didn't even post anything about Christmas, or Easter, or major events!  So now to dig through the pictures and find what I actually documented.

Last month I had my adrenal glands removed so hopefully this will help me to recover from that awful monster Cushing's Disease and I can be a better wife, mother, and person.

In the midst of decorating for Christmas Cole enjoyed making this giant hamburger.  Cole is elusive so I have to add any picture I can get of him.

Sage has been dressing up like Santa at school for years.  She was happy the school gave her another opportunity this year.

This is what December looks like in St. George, green grass and lots of leaves from our Mulberry trees.  The 2 extra kids are Christian Spangler and Martha Bown.  Our house has 2-10 extra kids on any given day.  I love it!!!

What is sweeter than a boy and his dog!

Ashley's Christmas dress.  We made her wear it and she hasn't worn it since.

Noah's first day of preschool!

Jack's first professional haircut.  I usually just hack away at him myself.

Sometimes you just have to collapse where you are when you're as busy as Noah.

Sage's Native American day at school.  

Noah is enthralled with watching youtube videos of men with nothing better to do showing their collections of hot wheels.

Luke broke his collar bone :(

Ashley and I had a girls day with Chanelle and Candra!  What a great day!  I can't wait to do it again.

Noah is so lucky to have one friend close by and now 2 more have moved in. (Tayton & Mason Millet and Nathan Forsyth)

There are hundreds of pictures of Ashley on my computer since she's always taking pictures on my phone.  I couldn't pass up posting this one.

I took Noah and Luke to the car show by our house.  This was Noah's favorite car.

Luke and Noah got glasses!  They both look so good in them.

We had a visit from the Snow's!!!  We've known the Snow's since Ashley was a baby so our kids have grown up together.

We only have 2 kids left young enough to do the Easter egg hunt.  The other 3 are happy to be home sleeping in.

Coloring Easter eggs!  Don't let Cole's presence fool you.  I just made him stand here for the picture and as soon as I was done he was out the door.  Who can expect a 14 year old boy to color Easter eggs right?

Sage's traditional Easter basket hairdo.  This is one of our favorite hairstyles we get from our favorite hair blog.  ( A Princess and Her Hair)

Pretty girls on Easter morning.  Ashley looked like Audrey Hepburn that day.

Well that's all for now.  I need to get busy having summer fun with the kids so we can get some good pictures.

Black Friday

I've never been out in the real Black Friday crowds before, but last night Ashley and I were lured by Walmart's $1.96 DVD's. It was like nothing I've ever seen. Very much like the picture I posted. I've heard all the horror stories of people being trampled and getting in physical fights but our experience was nothing like that. When Ashley and I walked in the store we both turned to each other and smiled. We both love unusual situations and crowds of people. It was so much fun. There was a great mix of people in all ethnicities & colors. Everyone was so kind to each other. Everywhere you went you could hear I'm sorry, excuse me, what are you looking for, let me help. One woman noticed Ashley and I were looking for something in particular and offered the last one she had to us saying she didn't need it that much. Another couple saw I was struggling to hold stuff and offered me their cart. I don't really have the money to go out shopping again today but if I weren't so sick today I would go out there just to be with the people. I love St. George and I REALLY love people.

Evil Thunderbirds

It's been a long time since I've blogged about one of Noah's hilarious adventures. I feel bad I've missed so many. Today he was heading out the door and had his hands behind his back. When I looked up at him he smiled and said "What? I got nothin'" Then he proceeded to show me his left hand while keeping his right behind his back. Then he showed me the right hand with the left behind his back. This kid is getting sneakier by the minute. So I walked behind him and spotted a butter knife. When I took it from him I asked "What were you going to do with this?" He said "I need it in case the evil Thunderbird comes then I'll slice off it's head" So I gave the knife back, took a picture, took the knife back again and promised I would watch for Thunderbirds for him and he didn't need a knife.

First Day of School!

The kids went back to school today. Sage looks like she's in a JCPenney ad. Noah is still sleeping(Why didn't he sleep this late during the summer?). The house is quiet with just Rob and I shuffling around and the dog sniffing at the breakfast dishes hoping we'll leave them on the table and leave the room so he can jump on the table and eat some. I miss the kids already! We're in a carpool where I only drive once a week but I love to be the one to drop them off and pick them up. If I could afford to drive everyday I would but as it is they're even going to school in last year's (in some cases last 2 year's) school clothes. Ashley is starting her first year at SUCCESS Academy. That means she'll be going to college for half the day. I think I'm more excited about it then she is. It's going to be a great year with bright hope for the future.

Summer!

Fireworks!

Noah's first sparkler

The group picture just before dark

Pioneer games at the park

It's good to see old friends

Luke and Sage made rockets

Sage is getting Noah excited for a train ride

This train is a Bloomington tradition. It's a 4 wheeler pulling

a row of buckets with wheels. The kids love it.

Ashley's return from trek. She was sick when she left

but she looked healthy and happy pushing that handcart down

from the mountain. She wants to go back.

Ashley with Ma and Pa Davis from trek. She loves them!

Last Day of School!

Today is the last day of school for our charter school kids. I'm excited to have the kids home for the summer and so happy the cooler weather is hanging in there a little longer. We'll have plenty of heat in no time so I'm glad it's taking it's time. Today was a great year for the kids. Most of them had record breaking grades and I'm so proud of them for how hard they worked.

Luke and Mrs. Winder


Cole and Miss Freeberg


Sage and Miss Rammell

February Fun!

I know a lot of people don't like February because it's dreary, wintry, and cold. But we live in St. George...We love February!!!

Cole got student of the month for imagination!


Noah discovered youtube thanks to me. Grrr! I really regret it.


Ashley got into Success Academy! Three cheers for free college! Hip hip....


Sage followed her tradition of making a Valentine box that looks like a dog.


Luke was so creative and thought of making his into a giant coke can. It even has the tab at the top that opens the can.


Ashley is so sweet to still play with her younger siblings.

Christmas!

I hope I can find pictures to post! This Christmas was not the best we've had but when you have little ones around it's hard not to be happy anyway.



It snowed the first day the younger kids went back to school. Ashley and Noah were able to play in it but it melted before the other kids came home.


Ashley was not happy to be photographed while wearing chipmunks but she did like her pajamas.

The boys waiting to watch a traditional Christmas movie.



Testing out the toys.


Can't forget the Christmas jammies picture!

Thanksgiving!

We went to Arizona for Thanksgiving this year.

Here is Cole at Grandma Ruby's where we stayed



Noah having a helping of Cheez It's at Grandma Wilkes' house where we watched the football games.


This is "the barn" at Uncle Alvin's where every meal is served from Wednesday night through Saturday morning








Most of "the crew" that take upon themselves the work of every meal














Cole is always the first in line...not one to waste time he's also checking facebook updates








It's tradition to get the chicken coop picture even if I can only get 2 kids there because the others are to busy mingling with cousins.


Luke and Sage dressed up as pilgrims for school




It's unfortunate I didn't get a picture of Ashley and her cousin Karina with the German exchange student that they held in such high esteem. Rob and Cole enjoyed defeating him in basketball.