Fun on an Icy Driveway

It wasn't super cold, but they wanted to play outside.  Yippee!!!!

 We bundled Mitchell up and set him happily in his duck.  Then the fun began!

 Ben had a little friend over.  Miranda is in the bright green.  The kids all loved her!

On your mark...

 I LOVE the huge smile on Emily's face here!

 Such ghetto fun - sliding on an icy driveway...for a LONG time!  It was great. We quite entertained our neighbor as well!

 I think I need to blow this picture up!

 Oh, the joys of falling on your backside...over and over and over again!

 We tried the snow activities the next day - this time with sleds!  Although some people didn't want to put on snow clothes...

 The consequences of playing on the ice without snow gear...such a sad little face.  Ice HURTS!

 Ben getting cocky!

 Okay - this is the cutest little boy (until Mitchell gets to be 2 years old) and he just melts my heart.  He loves the snow.  Of the pictures I took this day, more than half are of my little Miles!

Book, Anyone?

This is how we read books these days - this is during a calm moment where Annie and Emily have decided to coexist happily. It always works better if I catch them before they are too tired... Sadly most nights have gone out the window for books recently - unless Andy is home to help with bedtime. That is when Mitchell needs just Mom; I think we need to move books to mornings while the youngest sleeps in!

A Quiet Sunday Afternoon

The kids love Sunday afternoon, where we don't have to go anywhere. They get into a groove playing and just enjoy our time. Ben is playing happily and quietly (with humming) with all those lovely little Legos! This kiddo is so amazingly creative! I think he was making a dentist office that day - a nice change from the battle scenes that he typically creates! This can last hours if we don't interrupt him.

I went shopping with a friend to a store called The Flower Factory. She wanted to get some things to make her daughter a mobile. That is one of the things that hasn't survived from our other kids, so I bought some butterflies to make Mitchell one. I just used white sewing thread to tie it to an embroidery hoop. He loves it and gets great big eyes when I put him in the crib (as opposed to his bassinet). Annie told me I needed to make him a 'boy' one because butterflies are for girls. Tough Luck - this boy will like butterflies! Besides, they start as caterpillars and those are VERY boyish!

Andy went out to shovel - Emily wanted to go with him.

Valentine's was the next day, and I wanted to make a special treat for my Valentine: Strawberry Shortcake, his favorite! I found a (supposedly) fabulous recipe that needs to be made 2 days prior to serving it. Friday night I made the shortcake (with 3 sticks of butter!!!) and wrapped it for storage in the fridge. Sunday afternoon Annie helped me cut up 2 pounds of strawberries to sprinkle with sugar. Then we started to make the whipping cream. It wasn't working. Did I add too much sugar or not enough??? I added a dash of vanilla because I like that. Andy thought maybe that was why it wasn't whipping. I checked Google and vanilla is completely allowed and shouldn't make a difference. I gave up. Andy took over and tried whipping it in the blender. After almost an hour - we realized I bought light cream - NOT light whipping cream. Oops! After 5 calls to friends, no one had whipping cream, so we delayed our strawberry shortcake until the Monday (when Andy gets home after 10pm).

Emily thinks Mitchell is her personal buddy and he needed to be rocked. Not much seems to phase him anymore. :)

Lesson learned: do not play on treadmill (after Mom has said 'NO" at least 6 million times), especially not when Annie is already on it. The treadmill will throw you off and rip off the top layer of your skin...

Monday - our friends came over. This is little Gwen, whom we all love to squeeze - almost as much as our little Mitchell. They have become buddies too - just like their mommies!

My Sweet Valentines

Really are many pictures cuter that this?  Love.  Love.  LOVE kids in towels after a bath!!!

 Growing up, we always made Valentine's Chocolates.  When my parents redid their kitchen a few years back, I inherited the molds.  This is the first year we have pulled them out, and the kids did fantastic!!!  This is definitely one baking project we will continue; it doesn't take forever and it makes a ton so they are easy to share!

What a bunch of sweethearts!!!

Baby, It's Cold Inside!

We had a big ice storm one night (after having a snow day). By 2:30am, all four children were in our room...joy! Ben was freezing - the clock wasn't working, so I figured the power was out. (I'm just brilliant in the middle of the night!) After feeding Mitchell, I couldn't go back to sleep and made all kinds of plans for how we would survive without power for a few days. (Last time this happened, people were out 3-5 days). I had it all worked out and could finally get back to sleep around 4:30.

We were doing puzzles upstairs (covered in blankets) around 10am, when we got a call from the Relief Society President in our ward at church - asking if we had power. Andy checked our thermostat - 56 degrees! It was so cold! We thought about packing up some stuff and going to the church. No power there! Andy and I had a little conversation about staying home versus going elsewhere. I was all for staying home and had to be convinced that our children cannot regulate body temperatures, it would just keep getting colder in our house, we don't want anyone to get so cold they can't warm up, and did I remember that we have a tiny baby that we need to keep warm?

So, we finally knelt to have a family prayer to decide. After the prayer we all agreed that we needed to go somewhere with power (temp dropped to 55 during those ten minutes). We called Sis. Dayton back and said we would love to come and crash at their place for a bit! And how do I know that prayers and concerns are answered? While we were downstairs (in the dark basement) packing clothes (that didn't end up matching, oh well!), we got phone calls from three other church members offering their homes to us, as well as one from a neighbor suggesting we find somewhere to stay.

Wow! The people here sure make the winters bearable! Here are a few reasons why my children (Andy included) were thrilled with the situation:

1. They love Sister Dayton.
2. They love Sister Dayton's toys.
3. They love the Daytons' pool table.
4. They love the Daytons' Wii.
5. The Daytons have wireless for Andy to connect to work/school (poor guy couldn't even call the school to check for classes because the internet was down because it comes through the phone which is portable and needs to be plugged in; he was so stressed not having internet access for such a LONG time!!!!).
6. Sis. Dayton loves to spoil everyone - me included (she let me make my favorite Ranch dip!!!).

I could keep going on and on; suffice it to say, the blow up mattresses were a hit, the games were exceptional and we felt very at home. Andy loved hanging out with President Dayton - and we even got some good actual "lawyering" talk in.

We spent some time the next day doing Relief Society visits while kids were in school and then swung by our house to get clothes for the next day. Want to know how well our house is insulated? It was 36 degrees!!! I guess I didn't need to worry about the food spoiling! I came back from picking up the kids after school to hot homemade (by Emily and Sis. Dayton) bread and honey-butter as an after school snack. Thanks so much Pres. and Sis. Dayton!!!! We love you both!

It was a great big silver lining to what could have been a very drastic situation. We are so glad that Heavenly Father often answers our prayers through other people!!!

Making Valentine's Boxes

February has been brutal with weather here this year. We had a snow day and spent most of it making Valentine's Boxes (after a morning of cleaning!). I got out a bunch of supplies and let the kids get creative. We had paper, stickers, a sticker maker, glue, and the beloved markers! Emily was thrilled with the availability!

Annie's box turned out really cute! However, we found out AFTER we'd created the boxes that her class was making bags for them to share their Valentine's. Oh well - it is now a storage box for her 'special' things!

Ben decided he needed a pirate theme! It was so fun to see all the different ideas the kids had! Then we went into Ben's class for his party and I realized how simple our little boxes were. :0

An overview - and proof that Mitchell got to participate!!! Dad was studying/working on this snow day!

Say CHEESE

Just some cute smiley kiddos wanting to say HI today!!!!

Secondary Source

My cute niece is doing a project for school - a biography about my mom (someone still alive and sane enough to recall memories). I was her secondary source.

Q1: What is your favorite memory of your mom?

Oh, what to choose! I’m tearing up just thinking back through them! I think my favorite memory is Mom making grilled cheese sandwiches late at night when Roy would get home from football practice or a game. We would all hang out in the kitchen and chat – at a time much later than I should have been up. She would make me one too, if I asked. I just loved hanging out together – no competition, just enjoying being together.

Q2: Did your mom play with you and come to activities that you were in?

Mom didn’t really play with me – that’s why I had a sister! (However, she plays AWESOME with my kids now!) BUT – she was at everything that I was involved in: choir concerts, sports games, balsa wood competitions, pictures before dances, banquets – everything! It wasn’t even a question to me; how she sat through some of those l.o.n.g. boring games, I will never know!

Q3: Did your mom ever take you on trips? where?

We did trips to visit family throughout my childhood: one summer to Utah to visit mom’s family – the next to Florida to visit Mike’s family. We just knew that alternating years was the plan. We took a few trips in high school to San Antonio to watch Roy play football and eat at the most amazing Mexican Restaurant.

Q4: Did she ever forget about something that you were in that was important to you? What was it?

She didn’t really forget, per se, but she wasn’t able to fulfill the entire day: my 16th birthday. I realllllllllly wanted to get my driver’s license that exact day (I was one of the very youngest in my grade and one of the LAST to be able to drive) and had to wait until the next day – it felt like an eternity.

Q5: Is there any memories that you can think of that were embarrassing about your mom or something that she did?

I’m sure she was embarrassing at some point growing up, but she did a great job being around but not too involved. All my friends knew her and talked to her, but I can’t remember her ever outright embarrassing me. I was always pretty proud to be her daughter! One of my favorite things was to introduce her to my friends – “this is my mom, Mrs. Doerk.” They would always do a double take. I had a friend in elementary school named Julie. She introduced my mom (Mrs. Doerk) to her mom. Her mom got so mad at her for calling mom names! It took about 10 minutes of us all convincing her that really was mom’s last name. It made it fun!

Oh, I did just think of something. If I had been on the phone for a long time (typically with a boy), she would pick up the phone and say, “Lindsey, I need to use the phone.” That was as embarrassing as it got!

Q6: When you needed help on something did she think that she knew it but turns out that was not right? What was that?

Hahaha! That would be math and English – thankfully I had Nancy around to help explain! Mom would say they didn’t teach math that far when she was in school (more was discovered and solved after she graduated); I think she just took too many days off school to ski!

Q7: Did she like to embarrasses her kids for fun? About what?

Nope – I think she was proud of us. However, if it was just family around, she, Nancy, and Jamie liked to tease me about blossoming into a woman. Punks!

Q8: Did your mom make you do a instrument that you did not want to do? What instrument?

No, she didn’t. I really wanted to take piano lessons. However, the older kids (Rusty, Nancy and Roy) took them and rebelled. She decided it was too much work to get kids to practice and it wasn’t worth the battle anymore, so she said no. However, I am taking them now and love them! My teacher loves me because I am taking them because I want to and not because I have to.

Q9: How did your mom solve sticky situations?

I don’t know. I was never in any sticky situations…I was a perfect child (at least in my mind)! However, watching her from a more grown-up position, these are the things I have seen her do:
1. Pray
2. Discuss with Mike
3. Pray
4. Get educated about the situation
5. Pray – go to the temple
6. Make decision and act on it!
She doesn’t really discuss anything ‘sticky’ with anyone, except Mike, until she’s made a decision. Then we are informed.

Q10: Whats the thing that you love most about your mom?

Her complete love for me and my children. Her dedication to do what’s right, even if she doesn’t want to. Giving her opinion about what I should do, but then supporting whatever decision that I make. (Andy likes that she trusts him with stuff.)

It's the Little Things...

*Sigh* Most days are the same around here. Hurry through breakfast. Hurry through scriptures. Hurry to get coats and backpacks on. Hurry to the bus stop. Hurry to clean up breakfast before day's activities. Hurry to shower and get ready before Mitchell needs to eat or Emily brings him to me. Hurry to change diapers before showers start. Hurry to the car because we're late. Hurry, hurry, hurry. Some would tell me to get up earlier. Most days I am up between 4:30 and 5 to feed Mitchell. Sometimes I wake up Andy and we exercise (but we have to hurry so we can be done on time for him to get to school and so the kids don't get bored waiting for us after they wake up.). Sometimes I go back to sleep. Most times I go back to bed and think about all the things I need to do for that day. I think I just need to plan more - and then actually FOLLOW THROUGH with that plan!

A few months ago, we had a bad Sunday morning. Andy was at an early morning meeting. Annie's tights didn't feel good. Emily didn't want to wear a dress (which is never a battle with her, don't know why it was that morning). Ben's boots were too tight, which we only seem to remember on Sunday mornings and no other time during the week! My clothes didn't fit, so I had to change a few times. I was very pregnant and just wanted to stay home in bed and rest. I was in tears, *gently* encouraging the kids to get into the car because I HATE TO BE LATE. (In all honesty, I was in tears during most of my pregnancy - not sad ones, mostly really happy.) This day, I was just feeling overwhelmed. As we got on the on-ramp to get on the highway, there was a cop car on the side of the road with several men in bright orange jumpsuits picking up trash...convicts. Then the real tears started!!! This is why we are still going to our church meetings, even if we might be a few minutes late. This is why my children think I'm a 'mean mom' when they have negative consequences for their actions. This is why I hurry through most of my daily routine - so my kids can learn to choose the right, and what is important, and how to listen for the Holy Ghost to guide their actions, and so they won't be picking up trash on the side of the road on a Sunday morning. I sure hope they learn these things!!!

What else...? I just love my little guys. This past week I've worked really hard to have all dinner prep done (except for today - whoops!) before Ben and Annie get home from school. Then, we've been doing fun things in the afternoon - puzzles, games, coloring, watching a show together, homework (without mom HURRYING to get dinner together or on the computer looking up a quick recipe), talking, or reading books. It has sure been delightful! It's helped make Andy's absence each night a little bit less painful - this whole night-class act is for the birds!!! Okay, I have 10 minutes to find my talapia recipe for tonight and I'm ready for spelling homework from Ben and painting with Annie! Hope you don't have to HURRY through life..

Daddy Daughter Dance

Annie's school does an annual Daddy/Daughter Dance. Annie had so much fun getting ready. I talked to the 'head mom' who was planning the event and she needed more help, so I got to go and watch! Annie and I before we all left (in separate cars, so I didn't interfere on their 'date!'). Ben and Emily stayed home with a boy babysitter that they both LOVED! The obligatory before pictures!

Gym was so incredible HOT! This picture makes me sad (and happy). Andy was one of the only dads dancing. Where were the rest of the men??? Most were playing games or surfing the net on their phones...

Secrets chats. Love the corsages! The horticulture department and the local high school made them all. The girls all just beamed getting them and putting them on. The woman handing them out told each Princess to have a fun night.

Before Annie got bored and started to play tag in the halls with a little friend...

Mitchell was my sidekick for the night. He was FABULOUS!!! He loved all the people walking by and saying hello to him. His cheeks MUST have hurt from smiling so much! This is Annie and her little friend, Lauren.

Annie had to go to the bathroom at the end of the night, so Andy took her back out. As soon as they left, the DJ announced that this was the last song. My heart was sad as I helped clean up the refreshments and watched ALL the daddys (or is it 'drop the 'y' and add 'ies') and daughters dance. Then the DJ told all the girls to give their dads a hug and tell him thanks for coming. About 3 minutes later Andy and Annie came bounding back in. Thankfully, there was still music on, so they still had their last dance of the night! Annie told me later this was her favorite part of the evening, as she got to slide around on the dance floor!

Proof that I am a GOOD Mom!

I take pictures of my baby; and I can make him smile!

Wait - maybe it's the dog that makes him smile...

Although sometimes he thinks I am a little bit boring...

Creative Play

My friend and I trade babysitting with our 3 year olds, so every two weeks, we have a free afternoon. This week was so fun! The kids had a snack, not to break up the day but because they were hungry - all moms of play dates will understand that one! This was the fort they built - although neither one thought it was big enough. Why is Jensen shirtless? Well, at the beginning of the day, I was doing dishes when Emily asked me if they could play dress-ups with changing clothes (as kids have gotten older, we've had to set a few more rules on dress ups!). I said yes. I heard them talking in the playroom about ballerinas with swords and knights with goggles. Emily comes out in Annie's ballerina costume. Then, Jensen comes out with his voice muted because he has a knight mask on. "I need help!" I turn to look, and he's got on a mask, a shield, holding a breastplate, and a cute pair of little boy boxers! I helped him switch the shield and breastplate and told him that he can keep his clothes on. His response, "But I want to play dress up too!"

Sure - sorry, Angie, I let him run around in his underwear for a little while. He did have on a shield and breastplate though! AND SOCKS! He stayed warm... After dress ups, he didn't want his shirt back - thus the forts without the shirt! Such cute friends - although they don't really like each other until they start playing. It's quite the interesting relationship!

'Da Boyz

My little Mitchell was so sad one night. I had to quickly finish something, so I propped him on the corner of the couch. I have no idea when he dozed, but he slept like this for a good two hours!Fun with Ben!

More fun with Ben! Ben thinks its great fun to wrap Mitchell up in his robe. Then he acts silly to get Mitchell to smile. Very Cute. And Warm! It has been so incredibly cold here lately!!!