Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! I did send out a few Christmas cards, but didn't include my usual Christmas letter. Instead I decided to do it on our blog. This year has once again flown by. It's hard to believe that we are another year older and wiser of course. We continue to be blessed by the Lord in our lives. We enjoy being together in our home and have lots of fun together as a family. We miss our family who are not so close to us and our friends who have moved away (or are away). Now to update you on what's going on here in Nebraska.

Let's start with the smallest... Megan is three and a half. She started preschool this year (twice a week). It was a rough transition for her, but after about 2 months, she is doing great. No more clinging to mom's leg or crying. Now when she she asks, "Where I go after nigh night?" I say preschool. She gets excited and says, "With Miss Cheri and Miss Rose?" She has been in speech for a year now and doing wonderful. She loves to play babies, barbies, color, and play animals with the other animals in our house (her siblings). She keeps us smiling and is a pure joy to have around.

Jenna is 6 and finally has lost her two bottom teeth. The first one she pulled out herself and the second came with the help of her fork while eating dinner...oops! That was a painful one (it was not quite ready to come out). Jenna is in First grade and doing great. She enjoys reading and loves to draw and color. Jenna started gymnastics this fall and loves it.

Our oldest is still a Football fanatic. Tyler is eight and a half and lives for Football. It doesn't matter who is playing or what is on Sport Center, he's there listening and soaking in all the information there is. Tyler played Soccer in the spring and Football in the fall. He does very well at both, so it will be interesting to see what happens in the future. Tyler is in the 3rd grade. He's doing very well in all his studies and continues to amaze us with his memory. I wish I would remember that he's right most of the time when he throws stats at me. Other than playing football or watching football, his other favorite thing to do is play "animals". If you come to the house and hear lots of barking, don't worry we didn't cave and buy a dog, it's just our three little rascals acting like dogs.

I am staying busy with all the kids activities of course, but I am able to get out of the house and work a bit each month. Children's Physicians has been very good to me. I work 16 hours a month and enjoy the perks that come with that (free advice). I enjoy working out at 24 hour fitness, scrapbooking with friends, girls night out and hanging out with my family. Church continues to keep me busy as well. I play the piano in Primary, the Organ (every 6th week) and am the cub scout leader.

Justin is working for Deloitte Tax and enjoying it. He seems to keep a good work/life balance which the kids and I appreciate. He has loved playing soccer in the spring and fall with some friends on a local Catholic league. His church calling is still the Executive Secretary. He is a great help to me and the kids love their daddy!!

During this holiday we hope you enjoy this holiday season and wish you lots of peace, love and most of all JOY! Keep in touch!

Happy Fall!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

It is definitely fall here in Nebraska. I would even venture to say it is Winter some days. I have been ambitious making our Christmas cards this year, so to go with that I always put in a picture of the kids. I apparently I waited too long since it was cold and windy both days that I took the kids out. I promise I only made them suffer for a brief amount of time.

While you're up...

While sitting here at the computer, doing my relaxing in the afternoon thing, Megan says to me..."While you're upstairs, will you get me a snack and a drink?" Justin says she is taking control. I say she is just letting me know that when I do go upstairs, she'd like a little refreshment. It brings a smile to my face every time she does this. Especially when I have no immediate plans of going upstairs.

Another funny thing Megan as been doing now for quite some time is asking where we are going. It usually happens when she is in bed. "Mom, where I go afer nigh nigh?" I'll tell her preschool and she responds with..."with Miss Cheri and Miss Rose?" I say, "Yes". She then says, "Mom where I going afer preschool?" And on and on. Justin thinks I must go go go all the time and she is becoming accustomed to being 'on the go' all the time. It really isn't so.

Rod Works!!

Justin and I have been working on fixing up our home. I guess you could say we are updating it. We recently painted the dining room a nice "red". The room isn't done yet because we need to knock down one of the walls, so two of the four walls are done. I have wanted to get something on the wall but really struggled with what I wanted exactly. I was in Utah in the summer and discovered a fun store, Rod Works. Thanks to a loving mother, she sent me the rod and believe it or not I got it done. I can't take all the credit since the idea came from Rod Works and my brilliant cousin, Julie...here is What I did!! I am feeling ashamed now because had it not been for my husband and his skills with a level, it wouldn't have been so perfect.

The pictures were taken by Justin this Summer while back packing the Wind Rivers in Wyoming.

A Dance with Aurora

I know you need to turn your head (I couldn't figure out how to change it), but I hope you enjoy this clip of Megan dancing. She had just finished watching Sleeping Beauty and was dancing to the song at the end of the credits. At first she didn't know I was filming her, but you see that as she notices me she starts to show off a bit and get a little more dramatic. I love the head movements.

Halloween in Nebraska

Happy Halloween From Nebraska!!

This year we went to hang out with some friends of ours (Strohbehn's, Norlem's, Decker's, and Vaterlaus's). We had a great time. Lots of chili, chips, hot dogs (for the kids, right?) and the usual condiments.
It was really hard to wait to go trick or treating this year. With Day Light Savings, it didn't get dark until 7:00. Is that how it was at your house? Tyler's bag was full before we knew it and Justin ended up pocketing it so he would have room for more. I guess he did the same for Jenna too. I bought several bags of candy to give out here before I realized that we weren't going to be home. Now I have candy coming out of every crevice and cavity.

The kids were so excited this year. It sure is more fun the older they get and that they can use their imagination in deciding what they want to dress up as.

Tyler for example decided on being a slice of Pepperoni and Ham pizza.
His original idea was a puppy dog. After "little" search I told him that I couldn't find any costumes for puppies for big kids, so he needed to think of something else. Plus, I thought he was a little too big for that idea anyway.
This costume is very fitting for him because he'd eat pizza everyday and twice on Thursday. It was an interesting and fun costume to make. It was definitely one of a kind.


Jenna wanted to be Hannah Montana from the very beginning. She got a CD player with Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus CD's for her birthday in August, so she has grown to love her. The hair was quite an ordeal because Jenna has a lot of hair on her own, so getting it to stay on was quite a trick. She was very excited to have make up put on (mascara/eye shadow/blush). She looked adorable. I made a microphone for her (out of a wooden spoon covered in foil and black tape), but when it came down to taking it that night she wasn't interested.


Megan was "Ariel Princess". Her original idea was to be Miley Cyrus. I was game for that, but had no idea where to find a brown wig. I tried to convince the girls to switch. Jenna be Miley and Meg be Hannah, but Jenna wouldn't go for it. After several weeks of thinking I was going to have 2 Hannah Montana's, Megan decided to be Ariel. We went shopping that very night (not for the costume) and guess what she found... an Ariel costume and it was on sale!!
Isn't she adorable??

This is a picture of the girls eating BOO BUDDIE treats that I made and took to Jenna's party. They were a hit! Chocolate pudding/oreos and whipped topping with two mini choc. chips for eyes in the cool whip. You should try it!!

Pumpkin Trouble

During our trip to Vala's at the beginning of the month, the kids each picked out a pumpkin. After the first 3 days, Megan's little pumpkin started to get nibbled on so we brought it in the house. The following week Jenna's pumpkin was split open and seeds scattered all over the steps. Then were dragged throughout my house.

This past Sunday I started watching the last pumpkin, Tyler's. The squirrels have eaten a hole in the bottom and one in the top. One squirrel was inside for quite some time and came out all wet.
There were about 4-5 squirrels taking turns and fighting for a turn inside the pumpkin. It was very interesting and very sad at the same time. Usually we carve pumpkins for Family Home Evening the week before Halloween. This year, we didn't have any pumpkins left to carve.

I was worried the kids would be upset because they were being eaten, but I guess they figured this was a fun way to "FEED THE SQUIRRELS".

TOFW

This past weekend some friends and I were able to go to Deseret Book's "TIME OUT FOR WOMEN". It was a fantastic meeting. Not only did we get a day and a half out of the house, but we got to do it with friends and family to laugh and be uplifted.

If you ever get the chance to go, GO!! It was amazing.

The musical talent was out of this world. Jenny Oaks Baker was phenomenal. It was rumored that to see that kind of performance from her would have cost $200. She was amazing. Of course the name Kenneth Cope says it all. He was the main musical performer and he also gave his "ins and outs" to his songs. It was very spiritual. The last performer we had was Cherie Call. I had never heard any of her songs, but she was excellent too.

There were several speakers as well. First off was:

Ardeth Kapp

She spoke to us Friday night. What an amazing woman. She talked about our communication with our Heavenly Father as well as our communication with others. Alma 7:11

CHARGE YOUR BATTERIES!! (by doing the following)

1. Thoughtfully ponder - listen to the spirit

2. Earnestly Pray - Talk in prayer

3. Carefully prune - What we make time for in our lives and what we can cut out.

4. Wisely Plan - plan with a purpose. "What do we want to have happen" It takes patience.

Saturday Morning:

Mary Ellen Edmunds

I have a soft place in my heart for her because she is a family friend. My favorite over all!!

She spoke about being a peacemaker in our relationships.

"The Prince of Peace is the only one who can heal our hearts".

Don't be contentious; it's the opposite of being a peacemaker.

Avoid contention - slow to act; slow to speak

"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me"

She has an amazing way of making you laugh one minute and cry the next.

Wendy Ulrich

Sin vs. Weakness

God is the author of weakness and Satan is the author of Sin. Our response from weakness should be humility.

PONDER - prayerfully

PRIORITIZE - which one to work on first

PRACTICE - Work at it.

PROP - ask for help from others.

PATIENCE

Sin CAN be eliminated from our lives but Weakness CANNOT (in this life).

The rest of my notes were very scattered, but all the "presenters" were very good. It was a very uplifting meeting.

Future Pro Football Player

Tyler has developed a talent for Football. I think his life revolves around it. I really don't have to think about it...it is an obsession. He always wants to watch it and instead of watching cartoons in the morning, he'll watch Sports Center to find out how the games went the previous night. He remembers stats, he knows how plays for who and what their records are. Amazing!! Here are a few pictures of his latest game. Of course I didn't have my camera out and ready on the first series of plays where he ran for a TOUCHDOWN!! Oh well!!

Tyler wants to play in the NFL some day, but worries about playing on Sunday's. I told him that we'll worry about that when the time comes.

Here he is trying to catch a pass and then pulling a flag. This particular game was one for the books. Mainly because it was win #1. We aren't quite sure why, but all the other teams seem to be twice the size of ours. The boys probably don't spend practice chasing bugs and ripping on anothers flags off.

Jenna and Megan are watching in amazement as another group of girls play on the track with an ample amount of "Build a Bear".

Vala's Pumpkin Patch

Here we are at Vala's Pumpkin Patch. Justin's work has their Fall party here. We love it! There never seems to be enough time to accomplish all of the many fun activities. This year we decided to do more than we ever have before. I guess the fact that our kids are older and more tolerable of multiple activies helped. And there were NO STROLLERS to push. This picture was taken after roasting Hot Dogs over the fire and several s'mores. YUMMY :)

The Kids drove tractors.

We took a train ride all around the farm. Jenna got to toot the horn when we were all done. She thought that was pretty cool.









This year we discovered a "Trampoline". It was so much fun. The kids would have stayed there longer if we would have had time. There were two separate tramps. One for kids 1-6 and one for the older kids. I think the parents had as much fun as the kids did. I am sure we'll head here first next year.

This was my favorite...The Peddle Cars. You could ride up to four on a car. Justin took the girls and Tyler and I drove one. Well, Tyler handled the steering and I was the speed. Since my steering wheel was only for show, I decided to speed us up and try to catch up to Justin and the girls. I guess I should have taken into account my 8 year olds inexperience with driving. We hit the retaining wall as we turned a corner...oops!! We had a blast!




The Hayrack Ride



We met up with some friends who invited us to go with them on the Hayrack ride. This was some ride. It took us way up in the pumpkin fields. After lots of dust and bumps, we made it to the top. Here people can get out and pick their own pumpkin from the field. We came home with three big pumkins and three itty bitty ones. You can guess who picked those out... Megan.

In this picture: Tyler, Cory, Megan, Jenna and Kaylie

Tag

8 TV Shows I Love to Watch:
1. Grey's
2. LOST
3. CSI Las Vegas
4. CSI Miami
5. CSI New York
6. Biggest Loser
7. HGTV
8. Rachael Ray

8 Things that happened yesterday:
1. I worked
2. Went to Tyler's soccer game
3. Cleaned my kitchen
4. Put laundry away
5. Went to Tyler's soccer game
6. Finished a book
7. ordered Pizza
8. Played Foos ball

8 Favorite Places to Eat:
1. Olive Garden
2. Chilis
3. Subway
4. El Azteca
5. Cheesecake Factory
6. Chipotle
7. Stokes
8. Outback

8 Things I'm Looking forward to:
1. Christmas
2. Beating Justin at Foos ball
3. Time out for women (2 weeks)
4. losing 15 more pounds
5. cooler weather
6. Catching up on Scrapbooking
7. My kitchen remodel completed
8. Bunco

8 Things on My Wish List.
1. No more fighting between kids
2. To lose 15 more pounds :)
3. A new and bigger car
4. Fall
5. A clean house 24/7
6. My ironing to be done
7. Hawaii again
8. To see my family again soon

8 People I tag:
1. Jenn
2. Nancy
3. Laura
4. Jenny
5. Lindsay
6. Tysen
7. Kerolann
8. Megan

Megan's First Day of Preschool

Megan was so excited to go to preschool. She is going to the same school that Tyler and Jenna attended, so it wasn't a new environment. Megan does really well once she gets past the shock of Mommy leaving her. She fusses for a minute and then has a great time. Why do kids do that? It doesn't make me stay. I just smile as I walk down the hall knowing it's all for show and will stop before I get to my car. Silly girl!! Not having any children with me for 2 1/2 hours is a strange feeling. It's amazing how many things I can accomplish...

Dining Room meet paint

So shortly after we moved into our home, my dad came to help us piant. He was working on the ceiling and spilled a bucket of white paint on our carpet. If you look closely, you can see his hand prints. He did a great job getting it out of the carpet, but obviously not the wood floor. We are currenly working on finishing the dining room.

The beautiful blue/sunflower wallpaper is gone and a new color is on the walls. Soon we will knock out part of the wall (on the right) with the "cut out" window in it. That will be a bar. We've started the kitchen too, so I'll get those pictures in soon. As soon as we can get new counter tops in.

Our New Living Room

So after living in our home for 6 years we finally decided to get rid of our carpet and refinish the hardwood floor that was hiding underneath. We never imagined they would be in such great shape. I love them!!
Why would anyone cover them. Of course, it was probably done in the 70's.

Our Family Oct. 2007

Our friend took these pictures for us (Thanks Danielle)!!

Megan - age 2 1/2 years

Jenna - age 5 years

Tyler - age 7 1/2 years

Fun at the zoo

What a great bunch of kids!!

Jenna posing for the camera.

The kids got out of school early one day, so Grandma Atterton (Nanie) decided that we should all go to the zoo. She was in town visiting, but leaving soon to go back to Utah. We love it when she comes to visit. "It's always fun when Nanie comes, when Nanie comes...HOORAY!!" It was such a beautiful day, so we decided to hang around this little spring and take some much needed pictures.