Happy Thanksgiving

Now that's a manly meal!!! Sure thankful I have my boy!...but could he please eat some veggies?! At least we know where his priorities are.
We had a great Thanksgiving. We have been so lucky to have either family or friends to celebrate with since we moved to Utah. It would suck if we had to spend the holidays without them! I am very grateful!!

Halloween!

Here's a couple of pictures of our halloween celebrations!



Good times were had by all! Emma changed costumes between the party and trick or treating. She wanted to stay warm for trick or treating, but then got too hot and started peeling off the costume. What a kid!!

I'm Six!

Emma was so excited for her birthday. She counted sleeps for over a week. She even tried to speed it up by counting 2 sleeps at a time. Funny girl!!
For her party, she wanted to go to a movie like we did last year. I was totally on board with that...it made my life easy! A good time was had by all and another birthday success!!

Great Times with Great Friends!

I always enjoy an great evening, doing great things, especially with great friends!

Out of the Mouth of Babes!

So, tonight we are all sitting at the table eating dinner when the subject of being skinny came up...don't know why. Anyway, Emma pipes up and says the funniest thing. We were all in tears laughing!
The conversation went something like this...
Emma says; "My tummy is skinny, Kelti is skinny, you (pointing at me) are getting skinny, Mitchell is fat (looked at him) no you skinny. And Daddy...(covers her mouth with both hands and says) Uhh!, I'm not gonna say it!!"
Needless to say, we all cracked up. Kelti and Mitchell had tears rolling down their faces! That Emma, she's a cutie. Ya gotta love her! :)

Cross Country

This past spring, Kelti decided to give track and try. Despite the constant problem with shin splints, she really enjoyed it. So with the opening of the new High School and the desire to get involved in something while in High School, she took up Cross Country running. She has grown to love running and being part of the team. The coaches are great and the kids love them. Again she was plagued with shin splints that have hindered her season, but she has done well. Then yesterday, the latest thing to effect her season is being diagnosed with mono. This unfortunately has put an end to her running for a while. The worst part is it is the week before the Regional Championships. Very disappointing for her. My gut tells me not to let her run it, but my heart wants to tell her to go ahead, what harm could one more race do!? We will have to see what the Doctor and Coach say.
Yesterday was her race against the rival team, Lehi High. It was here on home turf, so it was fun to watch and support the team. Kelti had a good run and her BIGGEST FANS came to support her! Thanks Monica, Matthew & Cassidy!!

Instructions at the starting line.

Coming into the finish!!






The World's Biggest Kelti Fans!!

Boom Boom Pow Cheer before the race...Go Coach Durham!

Toothless

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front (bottom)teeth! Emma lost her first tooth last Wednesday. She was so excited! Her two bottom teeth had been loose for quite a while and we were just waiting for them to come out. The toothfairy came that night, but must have been a little tired or something, because the money was left on Mummy's night-stand. Hmmmm?!

The next day, the second one came out. It was just hanging by a thread and so she let me pull it out. Such a brave girl. Fortunately, the toothfairy got it right this time and put the money under Emma's pillow. Silly toothfairy!

I can't believe how much it changes her looks. She doesn't look so little anymore. Sad!!

More Firsts!!

Mitchell had his first football game last night. They started out well, scoring the first touchdown. But lost the game anyway. It is interesting to watch parents and how wired they can get about 7th grade football. We are hoping that this season is more positive experience for him.

Mitchell is #44.

Nice backdrop for a football game!

And We're off to Kindergarten!

Emma started Kindergarten today! Wow, lots of mixed emotions about that. She was so excited that when she got up this morning she was ready to hit the ground running. It was torture for her to wait until 11:30 to get her uniform on. She was very brave and so was Mum!!! I held it together very well. At least until I had to deal with Kiana. We saw Kiana in the playground and she wanted me to come see her when I was done with Emma. She was having a very hard time, the change has been pretty tough for her! She misses her old school and friends. I had to use some tough love and make her stay at school for the afternoon. That's when I lost it. We are all ok now!


Isn't she so cute!

High School!

So...my biggest baby is officially at the big new High School! Where have the years gone? I don't think I'm ready for this stage of life. Wasn't I just there?!!! Kelti started her Sophomore year at the brand new High School. She was quite nervous about the whole thing, but very excited too. The school is amazing, over 1700 students, second largest school in the state. And the bonus is she likes all her teachers! Now that is amazing!!!!

Kelti also had her first cross country meet on Thursday. She was very excited and loves being on the team, but just before the race told me she didn't think she could do it. It was just nerves and she felt like she was going to be sick. She did good, despite the almost 100 degree weather. And her dad couldn't have been more proud! (Marcus ran cross country in University)


Way to go Kelti!!

First Day of School!

Today is the first day of school...and a new school for Mitchell and Kiana! Mitchell starts Middle school, he's getting so big! Kiana is in third grade. We moved them to a new school this year too. It is and elementary/middle school. This is in hopes of a better education! I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Mitchell was not the happiest camper on the planet. He's not a big fan of school and a new school didn't help. Kiana was a bit nervous, but was a real trooper. I think the picture says it all!!

I had to really work at getting a smile out of Mitchell. They have to wear a uniform at this school. Needless to say...Mitchell wasn't thrilled about that one either. But I don't think that the uniform is too bad!?
I will probably win the "Big, Ugly, Mom Award" for this one!!!!

Oh Canada!!

We are back from an overdue trip to Canada. It was a great trip, with a week in BC with our parents and then a week in Okotoks, with my brothers' families. It was great to catch up with family and friends!! For the first time in 4 years of living in Utah, I had a hard time coming home. It was such a great visit and I really miss my family. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I live here, just wish my family was closer!!
We celebrated Canada Day, visited the zoo, went for quad and motorbike rides, rode horses, and ate tons of great food. GOOD TIMES!!

Mitchell's New Ride

This is one happy boy!!! Mitchell out-grew his dirtbike last year...he looked so cute with his knees up near his chin! So we sold his bike and bought this one last Saturday. Need less to say, he's a little eager to get out riding...and racing!

Way to go Emma!!

My baby mastered her bike tonight! She beat both her sisters at that milestone. But Mitchell still holds the family record for mastering a 2-wheeler at the age of 3. Emma is very proud of herself. It was fun to watch her practice and see Kiana and Mitchell help her. It was one of those rewarding mom moments!

Kiana's Baptism Day!

Yesterday Kiana was able to be baptized. It was a great day! After a busy and rewarding week (I was able to go to Women's Conference at BYU on Friday), it was topped off with seeing my third child baptized. What a feeling! It was a beautiful service shared with another young girl in the Ward. The talks were great with memorable lessons in them. I'm sure it was a day that Kiana will not soon forget.



Although our families were not able to be here, we have some great friends that came and supported us. It was just like having family here. We are so blessed!

My Emma..How You've Grown!

Kelti and Emma were goofing around the other day and this is what they came up with. Emma thought it was pretty cool and Kelti couldn't stop giggling!

Easter

Better late than never! Spring Break and jet-lag and my excuses, if that counts for anything. But here are some pics of our traditional Easter egg hunt. Kelti is out-growing this fun event. She informed me that this will be the last year she will participate. So sad!! Maybe it was a mood thing?! Let's hope.

Uncle D and Auntie Carmen's Wedding

My little brother finally took the plunge! Last minute it all came together and I was able to go to Mexico for the wedding. It was great to be with my family and hang out with them for a while. The wedding was beautiful and we were all just in awe over how happy and in love the bride and groom were. I have never seen Darren show so much emotion and affection...it was great!! Here's a few pics of the event...

Great Youth!

On Wednesday afternoon, I was able to go to the Temple with Kelti and Mitchell. It was great being there with my kids. Especially to be able to go with Mitchell for his first time. Both of them had a great time.


After, the Bishop took the youth for pizza. It was good times and great food! Being the annoying Mum that I am, I had to get a picture of my kids...together...loving each other. This is all I got!

Guess I should be grateful they let me take pictures, lol!
It was a great day!

It's Great to be Eight!

Kiana turned 8 yesterday and was pretty excited about it. There are so many things to look forward to at the ripe old age of 8...she doesn't have to use a booster seat in the car anymore, she will be baptized, she gets to go to Activity Days, and so much more. Wow time goes fast. Happy Birthday sweet Nani!

Of course, Kelti made her cake. I'm a bad mum and didn't get things together soon enough so that Kiana could have the cake she wanted. We will have to wait for the party for that one. It's a good thing Kelti likes doing the cakes.

Quiet Time with Grandpa

My Dad loves to read. Most evenings while he was here, he would sit and read. A couple of times we would catch Kiana and Emma curled up with him reading and following his example. It was too sweet! Of course, Ringo had to join in the fun!

Aquarium Visit with Grandma

While my Mum and Dad were here we took the kids to The Living Planet Aquarium. It was great and the kids loved seeing all the fish. This is a video of Mitchell and Kelti getting up the courage to pet the sting rays. I had to bribe them ($5) to do it. After they did it, they couldn't get enough. Kids!!!



Kiana and Emma wouldn't touch the sting rays, but were very brave touching the horseshoe crabs and other sea creatures. The sharks were pretty cool too.
Thanks Lorraine for the passes!!

Our Little Deacon

Mitchell passed the sacrament at Church today for the first time. He was so serious! But he did a great job and made his parents very proud. After he sat up by the Bishopric for the rest of Testimony meeting. He was sitting beside the controls for the pulpit and got to move it up and down for the speakers. Kinda fun!!
I'm not old enough to have kids this old!!! When did it happen?! It is a great feeling to watch your kids make good choices and progress in life.

Happy Birthday Mitchell!

We celebrated Mitchell's 12th birthday last Thursday. I have had a tough time wrapping my head around this one. I can't believe he is ready for Young Mens and becoming a Deacon. That's a big thing and he's still a little boy...at least to his Mum! Anyway, it was great to have my parents here to celebrate with us and be a part of this step in Mitchell's life. He was ordained a Deacon on Sunday and it was a very proud moment for all of us. We were also able to go to the new Draper Temple Open House with my Mum and Dad on Monday. Again, a great experience for all of us.

Kelti made this great cake!