Family Pictures

We had our family pictures taken. I wasn't terribly happy with them, but I do like the kid's pictures. I'll definitely find a new place to go next time, though.

Christmas Tree 2009

Chad and I decided that we would put up our artificial tree this year instead of getting a real tree. Last Friday we got out the tree from our storage and brought it inside, only to realized that a mouse (or some little critter like that) had chewed off all the lights and needles form the metal branches. It was very sad looking and it obviously wouldn't like either. So, we decided a real tree would be nice this year. The one we chose really is pretty and boy does it smell wonderful! I'm really enjoying the Christmas season so far. We had our ward dinner last night and all the singing really added to the Christmas spirit.

Formal Stake Ball

Our stake had a formal youth ball at the beginning of December. It was very formal with dance cards and everything. All the girls were encouraged to wear formal dresses but make them modest! All the girls looked great. Here's Myshel in her dress.

New Moon!

Myshel and I went with some friends (my friends) to see the movie "New Moon" when it was released at midnight. We had tons of fun and the movie was great. We met before hand and enjoyed some nachos at Sea Dogs. and then waited in line for almost 2 hours! It was just tons of fun, a great girl's night out! I'm too old to do that very often, though . . . getting 2 1/2 hours of sleep is not as easy as it used to be!

Another Tooth's Gone

Noah lost his second tooth. He asked me to tie dental floss on it and then he pulled it out himself. He was very proud of himself. Like the first one, his permanent tooth was already coming in behind it, so you can hardly see that he lost a tooth.

Myshel's Boo-boo . . .

About a month ago Myshel fell . . . actually she tripped . . . on a door frame and then over a garbage can and then fell on the cement. She landed with all her weight on her knee. After going to her doctor and the orthopedist they decided it was just a really bad bruise and sent her to physical therapy. It was bad enough that for several days she couldn't straighten her knee because of the pain. She was on crutches for about a week, but now she's as good as new.

Here's a couple pictures of her during that time.

Her friend gave her a get well gift.That was nice of her, huh! This is while we were carving pumpkins. You can see her crutches in the background and her icepack on the floor.

Halloween Pictures . . . finally!

Ok, so I'm finally updating my blog and posting Halloween pictures. Here's everyone dressed for the trunk-or-treat. Myshel's a gypsy (I think) McKaylie's a dog (what else?) Noah's a ghost and Chad is a TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) investigator. It was a very fun night. There was a pizza potluck and then trunk-or-treating. Here's Noah and his best buddy, Colby. Carving Pumpkins. This is McKaylie and her best friend, Maxine, getting ready to go trick-or-treating.

School Pics . . .

These scans aren't the best, but here's Noah and McKaylie's school pictures this fall. They both look much older to me.

I'm feeling old . . .

McKaylie and I were listening to Carrie Underwood's song, Cowbody Cassanova. She was singing along and then stopped short and asked, "What's a record machine, mom?"

Cowboy Boots

My aunt emailed me this little story and I had to share it on here

Anyone who has ever dressed a child will love this one!

Did you hear about the Texas teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put on his cowboy boots? He asked for help & she could see why.

Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots didn’t want to go on. Finally, when the 2^nd boot was on, she had worked up a sweat.

She almost cried when the little boy said, “Teacher, they’re on the wrong feet.” She looked and sure enough, they were. It wasn’t any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on, this time on the right feet.

He then announced, “These aren’t my boots.”

She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, “Why didn’t you say so?” like she wanted to. And, once again she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off his little feet.

No sooner had they got the boots off and he said, “They’re my brother’s boots. My Mom made me wear ‘em”

Now she didn’t know if she should laugh or cry. But, she mustered up the grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again.

Helping him into his coat, she asked, “Now, where are your mittens?”

He said, “I stuffed ‘em into the toes of my boots.”

Her trial starts next month……..

Noah's 7th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Noah!

Yesterday was Noah's 7th Birthday. He had a great day, I think.
He loved having cupcakes at school. He's such a sweetheart (when he wants to be) and our family is so much better with him in it!Here's the cake we had at home. It says, "We're all wrapped up in you, Noah! Happy Birthday
He asked for one vampire cupcake, so I made 6 vampires. He didn't seem all that impressed by them, though.
He seemed happy with all his presents. That's always nice. The guitar is going to make me nuts, though. Blowing out his candles . . . making a wish! This is a blurry picture, but here's the inside of his cake.
Happy Birthday, Buddy! We love you!

New Navy Uniform . . .

I know that alot of you navy people out there have had this uniform for a long time but Chad is stationed on a base that is closing soon. So, the priority for this base to start wearing it is low. The base isn't officially scheduled to be wearing the uniform until Oct 2010, but the captain put out that he wants all personnel wearing it by Oct of this year. The blue camo is only one of the new uniforms. I'll post the others when I get pictures.

Naughty Dog . . .

It's typical to see Vanilla this way in the morning's now. She's walk through the wet grass, then through the patch of dirt and then into the house. She really is a naughty dog!

Noah Lost His 1st Tooth

. . . . Finally!We were beginning to wonder if he was ever going to lose his front teeth. We noticed about 10 days ago that his permanent tooth was coming in behind the baby tooth. That happened to McKaylie and the dentist ended up having to pull the baby tooth. Luckily, though, Noah's tooth went from not be wiggly at all to barely hanging in about 5 days. He was very excited to get it out and to get money from the tooth fairy. It hardly looks like he has an empty spot, because you can clearly see his permanent tooth. He lost this tooth on Tuesday and the permanent one is already moved into place.

They're all gone . . .

Today is the first day that all my kids are back in school! It's hard to believe Myshel is a senior this year. She doesn't look old enough to be a senior but then, I don't think I feel old enough to be the mother of a senior! I can't say that I'm too upset. Yesterday seemed to be a good day for the other kids. Everyone seems to be very happy about their classes and teachers. I hope it stays that way.

My two high schoolers . . .

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year . . .

School started today!!!!

at least for Vance, McKaylie and Noah and Vance's nerves were kicking in . . . Myshel's first day is tomorrow (freshmen go all by themselves on the first day of school at the high school here!)
Yikes, I have 2 kids in high school now. That seems insane to me.

McKaylie is starting 4th grade and Noah is starting 1st.
Here they are waiting for the bus.
Yay! The bus . . . I love the school bus!