Free Day at the Aquarium

That's right...today was a totally FREE day at the Living Aquarium in Sandy.  We took the kids to the Aquarium shortly after we moved here but had not been back.  A few girls from the ward decided we should have a little field trip with our preschoolers and off we went. 

Ally, Colton, Owen, Madi, Kama, Harrison, Me, Halle, Audrey, Cora, Addi, Brooke, Berkley, Whitney, Sovie

Addi, Ally, & Owen trying to pet a sting ray.

Checking out a cockroach (or maybe this was the tarantula?)

Owen, Madi, and Addi watching the penguins.

 Owen was so interested in everything this time!  He touched a cockroach and a sting ray.  He looked at a shark, giant turtle, boa constrictor, African gray parrot, lots of penguins, and an octopus.  But his very favorite was the Jellyfish exhibit...which was very cool! Madi wanted to walk around independently (yes, she started walking this week.)  Harrison wasn't very excited about being in his stroller.  We were glad Kama & Brooke were available and willing to carry him around or follow Madi.  I fear we are entering the chasing phase with the babies...

Black Friday

I'm relatively new to the tradition of Black Friday.  I usually opt out, preferring to sleep instead.  But this year, my good friend Whitney asked if I wanted to hit the stores that were opening at Midnight.  She was looking for one particular item at Best Buy but after driving through the parking lot at 8 pm and noticing how long the line already was, decided to try a few other stores instead.  We wanted to check out the craziness of Wal-mart.  And it was PURE chaos.  We didn't even get out of the car...we couldn't even find a parking spot!  So we went to Target.  A couple of things I wanted were on sale, marked down almost 50%!  So we got in line at 10:30.  Yes, 10:30!  We waited and waited and waited.  Then we made friends with the people in line behind us (who actually is a police officer for our city and said he'd let us off with a warning if he ever pulled us over.)  It was cold, but not snowing, so we made the best of our waiting time and laughed a lot!

We finally got into Target, a little after midnight.  My items were still available but Whitney's wasn't :( .  We left Target and went to Carter's.  The entire store was marked down 50%, plus an additional 10% if you paid before 5 am.  Add to that the 20% off coupon I had and we were in business!  We each got a bag full of clothes for our little ones.  Then headed to the mall.

By this time, it was between 1 - 2 am.  There were SO many teenagers at the mall.  Whitney and I were a little shocked but not as much as when we saw little kids, like babies - 5 year olds, with their parents shopping!  Seriously, it was close to child abuse!  The poor things just wanted to be in bed.  We even saw one sleeping on a bench with no parental supervision.  We felt so bad for them and were extra grateful to our husbands for letting us have a little fun and join in the Black Friday insanity!

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a very nice Thanksgiving this year, spent with the Styer Family.  Tisa prepared a wonderful, traditional meal.  We took pretzel salad, green beans, and three pies.  After the meal, Spence, Chopper, Dave (the dad), and Cam watched a little TV.  

Dave (Spence's brother) was totally captivated by the babies, especially Madi.  He took one look at her red hair and started calling her his "Little Ginger Pie."  She quite liked him too.  Dave also let the kids play games on his iPad.  Tom napped.  Tisa & I visited with everyone for a few hours before Dave, Chopper, & Tom headed back home.

  We stayed for a little while longer...the boys helped Grandpa build a  picnic table for the play room and Spence & I challenged Tisa to a couple games of Scrabble.  All in all, a relaxing day with great food and good company!

Reader's Theater

I'm not sure if I've already mentioned it but Gavin is in a French Immersion program at school.  Basically that means that he goes to an English-speaking teacher for half of the school day and a French-speaking teacher for the other half.  Because of this, their curriculum is quite a bit different from the other 1st graders in the school.  On November 16th, the two teachers put together a little program with both of their classes.  The kids sang in English & French, recited a Thanksgiving poem in English, and showed off a few other things they have learned in French.  It was quite impressive.  

We were glad that Grandma Tisa, Grandpa Dave, and Emily & Miley could join Owen, the twins, & I at this "Thanksgiving Reader's Theater."  Unfortunately, Spence had a busy day at work and couldn't break away.  

We really enjoyed watching Gavin...he is such a HAM!  Seriously, the boy may end up on Broadway someday.  His expressions and movement really steal the show!  This video is a portion of a French number they did.  If you take the time to watch it, you will see that the kids were supposed to sing most of the lines but let the recording sing alone through some of the difficult words...Gavin sang the entire song!  He said he knew the words, so why wouldn't he sing???

Busy Life

For those of you who regularly check my blog and have been disappointed to see that I haven't updated for a while, I'm now officially current again.  So scroll down, click on older posts if you need to, and catch up on what we've been doing.

This past weekend was extremely busy and wonderful!  Spencer and I participated in another 5K on Saturday morning.  I'm not sure what we were thinking when we signed up because it was COLD and more like a cross-country run than anything else.  And it was HARD!  So hard that I said I'd never do that run again.  It was called the "Crazy Course" and was a serious race, complete with numbers, t-shirts, and a chip you wore around your ankle for timing purposes.  Most people there were experienced runners...I think you have to be if you want to race in the freezing weather.  The course went through neighborhoods, paved paths, and even a horse trail.  Spencer did great, finishing in just 36:57.  I finished in 44 minutes.  I hope to do better in the spring.

This weekend was also our Primary Program.  We have such supportive families and were joined by Grandma Tisa & Grandpa Dave, Granny Jane & Grandpa Rick, Uncle Mike & Aunt Sylvia, Uncle Randy & cousin Kara, Uncle Mike & Aunt Callie, Uncle Jeff & Aunt Emily & Miley.  The boys did such a good job with their speaking and singing parts.  Cameron & Gavin each had solos and performed like professionals.  The Spirit was so strong and I am so grateful that my boys are being taught the truthfulness of the Gospel.  We had a lovely meal at our house after the block: ham, funeral potatoes, rolls, green salad, green beans, and pumpkin pie.  We enjoyed the time with our families and love them all.

Me, My Dad, & My Mother-in-Law...all sporting the same shade of GREEN!

Tutus!

I recently joined Pinterest and saw this cute Tutu Tutorial on one of my friend's boards.  I thought, "Hey, what a great idea...I can make that."  And so I did.  I first made one for Madi - ALL PINK!  Then I found out about an online auction that has been organized for the Jordan Family.  They accept donations and then auction them off.  I wanted to help.  So I offered to make two tutus for that.  It is so much fun and I love the way they look when they are finished.  It helps that Madi likes to look pretty and wants to try on every one I have made so far.  Don't be surprised if this becomes my signature gift.

Miley, modeling the "Pretty in Pink" Tutu.

Madi in "Lady in Red."

P.S.  If you feel like bidding on one for the auction, click here.  If you want to order one for your daughter, niece, friend, contact me.  I can make them with pink, white, or black elastic and pink, red, fuschia, lime green, or gold tulle.  And I'm pretty cheap!

Han's First Real Haircut

Harrison has had a couple of trims around his ears but Aunt Callie gave him his first REAL haircut recently.  It always saddens me just a bit to see my little baby boy start looking so grown up.  He didn't really love getting his hair cut...

Owen, on the other hand, loves it SO much.  He closes his eyes and is totally relaxed.

We are so thankful for Aunt Callie, who keeps us looking our best.

First Snow of 2011

We have had a wonderful fall, complete with crisp mornings, changing leaves, and chilly nights.  We received our first real snow during the first week of November.  Within minutes, the three boys were bundled up and ready to play.  And play.  And play.  They spent the majority of the day outside, only coming in for lunch and a quick mug of hot chocolate.  And it's a good thing they took such advantage of the snow day, because it has already melted and the earth looks brown again.