Keeping the spirit alive!

It's never to late for Christmas photos! I'm amazed sometimes at how slow and fast life moves. There are certainly days that seem like they will never end. There are days (and sometimes weeks) that go by so fast that it was a blur. Certainly once you look back it always went way to fast!

I am most thankful that my dad's health as improved. The week of Christmas was a touch and go situation. He was at the doctor/hospital everyday. On Christmas Eve he got a plasma donation which saved his life! (I'm not exaggerating here - the doctor's said if he did not get that plasma before Christmas he might not make it through the weekend) Scary stuff! But he sat in the hospital most of Christmas Eve and thankfully came home in enough time to enjoy the festivities!

IF YOU HAVE NOT DONATED BLOOD OR PLASMA BEFORE PLEASE GO AND DO IT. BLOOD IS LIFE AND YOU CAN HELP SAVE LIVES!

Christmas was great this year. The kids are old enough to enjoy finding gifts for each other and appreciate them once they are opened. We did our traditional Christmas Eve breakfast with the Alder's. Christmas Eve night at Grandma & Grandpa J.C. house. Christmas breakfast with the Steinhour's. And Christmas evening at Grandpa Rick and Grandma Pam's house. It's a busy 2 days, but completely enjoyable and filled with love.

Eli was thoughtful and looked forward to the surprise!

Dylan can't keep a secret yet.

Morgan was into opening and playing with her new presents.

During the break we took the kids to ICE in Orlando. It's ice sculptures and slide experience that they keep at 9 degrees. Thankfully they provide parka's because no one in Florida has anything that would keep them warm enough. We thought the kids would really enjoy it, but instead it was too cold. They wanted to leave within the first 5 minutes. We made them stick it out though. I liked it!

I didn't get my Christmas news letter out this year. Sorry for that but you all know where to contact me!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Camping

We headed out to the farm to camp a few weeks ago. Of course we picked the coldest night so far this year. Seriously COLD!

We got there in enough time to set up our fire and get unpacked. We ate hot dogs and made smores.

I know they've had smores before (well maybe not Morgan), but it had been a while and they were a little reluctant to have some. But of course once you taste a smore there is no going back!

Morgan and mom by the fire. The scariest part to me! I was to worried someone was going to fall into the fire to enjoy the fire.

Dad and the kiddos just before we started cooking our dinner. Fire roasted hot dogs! The kids smoked theirs black - yuck! Mine was perfectly yummy. Seriously hot dogs are the best when cooked over a fire.

We slept in the barn that is being built. I got the comfy blow up bed with Eli and Morgan. Dad and Dylan slept on the floor. The kids slept fine, but mom and dad were too worried about getting cold or rolling off. Plus the ground wasn't all that comfy for Neal (he's getting old - old people don't belong on the ground.) And while the blow up bed was better than the ground, sleeping with 2 children that cling to your side wasn't the best night of sleep either. Thanks for taking the ground Neal!

Rick's Warriors

A few weeks ago our family participated in Light the Night. It's the annual donation drive for Leukemia and Lymphoma Cancer's. Our team was able to collect $1500 in donations. The donations help patients with resource information and groups and co-payment for some of the procedures. It was a great way to rally together to support our dad! Thank you to everyone who donated.

Here is a group photo. Some of us were missing. It was crazy at the venue and we couldn't get around the crowds to get a picture of everyone.
Family picture - with orange glow sticks on. Orange is the color for Leukemia.

Lisa, Jennifer and Devon waiting for the walk to start. We all carried red balloons to show our support for a loved one with Leukemia. Our shirts were designed by Erin - stick grand kids surrounding grandpa with orange ribbons. It was nominated as one of the top 3 family shirts.

My dad and mom! We walked to show our support. Dad was diagnosed 4 years ago. He just finished chemotherapy and is currently on a double shot treatment plan. My boys say during prays, "bless that grandpa's cancer will make him feel better." He's sick, but not so sick that it heavily effects his daily life (tired and achey, but not bed ridden.) So his health is a blessing, but we continue to pray for a cure!

Happy Halloween!

Lots of fun stuff for Halloween this year. Dylan's circus party. Eli's fall party. Cookie making. The Pumpkin Patch. The ward party. And Halloween (sweet candy goodness!) We were so busy that we bought a pumpkin, but never carved it. (Pretty sad!)

Halloween night. Neal has dressed up as Frank N. Steinhour for the past 7 years. Morgan was not a fan! "You scary daddy! " If you show her a picture/toy/decoration of a Frankenstein she always says, "that's daddy, Frankensteinhour"
The trick or treating group. Ethan did a spook alley at his house. He is that bush looking thing on the left. Eli is Peter Pan. Riley is a stick figure boy. Lisa is a ballerina teacher. Austin is a whoopie cushion. Emma is a stick figure girl. Dylan is Buzz Lightyear. Morgan is a ballerina.

Before dinner on Halloween. We had pizza and fries - yummy!

This was the night of our ward party. Morgan has several costume choices thanks to good hand me downs. She went as Tinker belle to the ward party.

Eli at the pumpkin patch. He was in love with the warty pumpkins. We read a book every year about Frankenstein Jr. who wants to carve a pumpkin and he carves one that has bumps on it to look like his dad. I know he wanted to do something like that.

Morgan had a good time running through the pumpkin patch. She found lots of pumpkins that were a perfect size for her.

Dylan's pumpkin patch picture. He had more fun riding on the rocking horse and other toys they had around the patch. But at least he took his yearly picture for me!

Happy Halloween. Hopefully next year we can carve a pumpkin.

Happy Circus Show Day!

Dylan had a circus show today (instead of a Halloween party). It was just what you would expect from 3, 4, & 5 year old kdis! They got to pick their character - clown, cowboy, lion, lion tamer, tight rope walker, or strongman.

I had to convince Dylan to be a strongman. It was the costume I had and I didn't want to make/buy anything else.

He marched around showing off his muscles. He picked up heavy weights and lifted them over his head. He even did it one handed. Then he and some of the other strong men picked up a car. I mean he was seriously SO strong! And smiled the whole time.

Morgan and I waved and smiled and blew kisses. After the show he said, "mom why did you keep waving at me?" Mom, "Well, I wasn't sure you could see me with all the other moms there." Dylan, "Oh" Mom, "Why, should I not wave and blow kisses?" (sad that it might already be coming to that!) Dylan, "No, your my mom!" Yes he doesn't care yet if I show affection to him in public. I hope that lasts for a long time!

He happens to have a friend from his Sunbeam class in his school class. She was a tightrope walker. Brenna loves tutu's - well anything girly according to her mom. She's a really cute girl! (The one in the black leotard.)

Happy (can't say Halloween so we'll have a) Circus Show Day!

Happy Anniversary!

11 years and counting! This year we tried a Brazilian themed restaurant. Meat on a skewer which they cut right at your table. It was really yummy! We followed dinner up with a movie and ice cream. It's always nice to have a quite night out with my hubby. I love you!

This is a picture from my dad's 60th bday party (which I never posted pictures of.)

Neal and I in Arizona.

Does Crazy Even Describe It?

Life is generally busy. I accept that and usually do well with it. But lately it seems like little to no time for the fun things in life.

Sick kids and lots of doctors appt. Trying to start a vinyl crafting company. A busy Relief Society calling. A husband with a new position and in need of more hours than available in the day. My sweet potty training baby girl who does not like to poop on the toilet. A father in law who needs support. A dad and mom who also need support. I think the list could go on and on.

Just wanted to let everyone know I think about you. I want to blog. I love reading everyone elses blogs. And hopefully the holidays will bring more craziness and fun to our busy life.

Keep in touch!