Heart attack

Abbey heart attacked her first boy over Christmas break.  By heart attached, I mean she taped a bunch of paper hearts with messaged on them to his front door with one of her girl friends.  The young man and his family were out of town. So they came home to a heart attack and messages written in chalk all over their drive way.  I still kind of wish she was shy and quiet and awkward like I was when I was her age, but she's not.  She's very  confident when it comes to interacting with the young men.
     Amelia rolled over for the first time this last week.  I love her chubby legs!

I'm like a gazelle

     My favorite line from Carson this week was "I'm like a gazelle."   "Huh," I asked. "How are you like a gazelle?"  He  went on to explain that he's half cheetah, half wolf, half gazelle,  and half gorilla. He's like a cheeta because he's so fast, wolf because they can run long distances like marathon runners, gorillas because he likes to climb trees, and gazelle because he's agile.  He went on to expound about under what circumstances he uses each speed and sometimes combines creature abilities because of the conditions.  Love that kid!
     I also loved what William said.  "When I get married, I'm going to ask my wife if I can name the boys and she can name the girls."
     Sacraments are getting rough between Amelia and Bradley.   Amelia is out of that new infant, sleeps a whole lot through anything faze.  I'm spending more time in the halls and mother's lounge than in sacrament.  If you haven't had to try to breastfeed your baby while your four year old boy tips the other rocker so far back it falls to the ground with him on it, you are fortinate.  Don't forget spinning the chair around and around.  They say I'm going to miss this someday.  Hmmmm. 

Daughters of God

I am a mormon woman!  I love it! 

Looking through Windows

So True!

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time rail journey. Delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
-Gordon B. Hinckley

He's a Keeper!!!!

     Out of the clear blue, Eric took some time off from work today and while out running a few errands with the kids, he pulls up to this salon and informs me that I have a pedicure appointment in a few minutes.  I jump out shocked and he drives off with the kids. 
      It's been a rough ride this last month with a very resistive bacteria causing bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, and/or upper respiratory infections in every person in our home.  More than one kid required three rounds of different antibiotics.  I fear it became the norm to have me walking around with a look on my face of being at the end of my rope.  So Eric dropped me off to be pampered.  He's a keeper!  No doubt about it!  

                               

Merry Christmas!

Hello!

Merry Christmas! We're excited for the Christmas season and the opportunity to celebrate the birth of the Savior.   

     Abbey (10) is growing up before our eyes. She is developing her talent at the piano and is starting in two 4H clubs this year- chickens and sewing. The kids are eager to hatch some chicks this spring.  Abbey loves fashion and hosted a fashion show this last summer. She is doing the part of Belle in the 4^th grade play, “A Christmas Carol.” She has a passion for reading.

     Liza (8) is also developing her talent at playing piano. She plays by ear and and can think of a tune she wants to play, sit down at the piano, and start plunking it out like nothing. She and Abbey enjoyed ballet classes and swimming lessons over the summer. Liza was baptized recently by her father. It was a wonderful weekend! Liza has developed a love of reading this last year.

     Carson (5) is in all day kindergarten and doing very well with it. His mom was a bit concerned with him being the youngest in his class with that August birthday, but he's doing well! He is a cheerful, happy, and energetic! He keeps us on our toes. He has been described as being “full of life” and hasn't time to be concerned with such trivial thing as others 'personal space'.

     William (2) is at such a fun age. He's speaking better and better all the time. He will spontaneously declare, “I love you” at any given time. He is such a cutie!   Every time we try to call him a nickname, he will correct us and say “I'm William.” Eric's favorite is to call him “Banana Fana Fo Fillium” to hear William say “I'm not Banana Fana Fo Fillium, I'm William,” in his cute voice.

     Bradley (11 months) is at the point of taking a few steps at a time and then falling. He regularly has a bump or bruise somewhere on his face. He recently figured out how to climb up on chairs and then the table.  We have resorted to keeping the chairs pushed under the table with a tie down and turning our benches upsidedown.  He loves to climb onto the dishwasher door and stand up holding onto the top rack. He's so much fun to have around. His brothers and sisters love to play and wrestle with him.

     Eric is working hard and will hopefully be doing less overtime now that they hired a new PT to help out. We are so grateful for the work and trying our hardest to not waste the opportunity while it lasts. His church calling in young mens also keeps him busy. Emergency preparedness is his current passion.

     Amber has found a friend to exercise with. She is relishing in the small baby step rewards of more regular exercise. She keeps busy keeping the house running, keeping up with the kids, trying to remember to not be such a mean mom and the like.

      We miss all of you and wish we could see more of you! We hope this Christmas season is a joyous one for you and your families!  Merry Christmas!

Lots of Love,

Eric, Amber, Abbey, Eliza, Carson, William, and Bradley