Tis the season...

We decided to go see the man in the red suit and took a picture with him. Then the kids took turns telling them what they want for Christmas. Its funny when you ask Spencer what he wants he says "A Merry Christmas". He knows what Christmas is but I don't think he knows that your supposed to ask Santa for what you want. Its cute watching him every time he sees Santa.


Later on the way home we stopped and watched our neighbors light show. They do and amazing show every year. The minute my kids see them putting lights up is the minute they start asking if we can go and watch them. They would probably be parked in front of their house every night if we let them.

Finally Thanksgiving

Wow I am finally getting these pictures on because our computer has been doing some weird things. Anyway we had a fun time this year with Josh's family always entertaining. A couple days before Thanksgiving we got a ton of snow and snow blizzard warnings. Josh was out clearing off the driveway and when he finished the kids begged him to take them for a ride. They all piled on the sled and had fun getting pulled around the yard. They were out there for a while in 8 or 9 degree weather. Nobody wanted to come in until Spencer got thrown off and his gloves fell off then they all started to come in.


The ladies who were in the kitchen. And the crazy fun time we had shopping the Black Friday sales. Kenna, Stefanie, me, and Lynette. We were only missing Amber, because of the weather they were not able to come.


While we were in cooking and the boys were downstairs watching a movie, the kids went outside in the cold weather and had a good time. They built tunnels under the drifts and made houses.


Hannah taking the sled down the slide.


The only picture I got of anyone sitting at the table for dinner was of these cuties. Spencer, Rachel, and Kaitlyn. Our table was really pretty Tyler set it up all fancy. I'm sad I didn't get a picture of it.


After dinner we went downstairs and Tyler did some "challenges" for the kids. Challenges are Tyler making up what he wants the kids to do for example sing a song by yourself in front of everyone, or see how far you can throw the ball, or see who can push who over the line, or for the adults see who can drink this, little things like that. The grandkids love when he does that because every time they attempt to try it or do it they get a dollar. After the challenges we ended in a dance party. Music blaring and everyone dancing.


More dancing.


Spencer did not want to dance and when I went looking for him this is where I found him. He loved cracking and eating the nuts.

We had a fun Thanksgiving even though it was freezing cold outside.

Candy store and Veterans Day

Kaitlyn's preschool class got to go see how some different candies were made. They each got to dip their own cinnamon bear and marshmallow in chocolate. They showed us how they melt the chocolate and all the different things they dip. They showed us how they make their fondant and passed out samples. Kaitlyn really enjoys going to preschool and I don't blame her because they are always doing fun things. Spencer and I went with them to the candy store and Mrs. L was kind enough to let us watch.

This is some of her class but behind them is the machine that they use to run different things through to get covered in chocolate.


Spencer and Kaitlyn enjoying their cinnamon bears and marshmallows. They also showed the kids how they boxed them up and wrapped them and then mailed them off it was a lot of fun to see.
On the same day at the elementary school the kids did a veterans day program. Hannah says she told me that they were singing but I either didn't hear or forgot so I am sorry Hannah. I forgot the camera but she did a really good job singing with all the other first graders. It was a really good program like always.
A little journaling. The kids had their parent teacher conferences last week and their teachers had nothing but good to say about them. I was shocked first of all because for the last two years Makenzie has done nothing but test the waters for the first quarter because she wanted to see what she could get away with and then after the first parent teacher conference she was willing to go with the flow. So you can imagine I was gearing up to hear the same report as I had for the last two years. I was so excited to hear some thing different that she was so well behaved and has had no problems (well a few minor ones, nobody is perfect). Hannah's teacher was the same way she said Hannah was so willing to please, always on task, and so quiet that she wanted to clone her. Josh and I thought that was pretty fun because she is anything but quiet at home lately. Kaitlyn like I said loves preschool and she really needed something this year. I am lucky enough to go help on Monday's at her school and I love watching her interact with the teacher and the other kids. She too is a quiet one and will do just about anything her teacher asks her to do. Spencer gets to go play at a friends house on Monday while I go help out at the school and we get to watch those same friends on Wednesday while she helps out. Spencer has had a really hard time going and I feel so bad for her because at the beginning he would cry the whole time. The last two times he has gone he has not cried at all so there is hope for him people. Every time I pick him up he tells me if he cried or not and he has been so proud of himself the last two weeks, he tells Josh about it as soon as he gets home. I love to see how well my kids are doing or not not doing when I am not around. It makes me happy to know that some of the things we teach them in the home really is etched into them and they show it.

Snow already...

Yesterday was the first snow fall of the year. Don't get me wrong I love the beauty of it and the joy that it brings my kids, but I am not excited that winter is on its way. So for now we are enjoying what this snow has to offer.


Josh had to change a belt on this pickup and Spencer wanted to help. I love these pictures of Josh letting Spencer help him with whatever it might be that needs to be fixed.

Happy Halloween

We started this Halloweens festives on Thursday and went through Saturday. The kids had their parade around the school because we were out on Friday.

Spencer(the lion), Makenzie(rodeo queen), and Kaitlyn(the fairy). Makenzie took them around with her.


Hannah crossed her arms the entire time. She went as Pippi Longstocking. She was going to be a fairy and had her costume all ready and when I went to fix her hair she decided she wanted to be Pippi instead so this is what she got. She really was happy.
Friday I didn't get any pictures but the kids went to Melaluca and Snake River Landing for trick or treating. Saturday Makenzie woke up not feeling well and Spencer and I have had colds for a couple days.

We had our first dinner in a pumpkin and I thought it was pretty good. The kids thought it was cool to be eating out of a pumpkin.


We went to our wards trunk or treat and then let the kids go to a couple houses around the block. Kaitlyn changed to a cat, Spencer still a lion, Hannah still Pippi Longstocking, and Makenzie still as a rodeo queen.


We ended the night early (because some of us didn't feel very good), by watching a movie and eating popcorn instead of candy.


Josh and I were invited to go to a couples Halloween party and the theme was 80's prom. We couldn't find prom clothes so this is what we went as. Enjoy.

October fun

My sister-in-law had a party the main reason was for the adults to go to a haunted house and take turns watching kids, but somewhere in there we switched it to games for the kids. We ate yummy soup and sent the kids on a treasure hunt, ate doughnuts off a string, and bobbed for apples. We all had fun getting together and the kids had a lot of fun.

Look Makenzie and Ben are using their hands.


Spencer took a bite on the string and then ended up tearing it off and eating.


Kaitlyn was determined to eat the whole thing with out touching it.


Just starting out.

We also carved our pumpkins for FHE this week and I can honestly say I don't remember doing it last year and its probably because we didn't. Not that we didn't have fun doing but because it is so messy and it drives me nuts. We finished the night with some homemade pumpkin chocolate chip bread.

Kaitlyn loved the squishy mess inside the pumpkin. Spencer thought it was so gross at first but after a couple attempts he ended up playing in it with Kaitlyn.


Finally the pumpkin faces. Kaitlyn's pumpkin looks ugly because a week after I bought them she took a garden rake and beat it and I told her I was not buying her a new one so yes it is as ugly as it looks but she likes it and that's all that matters right.

Pumpkin patch and a birthday

Kaitlyn's preschool went to a pumpkin patch and they showed them how the pumpkins grew and then let them play in a little maze. I thought it was a fun field trip for them and everyone had fun. They also had an adult maze that they let us go through as well. Kaitlyn also turned five yesterday. I can't believe my little baby Kait is five. She has such a sweet personality, always wants to know if you are happy, loves to play with her sisters and brother, loves to help me in whatever it is that I am doing (unless its cleaning up), and the cutest girl ever (in my book). We love her.


They have these cute little places set up for you to take pictures at.


This is the little kids maze they had set up with little bike tractors they could ride and there was a slide they could play on as well.


Waiting to learn how the pumpkins grow.


For Kaitlyn's birthday we decided to make spider cupcakes. I think they turned out very cute. She also got to take treats to preschool and she took dirt and worms. I love having an October birthday in our family.


Birthday girl blowing out her candles. We had family come over to celebrate with us. I think she had a fun day.

Look who's riding without training wheels...

Spencer decided he wanted to be like his sisters and ride without his training wheels. He tried Kaitlyn's bike to see if he could do it and he took off. I helped him a few times but then he took off on his own. I love how if his sisters do something it doesn't take him long to figure it out before he is doing it. He rode all the way around the neighborhood and you can see on his face how happy he is.






No descriptions necessary for the pictures he is just a happy three year old who loves to ride his bike and be outside. That is crazy he is doing that the girls were all four almost five before they started riding like that.

Spencer and the big three

Spencer turned three on Sep. 10th and we had a little party for him. I made coconut red velvet cup cakes. He doesn't care what treat he gets as long as he can lick off the frosting only to have more put on to lick again. This little boy loves his cars and motorcycles and any kind of boots he can put on his feet. He says over and over again if he doesn't believe it or its strange to him is "oh my gosh". It cracks me up because the gosh part is said with a little accent. This boy is all boy and loves to be outside riding his bike or riding motorcycles. He is taking on such a cute personality when he plays with his cars he makes up different voices for each one of them. I love how he can entertain himself now and have fun while playing. He makes us smile every single day and for the most part very sweet and very protective of his sisters. We love him so much I can't imagine him not being in our family.

He couldn't wait for the song to be done before he blew out his candle.


He got a remote control car of lightning mcqueen and loved it. The next morning he woke up and said I want to play with my lightning mcqueen.


He also got a monster truck that the wheels light up.


Of course I had to include this picture because like I said earlier he loves boots. These happen to be motorcycle boots that are his sisters.

My Birthday and Labor Day Weekend all in one

The kids did not have school on friday due to Labor day weekend and my birthday. We decided to go to the cabin. We left friday and when we got there Josh cooked dinner and then we went for a little four wheeler ride. We took the four wheelers from the parents this time because we wanted to ride on the trail that goes from the cabin to West Yellowstone. Most of the trail was on the old railroad tracks. On saturday morning we left the cabin at about ten and headed out. The only way Josh knew how to get to the trail head was on the road. Needless to say we got pulled over by the local police telling us we couldn't ride on the roads unless you had a licence plate, which we did, that our bikes were insured which they were, and that we had mirrors on which we did not. So he told us we had to turn around and jump on a trail. We did and it took us about an hour to finally find the trail head all the trails we took kept putting us back out on the road. Finally we were off and then the kids were saying they were hungry so we didn't get to far before we stopped for lunch.
Josh and I on the back porch of the cabin.


The one thing I love about going to the cabin is I don't have to cook the dinners.


Spencer loves to help but in this case it was too hot for him to help so he got to chill and eat some grapes.


Kaitlyn and Makenzie watching a movie while dinner is cooking.


Hannah waiting and watching a movie.


So this picture is before we left everyone is excited to go.


After we ate lunch everyone is still pretty excited and happy we reached the Montana side.


On the way back to Idaho. Notice Spencer has fallen asleep and everyone wants to get off the bike about now.

I am so glad we went and did this for my birthday I have wanted to do this ride for three years now and Josh finally made it happen for me. We all had a great time and wish we could have stayed longer but it was a nice get a way for awhile. The kids really did a good job not too much complaining for our four hour ride. I love my family.

First Day of School

These three girls started school. I can't believe I have three of them in school already.


We took Hannah to her class first. This year she is in first grade. She has Mrs. Robinson as her teacher and she is so excited that she gets to go all day.


Makenzie is in fourth grade this year. I can't believe how old she is (or I should say how old I am) for her to be in fourth grade. She has Mrs. Udy this year and she can not say enough nice things about her. So far it is starting off great.


Kaitlyn starts preschool this year and she has Mrs. Long as her teacher. She goes three days a week in the afternoon and one of those days I get to go in and help. While Spencer goes to a friends house. She is so excited that she gets to go and be like her sisters in some way. I love this picture because her back pack is just about as big as she is.


I am glad that school is back in because I don't have the million questions a day of "what can we do, its boring". I am also glad that we are back into a routine it makes everything nicer. Spencer has a hard time not knowing what to do with his time now that he doesn't have his sisters to play with or pick on. I'm sure he will get used to not having them around.