Hannah turns eight

So Hannah turned eight I can't believe it. I feel like we have been celebrating her birthday forever already and we will still continue until next month when she gets baptized. I am so excited for her. She really wanted a friend birthday this year and I really didn't want to do it but how can I say no when she asks so nicely. We did a friend party last weekend and she wanted it to be a pajama party so her friends all came in their pajamas. They each made their own pizza and then went and danced downstairs while they were cooking. After dinner we played a few games, Josh scarred them all with his masks, and had mini Oreo cheesecakes for desert. I hope the girls didn't leave to scared I told them all I was sorry and that Hannah has to live with that stuff everyday and one little girl told me she felt sorry for Hannah. It was pretty funny. A little bit about Hannah she loves good food not just the boring stuff but she is my little food critic. In preparing the menu for the week I ask every child what they want and Hannah came up with Ribs, Steak, Hamburgers, and Gorgonzola pasta. For her treats for her party she asked for Oreo cheesecake, for school mini cupcakes and her birthday dessert was cheesecake. Let me just say I am happy make these foods for her because I know she truly enjoys them but can I also say I want to be done with cooking for a while.

For breakfast on her Birthday she wanted cake batter pancakes of course in the shape of an "H".

This is the night of her party. Side note Josh asked me what she picked for her treat and I told him it was Oreo cheesecake and he looked at me and said these kids wont appreciate that kind of thing. I will have you know I only had one left that Josh and I had to split I think they were a hit with all of them.

Hannah opening her presents with grandma and grandpa on skype. I love the fact that my kids are getting older because that means I can do more fun things with them, don't get me wrong I love them when they are little but for me I think things are more fun when they actually appreciate the effort and time you are making for them. Hannah is playing the piano now as well as basketball and I am glad they are both making her come out of her shy little shell a little more. She is the sweetest girl and is always making sure everyone is happy. It is hard for her to see someone sad. She has been my buddy lately always following me around wants to help me with anything, if all the kids are downstairs playing she is happy to be upstairs with me. This year her favorite color is pink, she likes to play basketball, be with her friends, ride her bike, and be with her family. Her favorite foods are steak, ribs, egg drop soup, cheesecake, and salad.  She cant wait for her big day I am so proud of her and the choice she is making.  

DARE Graduation

Makenzie is in fifth grade this year and that of course means DARE Graduation. Sorry the pictures are so dark. Can I just say it started at seven and went until nine. It was really long but it was fun to watch.

Makenzie is on the top row second girls in the pink shirt.

Getting her certificate from her teacher and the principal.

After they got their certificates the DARE Officers are all in a band and they played a couple of songs. The kids loved it, it was a concert just for them.

The rest of December

Finally I am getting around to posting these pictures. We Spent Christmas with Josh's side of the family. We spent Christmas Eve at Ryan and Lynette's house. Sorry for the picture overload.

Amazing potato soup and bread bowls for dinner.

Ryan telling everyone a story.

The kids went looking for Santa because they thought they heard something on the roof.

They found an early Christmas present that Santa dropped off.

We made Santa some cookies and of course the reindeer food.

Opened Christmas pajamas and headed home. We also went caroling, saw a big nativity set, and skyped with Casey and Amber who were not with us. Tons and tons of things all packed into one night but it was so fun to be with family and enjoy one another. We got home put our cookies out and spread reindeer food out front and put the kids in bed. On Christmas morning we were expecting the kids to get up really early but they slept in until 7:45. They got to check out what was in their stockings before we ate breakfast and went to Church. Can I just say that I loved having Christmas on Sunday it made us all remember what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.  We also put a picture of Christ on our tree and told the kids that after Church we would open presents. It worked out beautifully after Church we all took our time opening presents. I felt like it wasn't a big race to open the presents but they all took their time enjoying the present they had opened. Christmas day was spent at our house and everyone came over for dinner and the family exchange. We had more good food and way more laughs. Josh's dad does this thing a couple times throughout the year where he will say we are having a talent show and money will be handed out. This was no exception if there was a talent done money was passed out.

Josh and Makenzie did a duet to Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe" song it was really good.

Josh's mom and brother Cory played a duet. Cory's wife Stefanie played the clarinet. Ben, Hannah, and I think Kelsey played a song on the piano. Lynette and Josh sang a song together, and the other kids either sang or danced or did whatever bestapapa (Norwegian for grandpa) asked them to do. In the end everyone ended up doing something and money was handed out to everyone. It is always a fun time when he does this because everyone gets involved and it becomes in a way a challenge. We went to my parents for New Year's and spent a couple of days with my family. Sorry there are no pictures of that weekend I relaxed and didn't pull my camera out once. We of course ate good food, played games, watched movies, and had fun being with everyone. We did the usual things too like riding the 4-wheeler down into the canyon as well as hiking down. We also went and saw my grandma who was recently diagnosed with cancer and has not been doing very well. It was fun to see her and on the day we went she was up and moving around it was a good day for her and I am glad. We have also figured out that a few of our kids lately have been getting car sick which equals no fun driving. I of course get car sick so when it comes time to help them with anything I am of no help. I think the next time we go anywhere they will be getting Dramamine before we go.  Wish us luck with that I hope it works or by the next time we go anywhere our kids will have grown out of that phase.  Let's hope.