Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Momentous occasion

Emersyn's really cute stroller/walker from Santa
This walker is all it took...


To get her on her feet....




And taking two steps!

Putting her baby in her stroller.

Now don't get me wrong. She has been standing for a long time and she has even attempted to stand without holding anything a few times. This was just the first time she actually took a couple of steps by herself!

A momentous occasion for us! Yay!



Our little girl is growing up and will be a year old in just a few weeks!!

Emersyn's fishy face

She is also talking so much now. Just all of a sudden it seems.

When I went into her room to get her out of her bed she said, "hello".

The words you can understand her say are:
"Santa", "baby","hello", "hi da" (hi Dad),"mama","bye bye"
"fsssshhh"(for goldfish), "uh oh" ( and waits for us to say spaghettios)
"La la" ( Lunden) and "I la" ( I love you)

She also understands a lot too. She is growing up!

Ok, I just had to brag!

;D

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Recap


CHRISTMAS 2008

I was just sitting here going through our pictures from Christmas and our visit here in West Virginia. So, I thought I would recap our visit and activities!


All the little ones were sick before we came up here so we got everyone into the doctor and all the little ones plus Ben were on antibiotics. Poor little Emersyn has continued to have a nasty cough and runny nose. So that has kept us from doing many things as well as the weather.

The weather has been really cold from the moment we got here. We are not used to such frigid temps! We never got snow but there was definatley some ice showers. On our way to D.C. and on into Maryland for some shopping it was only 12 degrees and the winds were gusting around 30 miles an hour. I think it was more like 7 degrees with the wind chill.

Oh my goodness was it cold! The worst thing about the cold is that my kids aren't used to the cold. California and South Carolina you barely need a light jacket so it has been hard keeping/forcing coats on them. Emersyn just won't keep socks or shoes on her feet so that has been a struggle too. lol







We had a trip to N.Y. planned but with the frigid air, snow up north and the kids colds we decided to postpone our N.Y. trip until spring.









We celebrated Lunden and Brennen's 14th birthday here too!


{Happy birthday, I love you!}



We took the kids to the American History museum in D.C.. The museums are such a wonderful learning tool.










{Getting ready to go see Old Glory. The flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner}



{ I'm so proud! My children know who George Washington is and it suprised G-ma}






{ Reading about the slave children}



{My future President}





We had our baking day with the kids. My mom bought a starter kit Gingerbread house and the kids loved helping put it together. Lunden learned how to use a frosting tip to make icecicles too. Maybe next year we will actually make our own gingerbread.


{More eating than helping}



{Tempted by the finished product}





Christmas eve we read the nativity from the scriptures and open up our new Christmas pajamas.

Christmas morning was a lot of fun. Carsen was the first one up and just when I thought he had minded me and gone back to his room he was in the family room opening some of his presents. Brennen had to stand guard until the rest of us got up. Carsen spent a lot of Christmas morning watching everyone else open presents because he couldn't wait.


{ Logan's new 4 Wheeler}




{Brennen can't contain his excitement}






{ Lunden's new faux fur blanket}



{Emersyn's 1st Christmas}


Our final day's here have been full of after Christmas shopping. I was able to get some things I had been eyeing at Target! We also went to a drive thru Christmas lights place in Frederick Maryland one last time. I think the one in South Carolina was way better but it was still a lot of fun.


We are heading home tomorrow and Lunden and Brennen are heading to Boise to see their dad for a week. I hate when they have to go but they will have snow and enjoy their cousins. They are excited because they have to switch planes in Vegas so they will get to peek at the city a little bit. lol

It was a wonderful Christmas spent with the people I love most. We are a close family and take care of one another. We are there for eachother in good times and in bad and make things right, when things are wrong. We love being together and making eachothers dreams come true.

My family might be little but we are mighty!

Until the next blog.....

Friday, December 26, 2008

Baking day



GINGERBREAD MAKING DAY{Wearing their aprons that G-maw made}



{Lunden's apron still fit her!}


{Making gumdrop trees}



{Logan just put his gummi wreath on}

{Eating more than helping}

{The finished product}

I meant to add this before Christmas but you know how hectic the holiday can get.

My mom has always made gingerbread houses, sleighs, etc...She wanted to share the fun with the kids. It was fun to watch them help and add candy to the house. They were pretty proud of themselves!





Monday, December 22, 2008

She speaks!

Emersyn said " Santa"!

My mom ( Grandma) has bonded with Emersyn. My parent's aren't around everyday so it took a little bit for Emersyn to warm up and get used to them.

Since we have been here in West Virginia Emmy reaches out for Grandma and immediatley points to the Christmas tree's because she knows Grandma will take her over to look at them and all the Santa's. When my mom holds her and they look at the santa's and ornament's she will name them outloud and Emersyn has started to say those words. When my mom asks her "where is the bear?"(ornament) Emmy will point to it and say " Bah" for bear. Last night, she was looking at this one particular Santa that she likes and she said "Santa" quite a few times!!!

She is SO smart!!!

I will upload some pictures of the santa,etc later because Ben and Brennen have my Digital camera. They went on the train with my dad into D.C. today to my dad's work. They are spending the day in D.C. going to some museums,etc. It's too cold and windy and ....a little boring for the little ones so we stayed here to go shopping. lol

Until next time.....

Saturday, December 20, 2008

As long as I'm living my baby you'll be

Oh how the year's go by! { 4 years old}


{9th birthday}


{ 13 years old }







{Now, act like you like one another!}


Happy 14th Birthday you two!


I love you both so much and I am so proud of the wonderful people you are.

You are my children but you are my best friends too.

I wish I could take back the days when you were little again.

I don't for one second ever want to forget each day, each memory,

every milestone that you have had.


Time goes by and every year that you get older it's harder to remember when you were younger, if that makes sense. I yearn for those days sometimes.

It's bittersweet to have you growing up. I am excited for what your futures hold but I want you to stay little too.



I remember reading you the book 'Love you forever'...


"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always,

as long as I'm living my baby you'll be."


Now, I know how the mom in that story felt as she snuck into her sons room as he got older and rocked him to sleep.


We just want to keep you little forever!



Happy Birthday, I love you!












Friday, December 19, 2008

West Virginia at Christmas

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go.....

That is sort of what I was thinking when we were driving up here to West Virginia yesterday. You do have to drive through the "woods' or mountains and you go over plenty of river's around here.

When we left South Carolina it was quite warm. In the high 60's I believe. As we drove north it got progressively colder and colder.


So, we arrived at my parent's home just as it got dark so all of their Christmas lights were on. Very welcoming and festive! There was also ice showers coming down as well. Very chilly!



My mom made her home a Christmas wonderland.
Everywhere you look there is garland, lights, candles glowing, animated Santa's.
The kids are in heaven!

This is the first tree you see when you come through the door. It is the most magical tree with all sorts of glitter and white house ornaments. Absolutley magical.

{ second tree}



{ third tree in the basement}


{Emersyn checking out the life size elf}

{Letter's from Santa arrived for each of the kid's!}

The night was finished off with a game of monopoly, air hockey and holiday cupcakes! We are so excited to be here and enjoy some holiday fun!

Until my next blog.....

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Happy 11 months baby girl!

Our 11 month old Emmy bug
Emersyn loves the Christmas tree.
If you ask her where the Christmas tree is, she will point to it.
{Her happy face}

{ I just loved this face}


The newest and cutest Emmy feats

1. Claps at everything

2. Points at things

3. Loves Goldfish

4. Has finally decided that she will hold her own cups and bottles now

5. Has her first cold/ear infect right now, poor baby

6.She has the cutest dance that she does with her arm up in the air while her hand waves around and she bounces

7. Say's " Hi da" to Ben all the time

8. She will point to my eye when asked and she will say " ah" for eye

9. She will point to my nose when asked
10. She will say "Uh oh" and wait for us to say "Spaghetti Oh's" ( Uh oh spaghettios) SO cute!
11. She will shake her head no when needed
12. imitates words we say

If you haven't had the chance to meet Emersyn yet, you are missing out. She is so precious and adorable and smart and...
;)


We love you Emersyn! Next stop.....

Your 1st Birthday!!!!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Elf yourself!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards



I don't know if these have the same impact on you but these silly things make us laugh so hard.
It actually makes 4 different dances; The Charleston, Country, Disco and what they call their Elf dance. Call me crazy but I laughed my butt off at each one!
If you lead a dull life like myself and have nothing better to do with your free time than I highly suggest making one of these. lol

Until next time...
;D

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Thank's, Guitar hero

My Logan can make me laugh pretty often but this time was pretty great.
Lunden and Brennen both like playing 'Guitar hero' and most of the song's are rock/ 80's rock/hair band rock.
Carsen and Logan love to watch the older two play this game and I have discovered that they are learning the words to songs because of 'Guitar hero'.
They have suprised me with the knowledge of knowing words to " I wanna rock and roll all night...." among others.
Still, a couple days ago Logan was singing a song from Bon Jovi.
He was singing the words to " You give love a bad name" and it went something like this ( mind you, he is dead serious)
"Shock in your heart and your too late you give love a bad name!"

I laughed and laughed and hugged him and told him how cute and funny he was. I should video it so you can see.
I just love the things kids say. Especially my kids!
=)
Until next time....

Sunday, December 7, 2008

A wonderful Christmas time


When I was growing up December 6th was a special day. Not only was it my parent's wedding anniversary but it was the day or at least the weekend we would go and get our Christmas tree. My sister and I always got our own little Christmas tree for our room which we got to decorate with candy canes, little chocolate ornaments and lights. Our Christmas tree's meant the holiday had begun!



My mom made it a tradition that my sister and I always had a new Christmas ornament for that year. The ornament depended on what we were into that year or what we enjoyed or where we were. We would turn on Christmas music, my parents would get the tree sitting just so in the stand and string the lights up and then the funnest part....pulling out all of our special ornaments. I loved talking about each ornament as they were put on the tree.


I have kept the tradition alive by getting the kids their own ornaments each year.


Like I said, I am a sucker for tradition and decorating!

;)







{Our family tree}




{my country themed tree}







{The boy's tree}








{Lunden's Christmas tree}



I won't be doing to much more this year because we will be in West Virginia at my parents for Christmas.

We are excited for our trips to N.Y. and seeing Rockefeller center, Macy's, the Statue of Liberty, FAO Shwartz, etc. Lunden wants to go ice skating at Rockefeller center too. We are going into D.C to see the White House decorated, the Capitol tree and we are going into small towns to enjoy some local festivities.

We are hoping for some snow too while we are there! We can't wait!

Get ready for a lot of pictures and blog's!

=)



Until next time.....





Tuesday, December 2, 2008

What a family


Heard of the Duggar family?
Yes you have....the family with nearly 18 children!
I used to think they were just a little too far out there but getting to see their show,etc.. I have come to appreciate their views, lifestyle, love of family and children because I appreciate those things as well.




I had to take use some of my blogging time to show appreciation for this awsome family I have never met.
They radiate love and kindness, family, a quiet voice, morals and virtue and saving ones self for marriage and praying in public places. And doing it all with no shame! Something so hard to find in today's world.
They are truly a breath of fresh air and a family to look up to.
I think what I love most is how Michelle Duggar,the mother, seems to speaks softly at all times and she has the constant noise of a family of 17 who can hear her!
She is an example to me.
I always say " they will make great LDS one day!".

They have a new book out called
"The Duggars 20 and counting"


I really love their "Duggar family guidelines"......


Always use soft words, even when you don’t feel well.

Always display kind actions and joyful attitudes, even if you have been mistreated. Have the right response by quickly forgiving others in your heart even before they ask.

Always be enthusiastic and look for opportunities to praise others' character.

Always deflect praise and be grateful to God and others for the ways they have benefited your life.

Always use manners and be respectful of others and their belongings.

Always do what is right, even when others may not, or when no one is looking.

Thank God for how He made you, for what He has given you and everything He allows you to go through. (Romans 8:28)

Don’t mock or put others down. Develop compassion and pray for others.

Never argue, complain, or blame. Quickly admit when you have done wrong and ask for forgiveness (even if you were only 10% at fault). Don't wait till you’re caught. Be sure your sins will find you out. He who covers his sin will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes it shall find mercy.

Have a tough accountability/prayer partner to daily share your heart with and to keep you in line (your parents, spouse). The power of sin is in secrecy.

Be attentive and look for ways to serve others with sincere motives and no thought of self-gain.

Think pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8, Romans 13:14).
Always give a good report of others. Don't gossip! Never tale-bear unless physical harm will come to someone. (Use Matthew 18.)

Never raise a hand to hit.

Never raise a foot to kick.

Never raise an object to throw.

Never raise a voice to yell.

Never raise an eye to scowl.

Use one toy/activity at a time. Share!

Do your best to keep your surroundings neat, clean and organized.

Never let the sun go down on your wrath. (Don’t go to bed angry or guilty)

Amendment J.O.Y. - Put Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.
I don't think anything else needs to be said.
Until next time.......
=D