My Little Gymnast

This year Mickell decided to take a break from dance and take gymnastics. She LOVES dancing. But, after watching several dance recitals, we decided that dancing now days is probably 75% gymnastics. I'm glad she chose to try it because she absolutely loves it. I would say that it is definitely a passion of hers! She has made a lot of progress since she started in September. She has mastered cart wheels, one handed cart wheels, round offs, back walk overs, and the splits. I'm sure Mickell will continue to learn quickly because she practices ALL THE TIME! She never walks from point A to point B. She always moves with a cartwheel. I think we might need to install padding on our walls. The next things she learns are hand springs and whips.

Nothin' But Net

Tanner loves basketball!!! It is the "new favorite thing" to do with the boys in the cul-de-sac. We signed Tanner up for Junior Darts Basketball again this year. This time was especially fun because his friend Preston was on his team. I was really impressed at how much Tanner improved from last year. He is much more aggressive and has a lot more confidence in himself. He made several baskets and really got to be good at passing. My all time favorite moment was when he did an under the leg pass to Preston. Apparently the two of them had been practicing that move at home. The entire crowd couldn't stop laughing. Baylen kept saying "That was awesome." I really wish I got it on video. He got such a reaction that I don't think he'll ever do it again. Go Darts!!!

The Stockings Were Hung

You know you've gotten yourself into something big when the number of kids you are willing to have is based on the fact that you will only make so many Christmas stockings. Well, that's the mess I've found myself in with the stockings I make for my family. I guess I'm kind of a sentimental person. So, when I started having kids, I was set on them having the same kind of stockings that I grew up with. My grandma made one for each of her grandkids and I always thought that we had the most amazing stockings in the world. Each pattern is so individual and cute.

When Tanner and Mickell were born, I looked around and found the exact same brand that my grandma made us. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine them being such a HUGE project. I really shouldn't be complaining because my mom made Mickell's and Hailey's stockings. However, the three I've made have about done me in. I am happy to say, though, that I am now done with Ashlyn's!!! It is a year late, but it is done!

I love hanging them from my banister and looking at them each time I walk up the stairs (we don't have a fireplace).
I love that my kids LOVE them. I love it when my kid's friends come over and tell them that they have the coolest stockings. I guess it is worth all the work. The only problem is that my 30 year old stocking is completely falling apart. It looks really out of place next to all the rest of the family's stockings. I desperately need a new one. However, I think the task will be even more tedious when I know it's only for myself. Oh, the crazy things we do for tradition sake.

O Christmas Tree!

Since I was a little girl, my favorite tradition has been the night we sleep around our Christmas tree. My mom started the tradition many years ago. I have so many good memories of these special nights. I love this night so much that it might even rank above Christmas Day! So, of course I have continued this with my own little family.

Because of Baylen's crazy work schedule, we had the special night a little earlier this year. I can't remember when we started doing this, but Baylen and I added a few new things to my mom's tradition. We start a little earlier in the day and go to a movie, out to dinner, and then to see the lights at Layton Park. This is really fun for the kids because we rarely go to movies or eat at restaurants. This year we went to see the movie Bolt in 3D. We all really liked the movie and the cool 3D effects were really fun. I was excited because Ashlyn actually sat and watched the entire movie (I was sure I was going to spend most of my time in the hall like last year).

After the movie, we went to dinner at Red Robin. It was yummy as always! While there, Tanner tried to blow his straw wrapper at Baylen. He had a really powerful blow and it shot to the next table. Poor Tanner was so embarrased. The people were a mom and dad with three young boys. So, I thought they would be understanding and think it was funny. However, they were pretty annoyed. Oops.

The lights at Layton Park are really neat. We just drove through this year (we've done the hayride in the past). After the park we came home for presents. Since the kids get so many gifts on Christmas, we let them open their gifts from each other on our sleep around the tree night. This year we also let them open one of their gifts from Baylen and me. I was SO EXCITED to give them a Little People Nativity Set that they can play with. I've wanted to get this since Tanner and Mickell were little but never wanted to spend the money on it. I decided that it's not getting any cheaper, so I just broke down and got it this year.

Ashlyn was really cute as she was opening her gift. When she opened it part way and saw what it was, she kept saying, "It's stuck, it's stuck."

To add to the fun of the night, we played Christmas Bingo, Don't eat Santa, Christmas Domino's, Christmas Go Fish, and Christmas Memory. I found all the games on the internet for free- JACKPOT!

Of course, we had to read The Polar Express...
We then got into our sleeping bags for a Christmas Movie. We usually watch Elf , but we just watched it last week. So, Tanner was looking through our movies trying to find another Christmas one. He found one and said, "We have one more Christmas movie, but it's a little too churchy." Very classic!

Read All About It

This tradition is realitivly new to my family but it's one of the kids' favorites. All credit goes to my cousin's cute wife, Julie, for an amazing idea! Each year I wrap all 24 of our Christmas books before the first of December. The kids take turns opening a book before bed each night. We then read it as their bedtime story as a countdown to Christmas. The books aren't new (we use the same ones each year), but the kids get so excited about it. When it's their day to open the book, they anticipate it all day. I find them over by the tree trying to decide which book they are going to open. They ask over and over when it is time for bed and are excited to get their pajamas on and brush their teeth. I love it! The only problem we have is that my lap isn't big enough for four kids and there is always someone who can't see the pictures. But, I guess that's what happens when you have four young kids. With this tradition, we have two books that are always wrapped in special paper. One of the books, the Polar Express, is always opened the night we sleep around the tree. The other one, The Nativity, is always opened on Christmas Eve night.

Traditions

When I think about why Christmas is magical to me, most of the "magical" feelings revolve around the special Christmas traditions that we have. Many of the traditions Baylen and I have carried on from our younger years (thanks mom and dad). We have also started a few with our own little family. This month I'm going to blog about all of the incredible memories that we make through our holiday traditions. I really believe strongly that traditions make families closer. So, I think it's important to write down what some of our traditions are. Who knows, maybe 100 years from now my great great great grandchildren will read this and say, "Holy cow, our family has been doing "this" since 2008." So, here are a few of many traditions that we have during the holiday season.

One of our traditions is decorating our Christmas tree as a family. As I was growing up, I just assumed that all families did this. However, as I talk to friends and neighbors now, it surprises me that most of them don't decorate as a family. Their reason is that they want their tree to look uniform and good. I totally understand. As we decorate the tree, I have to bite my lip and enjoy the moment. It is a lot of fun and I wouldn't want it any other way. However, I'm not going to lie about the fact that many of the bottom heavy ornaments get moved when the kids go to bed at night.


Another holiday tradition we have is making corn flake wreaths. We did this for family home evening tonight. Yummy!!!

I'm Thankful for Thanksgiving!

I am so grateful that we have this season of the year to really think about all of our blessings. It seems like the world just wants to skip over Thanksgiving, and it drives me crazy. It's so hard not to get caught in the trap. This year I tried soooo hard to focus on why we have Thanksgiving. One silly thing that was really hard for me was not looking at the Black Friday ads during the day. Instead I spent time watching the parade, having a yummy breakfast that Baylen made, and playing with my biggest blessings... my family.


We had dinner with the Sillito clan. We had a good sized group which was lots of fun.

Here is a picture of the first annual Grandfather/son Thanksgiving arm wrestle (Tanner was declared the winner)...

Grandma Sillito planned a little pre-Christmas party. We sang a few songs and the kids opened their Christmas presents from Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma wanted the kids to enjoy their new pajamas and Christmas pillowcases for the whole month of December. Sorry, the lighting for this picture was awful.

Later that evening we went to Grandma and Grandpa Whipple's for our much anticipated traditional Thanksgiving weekend sleepover. We had a lot of fun shopping, watching movies, playing WII, and hanging out with the family. Unfortunately I didn't think to pull the camera out. But, we had a lot of fun.

Always Be My Baby

Today Baylen informed the kids that Ashlyn is officially a toddler now. I'm not ready to accept that yet, but she did turn 18 months on Friday. When she woke up that day, I told her it was her 18 month birthday. Her response was "birthday cake." I didn't really say anything else about birthdays but she kept saying "birthday cake" over and over all afternoon. So, when Baylen got home from work, we decided we couldn't disappoint her. We made a cake! When we went to cut it, she said "candles." Then when we put the candles in she said "happy birthday to you." I guess I didn't realize she understood so much about birthdays. So, we sang to her and did the whole spill.

Today Ashlyn went to nursery for the first time. She cried at first but the teachers told us to leave her. They said she cried a little but then just sat on the teacher's lap the rest of the time. I'm not sure how long she cried but her eyes were pretty red when we picked her up. She said she had fun, though. Here is a picture of her when we got home. It's kind of blurry but I had to post it because I think it really shows her personality.

This last month she's progressed so much in her communication. I think she can basically say anything she wants to communicate now. It makes it nice because she doesn't get as frustrated anymore. My favorite thing she's started saying is "thank you mommy." It kind of sounds like "tank too mommy." There's never a time I hand her something, or do something for her, that she doesn't say it. I seriously love it!

Baylen has taught her how to yell "honey" when she wants me. He's also teaching her how to sing "I love you... a bushel and a peck."

The other day I put a sweater on her that she had never worn before. She looked down and said, "I'm cute." She'll also say "cuuuute" to stuffed animals, hair bows, and anything girly.

Ashlyn says the cutest little prayers. When we ask her if she wants to pray, she'll fold her arms and start talking jibber-jabber in a really high pitched voice. I've often wondered why she changes her voice when she prays. Do we do that without realizing it?

She has become my little helper. Whenever I'm in the kitchen, she's up on the counter pouring and stirring whatever I'm making. She's A LOT OF HELP- let me tell you- but it's fun to have her by my side.

She always finds a way to get what she wants. The other day she was convinced that she wanted powdered milk. I told her it was yucky and I put it on a higher shelf in the pantry. I left the room for a minute. When I came back I found her here...
She had pushed the chair from the dining room table into the pantry. She climbed up on it and was able to reach what she wanted. She's also figured out how to push the chair over and climb up onto our counters. I always have to have my eye on her!

We took Ashlyn in to the doctors for her checkup. She weighs 24 pounds which puts her in the 50th percentile. She's 34 1/2 inches which is off the charts on the tall side.

She has such a cute, happy personality. She adds lots of sunshine to our lives.
So, happy half birthday Bug!

The World in Which We Live

Note to any reader: I just want to apologize for the fact that these posts are also my journal. There is probably more in this blog than most people care to know about us!

Since living here, I have felt very comfortable about the safety of my family. In fact, I have often thought that our little community is probably about as safe as an area can be. Those thoughts are now shattered. I'm wondering if there is such a thing as a safe place to live anymore. On Wednesday morning there was an attempted kidnapping right off of my street. This is the second attempt in our school boundaries in one month! It just makes me sick! My kids love being outside and I love that they love being out there. They probably spend 99% of their time, when they are home, outside. When outside they are riding bikes, jumping on trampolines, playing basketball, football, baseball, having races, and doing all sorts of "healthy" things. When they are inside all they can think about is TV and video games- not so healthy! So naturally I have encouraged them in their love of the outdoors. I am so so frustrated as to what to do. I've always kept an eye on them, but it is nearly impossible to watch them 100% of the time while they are out there. It's even harder that they get home around 4:00 and I have to have dinner on the table for Baylen by 5:15 (so he's not late for work). I know we shouldn't live in fear but I am now walking my kids to the bus stop, watching them when they walk to the neighbor's house to play, and not letting them be outside without me. Yesterday was mentally exhausting. We've talked to the kids over and over about stranger danger. However, I don't want them to always be scared. Anyways, sorry about this depressing post. I just needed to vent.

Through the Eyes of a Child

Today Tanner came home from school with an "I Voted" sticker on his shirt. I asked him about it and asked him who he voted for. He responded with "John McCain." Neither Baylen or I are that in to politics so I don't think the kids have ever really heard us talking about the candidates. I asked Tanner why he decided to vote for McCain and his answer was, "On the computer it said the other guy is going to be a taxi driver." I asked him what that meant and he said, "The people are going to have to pay to go with him." I'm pretty sure he was talking about taxing people. The only word Tanner knows with tax in it is taxi. I guess in his mind he thinks of Obama as a taxi driver. I haven't stopped smiling since the conversation. If only it were that simple!

Halloween=FUN!!!

So Halloween is over and secretly I'm kind of glad. We have been celebrating for a long time now. Even though it was a lot of fun, I'm glad to be done putting the kids in their costumes for party after party. I've decided that holidays are kind of exhausting for the mom (and I don't do nearly as much as my mom did!). But like I said, we had a lot of fun and made lots of memories- so I guess it's worth it!

Here are a few pictures of the different festivities (I'm realizing that I didn't take pictures at many of the things we went to. OOPS!)

We went to Frightmares a few different times. I didn't realize before that Lagoon does so many different things in October. The kids' favorite activity was the Spook-a-boo. It's kind of like Trick-or-treating, but they set up several different rooms (pirate room, mad scientist, astronaut on moon, castle, etc.) I was really impressed with it. They also give out really good candy. We probably got what we spent on our season passes worth in candy. Well, maybe not- but pretty darn close!
There are also several fun shows at Frightmares. Our favorite was Monster Classics. After the show they let people come take pictures with the monsters. Tanner loved it! He was so excited to meet the monsters. He informed us that he is going to be a nurse and a monster singer when he grows up.

Here are a few other pictures from Lagoon. I'm feeling kind of bad that I complained about the weather the first part of October. As you'll notice in this picture, Mickell is in a short-sleeved shirt at 10:00 PM on November 1st. The weather has been unusually beautiful!



We had a really fun Halloween day. The kids didn't have school, and so we took advantage of the warm weather and went to Layton Park with the Parkers.

Later on we carved pumpkins. The kids weren't too hip on removing the guts, but we had fun designing the pumpkins. Ashlyn would stick her hand in her pumpkin and say "EEW, gross!" Here is the end result...
That night Baylen took the kids trick or treating. Then my family came over for dinner. We had jack-o-lantern pizza, witches brew and lots of SUGAR!!! It was a lot of fun!
Here are pics of our little clown, cheer leader, storm trooper, and Tinkerbell...

4:4:4 Tag

1. Go to your pictures.
2. Upload 4th picture of 4th folder.
3. Post and explain picture.
4. Tag 4 friends.

Okay, so what are the odds that out of literally thousands of pictures, it would happen to be this ugly one! I do have lots of special memories of this day, though. This is at Davis Hospital, as they are prepping me to go in for my c-section to have Ashlyn. Our camera was brand new, so Baylen was just playing around and getting a feel for it before the big moment. This was an amazing day that I will never forget!

Since my blog is not all that public, I'm not even sure who will look at this. I tag whoever wants an easy, fun tag!

Not on a Sundae!

Not all our Family Home Evenings end up as successful as Baylen and I hope. However, tonight I think that the lesson sunk in with all the kids. Amazing! It was actually really fun, too. I found the idea on the internet (what would we do without it?!). We started by having everyone sit up to the table. On the table I had already placed ice cream, hot fudge, carmel, sprinkles, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and ranch dressing. I then told the kids that we were going to have sundaes. I told Tanner we would make his first and asked what he wanted on it. When he told me he wanted chocolate I said, "You mean you don't want ketchup? You love ketchup." His response was perfect. He said, "Not on a Sundae." We played this up a little more with the spaghetti sauce and ranch dressing. We then talked about how there are lots of good things out there that we like. But sometimes they are things that aren't good (to do) on Sundays. We talked about what the sabbath day is and some things that are good to do on that day- and then made everyone a sundae with appropriate toppings. I was really surprised at how the kids took to this idea! I decided that the best way to keep my kids' attention is to center the lesson around sugary food!

Escaping to Paradise

Last weekend was UEA. It is said that UEA stands for Utahns Escape to Anaheim. However, we decided to head the opposite direction- up to what I consider Paradise... our cabin.

It was kind of a short trip (we were only there for three full days). But, we had so much fun. It was beautiful weather. In fact, I think it was warmer than some of the times we've been there in June.

It was a unique trip because we were ALL able to go. I love it when every one's there. It's starting to get a little tight as the family grows, but I LOVE IT THAT WAY (except for feeling bad that Ashlyn kept people up at night- sorry fam)!!!

So what does paradise look like? Here are some pictures of the fun! Be prepared- I took over 200 pictures!

Of course, we always have fun on the ATV's. The kids love going on long rides up in the mountains.

The tire swing is always a favorite! On this trip they decided it's lots of fun to swing together.
We got to go on our traditional Sunday walk...
When Mickell put Ashlyn on her back, Ashlyn said "Backpack!"
Tanner picking a "corn dog" (cat tail)...
Looking at a cool bird...

Leslie was sweet to play the traditional game of Ghost in the Graveyard with the kids...
We also did a lot of really fun new things.
Grandpa set up an awesome mountain miniature golf course that we all had a great time with...

We got the pellet guns out one afternoon...
The guys spent lots of time paint balling with their new sling shots. It's hunting season right now and so they had to wear orange while they were out playing. They didn't have enough orange vests on one of their trips (the vests were on ATV riders), so Jared got creative. It's a good look, huh!
The butterscotch tree smelt so strong this time. We could smell it as soon as we stepped out of the cabin. Mmmmmm!
Dave built the kids a fort one night. Ashlyn had so much fun in it...
Another fun thing that we played was capture the flag. We played it at night in the field. The flags were glow sticks. Tanner said that it was his very favorite thing on this trip. During one of the games, I heard someone behind me in the forest. They were being so loud. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I thought the other team was trying to distract me. However, after a few seconds, Baylen came back with a tree. It was so funny. Leslie and I couldn't stop laughing. He used it as a camouflage by standing behind it and moving a little closer to the other flag every few seconds. What a great idea!

Grandma reading the kids a bedtime story...

The kids were very patient during all my photo shoots... I love taking pictures at the cabin (you'd think I'd be a little better at it by now)!