Christmas Relief Society dinner

The last few weeks have been CRaZy in my life....and unfortunately, that carries over to my family.  Some days I honestly don't know how much further I can be stretched.  I do always manage to pull it off but this time it was a close call.  We are still trying to get our house clean (and by that I mean livable) after mom was missing in action for almost two weeks.

It started by me telling Derek that I didn't know how I was going to get it all done.  Derek's way of responding to that was to plan a week long vacation right in the middle of the "I don't have enough time" episode.  I'm sure he thought he was helping...and it was nice...but it caused much more stress.  Then I had to pack and unpack for the trip and lose the week to work on everything.  We did have a wonderful trip but once we arrived home chaos hit.

We unpacked, got our Christmas tree, put up Christmas decorations, planned a lesson, volunteered at the school twice,  had 6 hours of meetings, took down all my Christmas decorations for our Relief Society dinner, babysit for friends almost everyday, planned the Christmas dinner, painted a mural, had two sick kids, got ready to sell at a craft fair, had a sinus infection...that was in one week.  Next week finished getting ready for Christmas dinner, including almost 5 hours of decorating and food prep, and getting ready for the craft fair. 

I often wonder if it is all worth it.  But watching the women eating dinner and laughing together and having a nice night away; watching them feel the spirit during a Christmas program we put together...it made me feel better about what I put into my calling.

This is the mural I painted for our "Night in Bethlehem"   I did 95% of it.   I had a friend come with her airbrush and highlight and soften some of my lines and also add some of the "twinkle" to my stars.  She also added the palm trees.  She really made the difference in the painting and I am so grateful for willingness to help me.

Apparently, watching the white guy with a fro on PBS (when I was a kid) paid off a little.

Thanksgiving at Eagle Crest Resort

This Thanksgiving was different than I have ever experienced.  I am getting used to not having family around for my favorite holiday; but for the past 8 years we have been getting together with our friends the Gerber's.  No family but consistency and friends.

This year we went to a condo near Bend, Oregon.  I was so happy to see the sunshine!  We had snow!  The only downer was that it was bitter cold.  So cold we couldn't enjoy playing in the snow.  One day it even reached -5 degrees... much too cold for my taste.

We have gone to this condo for the past three years.  One of the reasons we love it is because of all of the indoor activities they offer.  Three different swimming pools, a kiddie pool, several raquetball and  tennis courts, walleyball, squash, ping pong, pool table, air hockey, video game room, sauna, steam room, exercise rooms.  You name it; they have it.  We are actually able to tire Bridger out while we are there...an impossible task.

I didn't take many pictures this time.  We were getting many of the same photos from the past few years and I wanted to just enjoy.  Here are a few from our hike to the river and playing in the snow.

Happy Birthday Derek!

This year Derek decided to skip a birthday party and go to Eagle Crest Resort near Bend Oregon....we were happy to oblige.  (Pictures of our trip will follow)

We still wanted to do something, so the kids and I put together a small family party.  Lilly was just as excited for dad's birthday cake as her own.  She even had a taste before the party began (little stinker!)

Happy Birthday Dad.  We love you!

Computer idiot

I am the first to admit that I am a computer idiot.  The fact that I am able to do this blog at all is a miracle. 

I started this blog for my in-laws who wanted to keep up with my little family.  I also count it as my journal.  Not to many people even know about my blog.... if I had to count I would say maybe 6 people. (Which amazes me because I have only told four people; and my husband and parents don't read it)  I turned off my comments because I didn't want to feel like a "loser" with one person commenting (thanks Jenny)  BUT they are back on and you can comment all you want!

I also just discovered where your comments have been hiding all this time.  I apologize for not responding at all...please refer to the first line of this post again.

Pictures from Fall Carnival and Halloween

Bad lighting and a lot of chaos = horrible pictures.  These are as good as it gets.

 All Lilly wanted for her birthday this year was cake.  It is all she could talk about.  When I got her out of bed on her birthday, I said, "today is your birthday!".   She said, "Can I have cake and ice cream now?"

Lucky for her she got two parties and two cakes.  On her birthday we had a family party and had her special friend Christyn over.  Saturday, we had a couple of families over.  She could hardly contain herself until she got cake!

After the parties were over and mom was cleaning....I walked in on this....

The weird cuts in it were from her big brother, who was equally excited about cake.

Cupcakes from party number 2.  Not the best picture but it was the only one that would upload properly.

Lilly Turns 2!!!

Our sweet Lilly turned 2 years old!  I can hardly believe it.  She has been such a joy in our lives!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLY!

For some reason half of my pictures keep posting sideways.  Until I figure it out, this is what you're going to get. Sorry.

Some pics I took of my friends family.

Cougar Run

Bridger participated in his first Cougar Run.  It was a fundraiser to raise money for his school.  He came home after an assembly and was so excited.  He said he needed to train for it, wear running shoes, eat healthy, and wear soft clothes. 

We helped him practice and collect money.  A few days before the race he decided he no longer wanted to go to school.  He was so nervous- to the point he thought he was going to throw-up.  After a few days of this, he finally said that he was scared about the Cougar Run.  He had been sick, he had a horrible cut up knee that bled every time he moved, and he had been practicing.  He was tired and in pain.  He was worried that he wouldn't be able to do it....that his knee would bleed....that he would get a side ache.  I tried to reassure him that he didn't need to finish that he could just walk if he needed to etc.  He was so sweet when he said, "How will my school get money if I don't do it?"  He was taking all the responsibility on himself.  Poor guy.  I explained the concept of fundraiser and he felt much better that the school was not depending on him.

He did the Cougar run and had a great time.  He was the fastest runner out there and he didn't stop once.  I yelled a few times that he could slow down or walk and he said NO WAY!  I was so proud that he pushed through his fear.

 Of course, he had the best cheerleader out there!! and the cutest!

 They marked on their back every time he went around.  At the end one of his friends said she had run 3 laps.  Bridger ran 12!!  Bridger was on the fast side of things and she was definitely on the slow side.   About a week later Bridger came home with an award for being the fastest kid in Kindergarten.  Yeah Bridger!

....and he earned money for his school.

Enjoying the Sunshine

We had the shortest Summer of all time!  It was cold and rainy all through Spring and it appears winter has arrived already.  We have all been moping around feeling tired with the sudden onset of gray days.  Last Sunday we had some sunshine and ran to our favorite spot- the duck pond.  Derek enjoys it as much as the kids- a rare occurrence.  Needless to say we go there a lot.

Ever since Bridger was a toddler we have had a hard time keeping him from eating the ducks food.  He used to pick up the pieces we would throw on the ground.  Maybe it was his competitive nature; he had to get it before the ducks did.  Now that he is older he just sits down and eats the whole thing.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

I'm a little late posting this.  It's been a busy week.

Bridger and mom both survived the first day of school.  Not only did we survive, we were both so excited we couldn't sleep. 

In the past, Bridger has had a hard time leaving my side.  It was hard to leave him with babysitters, grandma, preschool, nursery.  Kindergarten has been a breeze.  I am so excited I have done cartwheels to my car every day! 

Two of the easiest things I have ever done with Bridger:  Potty training and kindergarten. 

I am a little sad that he is growing up so fast.  I worry about all that he is going to face.  I want to be there to help him solve all his problems, kiss his owies etc.....but I am so excited that it was so easy that I'm going to go do another cartwheel!

So proud of you Bridger!

This is the girl who has a MAJOR crush on Bridger.  He has a few others.  Seems so young for that!

A Ray of Sunshine