Beefing up!

Derek went to the pediatrician for his 3 year old check up in August. The doctors here, not knowing that all my kids are small, thought he wasn't growing fast enough and scheduled an appointment for this month so they could make sure he was growing. I honestly thought about packing his pockets with rocks for his weigh in on Monday but fortunately, he didn't need it. He had gained 2 1/2 lbs! Whoo Hoo! AND PHEW!

Yeah Seaworld!

On Saturday we got up early and went to Seaworld for the day. It was so cold and rainy! I realized we're really going to be in trouble in WA because it was 65 degrees and we were freezing! Thankfully, the rain scared away the crowds so we walked right on to all the big rides.

Our first stop was the Lego store in Downtown Disney. It was a feast for my eight year olds lego-loving eyes. Then off to Sea World. My new favorite ride is the Atlantis. It is taller than Splash Mountain and has a few more drops. I don't know what the story is about especially after going on the ride (cucoo) but the ride itself was fun. We also tried Kraken and found that to be a very fun ride! Emma still maintains that Manta is her favorite and rubs it in my face every chance she gets. We also got to try out the little kid area and it was a lot of fun. However, I don't recommend going on the spinning jellyfish ride two times in a row. They also had a Polar Express Experience with a really beautiful Santa and a sled with a huge bag of presents on it, etc etc. It was done up really pretty! Later in the day they had a Shamu Christmas Show...and yes, it was CHRISTMAS, not holiday! They sang Joy to the World, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and The First Noel. It was so nice to hear a Christian celebration for once! They ended the night with a fantastic water and fireworks show to a medley of Christmas Carols.

We had a nice week. Brett kicked off another big project at work so that kept him busy and sleepless. I drowned in laundry last week and I'm really not sure why it was so different than other weeks. Emma has project after project for school. In fact, I heard about some other moms who were so excited for their kids to go back to school yet I was dreading it because it's sooooooo much work!!!

May had pajama day at preschool and thought that was fun. Derek is my little shadow as I try to get our last minute errands run. We went to the post office today and I was 14th in line. I went to set our big boxes down and split the bottom of my pants open...always great for the confidence. Fortunately, they were double sewn and just the outer seam split. But did I turn and leave? No, because once you're there you don't leave. I was about 6 from the front of the line and Derek needed to use the restroom...of course. But did I leave? No, because once you're there and have invested time you don't leave! He was a champ and held it until we were through. Now, hopefully, those boxes will make it to WA okay.

We have really enjoyed our Christmas Tree this year. It is our first year without a live tree (ants love sap on live trees) and we miss the beautiful smell and uniqueness of a live tree but we've enjoyed the low maintenance and ease of a fake. My favorite thing to do is to sit in the room with only the tree lights on, it's gorgeous. I love all the ornaments from my childhood and now recognize the effort it takes to save them and be organized enough to keep them all those years (thanks mom).

I am feeling the pressure of parties, serving, and packing and making all just right for the holidays. As much as I'd like to simplify it is out of my hands in most cases...we aren't even going to Brett's work party or the block party and our calendar is still packed. I should be more relaxed about it...I say that as my eyes cross from sleep deprivation. I just want to feel Christmas. Maybe in WA away from our callings and jobs and with our families...no pressure families! We are really excited. We will miss our friends here but we are really excited to be with family over the break, yeah!!!

Thanksgiving Placecards

Emma has done it again! She made these cute place cards for Thanksgiving on her own! Look at her nice handwriting! Thanks honey!

Naughty Laman and Lemuel

We were reading in the Scripture Stories book about Lehi and how he worried about his sons choosing the right. He talked to Laman and Lemuel about obeying the commandments. And May pipes up and says "Well they didn't" very matter-of-factly. She is cracking me up lately. She also told me that Austin wants to marry her...he is pretty cute and sings the primary songs really well so he might be a good choice....o brother!

Brett has been kind of called to 2 other callings...cubscout master and scout chairman. They were mixed up when they extended the callings so we'll see which one he ends up with. For now, he went to pack meeting last night and took Bryant, May and Derek. They had a good time and Bryant earned his bobcat and also passed the first level of tutoring. GOOD JOB BUDDY!

Just so everyone knows, we do take the kids to the library but the last four times we went we had late fees and books that we had ruined so I decided for budget sake to take a break....I have always prided myself on how I never have late fees and am so organized but for some reason I cannot get it together here. All of the books will end up with different due dates etc. It was too stressful.

Emma's Santa letter doesn't even come close to the campaign she's putting on in our home and in the community to get a dog. She thinks it will bring me to shame if she tells strangers in front of me that I won't let her have a dog. Not true, I feel no regret, remorse, doubt, or shame. There will not be a dog added to this chaotic life I already lead. Sorry. (and if you've ever talked to me about a dog you will be able to hear the tense bitterness that accompanies this cruel declaration...) I would even go so far as to say that I wish I had the excuse of allergies...

Too much TV?

Derek fell asleep and peed. I got out the Resolve to start the scrubbing and May said, "Mom, that gets the tough stains out." For a second I thought she had read it herself right off the bottle and was ready to be ultra impressed. But no, when asked she said, "I saw it on TV."

Also, last week I got to go out with Christy late one night to see New Moon. I was so worried that there would be big crowds I had Brett go early to get the tics and everything. To my surprise there wasn't anyone there except us and a pregnant lady that maybe partook of the theatres eggroll special. I liked the movie but swear I wouldn't if I had not been a big fan of the books. I did like some of the new characters and really enjoyed getting out for a little bit of girl time! Thanks Christy!

Letter's to Santa from those who can write...

Dear Santa from Bryant,

For Christmas I would like the At At from Star Wars and I touch and a Star Wars Lego set that I can build. I will get a gift card for me and a nerf gun. My mom some craft please. Treasure Ship in Legos and partrol Space Police, the power ofthe Republic and Wireless Helicopter.


Dear Santa,
I hope your well. I want this for Christmas, a puppy because I would take care of it and pick up it's poop. i also want a littlest pet shop. I also want somthing to do with art, because I absolutely love art. I really want books. My mom and dad won't let me go to the library, and like every Christmas I want candy and a movie. (which you always get me. What kind of cookies do you like? merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Love, Emma

p.s. If you can think of something else I would like, feel free.

(This last letter was illustrated)

Happy Thanksgiving!

It seems like I've been thinking all week 'oh, I've got to blog about that' but now that it's late on Sunday night I can't remember anything.

I do remember that we had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Brett and Bryant started the day off with the Turkey Bowl where Bryant ran the whole length of the field for a touchdown! (Brett said it was totally legit!) They came back muddy and happy.

We were invited over to the Denny's for dinner. It was delicious and fun. We went around the table asking what everyone was thankful for. May was thankful for family, Derek was thankful for a house, I was thankful for a hard-working husband and healthy kids, Brett was thankful for a job, Bryant was thankful for the church (I think...), and Emma was thankful for animals to eat (haha). We had a fun time playing the Wii and fishing and chatting. The turkey was gorgeous and moist, I made mom's stuffing, Bonnie Kinne's rolls, etc. You know it's good food when Brett liked the sweet potato dish! It was like dessert with a pecan topping. I need to get the recipe. But the dessert was worth waiting for, I enjoyed it that night AND I had apple pie for breakfast on Friday and pumpkin pie for breakfast on Saturday! Thanks Denny's!!

Friday we worked on things around the house and Saturday we put up the Christmas Decorations! I will get a pic of the tree as soon as my camera is charged...

The weather has cooled off this weekend and we are hopeful it will stay cool for a while. I am really not excited about getting back to school...or cleaning....

Oh, I saw my first wild alligator! We were driving on 84 when I saw some bikers stop and point (84 runs along a large canal). I looked to where they were pointing and an enormous alligator was running into the water! Between 5 and 6 feet long! (That may not be enormous to those who are seasoned and see them more often but that's big for me!)

Derek's commentary about the scenery picture on our computer of a mountain: "That's where volcanuhs are. That's wehre Jabba the Hut lives. And rainbows aren't there, rainbows are at parties."

So folks, if you think you are partying, look up...if there's no rainbow then you're not! Sorry.