My new favorite book.

I just finished this book last night and loved every minute of it! The character, Sarah, has a wild west kind of life, fighting off Indians and all. She is self reliant, hard working, and loves her man like I love my man. Check it out.

Dust off your roller skates!

Great news! We have a NEW roller rink that just opened up in our town last week. I can't wait to go and try it out this weekend with the kids. The roller rink used to be one of my favorite places as a kid, except the smoke, sticky seats, and scary people lurking around. Well, we have a brand new rink so no bad smells or sticky seats...yet. We will probably have some weirdos, but I won't just drop my kids off like my mom did.

Wheelz Skate Arena at 2101 So. Mildred (for all of those locals who want to check it out)

Tubing website

For all of you who would like to check out the fun on the mountain yourself...

http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/winter/index.asp

You can purchase tickets online, but you still have to wait in line when you get there no matter what to get your tags. Our kids loved it and it was a small crowd so we didn't feel like we would lose our kids or anything. We need to go back up to some of the open hills you don't have to pay for. Spring Break?

Any good ideas you all have for a fun Spring Break with the kids? We thought about going up to Whistler, Canada.

Tubing Snoqualmie

It is mid-winter break and we have been having a blast. Marshall took the week off and we have had the best weather. Tyler got some friends together for some soccer,football and pizza one of the days. What more do boys want? The kids were all looking forward to our tubing trip at the end of the week up at Snoqualmie Pass. We left Samantha home with our favorite babysitter so we could enjoy it more.
The four kids ready to hit the hills.

Tyler coming down the hill.

Cute Sara always smiling.

This picture is a little blurry, but you get the point. :)

The kids loved going on the pulley up the hill, but we got sick of waiting in line.

Our family, minus Samantha.

Emily is a lovable girl. She is NEVER boring.

Always in some sort of mood, and we love her.

She decided to sleep down some of the runs. The other girls would have been terrified with their eyes closed. Not Em.

When we got there Emily was not wanting to wait in line for tickets and Tyler wouldn't let her climb on the roof of the lodge. She is a wild girl.

Family Time

We love our family time. It is always great to look forward to some fun time together, but it is a lot of work. One night in Vancouver, WA, how hard could it be? Well, since I was to speak in church on Sunday I was starting out a little stressed out. I know I shouldn't be so worried, but I always am. It is over now and I feel much better.

We gave up cable last summer so the kids were glued to the television as soon as we arrived to our hotel. Is that the reason, or would they be glued anyway? I don't know. We all stayed up until after 11 to watch The Incredibles on Disney.

We were all starving when we got there so Marshall went to Red Robin and got takeout for us while the kids went swimming. We ate burgers and fries by the pool, what could be better? Marshall swam with them Friday night and I swam with them on Saturday morning.

The reason for the visit was a funeral...a happy funeral. Chalmer Pond, was Marshall's great-uncle and was ready to leave this body behind and his wife knows she will be with him again. The opening song was, "There is Sunshine In My Soul Today." That set the tone for the memorial. The kids told funny stories about thier dad. He was a fun man with a great sense of humor. I loved this picture of Marshall and Emily leaving the funeral.

Lakebay, WA

Marshall works with seven other people who are in their first year of residency at TG. We all met up for a retreat this weekend in Lakebay, WA. We were supposed to go up to the Cle Elum, WA to play in the snow, but the weather had been too extreme so the owner of the house we were to rent cancelled on us since her driveway was a sheet of ice. We quickly found this great house just passed Gig Harbor. My family stayed in the guest house and the rest of the residents and spouses stayed in the main house. It was perfect and the kids had a blast.

As soon as we woke up Saturday morning the kids were begging to go kayaking. After breakfast we got all the gear and headed out.

Hannah was really nervous. Every time we moved she thought we were all going to fall in. We dropped Hannah and Samantha off at the shore after a quick 15 minutes. Then Marshall and Tyler got their own kayaks and we raced around in three kayaks. We had a good, fun workout.

The kids swam in the hot tub a couple of different times and loved it. Hannah and Sara made up dances and songs. Emily mostly did jumps into the water and drove the rest of the kids crazy with the splashing.

This morning we saw several seals out on the docks jumping on and off. You can see them in the distance here. The kids loved this porch swing.
We plan to meet up annually with these families, but hope to make it up to the snow next year.

A little girls dream.

We were able to attend a beautiful wedding tonight for my sister-in-law's sister. We have gotten to know the couple, Jen and Steven, for a year or so and are so happy for them. Hannah and Sara got to be the greeters and they loved every minute of it. They stood at the door and directed the guests to the correct side of the room, whether they were with the bride or groom.

The groom is an Army Ranger so you see all the tough guys behind my kids and Walt and Candice. Walt (brother in law) is pretty tough too.

The couple surprised us all with a waltz. I wonder what she had to promise him to get him to take dance lessons before the wedding! It was beautiful.

My Sara has a major crush on the groom. She giggles and stares at him whenever she sees him. It is pretty funny, but sad. He came and asked her to dance so she stepped up on his feet and he danced with her. It was adorable...but he is taken and she is WAY too young!
Sorry that the pictures are so bad. They were cell phone pictures.

New Years Resolution

This summer we will be road tripping to Utah to enjoy some sun and cousins. We love going to see my parents and sister Kirsten. Kirsten is so fun to hang out with and always entertaining. We go to water parks, lagoon and of course the mall. My kids LOVE Utah and so do I. Enough to drive 14-15 hours in the van with 5 kids. That is a done deal.
But...my goal this year is to save up enough money and make it possible to get these cute cousins together. We will have to get 7 tickets to Georgia. Anyone wanting to add to the fund is invited to. Oh and Heather will have had her 7th child so I NEED to see him! I might hide him under my shirt on my way home.

What do you hope for this year?

Merry Christmas!

My girls ready for bed on Christmas Eve. They can hardly stand the excitement, but they are all tucked nicely in their beds dreaming of tomorrow. There was too much pink in this picture for Tyler to get in. Merry Christmas!

Snowed in

Emily and Sara headed over to play at Evan's house. His mother was so nice to invite the girls over to play. We have been snowed in for days so we haven't seen anybody.

We have been doing plenty of playing in the snow. We went sleding at Chambers (the elementary school my kids go to) and also another school nearby that was actually better. We used my in-laws wake board and knee board and they work great! My kids went to a day and a half of school last week and are loving the extra long Christmas break!

Let it snow...

The kids were so happy to see snow on the ground this morning. During church it continuted to snow and all the kids were going crazy. When made it out to the van that was covered in snow we sat nicely in the car while Tyler (age 11) brushed off the snow with a spare diaper from my car. What a good kid. They are counting on getting out of school tomorrow or at least a late start.

Too much fun.

I started off the weekend early on Thursday night bringing my good friend to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers that was playing on 5th Avenue in Seattle. It was wonderful! The dancing was phenomenal and the singing excellent. We were very entertained. There was one problem. When I got to the ticket office to retrieve me tickets from will call I didn't have my wallet in my purse to show my ID. Luckily I had the confirmation print out so they gave me the tickets. Christie and I went up to the garage to look if my wallet had fallen out inside the car. I couldn't find it so I figured I left it at home. We enjoyed the show and that was that.

Friday started off great. I started up a little group called Music Makers where moms and young kids can get together and play. We read stories, sing songs, dance and play with instruments. There was a great turn out for the initial meeting. I hope it continues! Well, after that was over I came home to get ready to leave for the weekend to Seattle with Marshall. I was still looking for my wallet and Marshall was worried. I rarely worry, so I was just worried that he was worried. He called the credit card companies and nothing had been charged so I made him give up the search and take me to the hotel. It was nearly noon and I was ready to get away with him. After we checked in Marshall headed off to his Medical Conference and I went to the garage that I had parked in the night before to see if by some miracle it was on the ground untouched. Well, it wasn't. I then went to the front desk of the Hilton Hotel since I had parked in their garage. They called the head of security and he brought out my wallet that had been turned in unopened! There is good in this world! I felt so blessed and left on my merry way.
A few hours later I met up with one of my best friends from high school, Sharon. We had a great time shopping through Nordstroms and trying on diamond rings and watches in Tiffany's. It was great to catch up and hear how she is doing. It is amazing how we can just feel so at home with each other after so long.

Enjoying the beautiful city of Seattle.

Dinner with Marshall.

With my mother in law and our drinks. We had to take a picture for Sara, who loves cherries.
Saturday morning when Marshall left for his conference I drove back home to take the kids to "Winter Wonderland" at their school. They made crafts for about 45 minutes and then I took them to the live nativity at the church. There were two rooms full of all kinds of nativity scenes. It was beautiful. There was also a room that was full of art of the Savior's life. The kids and I helped Alexis decorate the room earlier that week so it was fun to see it completed. I was back to Seattle by 2.

Did I get lucky or what? Marshall treated me to a very relaxing weekend and I feel very loved. It is a bonus that he is so handsome. ;)

I forgot to mention who made this possible. Our most wonderful babysitter took the kids for 2 days and they had a blast with her, as always. She always has fun stuff planned for them, including a tea party with decorations. They make cards, played games and we came home to a clean house!!! We wish she could move in, but she is only 14 and her mother loves her too much to give her up. (Her mother is my good friend that I took to 7 Brides.) Here are some pictures of the kids at the church Christmas Party Saturday night. We missed it, but we still got some pictures from another sweet friend who knew I wanted some.
Sara and Santa. I guess they had a fan for the hot Santa.

Hannah who I think still believes. She knows she gets more presents that way.

My sweet Emily.

We came home to hugs and more hugs. That is part of the fun of going away for a short time. I am rejuvenated and ready to be a mom again and the kids realize how much they love us. Life is good.

Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For Today

10. The sun came out today and will make an appearance tomorrow too!

9. Having the ability to run in the morning so I don't feel so guilty eating my way through the day.

8. Movie theaters that stay open on Thanksgiving. What should I see (with kids)?

7. Emily's preschool teacher who thought of fun crafts to do. Thanks Miss Robin!

6. Motivation to help Emily make more crafts when she got home from school. The boys got Indian, oh sorry, Native American head bands and the girls got pilgrim hats. She wanted both.

5. My moms homemade rolls. I will attempt to make some tomorrow just for fun. They won't be as good, but pretty close.

4. Good friends that cheer me up and always seem to know when I need them. You know who you are.

3. My parents kind and dear. Thanks for showing me what I can be. :)

2. My Five hooligans that keep me entertained at all times. This was taken today at the park, Samantha's head can be seen behind the kids.

1. My handsome husband who works hard so we can buy food and loves me no matter what.
(This is my favorite picture of all time. I never get tired of looking at it...Marshall delivering Samantha 2 years ago.)

Marie Callender's for Thanksgiving?

Yes! My mother in law suggested we go to a restaurant this year for Thanksgiving and my first thought was....NOOOOOOO!!!! But now it sounds like a pretty good idea. I made a chocolate pie yesterday and I will be making rolls today. That means we will be eating all of the yummy homemade things all week instead of just on Thanksgiving. It wouldn't be the same if I didn't. So, the guys still get to do the Turkey bowl Thursday morning. Tyler is so excited about that and then we will head off to have someone else cook and clean everything. Is this bad?

Tyler's game

Tyler had a game on Vashon Island this morning so we woke up early to get to the 8:25 ferry. It was just Tyler, two buddies and me. Marshall was home with the four girlies. I loved hanging out with Tyler and the boys. They were losing 0-2, but came back to win it 3-2. So, they won their last league game!
After the game we rushed to the get back on the ferry, but missed it by about one minute. So we had to kill an hour and the boys had no trouble finding things to do.
Tyler brought his PSP and they traded off.

Then they threw rocks in the water for a while.

This afternoon Ty's team played a tournament game and they tied in the most exciting game of the year. They were down 2-1 and the coach decided to "go suicidal" which means everyone, including the keeper, moves up to offense. We scored again and tied it up. That takes his team into the semi-final game that he will play next week.

My baby is 2

Tyler insisted on lighting the candles for his sister's birthday.

Sam getting pushed out of the way and holding on for dear life.

The happy family.

Day with Hannah

Hannah and I spent the day shopping at the Tacoma mall for her birthday weekend. First we had lunch at the Nordsrom Cafe. It was delicious and we finished it off with white chocolate bread pudding with rasberry sauce. She got a hat in brass plum, a necklace in Limited Too, red glasses and magnetic earings in Claires. We held hands through the mall and she led the way.
She noticed this this speaker with her dads name on it.

After shopping we met up with Emily and Sara at the theater for HSM3. They loved it. Here I am modeling the new glasses. She doesn't take them off!

Celebrating With Hannah

I just got back from celebrating Hannah's birthday with her 3rd grade class. Hannah passed around donuts (Lakewood donuts of course) to all of the kids and they all waited for her to take the first bite. Samantha and Emily came along and they were surprisingly very mild and well behaved. I am typically afraid to let them loose, but I think the bigger kids intimidate Emily.
When we were leaving we were able to sneak in and have a surprise lunch with Sara and the 1st graders. Emily loved getting hot lunch (pizza day) and Sara was overjoyed. She can't ever hide her emotions and I love it.

I only invited the girls to be in the picture. I told the boys it was there job to make faces so they would smile. My camera was left at home, so I had to make due with my cell phone camera.

Hannah and her teacher, Mrs. Geren. She is such a wonderful teacher. Hannah has so many sweet friends in her class this year. What a blessed girl...and mom.