Snow Day

Once again my brother Scott and his wife Tera were totally awesome and invited us to share in their fun. This is now the seventh year that they have had snow delivered for tons of fun and excitement in Southern California. All the kids love to have a huge snowball fight and my brother Scott is usually in the middle of it. The kids love to get any and all of the adults. Mike had a lot of fun trying to get the kids, but I think the kids enjoyed the retaliation even better.

As you can see the memories are endless and for that I am very grateful for a great big brother and an awesome sister-in-law.

Ward Christmas Party

This year our ward had a wonderful Christmas party. One of our good friends Wendy Speakman was recently called as the ward activities director and she went all out it was amazing. We enjoyed a great sit down dinner, program, and at the end a special visit from Santa.

Brooke along with the YW and activity day girls all sung Let it Snow. It was fun to see Brooke step out of her comfort zone a little and have some fun. They even had a snow machine so as they were singing the snow began to fall. Spencer also had a small part in the program with many other boys the same age. They sung and danced to the song Toy Soldier. Spencer unlike his sister had no problem getting up and performing in front of everyone. He is such a ham.

Merry Christmas

This is our Christmas card this year.
So for those of you who
I forgot or don't have your address
Merry Christmas.

Christmas Fun

Add Glitter to Pictures

Jake

Jake is growing up so fast. He has more personality then all of my other 3 kids combined. There are times that I just have to shake my head and laugh at the things he does and says. Mike and I are still wondering what happened to our quiet little family and then we realize that we added Jake and along with him came all sorts of new adventures. Our lives will never be dull or boring there is always something to smile about when your around Jake.

He is trying to grow up way too fast. He has been telling everyone on his birthday that he is turning 7. It took a lot of convincing that he is only 3. Jake copies and watches everything his 2 older brothers do. He is now an expert at the Nintendo DS. Which to me is crazy for a barely 3 year old to already know how to play and win at video games. He keeps asking me for a DS for Christmas. I am beginning to think that he is a lot smarter then I am giving him credit for. Jake is wonderful in so many ways and he has been a very exciting little boy to raise.

LOVE YOU LITTLE GUY!

Jake turns 3

Where has the time gone?

Jake has been such a fun, crazy, and enthusiastic little guy. From day one he has been able to hold his own with his older brothers. He thinks and for the most part can do anything they do. Now on the other hand I think he has Brooke wrapped around his little finger. She has always been such a great big sister always doing whatever Jake wants to do.
For the past three months when you ask Jake what he wants for his birthday the answer was always the same. I want EWOK! Star Wars is truly all he thinks and dreams about. Especially Ewoks. Do you know how hard it is to find Ewok stuff? I had the worst time, but I finally found a couple of Ewok toys and both Brooke and Spencer colored him an Ewok picture. I also found a whole assortment of Star Wars Mr. Potatoe Heads they were a big hit.

Disney Again

I think we definitely got our money's worth out of our season passes to Disneyland. This trip we left Jake home with my Mom and enjoyed a day that we could go on all of the fast rides. Our pass expires next week so in total we ended up going 7 times and loved almost every minute of it.
Our good friends the Wallers met us there. All the kids get along really well and are all almost the same ages which makes for a fun time for everyone.

Tyler and his best friend Aiden went on the new Toy Story Mania ride together. I love this picture when Tyler is sooooo excited about his score...too funny.
Mike and I decided that we will get season passes every other year so the kids remain as excited as the first time. So we have a year off so sad.

Worlds Best Babysitter

Brooke has been such a lifesaver now that she has been babysitting for us. It has completely changed our life. No more scrambling for a babysitter last minute to find out that no one is available. She has been great with the boys and she usually has some sort of game or fun thing to do. She had this paper taped to her door one night that she was babysitting and the boys loved it. I am so proud of her always eager to help and contribute when I need it (well most of the time). There are many days that I would be lost without her that is how much she helps me. I know the boys really enjoy her especially when she is creative with some new idea or game when she babysits.

LOVE YOU BROOKIE!

Big Bear Family Pictures

Here's to another great Thanksgiving in Big Bear!

Thanksgiving in Big Bear

We had an awesome time in Big Bear thanks to my brother Scott and sister in law Tera who set this whole week up for everyone's enjoyment. When I told the kids we were going to Big Bear again they were all so excited and then didn't stop asking me when it was time to go. Note to self keep it a secret until the day before :) I am so blessed to have such a great family! We had 16 adults and 18 kids under one spectacular roof. The house that we stayed in could not have been more perfect for that amount of people. Plenty of space for everyone and then some. All the kids got along perfectly.
It's so nice that all of our kids are close enough in age that they all have built in friends that they love to be with. I think one of the boys favorite parts of the trip had to be lazer tag. It was all of the uncles against all of the boys. They must have played for hours. They played day and night inside and outside. The second night that we were there the snow came. It wasn't a ton, but it was really exciting for all of us and especially the kids.
Everyone woke up and before they had even had breakfast they were putting on sweatshirts and trying to find gloves for a snowball fight. Of course it was the big boys against the kids. Thanksgiving dinner was perfect. Everyone contributed and made it a feast to remember. We let the kids eat first and then all the adults were able to enjoy 10 minutes of satisfaction before it was time to clean up. Unfortunately Trent got the stomach flu and then Nate, but what do we expect with so many people under one roof during flu season. The only good thing is with most of us coming down with the flu now we should all be fine for Christmas...Right?









One of the kids favorite things to do in Big Bear is to go on the Alpine Slide. Tyler always makes me laugh whether it's a roller coaster at Disneyland or just the Alpine Slide his arms are always up. He is a boy that likes the speed and never gets scared. I'm sure one day this will worry me, but for now it is really cute.
This is our second annual Thanksgiving talent show. I hope this is a tradition that sticks I love it. It is so much fun to see all the kids get up and perform something what a cute bunch of kids. Some highlights of the night were Mom and Dad doing the Herman the worm skit that all the kids get a kick out of, Tyler and his air guitar, Mike impersonationg Jordan Farmar, Grant and Grace singing the cutest song about cocoa. I could go on and on well maybe I will we have a great group of kids that play the piano Andi, Brooke, Spencer, and Kate all did a great job. It was a very fun night of talented kids.