Jake's Field Trip

This was Jakes first field trip to the Pumpkin Patch. He was so excited about going and picking the perfect medium sized pumpkin. I thought it was very funny that he told me he wanted a medium pumpkin...I didn't even no that he knew what size medium was. Jake is a total crack up and is so much fun to be around right now. Well I should say fun and exhausting to be around :)
The Pumpkin Patch that we went to was a lot of fun. There was a ton of stuff for the kids to do. They started off the day going on a hay ride through the maze of sunflowers and then they were dropped off to pick out their pumpkin. There was also a fun park to play at, animals to feed, and a hay stack to climb what more could a three year old ask for. Jake and his friend Mina had a great time together.Picking out the perfect pumpkin was the highlight of the day. Jake ended up picking a green pumpkin. I was a little surprised and I asked him why he chose a green one. He told me it was because it was my favorite color. What an awesome little guy choosing a pumpkin in his Moms favorite color.

Party for Grandma

Sunday night I had everyone over that could make it for a birthday dinner for Mom. Everyone seemed to have a good time. We had a great dinner...beef stew in sourdough bread bowls, salad, and 2 yummy desserts that Tera brought. Andi made an awesome chocolate bundt cake and Tera made cinnamon rolls. The desserts looked very yummy and everyone wanted seconds. I love getting together with my family we always have a lot of fun together.Brooke and Andi made Grandma a birthday tiara.
So Cute!

Cousin Swap

So for the past couple of years every General Conference Tera and I are talked into a swap of kids for a sleepover. It has kinda of become a little tradition that the kids love. This year Andi and Nate came back with us to our house while Tyler and Spencer stayed and Scott and Tera's house. The kids of course always have a fun time, but at the same time we do try and get them to watch most of conference. We usually print out Conference packets for them to do or make a game of bingo with key words that are usually discussed.
After conference Mike and i decided that it would be fun to let the kids all make their own personal pizza. Jake and Nate were very excited about putting on the peperoni. They played all day and got along perfectly it was awesome.
I had nothing but problems with Brooke and Andi the whole weekend J/K. Of course they were nothing but perfect as usual.

My Mom

(I love this picture of Brooke and my Mom)

Today is my Mom's Birthday and I thought it's the perfect time to let everyone know how awesome she is. I don't even know where to start because the list is endless of how awesome she is. I am so blessed to have the worlds best example of how to be a great Mom. My Mom is the most selfless person that I know. It doesn't matter what she has planned if one of us kids call and needs something she drops everything and comes to our rescue. She has taught me so much but most of all she has taught me how to serve. She has served her whole life whether its been in the church, her friends, or her family. I have never known her to complain about anything. Not only is she the best Mom, but I think she's an awesome Grandma. My kids ask me weekly when they can go see Grandma and Grandpa. My Mom has the knack to make you feel so special that you are the most important thing in the world. No wonder why we all gravitate to her.

Thank you Mom for everything you have taught me and for the example you are to me.

I asked the kids what they love about Grandma and this was their responses...

Brooke ( a total Grandma's girl) - She's the best ever ever ever! I love everything about her especially spending any and all spare time with her.

Spencer - She is happy and always wants to spend time with me. She uses her own time to do stuff with me like I'm the only thing that matters at that moment.

Tyler - I love my Grandma she likes to play Uno with me. I love it when she invites me for sleepovers at her house. I know she loves me.

Jake - I Love Grandma's purse and all the candy I finds in it. I love giving Grandma HUGE hugs.

Love You Mom and
Happy Birthday!

Brooke the Cook

All I can say is YUMMY!

I bought Brooke this amazing cookbook (Martha Stewart's Cupcakes) filled with over 200 recipes of just cupcakes. What was I thinking how can I stay on a diet with all her amazing desserts...a whole lot of self control on my part. However the boys and Mike are absolutely thrilled with her new cookbook and are constantly asking for more cupcakes.

So far she has made: Streusel cupcakes (Mikes favorite), raspberry marble cheesecakes, flourless chocolate cupcakes, mint filled brownie cupcakes (her favorite), and Boston cream pie cupcakes (shown above). She amazes me on a daily basis at how well she can cook and follow complex recipes.

So if anyone has a craving for a great cupcake just ask Brookie.

Tyler is Student of the Month

Monday was the first awards assembly of the year and I got an email from Tyler's teacher to make sure that I would be there because Tyler was getting an award. Both Mike and I were able to be there and watch Tyler get a little embarrassed as his name was called for Student of the Month. Tyler is really enjoying first grade and loves his teacher.

This is what Tyler's teacher wrote about him which was read in front of the school as he was getting his award...
"Tyler is polite and kind to others. He turns in all his homework and class work on time. He is very neat and cooperative. I love having Tyler in my class."

Way to go Tyler!

Brooke's Team Soccer Pictures

Well it was time for the annual soccer pictures for Brooke's team and all the girls were having a great time. I don't think anyone was camera shy that day. The girls couldn't get enough of the camera and of course that made me very happy since I love taking pictures.

Crazy Girls

Brooke had a couple of friends over last weekend, and boy were they having a good time. I really enjoy seeing Brooke let loose a little and enjoy being a kid. She is always so mature and cautious so this was very fun to watch. Brooke and her friends Beth and Taylor decided to give each other crazy makeovers. They were giggling the entire time and couldn't wait to pose for the camera.

Good Times!

And So It Begins...Soccer

Soccer is back in full force - So sit back and get comfortable...well at least that's what I tell Mike and Jake.
Tyler is in his second year of playing AYSO. He is so much fun to watch and a little too competitive (we're working on that). He has 2 of his good friends on his team which will make for a very fun season. His first game last week was on his 6th birthday so before the game started he said he wanted to score 6 goals. I kinda of laughed and said go for it. So in the first half of his game he had gotten all 6 of the goals he wanted. He was all over the field trying to do everything. So the second half of the game I told him he had to work on his passing to get his team involved. He was so obedient...he would be a couple inches away from the goal and then turn around to find one of his players to pass it to.
Spencer is now in his 4th year of playing soccer. He is by far my most aggressive kid on the field. He is not afraid of anything or anyone. He plays sweeper which is basically the last defender back. Of course he can't handle not being in some of the action. This last game he got the ball and dribbled from end of the field through all of the other team to the other side of the field and scored. Now defenders rarely if ever score so he was beyond excited. Spencer has great timing on defense and usually frustrates the other team when he keeps taking the ball away from them.
As far as Brooke I think shes been playing soccer as long as shes been walking, but officially this is her 8th year playing and her 4th year playing club. Brooke also plays defense usually left back however her coach has also been having her play in the middle. She really enjoys playing halfback its just a ton more running. Basically you help with the offense and still are expected to go back and help with the defense. Running the field is not a problem for her she is in such good shape and hardly even breaks a sweat. Her club team was undefeated last year so they moved up a division and are now a silver team. This should be a fun and challenging year of soccer for her and her team. Brooke is amazing at reading the field and has great anticipation to completely frustrate the other team.
(We had a little talk about elbows)
Now if only Brooke could take after her brothers and get a little more pushy she would be unstoppable. Mike is always yelling from the sideline at her "chicken wing" which is his code word for put your arms out and hold your own. She is small and petite and because of that she gets pushed around a lot on the field and Mike just wants her to protect her space. Now as you can see Spencer and Tyler have no problem holding onto their space on the field. At times they can be a little pushy. I am trying to tell the boys to mellow out a little and Brooke to be more pushy this is crazy...wheres the middle ground.

I love watching all my kids playing all their different sports. At times we are crazy with so many practices and games, but it's worth it. I have been thinking a lot lately about the benefits of playing team sports. Here's what I have seen with my kids, their coaches, and teammates: Good sportsmanship, leadership, positive attitude, being gracious, great physical shape, healthy, strong, friendships, being an example, discipline, encouragement, hard work, and accomplishment. I could think of many more, but my point is I think what they get out of playing sports is priceless and well worth the sacrifice.

Tryouts?

Brooke has been looking forward to trying out for her Junior High's basketball team for months. I was cautiously optimistic that she might make the team. Brooke being just a sixth grader I knew the odds were not in her favor to make the team. The team mainly consists of seventh and eighth graders who are much taller and bigger then she is. As I came to pick her up from tryouts I went in the gym and saw that there were 40 girls trying out. So of course I was trying to think of ways to console her when she didn't see her name posted in the girls locker room. Now don't get me wrong I think Brooke is a great basketball player and very talented, but size and experience does play a big part in making a competitive team.

This story has a very happy ending...SHE MADE IT!

I don't think I have ever seen Brooke more excited in my life. She worked very hard and practiced a ton and it definitely paid off. When she told me we both acted like little kids and screamed in the car as soon as we closed our doors :)