Avery's Birthday Party

We had a fun little birthday party for Avery at Chuck e Cheese with Scott and Bens familys. We were so sad that the rest of our family couldnt be there for this fun day-we really missed you!!!

The whole gang

The Happy Birthday Girl

I love this pizza face

The kids played air hockey...


Avery, Eli and Claire rode the merry go round-Avery didnt like it so much

She didnt like the Chuck E Cheese car either.

Caleb is the happiest when he can run wild and play all the games he wants!!!

Ben and cute little Sunny

Sweet little Lia
Tyson and Eil had so much fun yelling, screaming and running around the entire place over and over again

Mason and Avery playing at the bottom of the slide

Thanks to the help of her big sister, Avery opened her presents.

Arent these the cutest cupcakes you have ever seen. I did such a good job!! Yea right-Thanks Costco

Night (mare) in the ER

Nothing better than spending Valentines night (let alone any night) in the ER with ALL 5 kids.

For the last couple days, Noah has been complaining of a stomach ache. It has come on an off and then on Wed. he came home from school just not feeling well at all. On Thursday, he still felt yucky, but his stomach felt a little better. He said that when he would lay down or walk around, his stomach would hurt really bad, but if he sat up it felt better. Later that night around 6, he was buckled over in pain. Bill took him to Urgent care and they did a few little tests and said it was his appendix and to take him to the ER. So Bill calls and tells me he is heading to Primary Childrens. There was no way I was going to let him go without me, especially since he might be needing surgery. Bill said we have to take him now, so your just going to have to come as you are. I was right in the middle of feeding the kids-so we litterally threw on our snowboots and jackets and ran out the door. We get to the hospital and what do you know, it was PACKED to say the least. I knew this was going to be a long night. We still dont really know anyone well enough here, so I didnt feel comfortable leaving them with anyone, so thats why we had the WHOLE family. What a nightmare. My kids were so bored with nothing to do becasue it was so crowded. Noah was in so much pain and he just wanted to lay down. I felt so helpless, there was nothing I could do. As I was sitting there waiting, and after realizing there really was nothing I could do to get him back there sooner, i kinda just relaxed for a second. I took a good look at my kids and about had a heart attack. They all had dinner on their faces, their hands were dirty, and none of their hair was combed. I have never felt so white trash in all my life. We left in such a hurry that I didnt get the chance to fix Lanis half pony tail or calebs shaggy mullet (its hair cut time) or Tysons dumb and dumber lloyd hair. We really must have been a sight. We had had enough and since I refused to leave Noah, Bill took the kids to get a drink and watch a movie in the car. Once he got the kids settled, Avery pukes all over herself, her blanky (which is the ONLY thing that calms her down) and her car seat. Lovely. Now the car reaks and she wants her blankey. Meanwhile, Noah was getting worse and I really started to freak out a little bit. I went to the nurse to ask if there was anywhere he could lay down. She check him over again and agreed that he needed to be seen right away. They put him to the top of the list and FINALLY got him a room. An hour later we are still waiting in our room for the ONE doctor that is working the ER. Seriously, something has to be done about that. What is the point of calling it an Emergency room if it takes 4 hours to even be seen. What a joke. Anyway, when the doctor did come in, she said it definatly was not his appendix. They did the usual blood work and urine tests and because he was so pale, they put him on an IV. Bill was freaking out a bit, so we traded spots. I went out to the car and he stayed with Noah. At this point it was almost midnight and Lani and Avery were still awake. I drove around until they fell asleep. I parked in the Hospital parking lot just waiting for the results. Luckily they all came back normal. The Dr. said that sometimes your body can get a virus that appears to be something else. His stomach was still hurting him so bad when she pushed on it, so they decided to do one more bag and check him after that. If it still hurt, then they would do some more tests. He was still in so much pain that I figured that he would need more tests and would be there for the night. I took the kids home-and all asleep, unloaded them from the car and put them to bed. About 20 minutes after I had been home, Bill calls and says the pain in completly gone. They did a few more small tests and said he could go. I was soooooo happy that he was going to be ok, but not so happy that I had to load my 4 sleeping kids back into the car. I seriously think my back is broken. 3 of the 4 kids cryed half the way there because they were so tired. NIGHTMARE. Finally we got home at about 2:30, got all the kids down by 3, and fell into bed. I know that we had a lot of people praying for Noah and Im convinced our prayers were answered. What a night. Noah thought it was a pretty cool experience getting an IV and all.

The kids have all next week off of school and Bill is studying for the bar that he takes in a week and a half. The thought of trying to keep all the kids occupied all week and keep them out of Bills way is enough to drive me crazy, so depending on Noah, we are heading to AZ for the week. I know I am crazy for driving all 5 kids by myself, but we are going to break it up so it wont be so bad. The good thing is we have clear weather for the next few days. YEA!!!!

All is well at the Lomu house-crazy-but well!!!

President Gordon B. Hinckley, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through twelve years of global expansion, has died at the age of 97. President Hinckley was the 15th president in the 177-year history of the Church and had served as its president since 12 March 1995.
The Church president died at his apartment in downtown Salt Lake City at 7:00 p.m. Sunday night from cause’s incident to age. Members of his family were at his bedside. A successor is not expected to be formally chosen by the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until after President Hinckley’s funeral within the next few days.

What a bittersweet day this is. I say bittersweet because he is now with his beloved wife and I can just imagine how sweet a reunion that must have been!! President Hinkley was the first Prophet that I really got to know and love. I hold so much admiration for him. What a legacy this man has made. He has done so much for this church in his long lifetime. I will miss his whit and his humor at conference time and I will definatley miss his words of wisdom and his council. Of course here in Utah it is the major news story. I have loved hearing the great stories about him and about everything he has accomplished in his presidency. He is so admired by everyone he has come in contact with-even by those who dont belong to this church. I will miss him more than I can stand but I look forward to getting to know our new prophet and his counclers.

So Disapointing...

Im getting so bugged. I have been to main st. 3 times and the only celeb I saw was one I have already seen-Bono. What I want to know is where are they hiding and why cant I find them. Park City is not a big place for cryin out loud. Maybe im going at all the wrong times, or maybe its the fact that ive got 5 kids with me and cruising in the burb doesnt cut it!!!

Last night, Bill and I went out with a few couples from our ward. They called and wanted to do dinner and a Sundance film. Of course I was all for it-any chance to hang out with no kids on Main St.-I knew I was going to see some stars. NOPE! All I saw was a lot of guys in skinny jeans and turtle necks. I was so disapointed. We ate in a resturaunt on main with a clear view of it all-and still nothing. I think ive figured that they dont even come out until after 11. Such a bummer. Tomorow is the last day-maybe i'll just go hang out at the airport or something. Nah, im not THAT big of a loser. I guess i'll just wait until the news (US magazine) comes out and read about how close they really were and I missed them by that much. Oh well, maybe next year I wont be so sick and I will actually feel like putting more effort into it. Sorry to disapoint!!!!

It is a pretty cool sight to see all the shops transformed into clubs and resturaunts from LA. It really does look like a different place. I especially liked this one...Bill really wanted to go in.

I will say that I had quite the time peolple watching. Such a strange mix of peolpe. I really could have done it all night.

We didnt end up going to a Sundance movie-not the best of choices. I really didnt feel like watching parapeligics (SP???) explore their a..curiositys. Intersting film choices. We instead went and saw 27 Dresses (much to the joy of all the guys) Can I just say how much I LOVED that movie. Soooo cute. I would totally reccomend it. So funny and cute. Bill played blackjack on his phone the whole time, soo maybe leave the hubbys at home.

Ok, Julie, you know who are. I know I told you this before, but she is so you. I seriously got homesick watching this because she reminds me so much of you. I love ya Katherine, I mean Julie!!!!

Baby time!!!

This is a busy month for the Lomu fam. Babies babies and more babies!!!

Scott and Andrea had a baby girl and named her Lia. Such a sweet thing. I still cant decide who she looks like. I love the redish (thats for you Scott) hair.

Barb and Blake rang in the new year with baby Kate. I was lucky enough to be there when she was born. She looks just like her sister. Im pretty sure she has more hair than Avery.

And just arrived is Maile (im not sure about the spelling??? pronounced my-lee) to Mary and Selle. (I missed it by 2 days.) I dont know all the stats, but mom and baby are good. I cant wait to see pictures.
Congrats guys!!!!

That makes 5 girls under 1. I love it!!!

Yikes!!

So I just re read my last post and yikes-that sounded pretty bad. Apparantly, my husband thought the same thing-he sent me the next day to AZ for a much needed break from the cold and snow. I had so much fun hangin with my Mom and Dad and eating out at my favorite resturaunts. I was even able to eat at Mattas before it closed-so sad, but ran into Amy- Yea!!(Im so glad I got to see you Ams!!)I think the whole city was there for some last time eatings. I got to have dinner with the amazing Christina Brian who has twins that just turned 3 and 7 months old triplets. I have no room to complain-I could have 5 kids under the age of 3-NO THANKS!!! I love Christina to death and I was so happy to see her and talk about the good times before kids-and after kids. Then I met my awesome book clubers at Nelsons for a fun night of talking and laughing until closing time and then standing out in the cold for another hour doing the same. I had so much fun-thanks guys for meeting me with such short notice!!!!! My brothers birthday was on Monday, so we got together on Sunday to celebrate with dinner and cake (which I made and must say turned out soooo good) I love hanging with my fam-we always have such fun. I was supposed to leave on Monday, but because I was flying standby I wasnt able to get out (after spending 6 hours at the airport with a very cranky baby) It wasnt all bad, I was able to hang out with Blake and Barb and Sophie and new baby Kate. Thanks for picking me up and letting me crash at your house!!! I finally got out the next morning and was welcomed by 10 degree weather. Hooray!! When I woke up yesterday, I was soooo sick. My whole body ached, I had the chills and a fever, my head was pounding, my nose stuffed up and my throat was killing. Great-couldnt be better timing. Poor Bill. He lets me go away for a few days and then I come home and get so sick that I cant get out of bed. Bill is taking the bar the end of Feb. and he really has to keep up with his studying-taking care of 5 kids and a sick wife doesnt fall into that catagory. I seriously prayed all day that I would be better by the next day so I could get back to being mom. I have never taken so much medicine and slept so much in my life. When I woke up this morning, I felt so much better. I still cant breathe, my head is pounding and I cant stop couging, but I felt good enough to get out of bed. Thanks Bill for taking such good care of me and letting me get better. I love ya babe!!!! Now to the important stuff.... The Sundance film festival. Dont think the flu is going to keep me from stalking the stars. We have to go into town tonight to pick up Noahs snowboard so while we are there, we are going to cruise main looking for stars. Hopefully I will have some great pics for you soon!!!! Wish me luck.

Prozac Capital of the World

I think I finally realize why everyone here is on Prozac. It completly SUCKS here in the winter. My sister in law told me that before Christmas you will love the snow but after New Years, it gets really hard to deal with. So True. I feel like im going crazy- I never leave the house or my "lounge clothes" Seriously, how do people do it??? I think its been so hard for me because I havent made any friends-so my kids and hubby are really all I got. Dont get me wrong-I love them to death, but everyone needs something outside of the house. Book Club girls-I really miss you guys!!! Its amazing what one night a month does for your sanity. The kids love the snow. Noah just started his snowboarding lessons and he cant get enough. He wanted to go back the next day. Lani, actually hates it. She is like me-she cant stand to be cold. She has asked her teacher if she could stay in for recess because she gets too cold. Tyson and Caleb love to build snow forts and go sledding down the driveway. Im happy that my kids can be happy-but I also feel so bad because we dont ever leave the house. I beg Bill to take the boys with him when he runs work errands just to get them out. And to make matters worse, I almost killed my family on our way home from AZ. I hit a patch of ice and we skid and turned and skid some more. It really is a blessing that we didnt flip or hit another car. We definatly had our guardian angels watching over us that day. If my reluctance to drive in the snow was bad before, its absolutly out of control now. I wont go anywhere unless Bill can go too. Its pretty sad.

Bill has now started studying for the bar, so my only friend will be occupied until the end of Feb. I really need a life!! I have started trying to figure out this new photoshop program that I got, but the technical babble is to much for me. I just ordered a "how to" book, so hopefully I can learn from that and create myself a new hobby.

Im not ashamed to call myself a back and forth type of person. I just get totally into something and then after a while the desire is gone, and then I find something else and so on and so on. I always go through reading phases. I will just want to read all the time-any book I can find I will read, and then sometimes, I just cant get my self to sit and read for nothing. I go through the tv phase. I will have like 20 shows I like to watch. I never would miss Dr phil or Oprah. I watched all the CSI shows, and a bunch of reality shows. I would watch Monk, and Medium, Crossing Jordan, Veronica Mars... You get the picture. I have also gone through the hair phase. I would study and teach myself new techniques, attend classes, try really hard to find new clients so I could try all these new things out. I go through the cleaning phase where all I want to do is clean and organize (Bill loves this one) and re arrange my entire house-but most the time im in the I dont want to clean anything phase. But most recently, its been the blogging and photography phase. I could spend hours on the computer-blog hopping or fixing pictures. I always seem to be in one phase or another. Since I have come home from our AZ vacation, I cant seem to get myself to be interested in any phase. The good thing about this is I have been spending tons more time with the kids-which is the most important thing anyway, but my interest in anything is gone. I think thats why it has taken so long to blog about Christmas. Today is the first day that I have even looked on anyone else's blogs. I cant get myself to clean, or to cook. I dont have any interest in reading (except the scriptures-but thats always been a hard one), I dont really care about TV. I still record the few shows I watch, but I rarely watch them, and dare I say it, I have not been into blogging. I have tried. I will sit down and try, but I just cant bring myself to do it. Ive really just been so tired that I just go to bed early. What is wrong with me??? Hopefully this too is a phase that will pass as quickly as all the other ones do. Maybe when the snow melts!!! ha ha.

American Idol is on tonight and I really could care less. I will still probably watch it, just because I have with all the seasons, but Im not really into it. Strange. Maybe this is my reflective phase. I think alot about where I am in life and where my family is and what can we do to change and to be better. I think almost killing my family did something to me. It made me think that what I have can be taken away from me in seconds. I better get my act together and make the most out of the time we have. My kids are crazy and most times out of control, but they are all such good kids. They all want to do whats right (most of the time) and they all have such distinct personalities. I couldnt have been blessed with better kids. I know that life is hard and it will be my whole life, but we can either learn from our trials and our mistakes or we can let it bury us. Its hard to be here in a place that im not familiar with and to not have friends. I dont mean to say that im a loser and cant make friends, its different where I live-everyone is older and no one has 5 kids. The average age is 37 and the average kids per household is 2. Its the "im going to wait until my 30's to have kids so I can have a career" types. I really do enjoy the ladies of my ward. They are all so sweet. Its just different from what im used to. I loved my last ward. We had young and old and everything in between. (im jealous of you Julie!!) I think people are kinda scared off by the whole 5 crazy kids thing. You would think that wouldnt be so here in Utah.

Anyway, I have vented enough. I always know its time to stop when I stop making sense. I was inspired by Missy to make this more of a journal and to not let what others might think affect what I write. I am what I am (and thats popeye!! Office fans anyone??? one phase I will never grow out of. Favorite show of all time)

Christmas 2007

I am finally getting around to the Christmas post. I dont know why it has taken so long-but here it is....

We started it off with treats from school. The kids had gingerbread house partys in each of their classes and they both got Dad to come and help-they loved that.

Then, the baking began. I seriously baked for 2 days and then I didnt even give anyone plates. I tried a bunch of new things and I didnt think any of them turned out-so most of it ended up in the trash. But, it was fun to try. Maybe next year!!!!
We only have Bills 2 brothers here in Utah and they both have their wives families here so we decided to get together on the Sunday before Christmas (which also happened to be Calebs birthday). We had a yummy dinner and then we had a gift exchange for all the kiddos. Bill went to the dollar store and grabbed a few things to wrap. Its so funny-you could spend tons on toys that they kinda like but you go to the dollar store and they are in heaven. We played a fun game with the presents and when they opened them they all switched with someone else. It was a fun night hangin out with family.
I just had to take a picture of these two- Sunny and Avery. Sunny is a few months younger than Avery, but she is way bigger. Its amazing that I actually have a lightweight.

It was different this Christmas not being with family on Christmas Eve, so we wanted to make it fun for our kids. We planned on going out and looking at lights and then going to Temple Square to check out the lights, but that plan got squashed thanks to the all day snow blizzard. We decided to make cookies for Santa-sugar cookies. While dinner was cooking, the kids did their own cutouts. Who knew it would make such a mess. Only my kids!!!!

After a meatloaf (Bills favorite) and potatoes dinner (note to self: the kids do not like meatloaf), it was time for Christmas jammies. I love this tradition. This year, Bill made each of them a treasure map and they had to follow each clue to find them. It was so cute-they loved it.

This year, we decided to start a new Christmas eve tradition. The week before Christmas, we had the kids draw names (They couldnt keep the secret any longer than that!!)We gave them a limit and they each got to chose a gift for who they picked. It was fun to see what each of them thought the other would like. The kids loved their presents and it was cute to see them say thank you and give hugs to each other. I think im going to like this tradition.

Christmas morning: you can see they are all real excited to get going. I really think Lani was dissapointed to not see "Butterscotch" sitting by the tree.


Avery loved her orange from her stocking.


They all got the one thing they wanted most. It really was a fun Chrismtas!!!


Noah got his beloved Marble Mania set. (Noah is our future arcitect (sp?)



Tyson got a "cars" pillow

Caleb got a Choo-Choo!!!

Lani got her much wanted American Doll. (thanks Mom)


And Avery had had ENOUGH!!! She just wanted to go to bed.

We really did enjoy ourselves this Christmas. As hard as it was not being with family, it was nice to not have to rush from one house to the next not really being able to relax. The kids got the play with their toys before we loaded up and headed home to AZ. We left the house a complete mess, but I didnt feel like cleaning on Christmas-so I didnt and because of that, it has taken me over a week to get organized. I would have to say though that it was all worth it!!!

Happy Birthday Caleb!!!

Our little Wild Man is 3!!!!

I have such a special place in my heart for this little boy. He was born on the 23rd of December-10 days early. Of course this would happen two days before Christmas and when Bills family Christmas Eve party was at our house. I came home from the hospital Christmas Eve night and went straight to my parents house for my family party and then to my house for another party. He was such an easy going baby-so calm and peaceful. When he was about 10 days old, I noticed he was getting a little congested and he seemed to have trouble breathing. I think I took him to urgent care 2 times and to his regular doctor once all in 2 days. Finally I took him to the ER because I just felt that something wasnt quite right. That was the worst night of my life. There is nothing worse than seeing your little helpless newborn being poked and hooked up to tubes. It turned out he had RSV and pnemounia. His oxygen levels were really low, so they they admitted him to the hospital and there we stayed for a week. I think I only left that hospital room a couple times that week to take a walk and get some fresh air. It was just me and Caleb. I think we developed a special bond during that time.

The top 10 things we love about our Scrubs!!

1. His smile

2. His playfulness

3. His beautiful blue eyes

4. His stubborness (he gets that from his mama!!)

5. His soft side. He cant stop giving Avery kisses and loves.

6. The fact that he is ALL boy

7. His sense of humor

8. His infectious laugh. It really is hard to stay mad when he is laughing in your face.

9. How much he loves his brother Tyson. He follows him everywhere and wants to do everything with him. He is always concerned when Tyson is not around.

10. His competitivness. Everything is a race with him. He loves sports and playing with his Dad.

Things Caleb Loves...

1. Choo-Choo's

2. Dora and Diego

3. Cars

4. Guns

5. Balls

6. Oranges

7. Running errands with Daddy

8.Caillou

9. Wrestling with Tyson

10.Throwing anything and everything

We had a Birthday/Christmas party with our Utah Family. Caleb got the one and only thing he asked for-Choo Choo's!!!!

It was such a fun night. We stayed up late, ate cake and ice cream and he ran and ran with his cousins until he collapsed on the floor..gun in hand and ready to pull the trigger.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCRUBBA!!!!

Good to be Home...

We are finally home and I have so much to do that I think I already need a vacation. We had such a good time and such good Holidays and I have so much to write about but its going to take soooooo long and until I get things back in order (which will probably be next year!!) they will have to come little by little. My house is a disaster (whats new) I still havent unpacked, and all I want to do is blog and play with my new photo software. Right now its a blizzard outside and we are expecting about 3-6 new inches today to add to our already 4 feet of snow. Poor Bill is outside shoveling so we can get Noah off to school. Its 11:00, but he said he was sick this morning and it was pouring snow so I didnt argue, but I see I have a faker on my hands. Lani has been home sick with a fever for 2 days now and I think he wanted in one some of the sympathy. Life never seems to slow down and its always one thing after the next, but I dont think Id have it any other way!!!! Hopefully I can get a Christmas post in sometime soon and get caught up with all my fun pictures-I have 2 new neices that were born 1 day apart and one more on the way. If only sleep werent an issue, I would so be on top of everything!!!

Seriously!!!!!

I think I have adapted the phrase "Life is paved with good intentions" What is it with the "business" of the holiday season? This year in particualr, I have tried so hard to make this a fun and memorable Christmas season for my kids. Being away from family and from our usual traditions has been really hard. I have these grand and wonderful images in my head about making trains (a childhood favorite) reading christmas stories every night before bed, baking, building snowmen, shopping for eachother and so on.... but in reality its gone a little something like this... cleaning all day just to get ahead but really making it worse becasue kids are neglected and therefor crazy and destructive, driving back and forth with all 5 kids in tow down the canyon for shopping and still not getting everything and thus having to do it again and again, not getting home until way past bedtime and then having to carry sleeping kids into bed, being too warm inside to venture out into the freezing cold snow (not now..Thanks Mom for the Jacket and boots!!!) and then not being able to stick to carefully planned out days before Christmas because of stuff like this...

I went upstairs this morning to get the kids dressed and this is what I found-and it was all over the ceiling as well, and, as I found tonite, all over Noahs wall in his room. I was out late last night and Bill put the kids down and apparantly didnt bother to check on the kids when they were still awake and running around and Noah was screaming that he needed a magic eraser (we use a lot of those in our house). I couldnt yell because Tyson knew what he did was wrong. He pointed the wall out to me saying "Uh oh mom, look what me and Caleb did last night." But you better believe I put them to work.
I didnt have my glasses on, so I started to go over to take a closer look at the damage and I rammed my toe into the corner of the bed. I heard cracks and crunches and knew immediatlly it wasnt good. Im not sure if I broke it or not, but I definatly cannot walk. Today was baking day, so....what are you gonna do? I should just know by now that things dont EVER go as planned. I dont know why im always suprised. I attempted to start baking right at dinner time and ended up making a huge mess (but made a super yummy new recipie for dinner). By the time dinner was done, baths and jammies were done, laundry was done, shoveling the 10 feet of snow off the driveway and steps, I was way too tired to even attempt it. Maybe tomorow.

This season is supposed to be about family and about being together and I guess that as long as they are happy and healthy then things really arent so bad. I just need to remember these good moments instead of all the bad ones where im not getting anything done.

Besides, who could get mad at these angels???

The Jammie crew.

We have been getting so much snow lately. I was upstairs and I happend to glance out the window and saw this. This is our deck.

(Since I took this pic, it has snowed about 6 more inches)

RANDOM HAPPENINGS!!

Just some random pics.

Caleb thinks he is so funny when he hides in the fridge. He thinks no one can see him.

Tyson, Tyson, Tyson. What can I say about this boy. He is definatly taking on some of his older brother traits. He loves to build and create things. One day while him and Caleb were playing blocks, he called me in to check out his new "creation."

"Mom, Look!" "He's just like Jesus!"

(yes, that is the penguin from Surfs Up)

This is Noah in his first school concert. The 3rd and 4th graders put on a great "ALL" Holiday concert.

(Noah is on the top row in the tie)

Our sweet monkey turned 10 Months Old!!!

She is the funniest thing alive. This really has to be one of my favorite stages. She now has 6 teeth, she LOVES food, and she gets into everything and anything she can get her hands on. She is the best natured baby. She will wake up and stay in her crib for like an hour just playing and talking and singing. She loves to sing pat a cake and eensie weensie spider and she does all the motions. She has a set of lungs and can SCREAM. She thinks its so funny. She loves to copy the kids. When we are in the car, the kids say a word over and over and she will copy them-But, she still cant way Mama. She says daddy all the time. It really isnt fair. She loves to wave and blow kisses. She loves to dance and she trys to sing when she hears music. She is so alert and she will stare a hole in you if she doesnt know you. She has to study you and make sure your ok before she will let you in. I could go on and on about her, I just love her so much. I cant believe she is almost one. It goes by too fast.

Sunday is Calebs birthday and we are having a little birthday party/Christmas party with Bills brothers and their families-im looking foward to that. Im sure this wont be the last Christmas we are away from family, so Bill and I decided its time we start our own traditions. I would love to hear some of your traditions to give me some ideas.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Just the Begining!!!

What a crazy time. I thought if I started early on the Christmas shopping then I could enjoy the season. Not so. It has been one thing after the next. I feel like I havent even had time to breathe. Living so far away from any good place to shop is a nightmare. I have to drive at least 30-40 minutes just to go to Target. I decided on Monday that I was going to take the night, all night if I had to, and get it all done. It would have been a great night had I not locked my dang keys in the car. I had to wait for Bill to get all the kids up, get them in their coats and load them in the car. By the time he got there, it was 45 minutes later and Costco, my next stop, was closed. When Bill got there, he called and said he was outside and asked where I parked the car. I told him where and as I walked outside, I realized the car was not there. I started freaking out. The people outside must have thought I was crazy. I look in Bills car and him and Noah were dying laughing. I didnt think I locked the keys in the car, I thought I lost them in the store. Bill had an experience a while back when he lost his keys somewhere, I cant remember where, but when he came outside to see if he locked them in the car, he saw 2 guys with his keys pushing the alarm thing to see which car they belonged to. I knew for sure thats what had happened..Someone found the keys, found the car, and stole it along with ALL our christmas presents. I could have killed Bill. Not funny. Anyway, I knew I had to go back to Costco the next day because I had already ordered my Christmas cards. So Last night we decided to go after Noahs Christmas program at his school. He finished at 7:10. Costco closes at 8:30. We zoomed down the canyon and got to Costco at 7:45. Bill fed the kids and I shopped. After spending way too much, as always, we literally stuffed every nook available in the car with food. It was so late when I got home the night before that I never unloaded the car, nor did we unload when we got home the previous Sat. night. So needless to say, the car was packed. I think If I packed it nice it would have not been a problem-we really didnt buy a whole lot of stuff, but I threw everything in because I just wanted to get in the warm car. Im not joking, its been so dang cold. When we got home last night at 9, it was 5 degrees and when Bill took the kids to school this morning, it was NEGATIVE 2. I thought I was in Utah, not freakin Alaska. Sorry for all the snow and cold posts, but its whats goin on in my life. My goal is by the end of this week, to be COMPLETLY done with Christmas and have them all wrapped so I can enjoy Bills birthday on Monday and the last week before Christmas with the kids

Noah and Lani both had Christmas programs with their classes. I dont think I have ever been to such a politcally correct "Christmas" concert. They sang a song from every possible Holiday you could think of, except Haunakka, they sang 3. Im guessing their music teacher is Jewish??? Have you ever heard of Los Posadas?? I have now. It was crazy. Bill and I were cracking up. Its sad that Christmas is totally taken away because you dont want to "offend" anyone. It just confirms to me what a liberal place I live in. Beautiful, but liberal.

I really do love this time of year. I have so many great memories. I have never been away from home on Christmas-this will be the first year and im having a real hard time with it. Im used to my familys Christmas eve and my Aunts Chicken pie, and seeing all my cousins that I really only see this one time a year and then running to Bills family Christmas eve for a fun white elephant gift exchange and the yummiest shredded beef burritos that his uncle John makes (soooo good). We then go home to have the kids find their christmas jammies and then we usually go to Bills house or my house for games and then home to wait for Santa. Its a long day and night, but so much fun. Christmas morning is just as crazy. We open our presents with our little family and then go to my parents for presents and then Bills moms house for presents and then back to my parents house for my dads famous omlets and then home to play with what we got and a nap and then back to Bills moms for games and more food. The day after Christmas usually consists of cards with my family, leftovers and shopping if there are any good sales. So many traditions and things that im used to and its going to be really hard to not have those things this year. My family is big and its hard to transport it all somewhere else, so I guess this is where our little family traditions begin. I hate change. Whoever said change is good was waaaaay off.

These are pictures from our massive "2 feet of snow" storm that hit us this past week. So beautiful when it was falling. This first picture was taken at 2 in the morning when I couldnt sleep. It was not fun the next morning shoveling our driveway while all our neighbors had their snowblowers. The kids of course love it.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Snow Days

Snow, snow and more snow. This last weekend it poured snow-I think we got about 8 inches or so and we are expecting snow the rest of the week. The kids love it and are outside as much as they can. Its so hard for me to get used to all the many layers of clothes on all the kids. Its weird not being able to let them run outside with no shoes on. My favorite part is when I just mop the floor and they trek in snow and mud all over the place. Have I mentioned how much I love it here???

Homework Blues

I dont remember having half as much homework a night as Noah does. He always has like 4 different papers and subjects a night. It is hard for him to focus on anything when his brothers and sisters are playing and having fun and he is stuck doing boring homework. I think tonight he hit his breaking point. He was crying and saying what a bad day it was because he had soooo much homework and it was going to take forever. On top of his homework, he has an essay that is due tomorow for a contest to win free snowboard lessons. He really wants to get these lessons but he didnt want to do the essay. I had to break out the big speech on this one about how nothing worth having is easy and if we really want something we have to work at it and blah blah.. you get the picture. He finally calmed down and went to work. About 10 minutes later he came down for a final inspection and this is what he had written-grammer and all

(NO LIE)

Im Noah Lomu and I really want to snowboard. I came from Mesa, AZ were it never ever snows and its my first winter in UT. I cant pay becaus PC (park city) has poeple loaded compared to AZ poeple. So pleas please let me snow board.

I was laughing so hard and it made him cry. I think I hurt his feelings, but I could not hold it in. He is so honest and literal about everything-he doesnt sugar coat it. I just had to journal this story. It was just what I needed to finish out the rest of the nights homework with him. We did the essay (Bill actually helped him finish) , put finishing touches on his book report, did a practice spelling test, did his 2 sided math sheet, and finished it off with a comprehension sheet that has to be done with a parent (2 sided) and now its past 10 and he has to read for 20 minutes. Its crazy. Poor Lani-I forget that she also has homework (reading) and that is starting to not get done. I dont know what Im gonna do when she starts having more homework and then Tyson starts school. AHHHH. I was so busy with Noah and Bill wasnt here, when it was bed time for the boys, I told them to get in bed and I will come tuck them in after I finished what I was helping Noah with at that time. Of course, I forgot and I noticed about an hour later that it was completly quiet upstairs. I went to check on them and both boys were in their beds and fast asleep with their blankets over their heads. They have been into "scaring" me when I walk into their room. I think they were waiting to scare me and they both crashed. I should of taken a picture. Its things like this that remind me how lucky I am to be blessed with such sweet kids. The whole day of craziness and yelling and nagging and crying and fighting are erased and I am filled with such joy and love for my kids. Its funny how that happens right when you need reminding the most.

UPDATE!!!

Today was Averys Dr appointment for her head and everything is A-OK . I dont know the exact medical term that was used, but in simple terms, the soft spot on the top of her head closed too soon and its causing a ridge to grow upward. If you feel the top of her head in this one spot, there is a large bump. I never noticed it before, but because of it, her forhead protrudes slightly. Luckily, her case is mild and doesnt require surgery. She will go back when she turns one to make sure all is growing properly. I am so happy that she will not need the helmet. YEA!!!! I have not liked one pediatrician that I have ever had-im being dead serious, not one. I cant say enough good things about the one I have here. She is attentive and thourough and is really interested in the kids well being. The Dr. I saw this morning said the thing that Avery has is rarly caught this early. What a blessing to know that if Averys case was more severe, she would have caught it early enough. If I have to say one good thing about Utah, I guess it would be that I FINALLY have a great Pediatrician!!!! Yea Dr....BOO Snow!!