7th Grade Choir Concert

This was one of those nights where I couldn't be in two places at the same time. So Corby and I split up to support our girls in their activities. Corby went with Malia and Bria to  Malia's school choir concert. Corby videoed and took lots of pictures so I could feel like I was there, and she has another one in January I will be able to attend. It ended up being a good thing Corby went and had to use our special camera. That evening he said, "OK OK, I agree we need a better camera". TRIUMPH! Cameras are expensive but so priceless and these pictures as priceless as they may be have a lot to be desired so just sit back and enjoy the blurry, fuzzy, bad lighting and see how talented Malia is!

Mac singing a solo, we have carpooled with him since kindergarten

You look beautiful Malia and even though I wasn't there I am so proud of you and your bravery. Do you know Malia sang a solo at our school's talent show? Not something most would dare but Malia does. We have awesome family who chooses to support us and our children, Grandma Hansen, Jaren, Kaylen, Talia and Gelsey all came to support Malia. Thanks for you support, we love you guys! 
Malia you are an amazing daughter of God and I am so thankful you are in our family. Here's to many more performances!

Twelve Years and still going strong

12 years ago, I met these ladies (there is one missing, Mindy) at Lady Fitness. We were all new to the area and decided to go to dinner one night. We all were a little lonely not knowing many and a great friendship has blossomed.

 Tricia, Tina, Amie, Jennifer

 Tina,Trish, Amie, Jennifer

 Witches are out at Gardener Village

Catch the gorgeous full moon behind us!

Well, that night lead to another and 12 years later we have gotten together monthly for GNO (Girls night out). We used to pay for each others meals for special occasions such as birthdays or births but now we just make plans and pay our own way. Through the years we have endured divorce, birth's, turning 40, graduations, and so much more. It is so refreshing to gather monthly and laugh, cry and just relate with others who love unconditionally. It is also great to be able to seek advise from someone you trust and has already done what you are about to do with parenting and such.
We use to laugh so hard our cheeks would hurt the next morning, I miss those days actually. Now for the most part, we meet for dinner then go to a movie or just sit and talk about the happenings of the previous month. We spend a lot of time in deep philosophical conversations because that is what we are all about, deep! Ha ha We usually go to another restaurant for dessert and then complain that we shouldn't have eaten dessert as we are all watching our waistline. 
Every month I leave feeling refreshed and fulfilled knowing that I am loved and accepted. We are different religions and we discuss all kinds of topics, I love this the most because I love learning others beliefs and watching how it impacts their lives.
Thanks ladies for yet another fantastic night out. See ya in November!

Friends

I visit teach a lady who is pregnant and hardly able to function due to morning sickness. I can't relate. I'm sorry. I am just one of the those "lucky" ones who feels a little off during pregnancy but still functions normally. Anyway, instead of the traditional visiting teaching I wondered if service of entertaining her children would be more appreciated. 
We arranged the plans and my partner and I brought all the kids to my house instead of going to hers. It was fun for the kiddos to interact and I always love chatting with Kelly. We let them play for a bit than I pulled out the craft cupcake project for more entertainment.
Just because I have a degree in elementary education doesn't mean I am the greatest at finding fun inexpensive ideas the kids will appreciate and all enjoy, but I came across this spider cupcake idea and decided to give it a whirl.

 The cupcake is on the bottom, frost the cupcake,  put an Oreo on top of frosting, put licorice in between the cookie and then m&m's or skittles for eyes attached with frosting. I wasn't able to find black pull apart licorice so our spiders had red legs which means they are much more poisonous and a rare find out in the world.

 Chloe and Lia showing off their completed project

 Blake and Ada

Addison and Bria

I think all in all the kids enjoyed themselves and it felt good to help a sister in the ward out. We took dinner for this sister when we took her little guy home. I enjoy having people in my home and doing nice kind things. So one more successful day in my life. Yee Haw!

Annual NPA 5K/1 Mile

 This year our school decided to have our fun run in the fall rather than spring. It was a cold brisk morning but our family was up for the challenge, we even recruited Grandma Hansen. Malia worked hard to gather enough money for our entire family to participate minus Teesh who was taking the ACT Test. Good luck Teesh, we will be thinking of you.

 Grandma, Corby, and the two little girls signed up for the mile. While Malia, Sierra and myself braved the 5K. We all started at the same time but went down different paths. Corby said Ada ran more than half of the mile. I think we have a future marathoner on our hands. It was a cold morning but everyone survived.


Sierra ran with her friends and Malia and I stayed together.  Sierra came in at 29 minutes and Malia and I were a second apart. It was Malia's first run and she did fantastic. She pushed herself and I am one proud momma. I am so proud of Sierra as well, she is a great little athlete and really gives everything she does all her effort.

Love this of Malia, NPA is number 1.

 Here we are rounding the last bend to the finish line!

 I'm holding Malia's bangs so you can see her beautiful face. So proud of her accomplishments.

After we finished the race, we sat down for the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. It was nice to have something warm in our bodies. I love the look on Malia's face, think she is cold.

 When the fun run was completed, we had a costume parade for all who wanted to participate. Ada is crying because she is recovering from her face plant she had just performed. Bria is a cheetah cat and Ada Elmo. Don't cry little one, mom will take the photo and then love you.

 Upon our arrival, Bria was eying the playground and we promised she could play at the end. It was cold but they insisted on going down the slides and playing for a bit. After we were half frozen we packed up the family and headed home.

It was yet another successful fund raiser for our school  and we all got a little exercise too!

It's Autumntime

 It's Autumn-time. It's Autumn-time

can you smell the salt city pumpkin spice candle that is lit in the background. Love it!

 The leaves are falling down.

 It's Autumn-time. It's Autumn-time.

 It's all around the town.

It's Autumn-time. It's Autumn-time.

 It's yellow, red, and brown.

 It's Autumn-time. It's Autumn-time.

Bright colors can be found.

Janalee invited my girls up for UEA weekend or "Fall Break". Teesh drove everyone but Sierra up on Thursday evening and stayed till Saturday evening. They did all sorts of fun things. Watched scary movies, played card games, and even made........

Malia the budding chief

Pumpkin rice krispies, stem included. Thank you Pinterest!

Thanks Janalee for the great weekend for the girls and for the weekend off of mother duty. Let's do it again real soon, eh?

School with Ms. B

My oh my! I am not sure about this next step in our family's life! 

Today, September 4th Bria and Ada begin preschool! They attend "The Write Start School" and Ms. B is their teacher. She teaches out of her home and does a terrific job.  I will have two days a week where I am kid-less. I am not sure what to do with myself. I am sure I will figure it out but what a mile stone I am reaching.  I have done this before. First, it is two days, then three, than five, than all day and one evening and before you know it they are gone more than they are here. I am glad my children are growing up and are busy and actively involved but it is a hard realization they will eventually live their own lives without my daily involvement.

Ada and Bria happy to be taking off

The photos crack me up. They did not want to take the time for these silly photos, school is waiting don't you know that mom.
Have a good day little sweeties, I will miss you but together we will figure out this new phase in our lives. 

This is the water tower we pass by to get to preschool. When Bria sees it she knows we are close and will say we are almost to school Ada.

From 20th of Sept. to 7th of October 2012

I am alive but barely!

This is going to be a lengthy post but it has to be written for journal purposes. This time of year is the hardest time for me for so many reasons. I want to remember this time in life and be able to look back and say, "wow, what a super human you were during this phase of life". I wouldn't trade this time for anything but to have a clone(now wouldn't that be crazy two of me) wouldn't be a bad idea on certain days.

Let me begin by saying sit down, buckle up and hold on as we take one wild ride in the weeks of my life!

I have three different schools that I have carpools scheduled and for the most part it goes swimmingly but every once in awhile it gets chaotic and with everything else this was the week of "H E double hockey sticks".

Let's begin, it is an annual tradition for Corby and his brothers to go to Lymen Lake to camp and fish. The fish by this time of the year are huge and they always come home with their limit. Well, several years back the girls and other cousins, wanted to join in on the fun so now it is titled the "Brothers and Others" annual camping trip. Some still call it BAS (brothers acting stupid) because my sister-in-law, Natalie said that is what they do when they get together is just act stupid. The name has stuck for years. Anyway, so we packed and prepared and Corby took Leticia, Malia, Bria and Ada this go around. They took off early evening of the 20th for a 4 hour drive. Have a great time everyone. Sierra stayed back because of school and the whole freezing while camping wasn't so enticing this year.

Friday, I did normal carpool duties and  a few mystery shops and attended my parenting class. I hit the hay early because I signed up for the Dirty Dash in Solder Hollow the next morning. I met with my team and we left around 7:15am. It was a brisk morning but I was so excited. We ran a 10k in mud puddles and different obstacles all morning. I was a little sad because I signed up with 8 other women and I basically ran the entire race all by myself. I was sad and lonely but such is life.

Homecoming was that evening, see that post but let's just say the evening was full of fun and adventure.

Sunday the 23rd , a day of rest, Corby was up and gone to meetings from 6am to 9pm taking my two oldest for choir practice from 5:30 to 9. What an excellent opportunity they have to sing in General Conference. Lots of work practicing, but will be so worth it in the end.
Monday the 24th, we had our normal cross country practice, carpool duties, piano lessons, guitar lessons, and voice lessons. Tuesday 25th, I had to have Corby to the airport at 6:30am so he could catch his plane and I could drive NPA  carpool. He leaves for Las Vegas till Friday for a work convention. Tuesday evening was the cross country dinner before the meet and Wednesday was the meet. It was held at Sugar House which meant Highland was the host. I had to direct the runners on the course with Bria and Ada at my side. Thursday 27th, Leticia and Sierra and Nathan left at 4am for the black powder rifle hunt. It was opening day and they had a long drive ahead of them hence the way early departure. Tuesday and Thursday I have carpool for preschool and ballet so I leave at 2:45 and rarely get home before 5:50. Can you say crock pot meal! Thursday evening I had parent teacher conferences for my high schooler's. Luckily, Malia helped me out with the little girls and I was able to leave them home. I made appointments for 16 teachers all 5 to 10 minutes apart. I raced from one teacher to the next and am happy to report I met every teacher and all great comments. Parent Teacher Conferences took me 2 1/2 hours. Friday I picked Corby from the airport and we went to dinner to celebrate Jaren's birthday. We went to Joe's Crab Shack then to  Off Broadway for the laughing stock production. It was a great way to spend the evening. Saturday was spent canning and cleaning and helping with church volleyball and attending the dress rehearsal for the general conference choir. Sunday same as last week meetings from 6am to 9pm. Monday the 1st of October Corby took Malia and Teesh out hunting again. Teesh and Sierra weren't successful and Monday was the last day the hunt was open. The mighty hunters returned with great memories but no meat. I then had parent teacher conferences for Malia on Thursday the 4th and parenting class on Friday the 5th. Saturday the 6th, the girls and Corby had to be at the stake center at 9:45 and did not return until after 5 from their singing. Corby raced home, quickly ate dinner, and was off to the Priesthood Session with his brother, Jaren. Cindy and Jaren's children stayed here and we stayed up way too late playing card games. Sunday the 7th I made cinnamon rolls and had Brad and his wife and children over with my parents. That was a rare treat. And that concludes my two weeks I survived! Boring as it may be to read, I needed to record that what some weeks look like as a mother of 5 beautiful daughters who are all so busy with their individual activities and desires.

Pumpkin Patch

For family night, we headed out to an awesome pumpkin patch. They allow you to choose your own pumpkin, take a hayride, and go through a corn maze. When we first arrived we jumped in line for the hayride.  Bria was so nervous our driver wouldn't know how to get us back to the pumpkin patch, she is such a silly girl with the things she worries about. Ada loved the ride and was all smiles. My three oldest are so good to enjoy the fun in the babyish activities we participate in.

 They are such good examples for me.

When the hayride was complete we went through the corn maze. Once again sweet little Bria was so nervous we would get lost. Dear sweet little Bria, leave worrying up to mom you just be 5 and enjoy life. 

We then found some wheelbarrows and began the hunt for the perfect pumpkin. They had small wheelbarrows and large wheelbarrows. The small ones were broken according to Bria because they only have one wheel. It cracked us up to watch Ada and  Bria push these wheelbarrows around on the uneven ground. The wheelbarrows would tip over and get stuck so after many attempts Ada would either drag her wheelbarrow or carry it. We all laughed so hard. Malia found a perfect pumpkin and had some great poses for the camera.

Isn't that the most precious face.

Sierra was able to drive the family to and from the pumpkin patch because guess who passed her test and is  the proud owner of a learners permit. I have to say she did fantastic driving.

We came home and wrapped up the evening with a little treat my friend Joani told me about. You take vanilla wafers spread caramel between two and make a sandwich. Then you dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkles. Delicious. I thought this would be a fun activity so I purchased all necessary items and we proceeded to make the goods. They didn't turn out the way I envisioned but hey they tasted great and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. 

What a fun Monday activity and now we have pumpkins on our front porch!

Ada just wouldn't cooperate in our photos