Oh Christmas Tree!!

Yeah! we have a real tree!!! Last year I was 8 months pregnant and really could care less about a tree. Ben took the girls to get one and when they came home the girls both told me they had gotten a tree but it fell off the roof of the van. I believed them, since both of them had the same story and were very animated - Brynlee was only 2 and I didn't know 2 year olds could tell a lie. Ben had gotten them to tell me how it had fallen off, but the truth was they really hadn't gotten one. So this year I went with them and we really tied a tree to the top of the van and it didn't fall off and it is now beautifully decorating our front room. This year I am not such a scrooge and I love the Christmas tree and all the other decorations. Our family favorite is the Little People's Nativity scene. The kids love playing with it - too cute. These pictures of the tree are mostly for my mom who asked for them. We wish she could come and see it.

A reason to get together

I am always looking for a reason to see family, and we seem to find them. Maybe too many for Ben, but the kids and I love it. This past weekend Ian and Stephanie blessed their baby girl and we were able to go down and spend a couple days. They have the perfect house for kids, with lots of room to play and be loud. Ian and my dad bought a little four wheeler that at it's lowest level the kids can ride around the yard. Autumn loved it and was really good at it. I don't think her dad and I will develop this sport for her - so she will have to lean to Grandpa. Brynlee just looked cute in the helmet.

We also were able to go and see the lights at Temple Square. I love the lights there and think it is so beautiful. I don't know if the kids appreciated it, so even though I said I was going for them I quess I was really going for me. We had a great time, and the best part was Eva's heartfelt tears when we were leaving. She did not want us to go and that made all of us feel so welcomed at her house. Now they just all need to come visit us - even if our house isn't as kid friendly.

This picture sums up how the kids acted through the tour. Eva just wanted to play Pokemon and Autumn wanted to go where ever she pleased and not hold hands with me, I don't know about Brynlee she was mostly with her dad. They are a bunch of crazies!!!

Did anyone pick me?

As I drove Autumn home from school today she asked "Mom did anyone pick you for president?" I asked her what she was talking about. She said "you know today is election day didn't anyone pick you?" Well as grateful as I am to live in the USA I am also very grateful no one picked me. Autumn was very excited to say election day and kept talking about it after school. I too am grateful for election day, I am grateful for those who run for offices and who want that resposibility. As I was driving to the voting place I was also grateful that we live in a country where we can go vote without fear of our safety. So whether the man you voted for won or not I am sure you are as grateful for today as Autumn and I are.

Halloween

Halloween was a lot of fun for us. Ben was out of town all week so for family home evening, before he left, we had a family halloween party. We carved our pumpkin, ate yummy food, played little kid games and even got Ben to dress up. The kids love that.

I hate to be alone so while Ben was away the kids and I went to my parents. My mom was suppose to be at Ian's house helping his wife with their kids affter their new little baby girl, Marissa, was born. But Stephanie had to have an emergency C-section and my mom had also had a surgery so instead Ian's girls also came to my parents house and we had a week long Halloween party. We had a lot of fun. We did way too much and played way too hard, but it was a lot of fun. My favorite was the boo at the zoo. I love seeing all the kids dressed up and I just love the atmosphere.

After having 7 kids under 6 in one house for five days we were definitely glad to get home and back in our quiet world. I am sure Stephanie and Ian were glad to have their girls home as well. We can't wait to meet their newest baby girl her pictures are incredibly sweet.

My girls love being with their grandparents. Autumn spent Saturday morning as her grandpa's right hand man helping him get his lawn ready for the winter. She then got him to take the kids to the movie theatre - which my mom and I loved every minute of. When we got home I asked the girls "Doesn't it feel so good to be in your own home again." Autumn answered "Yeah but it always feels good to be at grandma's house." What a lucky little girl!

This is Chaz's newest accomplishment - no not the crying from his crib. Look he can pull himself up to standing! He now loves trying to climb on and over things. He is nine months and incredibly fun, he smiles for everyone and makes a new friend every where we go. I love everything about him and love just sitting on the floor being his climbing spot. Isn't he just the cutest!!!

Snowman time!!

So while the rest of you (well except for those with young kids) were sleeping in on saturday, our dad gave into his sweethearts and headed out into the snow to build a snowman. He told the girls that there wasn't even enough snow out there to build a snowman. We told him they had already found enough to build a little one but it fell apart. Look what he was able to build out of "not enough snow" My girls sure are lucky to have their dad; I sure wasn't going out there - I hate to be cold and I don't do mornings. Anyway it was fun and we especially liked that all the snow was melted by noon.







Brynlee's preschool class went to a pumpkin patch on thursday. She loves the little friends in her class and was just excited about the kids. She had fun picking a pumpkin for her and for Autumn. What a cute preschooler I have.

Little stinker!

Brynlee is our little gas machine and she thinks it is hilarious. I take no credit for that, Ben gets all the blame. Almost every night at dinner she has to gas and laugh hysterically. Well, tonight we were saying magic words and the girls were making things disappear (attempting to anyhow) So for Brynlee I said "abbra kadabra ala cazoo Brynlee you smell like poo" I was just
trying to rhyme. Well she laughed and pondered that. Then she yells my turn make me disappear. I can't remember the magic words but when we finished she squeezed her legs and gassed real loud. I said was that on purpose and she said "ya that was my magic." So of course we were all laughing so she proceeded to gas a few more times on purpose. I take no credit for her disgusting behavior, but I must admit it is pretty funny that she is so gassy.

Bathtub smiles

Yesterday I hung these three pictures in my kids bathroom and now everytime I go in there I get too enjoy all my babies. Aren't they so cute! I just had to share the pictures with all of you cause hopefully it will bring a smile to your heart too.

Party at Simpsons

These pictures are mostly for my mom. I know how much she enjoys pictures and I am sure it was hard on her to know we were together without her. If it makes you feel any better mom, Autumn was really sad you guys weren't there too.

We spent the weekend celebrating Eva's birthday (Ian's oldest). We got to see there new home and to enjoy there fabulous basement toy room where the kids noise doesn't travel upstairs at all. I am definitely jealous of this room. We had a lot of fun, Ian even took all of us out to a state park. My girls loved the little hike - as you can see Brynlee really enjoyed it since she didn't even have to walk. Autumn begged to climb every rock formation, and her protective father could hardly stand it as he could just see the danger she was oblivious to. Against his better judgement he helped her climb a few of them and she was in heaven. I love the picture of Brynlee with Uncle Garth and Aunt Kelsey as she immitates their stance and enjoys feeling like a big girl. She has been such a fun child lately - super sweet and loving feeling a little older and more independent. I sure love having her alone during Autumn's kindergarten. Well mom and dad, Dave and Jennett we did miss you guys. It was fun to be together and just let the kids play. Thanks Steph and Ian!

Camping one last time

Well we made one last camping trip on Friday night. It poured on us while we were sleeping but the rest of the weekend was pretty good weather - not too hot and not too rainy. We just went with a few families from the ward and it was heaven for my girls. There was really no one else in the campground so they had free rain of the territory. As you can see they enjoyed having some older kids around who could help them build a fort. Imust say I was quite surprised when I actually walked down to see their "fort" that it really was a fort. It was fun to just let the kids play and to sit by a campfire one more time.

Our little angel

Everyone likes playing with Chaz. He is always smiling - unless mom is doing chores and keeps walking right past him. He smiles at everyone we see and makes lots of friends; I never get in and out of a store without someone stopping us to play with Chaz because he was smiling at them. The girls love him a lot and often a little too much but he typically enjoys the attention they give him. Here are just a few cute pictures that I just couldn't resist sharing.

Preschool!!

Brynlee started Preschool a couple weeks ago and she is loving it. Her teacher is the Young Women's President in our ward and we just think she is so cute. Brynlee feels so big and I haven't even had her ask me in quite awhile now if she is as big as autumn yet. She has already learned about astronauts and can count down for blast off, has mad a beautiful butterfly which she hung above her bed, and is helping Autumn learn her letters since Brynlee usually answers before Autumn when I am quizzing Autumn after school. I am so glad she is in this class and has something that is just hers.

My baby girl isn't a baby

Like so many of you I too had to send my oldest off to school today. I can't believe what a damper that put on my day. Autumn was thrilled and loved every minute of being a "school girl." Brynlee and I were sad she wasn't at home with us. I hate losing that control of knowing what she is doing every minute of the day. Brynlee really missed having a friend. Autumn's best friend Emma is in her class so they quickly found each other and were ready to start their adventure. I know she is ready to be out doing and learning, I just don't think I am ready. I quess I will just remind myself it is only three hours - at least we aren't into the entire day yet, I definitely could not handle that just yet.

As I side note, Chaz is just starting on solid foods sthe last couple days. Boy does he like his carrots and boy can he make a mess.

Welcome to my world!

I usually pretend I didn't see my name on one of these tags. But I enjoyed seeing Julie's house and a glimpse into their family that I thought I would take her up on the idea. So here it goes.

Here is our rental house:


Lovely Kitchen and Living Room

I took these pictures yesterday, we moved the boxes last night, and I cleaned the kitchen this morning. So in all fairness to me, you should know that my house looks better today.

What my kids were up to

The girls were making fancy boxes for their fancy kingdom. And Chaz was having his nap!!!

Now here is the house I wish we were all moved into and enjoying:

My Fridge

Well at least this is where my fridge should be. We just can't seem to find a Saturday or an evening moment where we can even look for a fridge. Hopefully next week, my girls are going to visit Grandma Simpson and Chaz and I are going to get a lot done.

My clean sink

It looks so lovely right now, without a ding or a scratch. How long will that last?

Living Room & Dining Room

Can you spot Chaz in the above mess? If not here is a close up.

We have Stairs

About a week after we moved to Twin Falls, a city with no basements, Brynlee walked by the kitchen a couple times then stopped and asked in all seriousness "Where's the basement?" It really bothered her to have no basement so for Christmas she said she wanted to ask Santa to bring her a basement. Well it cost too much for us to have a basement but we did add a bonus room above our garage so at least now we have some stairs for Brynlee.

Self Portrait
Okay so I don't enjoy pictures of me, but I think anything with Chaz in it is precious so he joined me for the self portrait

Well that was actually kind of fun. It was at least a good excuse to sit on the couch for an hour instead of packing. I am not so sure this slow moving idea is the way to go. It is slowly driving me crazy, I just want to be done.