I'd know her anywhere

I read Clifford's Word Book to Grace at bedtime last night.
On each page there are numerous items with names by them.
We went through and named all the animals, the colors, the instruments.
And then we came to the circus page.

Grace pointed to Clifford dressed as a clown carrying a pie and said, "Oh Grandma!"

 +

= She nailed it!

Chloe @ 13

That sweet little 5 pound 13 ounce baby that first made me a Mother is 13 years old today.

On her special day we will have Chicken Gnocchi Soup and Rolls.

We will put 13 candles in her lemon cream pie. 

She will be free from all chores and showered with love. 

Her birthday wish list includes: slippers, A Mom and Me Day coupon, a gift card for clothes, and some fancy new converse. 

Chloe's year has included her first time at Girl's Camp, playing on a bantam basketball league, growing taller and taller but feet have stabilized at a 10, nearly finished with braces, doesn't want contacts, loves to play songs she knows on the piano (Taylor Swift, One Republic, and hymns),  loves Converse shoes and simple t-shirts, doesn't need my help with her hair, a touch of makeup and perfume, a heart that knows what others need, wonderful grades, and loves Young Women's. 

Happy 13 Years Chloe!

Happenings of the House

We all march on to the steady beat of the drum headed deep into the heart of the Holidays.
Things are busy, and there's much to be thankful for.

On Sunday I received flowers.

Homemade flowers from boys in jammies. 

Grace continues to work hard to keep her girlish figure.

(and to copy her Dad).

Cole "passed out" after breakfast. 

p.s. When you pass out, your tongue sticks out of your mouth.

Somebody was upset that he didn't get to walk his friends all the way home after church.

Grace has been giving piano lessons.

To anybody who will sit and listen. 

This day Greydon was her student.

He played happily and she talked and made notes. 

Quite the imitator she is. 

However, I always wear a shirt when I teach piano :)

While I was gone on Saturday this lovely bird landed on the shed.

The kids thought quick and snapped this photo. 

They believe it's a golden eagle.

Look close people. What do you think? 

Happy Halloween 2011

With Halloween being on a Monday this year it felt like all the fun was a little crowded. 

My day started early purchasing several cans of frosting for school parties and some last resort denture cream for Asher's fangs. I wanted to serve up cold cereal, but couldn't bring myself to do it on Halloween, so I subjected them all to cream of wheat. Then it was a whirlwind of getting everyone in full costume. Wig. Colored hairspray. Safety pins.  I underestimated the effort and ended up driving them all to school. Asher was desperately trying to get his fangs to stay in with the denture cream on the ride. I checked them each in late at the office. 

I ran to the bank then home hoping to get in a shower before I had to return for the Halloween Parade at the elementary school. But alas, adding color to 6 batches of frosting made the time fly and I bundled up the last 2 at 9:00, grabbed my video camera and made my way to the school in my sweaty workout clothes. Could this count as a costume? I'm a sweaty Mom who went running in the dark!  

I love the Halloween Parade. So many cute kids all decked out with smiles on and spooky music playing over the intercom.  Much fun. My little witch enjoyed watching the kids and laying on my lap. 

I started our traditional Halloween Stew cooking and tidied the house before picking up my Kindergarten Clown.  Man he's cute, but he's even cuter as a clown in big purple shoes.  

It is early out on Monday so all the kids were home with reports of parties, games, treats, and a full costume report. Who wore what. 

I had a few piano lessons then, like a spooky version of Groundhog Day, everyone started getting back into costume.  I quickly shot these photos and ordered everyone to fill their bellies with stew while I picked up Scott.  

When I returned Chloe went to a friend party, Asher left with friends to trick-or-treat, Aidan headed out with a friend and I promised to meet up with him, and I loaded my clown and witch in a wagon to speed the process along.  

The weather was brilliant.  Mild and beautiful.  

We circled the neighborhood and I lifted the witch in and out, in and out of the wagon. 

My back thanks me. 

I returned home with the 3 youngest and a barrel of candy. Our hand-out stash had run dry so I flipped off the lights. Shortly after this my Big Baby and her Vampire brother came home. 

Candy was counted, sorted, compared, and thrown on top of the fridge. 

Happy Halloween!

phew.

Medicine for the soul

For family night last week we left town and headed to the mountains.
This is really, truly one of my most favorite things to do with my family.
I love to get away into nature and just let each person unwind, explore, talk, and bond.
Scott had Fall Break so we were able to leave in the late afternoon.

 We went to one of our favorite spots up American Fork Canyon. It meets our families needs; handicap accessible, bathroom close by, water close by, fire pit.

 Chloe worked on her homework while the boys all practiced their fire starting skills.
There's something about the mountain air that takes the whining and complaining out of my children.
"You gather firewood, you haul the chairs, you find the perfect spot..." and they all happily run and do.

 Cole discovered this awesome fungus growing on a stump.  He had to show it to me, but only after he'd kicked it a time or two to figure out what it was made of.

 Fire apprentice being carefully watched.

 We cooked our hotdogs and smores, and shared some good laughs.
Wonderful time. With this weather we may be able to sneak in another visit.

Proof that I was there, and I still enjoy a smore.