Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Christmas letter and Picture

I sent this out to most of you...but I ran out of letters and stamps.  So here it is... sorry I'm such a cheap skate!
 Hello Everyone and how are you doing?  It’s been a few years since I’ve written a letter. I thought it might be time to finally do better. Where did the year go, you may want to ask…Well here at our house it went by too fast!
            2010 began with our baby turning 1.  You cannot believe all the damage she’s done.  Since she is mobile she’s definitely made her mark. On every wall, carpet and body part this girl shows her art.  Lauren is adorable and makes us all smile.  Between her budding vocabulary and hugs we think we’ll keep her a while.  She even loves her brother Benj who teases quite a lot.  She always gives him a sweet hug to show mad she is not.
            Benji is that brother she gives love and most of the time he is truly sent from above!  Finishing preschool and starting the big K, were his goals this year.  He’s done both, and only shed a few tears.  He is long and lean and almost too skinny.  Maybe that will change if he stops being soo picky.  Foffles like a desert and chips fire are his main source of food.  If you want to know what those are, just ask, its not rude. I won’t be offended and think I’m a bad Mom.  I know he’ll grow out if it and make up for the lack of vitamon.
            Emma Jane is our angel who is sometimes not.  She loved her drama camp this summer and practices at home A LOT!  She is definitely more emotional than the boys in the house.  However, she makes up for her crazy with cuteness. Which she gets from my spouse.  Her dimples are darling her hair is sublime.  The blue in her eyes totally sparkles and shines.  Her spelling is incredible, her reading is rare.  Most nights though you’ll find her hanging in the easy chair.  She loves TV, of that we are sure.  Between soccer, ballet and tumbling though, she deserves some time for her.
            Ethan is a tough guy who is 11 years old.   He leads our brood and is difficult to scold.  He teases and torments, but can also be sweet.  We find it almost impossible to hold fire to his feet.  He is full of enthusiasm for sports, family and computers.  Although at times he loves it too much, so he’s timed out from being a shooter.  The games are just part of the story. He is a writer and recently got some glory.  His sixth grade teacher said on a writing test Ethan is way ahead.  Of the school, of the district, and even his class. I guess it was worth kickin his …. Butt.  Payoff moment for Mom, I must admit.  Summer bridge every day wasn’t a hit.  His future is bright, his personality shines, hopefully next year he’ll go to bed at nine. (without giving us grief)
            Dan and I are doing quite well.  14 years married and you can hardly even tell.  He is happy and I am too, maybe it is something in the way we do what we do.  It helps that he left A.R.U.P.  A lifetime there is enough to kill a tree.  School Improvement Network is where he is now.  And although the work is the same, he feels changed somehow.  We had a great summer together and got a lot done.  The garage is a room now, and we all watch movies on the wall that are fun.  I am feeling the pinch of 9 years and six people in the house, but I love my friends and neighbors’ so moving is out. Real Estate for me this year has been bust.  If it doesn’t get better I may just give up! So send your referrals this way. A stellar agent should make everyone’s day.  All in all we’ve been extremely blessed. We have our health and each other, and with that, we still have one request:           
Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Things to be thankful for...

Never too late to be grateful... So even though it is December, here are some things I am thankful for:           
                     1.  Healthy kids
                     2.  Husband who loves me
                     3.  Warm cute little house
                     4.   A belief in God, Jesus, and the scriptures
                     5.   That I married into this crazy FUN unpredictable family..... and

                                      we all love each other.!!!  30 1/2 people in one house for 3 days!  PARTY!!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

October Ends...November Begins.

Trunk or Treat... Emma Ipod, Benji Dinosaur, Lauren Chicken baby...Mommy an Outlet!? (Daddy was the plug) Ethan was at football practice. Of course.

Naked and Nestled

Cutest Kindergarten Dinosaur Ever!

Best Buddies. Makin Messies.


Another Season Over. Made it to the playoffs. Next year all the way! Great work bro!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Grateful to be a MOM today...


My snowpeople Benji and Lauren.

I woke up this morning, to 4 inches of snow, and an overwhelming feeling of contentment with and gratitude for being a stay-at-home Mom.  I worry about the money aspect a lot, but I felt so strong this morning that I am doing what God wants me to do right now.  It is not easy being at the beck and call of 4 little people, in fact it is down right miserable sometimes!  But today, I'm sure its worth it!  I'm doing the right thing!  How's that for positive thinking!?  I smothered Dan with kisses and told him how much I appreciate him making that possible!  I can't put it in words what it means to me.  It is really all my dreams come true.

Playing dress-up. Emma's undies, Benj slippers, her shirt and hat all over her jammies.  What a fun little munchkin she is!

No More Pictures Mom!

Monday, October 18, 2010

October Update...

Fall is so fun! It has always been my favorite season. I love cooler weather, I love changing leaves, I love the decorations, and wearing long sleeves. Utah is sooo Beautiful in the fall. This next pic was in Henderson NV a few weeks ago. My darling Nephew Zachary Taylor Hall home from his Awesome mission in Cali.  Neice Kendelle Lott is in this pic too.  She was so fun to watch this trip!
 

Another shot of Lauren and Asher at their weekly play date. They are two peas in a pod.  They get along so well. Must be love;)

We had one last camping trip over UEA weekend. We went to Ephraim canyon where there are many great ATV trails. I was a great time. Lauren loves the outdoors and getting in touch with nature. Emma not so much anymore. She misses her friends. Boohoo. Benji loves to ride the "motorcylce" with Dad. And look for Beavers. Ethan didn't come because football practice is too dang important to miss.




Thankfully, his neck injury has healed so that he can finish this season with his team. 



The Game to beat all SKYLINE BEATS WEST!! Which we've never done in 3 past years. Yeah!!!  25-20  and Ethan was so happy he cried.  All the boys hard work this season paid off!  Two more games and then its off to the playoffs!

Thursday, September 9, 2010

MY EMMA ANGEL

relaxing after school with her buddy the TV

LAUREN AND ASHER SITTIN IN A SWING...K-I-S-S-I-N-G

2ND DATE WITH ASHER HOWE.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

More House Updates...

This is what I have accomplished in the last week.  Major clean up/out of the boys room.


And this ... is what still needs to be done.  And its only the beginning!  Now you see why I made that face last time.

No cameras PLEASE!

Another Beaird heads off to school....

Our Kindergarten Boy!  Still happy even after he got home....
Finally on the bus with the big kids!  Rain

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

AHHHH!

This is a pic of me right after getting soaked at the shamu show last month...but that face really expresses what I am really feeling right now... AHHH!
I have so much to do and can't do it all!!!

I just wanted to through this out there....the reason I can't do it all is I have to wait on my husband's crap to be cleaned up and out of my way. The disorginization in this place is KILLing me!

New Beginings

My goal for 2010 was to update this blog once a month. Obviously I am failing miserably but I will try to do better the rest of the year and then fill in missing parts when I send this book to print.

First Day of 6th and 4th grade. Emma is thrilled, eth not so much. But excited about his new responsibility as a safety patrol kid.

Keeping all the kids safe. Benji starts kindergarten next week. I might have to update again!? What will I do?

THis is how the bathroom turned out...



Brown walls and towels, new coutertop and paint on the cabinet. New surface in the tub with new fixtures... but unfortunatly that didn't last long since new fixtures don't work well with old plumbing.



These are the times I hate "this old house."

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Late Birthday Shots of LA-LA

Party guests included cousin Sophie, Boy-friend Asher, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Jennie, and Grandma and Grandpa. Of course Asher's Mom Laura and brother Talmage were there to supervise:)


These are a week or so late, but too cute to skip altogether...

Full Swing...

Thanks for the opinions a few of you provided about our bathroom update project. The winners and AFTER pictures will be posted when it is done next week. The "Tub Doctor" was here this morning and started the tub refinish project. Looks good so far.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Bathroom Update...

Need advise from all of you awesome designers. We are in need of a little bathroom beautifying.... Don't you agree???



Here is my plan... Have the tub and surround tile refinished, white again, by company "Miracle Method" then sand and paint cabinet, white again, and put on new vanity counter and sink. Then take the mirror off north wall and paint the room tawny brown. Finished off with new towels and curtain. What do you think?



The budget is tight! I am going to keep it under $1000. So keep that in mind.... Please don't just say..."sounds good" give me constructive criticism. Your friendship will be judged on your answers and there WILL be a prize for the person whose idea is used.

Good Luck...

That's all folks!

That's all folks!
See ya!