Gingerbread Houses!!!

What would Christmas be without the sticky, gooey mess of making darling gingerbread houses!!! I mean really...who doesn't like white frosting and half eaten candies all over their table and floor...I love it! Not really but I do love the memories we made tonight laughing and spending quality time while each one of the kids showed their creative side through their AWESOME gingerbread houses!! Man I love these guys...and before I know it I'll be wishing I could have these days back, so until then I'll try to sit back and enjoy the way that white frosting felt between my toes as I stepped on the pile Bridget dropped at my feet!! Merry Christmas!


Stay tuned...I promise to post one of the cutest videos ever of Bridget and Blair in their school Christmas program...I need my niece Leah's help to do that so hopefully she'll read this and come to my rescue!!

Concert Time

Man I had a busy day yesterday...not a good way to jump back into life after 5 weeks of laying in bed...but a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do!! Gunner had his first orchestra concert yesterday and he did awesome! They played and arrangement of Christmas songs and I must say I really enjoyed it!
And then it was Courtney's turn to perform in her "Winter Sing" program at Mountain View where her entire school gathered to watch each grade sing different Christmas songs. It was so packed there was nowhere to sit and kids were running everywhere. I could hardly even see her but she completely enjoyed herself so I guess that's all that matters. That's her in the back row right below the red writing...I tried to put a description in above her head but it was to small. Sorry but I don't want to go back and start over. There were so many kids (and people) there it was impossible to get a good picture. I zoomed in as close as I could...the stage was FULL of all the first and second graders- IN SANE
After that it was off to a Bridal Shower for my niece Amy who is getting married on December 30. Needless to say I'm a little worn out today...baby steps I keep telling myself...bad time of year for baby steps! But, since both my little ones are resting it's time to say farewell and join them. See that spot in the middle...It's reserved for ME!! Goodnight

FHE

Family Home Evening this week consisted of setting up the train set that Todd's parents gave us. We don't do it every year (depending on the age of the toddler) but this year the kids were in luck! It's a time consuming project for Todd but this year Nicole and Gunner were able to help screw each piece of tract together speeding up the process. Needless to say they have enjoyed taking turns being the conductor and watching it go around and around the tract letting out little puffs of smoke as it goes!
What is it about trains that fascinate children...they love them!

Even Brody was excited about it!!

Pictures, Pictures & more Pictures

I had my kids picture taken a couple weeks back and wanted to share them with you! There's a lot...sorry- and this isn't all of them! Hope you like them

A Thankful Heart

I know I'm behind in my blogging...but I had a "minor" surgery back on the 7th of November which turned out to be not so "minor"!! I'm still trying to recover, and hope to be better soon. But I felt the need to express gratitude even though Thanksgiving has come and gone. I have much to be thankful for- I have a great husband who has been incredible the past 4 weeks, 5 beautiful HEALTHY children, a great extended family who have picked up and taken over for me the past month-and continue to do so (in fact my meals on wheels is here now), in-laws who check on me continually and sent beautiful flowers, great friends who have brought dinner and gone to target for me, and I'm especially thankful for good health-and look forward to feeling better soon!!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving hosted by grandma and grandpa Perk...38 present 33 missing, a great little testimony meeting by 6 of the grandchildren, a tumbling performance by some of the granddaughters, and tons and tons of yummy foods! The only thing I regret is not having my camera that day- the only picture I have is this one of Bridget and Blair after their Thanksgiving feast at school. Look at those darling little pilgrim girls!!!!!
Oh did I mention how thankful I am for a happy baby...no seriously- he's an angel!! What a great baby to end on!! He has captured all of our hearts!!

Honor Roll

This is a "Banner Day" for my sweet girl! Nicole is good at a lot of things...she's a great tumbler, a good dancer, a great friend and the world's best helper to me!

School however, doesn't come as easy- Although she did not want to, she left our neighborhood school in fourth grade and attended a private school with only 10 children in her class until the middle of 5th grade. She didn't necessarily enjoy it there but she worked hard to get up to speed so she could go back to Nathan Hale. She continued to work hard and it has FINALLY paid off!!

She received an award along with a bumper sticker acknowledging she had made the honor roll at Stapley Junior High. I always knew she could do it- she had to figured that out for herself. I am so proud of her and happy to see the feeling of accomplishment in her smiling face and eyes. I love her so much and appreciate all she does to help me!!

Congratulations Nicole...you deserve it!!

Undefeated!!!

Gunner played on a fall baseball team that was quite good for a bunch of 10 year old boys! He came home Tuesday night from his last game smiling from ear to ear holding up "#1" and sporting a new shirt that probably displayed their 12 and 0 record! Gunner hasn't always been on the winning team- he informed me he likes it better! I can't say I blame him. Go Grinders!!!!

Blessing Day

We blessed baby Brody on Sunday and it was a great day! My sweet husband gave him a beautiful blessing surrounded by tons of family. I feel so blessed to have a worthy Priesthood member in my home who loves and cares for us. This sweet baby has graced our family with his tender personality and we love him so much. It's like having a little piece of heaven in our very own home. The kids all love him and are so willing to help with what ever he needs. Bridget is the official "binki" getter- seeing how she is in love with hers, she knows how important his must be to him. When he starts to fuss she's say "I get him a binki". The day could not have been more perfect!!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was Great!! Todd's family came on Friday morning and celebrated this silly holiday with the kids-they really came for Brody's blessing it just happened to be on Halloween weekend which was a bonus. Eric and his wife Jen were June Carter and Johny Cash, Nicole was a pumpkin, Alex a pirate, Courtney a cute little fairy, Gunner some creepy zombie punk and Bridget a lady bug who was to scared of Gunner to get in the picture.




Carving Pumpkins....


This is my good friend Shaunna Krieg...I met Shaunna about 11 years ago when I moved into my first house. We hadn't moved in yet because we were tearing down wall paper and painting- I was there working when the door bell rang and standing at my door was SHAUNNA!! She's been my dear friend ever since. Gunner was born When Nicole was just 2 and he cried A LOT. Todd was working crazy hours at that time in our life. Shaunna would call and Gunner would be crying and Nicole would be hanging on my leg to read books or lay with her...it would only be seconds before the line was dead and Shaunna was at my door to read bedtime stories to my baby girl and rock her to sleep. That explains why Nicole once wrote a paper about Shaunna when asked to write about her hero. She is dear to our hearts and comes to see us every Halloween- expect for last- but she made up for it this year!! You're the best Shabwan

Orchestra

In the fourth grade you become eligible to play in the school orchestra...so Gunner decided to give it a try this year and so far it's been great! He had originally thought he wanted to play the bass until we got to the music store and saw how HUGE the bass really is. He has to take it to school with him 2 times a week and on the bus none the less...so after a quick family counsel in Millano's Music Store...it was decided he would play the Cello. This is what Gunner looks like as he rides his scooter to the bus stop...I think we made the right decision- the cello's big enough wouldn't you say?!?!?

Fall Break

Thursday and Friday of last week the kids were out of school for fall break. Nicole left bright and early Thursday morning for the Temple to participate in baptism's for the dead - which she thought was the coolest thing ever - so I tried to keep the other 3 occupied so they won't fight. They decided to paint which turned out to be a great activity and look at their awesome paintings!! Overall we had a great weekend and Bridget is having withdrawals today since all the kids are back in school and she only has mom to play with.


Bridget is terrible at posing for the camera...we're working on it!!