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!!