NYE party

We had a great New Years Eve Party. Kurt kept asking who we were inviting and for once we weren't. It was just us.

I'm still not ready for the kids to stay up till midnight so I made activities for each hour and when we finished them it was midnight {good thinkin' huh.}


At 6 o'clock we filled out a questionnaire about 2011 & what we are looking forward to in 2012. Worth recording...

A Little About Me
Name: Kurt
Age: 33
Fav color: turquoise
Fav food: steak & mashed potatoes
Fav activity: wrestling
Fav book: Book of Mormon

Highlights from 2011
Greatest Lesson Learned: obey and the Lord will bless you
Hardest Thing of the Year: firing Randy {former employee}
Fav Memory: Fishing with Spencer and Austin
What I loved the most about 2011: Lucy joining our family

Looking forward to 2012
Want to Learn: how to manage business from a finicial stand point
Want to get better at: organizing
Biggest goal: spend more time with my family

A Little About Me
Name: Rachel Age: 31
Fav color: red
Fav food: bread & cookies
Fav activity: family vacations and blogging
Fav book: {this year} Goose Girl

Highlights from 2011
Greatest Lesson Learned: service makes me happy & scripture study is not optional
Hardest Thing of the Year: Elaine's struggles
Fav Memory: Karen's wedding
What I loved the most about 2011: the birth of LUCY RAE

Looking forward to 2012
Want to Learn: how to raise chickens
Want to get better at: being charitable
Biggest goal: stay healthy {spiritually and phyisically}

A Little About Me
Name: Austin
Age: 8
Fav color: blue
Fav food: pizza
Fav activity:school
Fav book: {currently} 39 clues

Highlights from 2011
Greatest Lesson Learned: ???
Hardest Thing of the Year: building the trampoline with dad
Fav Memory: Ice Skating
What I loved the most about 2011: Summer

Looking forward to 2012
Want to Learn: about space
Want to get better at: helping
Biggest goal: complete Wolf {cub scouts}

A Little About Me
Name: Emma Lynn
Age: 7
Fav color: pink & orange
Fav food: pizza and mac n' cheese
Fav activity: ART!
Fav book: Junie B. Jones

Highlights from 2011
Greatest Lesson Learned: to do art
Hardest Thing of the Year: going ice skating
Fav Memory: Ice Skating
What I loved the most about 2011: going to the Discovery Center

Looking forward to 2012
Want to Learn: to play the piano
Want to get better at: art
Biggest goal: to learn gymnastics

A Little About Me
Name: Spencer
Age: 5
Fav color: blue
Fav food: pizza
Fav activity: devotional
Fav book: super heros

Highlights from 2011
Greatest Lesson Learned: Gymnastics
Hardest Thing of the Year: climbing the ropes in gymnastics
Fav Memory: being a wild kratt
What I loved the most about 2011: I got Lucy!

Looking forward to 2012
Want to Learn: piano
Want to get better at: climbing ropes at gymnastics
Biggest goal: doing all my chores in one day!

A Little About Me
Name: Ruth Age: 3
Fav color: purple
Fav food: bananas & apples
Fav activity: to eat
Fav book: Dora saves her family

Highlights from 2011
Greatest Lesson Learned: to write my name
Hardest Thing of the Year: laundry
Fav Memory: preschool
What I loved the most about 2011: sleeing

Looking forward to 2012
Want to Learn: to read a book
Want to get better at: doing laundry
Biggest goal: to draw a picture

{{I learned a few things from these: 1.Emma wants to do gymnastics. 2. Spencer wants to do piano 3. Spencer is super spiritual [he mention devotional and FHE. He also said his biggest goal for 2012 was to meet Jesus in heaven. Hope that isn't a foreshadowing...and 4. Ruth spends too much time with me. Hardest thing for a 3 year old is laundry and then she wants to get better at it in 2012! LOL So funny in a depressing way.}}

At 7 o'clock we played New Years Eve bingo using Muddy Buddies as markers. :)



At 8 o'clock we played Flashlight Limbo. You know how much fun flashlights are!



At 9 o'clock we played a quiz game that Emma Lynn made up {while eating these yummy cake pops we made together!} All the questions were about up coming dates in 2012 {What day of the week is my birthday on, the first day of fall, valentine's day, etc...} When reading the answers it was a little confusing but I think she did a fabulous job planning & preparing {and showing maturity when things didn't work out as planned.}



At 10 o'clock we made party hats.



At 11 o'clock we took pictures in our photo booth.



At 12 o'clock we danced on bubble wrap, & popped poppers while listening to the classic, "Happy New Year" by Abba.



And then the kids were in bed before 10. Super.

Top 10 Events of 2011 {in order}:
1. Lucy
2. FHE {collective}
3. Karen's wedding
4. Ice Skating
5. Family vacation to Long Beach, Washington
6. Camping at Phillips Lake
7. Pioneer Trek
8. Hot dog roast at the farm
9. Grandma's house
10. Dad camp out in Unity

Happy New Year!!!

New Years Resolution

I love to take pictures of my kids. I love capturing these precious moments of time especially when I can't seem to slow it down! But one of my biggest downfalls is recording these moments. I am terrible about using the video camera. Always have been. The kids LOVE watching videos of themselves. So now is the time to repent. I've set a goal for 2012. I will post a video every Friday {in efforts to make sure I'm consistently taking videos!} Look forward to these Feature Film Friday posts in 2012. I'm really excited about this goal! To kick off the new year right here is your first video. Enjoy!

Goal Accomplished!!!

Today I reached the goal I've been working towards for 2 months.

I now weigh 135.0 pounds!!!

It feels awesome. Not so much the number but the journey to get here.

It has not been easy. I've learned a lot about myself. I takes a lot of will power, self control and determination. And maybe that's why it feels so good to achieve this {or ANY goal.}

I like how I feel at 135. I like wearing size 6 pants. I like accomplishing something hard.

Now there is the fear that I can't stay at this weight without eating Medifast. But not really, I. CAN. Do. This!

So much gratitude to Kurt for letting me take this journey and being my biggest support system through it all.

6 months

Currently I am:

***Weaned. It was a gradual decline. I am grateful that we were able to nurse as long as we did. I am grateful she is healthy :)



***No longer co-sleeping! But this is the sad {and quite ghetto fabulous} part. We still haven't brought the crib upstairs {and probably won't at this point.} She sleeps on the loveseat. Ahhh, that sounds terrible to admit! We put the piano bench in front of the loveseat and it completely covers the length of it so she can't roll off. Then we line pillows next to the piano bench to protect her from rolling into that. Oh brother. It sounds so much worse when I explain it in written form. We are all sleeping so who cares.

***Sitting up.



***Scooting backwards. You can visably watch the progress these days.



***Talking!! She says, "Dadadadada" The kids LOVE it! They think she just loves and adores her father. And while I don't doubt this fact I try to explain {like 20 times a day} that she doesn't know what she is saying but just making sounds. Whatever. Babies should always say mamama first.

***Eating veggies! We just started green beans and she loves it!



***This girl is SUPER sweet, SUPER happy & SUPER smiley. She sure brightens up a room, our family, our lives. Love you Lucy!

Nicely Played

We received such a awesome Christmas present tonight.

Karen and Roger had us for Christmas this year. A few days ago she set up a Skype date for tonight at 5:30. But let me back up to further explain so you get the full picture of the awesomeness of this gift.

At work Roger was asked to help with the Christmas gift to all their clients during the year. The company decided it would be a fun/great/creative/awkward to have the clients spin a wheel of Holiday Destiny to win prizes. They received an email and then clicked on the live link to see Roger in the cutest Holiday sweater ever spinning the wheel of Holiday Destiny for all the clients that logged in.

Karen provided the link so I could watch.

Oh. My. Word.

I have 2 things to say. 1.) Roger was Hilarious. I had to call Kurt so he could watch. And may or may not have had all his employees also watch. Favorite moments: wittling, super random songs {DAWG} and the 8th grade picture prize. 2.) Roger is the best sport E.V.E.R. He did this for 3. THREE. Straight days. He should get a raise in my humble opinion.

So with that background Karen and Roger recreated the Holiday Wheel of Destiny for the Romans family in their living room via skype. So thoughtful and FUN. We LOVED it! Especially Ruth, Kurt and I because we were the only ones who had actually viewed Roger in action. We each got 2 spins and everyone was super pleased with their prizes. We are anxious to find them under the tree at Grandma's house.

So Roger did a lot of whittling to kill time during his wheel of Holiday destiny days. So Kurt {naturally} thought it would be hiliarious to have the kids whittling when we first got on to skype. Yes, it was pretty funny {and yes they are using butter knives.}


Gathered round the computer to watch!


We just want to thank Karen and Roger for our super fun and thoughtful gift. WE LOVE YOU!

eleven

So this probably could go down as the worse anniversary in history. It wasn't terrible but kinda lame. Please let this point be clear: it was by NO fault of my husband. He was awesome as always. He brought me home a gorgeous bouquet of roses {thank you!}

The kids had their Christmas concert that night. They have a new dance teacher this year and it was very much a zumba concert. I was not feeling it especially by the time the got to the final number. Are we raising rappin' thugs? I was almost embarrassed to have my in-laws there to watch. Where was the cultural diversity the school is known for?

And then my children's behavior started to spiral downward resulting in the consequence of not being able to go out to eat with grandma and grandpa. It was a long week of disciplinary actions and I was tired. It was just a perfect way to end it all.

You're catching the sarcasm, right?

I have an amazing husband and I'm blessed beyond measure with a happy, eternal marriage. Too bad the day didn't reflect that. We are definitely doing a DO OVER anniversary!

The kids at their concert.

The Hardest Best Job

Parenting is hard. Sometimes completely exhausting. Right now it seems to be one of those exhausting moments as we strive to help a child see {& therefore reach} their potential.

I'm tired.

But so grateful too. Kurt has inspired me. He made a teaching opportunity a spiritual experience and I remembered that it needs to be that way every day.

I am grateful for prayer, and the Holy Ghost and the scriptures to help me find answers to those parenting questions. Often times we wish our children came with a handbook. How foolish and ungrateful that is. We HAVE been given all the tools we need! The Lord will give us all the answers and strength for these are His children on loan to us.

Party Recap

I cannot keep up with an individual post for all the parties. Here is the super fast version. {{yay}}

December 2nd: "Little Elfie" {elf on the shelf} joined us for a North Pole Breakfast.



December 3rd: Present exchange party for BFFs Hailey & Emma. We all had breakfast at Denny's then back to Hailey's house to play, open presents & make matching scarves. That afternoon Emma had another party with her Primary class at her teacher's house.




So we made Hailey a journal with pictures of them on the front. She loved it. "This is so beautiful. I think I'm gonna cry." :)

December 5th: Ruth's preschool Christmas party {we hosted.} It was a reindeer theme {per Rooster's request} and they were all super excited! Plus Christmas FHE that evening with the Stewarts & Kerri.







December 6th: Pack meeting. Not really a Christmas party but our wolves did a cute skit and it was a successful night.

December 7th: Ward Christmas dinner. We had such an amazing turnout of inactives and non-members. Very cool. I sang "Star Bright" in a trio with Julie and Andrea. Plus accompanied for another group. It was fun to practice again.

December 9th: Girl's Night Out cookie/gift exchange as posted previously.

December 10th: RPM company Christmas dinner at Chavelitas. Slightly less awkward that dinners in years past. Slightly.

GNO

In October I decided that the ladies I knew needed a regular chance to get out of the house, connect with other women & make/strengthen friendships with each other. Thus came my monthly Girls Night Out.

November's theme was Christmas Gift Ideas. Last night was December's GNO with the theme of Cookie & White Elephant Gift Exchange. We had a good time. Some new people came and some came back {both really good signs.} But mainly we got together to talk and eat {of course.} It makes me happy to do this.

MAJOR SHOUT OUT to my AMAZING husband. He watched our kids {minus Lucy} + Krystal's {4} at Krystal's house. When the party started a single sister needed someone to watch her kids too. I knew Kurt would be willing {he's so good like that!} Well her friend dropped off 2 kids too! So that brought his grand total to 12. Man of the year award. Not to mention Krystal for donating her house to the cause! THANK YOU.

We made variety plates with all the cookies that were brought. Plus sampling and voting of our favorites :)
Best Taste: Chocolate Chip Pepermint
Best Appearance: Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Fan Favorite: Rocky Road & this amazing punch by Jamie





And then there was the gift exchange. My favorite moment was Andrea actually bringing the enama and Erica receiving it {and getting educated on exactly what it is!} Ahhh good times.


Good job getting Lucy to sleep Andrea!


Glad you could learn something Erica!


Its good to have friends.

Chopped

So Rooster has this issue with me {or anyone else} combing her hair. It results in an episode close to world war III & frankly I'm over this battle.

So...when I couldn't even count the number of tangled rat nests the child had in her hair this morning I decided to solve this problem for both of us! She agreed to the hair cut and I worked quickly before she could change her mind.

Here is the before.

Please note the right side of her hair. The tangle was SO large it was providing a great deal of volume. Can you see it?!?! {looking for some sympathy & understanding here.}

So I was going short. I did the back just fine and then it was time to do around her ears and I started freaking out. I wasn't sure what to do and I had never cut hair this short. Deep breath. And naturally it was taking just about forever and Rooster was getting impatient. I won't tell you how much candy I kept pushing her direction so I could finish.

And then she says, "I don't want to look like a boy, mom."

It's short.

When my friend Kerri saw her tonight her mouth fell open {bless her heart she didn't say anything though!!} Kurt has told her about a million times that she is so cute.

K: Hey, Rudy!
R: What?
K: I like your hair.
:)

He does this every time she walks into the room. What a sweet daddy. So like I said, its short. But can I tell you how SWEET it is to have ended this battle. Deep sigh. So worth it. I think she's adorable.

Back where I belong

When we got home from Utah late Thursday night we listened to a message from the Stake Executive Secretary. He wanted us to call him back as soon as possible. My stomach sunk. I knew it was for me. I had trouble getting it out of my mind and didn't sleep well that night.

Friday morning before school Kurt called him back. He got off the phone grinning. "We have a meeting with the Stake President at 6:20 tonight. He said, you're in the Bishopric so its obviously not for you." He kept grinning.

I was nauseated for the rest of the day as I tried NOT to think about it. Kurt called a few more times to listen to me skworm. He found it oh so funny.

When we walked into the office the whole stake presidency was there. yikes! After torturing me with idle chit chat they extended a new calling - 1st counselor in the Stake Young Womens. Immediately a sense of relief washed over me and I could breathe for the first time after listening to the message on the answering machine.

"That's great! I love Young Womens!"

"We know." came the monotone reply. LOL

I am serving with Kristen Wilson {P}, Jen Nielson {2nd} and Gwen Peterson {S}. I am really, REALLY excited for this calling. I am excited to be back in YW. I am excited to work with these ladies and other stake leaders. I am excited to say the theme again. I am excited to bear testimony and associate with the youth. I am excited to plan meaningful and spiritual activities {Girls Camp!} I am excited to work with the ward young womens leaders. Did I mention that I am excited?!!

After being set apart we found out our first stake meeting is next Sunday and we have to plan the entire calendar for 2012. Time to jump in ladies!

Welcome HOME!

We found out on Thanksgiving that Sam was coming home on November 30th due to transfers. Kurt was already scheduled to go to a conference in Salt Lake at the exact time. I decided it was a blessing of perfect timing and the kids and I went with to see SAM!

He had the crazy, long drawn out release I've ever heard of. Tuesday he met mom and dad in the Salt Lake temple {cool!} They spent the day together {visiting area and teaching} and returned him to his apartment that night. Wednesday they picked him up and he spent the day with us. Returned him to the mission home that night {for dinner, testimony, games, etc...} Thursday picked him up for good.

Sam looks great! He seems calm and mature. The kids were so excited to see him. By Thursday he was warming up to them. :) The kids are struggling to know how to pray now that he is home.

Spencer's prayer the next day:

"Please bless Sam on his mission. Oh, no! I mean Merry Christmas."
:D










Karen/Roger & Joseph/Maren represented

It feels good to have him home and know our family is complete {for a little while until Tim leaves. Looking forward to Christmas!!} It feels good to know he served an honorable mission & that he has grown in the process. It feels good to know of the wonderful example he set for my children. We love you Sam! Welcome home thou good and faithful servant.

A Grateful Heart

We did the most unthinkable thing this Thanksgiving. We hosted it. At our house. And no family was there.

When you live this close to family and you've spent 10 of the 11 Thanksgivings with them, its kinda crazy.

On the fishing trip the guys decided they wanted to get together on Thanksgiving to have a fish fry. {I refused to serve just fish.} We invited the family to come also but they wanted to keep tradition at their house. I was super worried that we were making the wrong choice, were going to completely offend someone and ruin family ties forever. Sigh of relief I was being dramatic and we are on still on speaking terms. {{phew.}}

All that drama aside we had a really good time. I enjoyed hosting. Being able to decorate and prepare the table and make party favors for the kids {Once again thank you pinterest. I had fun!} Plus the company was super. I really wish that Cortney and Brittany lived closer. Already love the Rufs.







Top 100 things I'm grateful for this year {in no particular order}
100. Kurt 99. Austin 98. Emma Lynn 97. Spencer 96. Ruth 95. LUCY! 94. A home 93. Amazing parents 92. Service 91. Temples 90. A wonderful school 89. In-laws who are still speaking to us 88. Freedom 87. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 86. Eating real food today 85. Sisters 84. Pinterest 83. Kurt's job 82. Cars that work 81. Healthy husband & kids 80. Brothers 79. Life experiences 78. Scriptures 77. Losing weight 76. Ears to hear my children's laughter 75. Beauty of the earth 74. Owing a farm 73. Chocolate 72. Washing Machine/Dryer 71. Camera 70. Our prophet 69. Ability to read 68. Nieces & Nephews 67. Internet 66. Siblings serving missions 65. Children making good choices 64. Parents moving to Utah 63. Ever-loving grandparents 62. Being taught a legacy of love 61. Piano 60. Eyes to see Lucy's smile and the joy it brings our family 59. The ability to have children 58. Church callings 57. Scouting programs 56. GOOD books 55. Gymnastics 54. Crafting 53. My testimony 52. Blogging 51. Disposable Diapers 50. Most amazing Sister-in-laws 49. Forgiveness 48. Our Bishop 47. Singing primary songs 46. Family History Work 45. Teachers who influence & impact my kids 44. Non battery toys 43. Cricut 42. A warm house 41. Vinyl 40. Brother-in-laws 39. Being an American 38. FRIENDS 37. Couponing 36. Pivots 35. Listening to music 34. Hymns 33. Clogging 32. Emma creating another masterpiece 31. Cell phones 30. Sealed for eternity 29. Opportunity to teach 28. Volunteering in school 27. Family Home Evening 26. A long HOT shower 25. Being a stay-at-home mom 24. Good employees at RPM 23. Free agency 22. Prayer 21. Bread 20. Visiting Teaching 19. Aunts & Uncles 18. An extra freezer 17. Date night 16. Family vacations 15. Church auxiliaries 14. Hugs 13. Covenants I've made 12. The FRIEND magazine 11. Girls Night Out 10. Repentance 9. Bows, Flowers & Jewelry 8. Morning Devotional 7. Snake free 6. Scrapbooks 5. The Atonement 4. That my husband is my BFF 3. The Plan of Happiness 2. The ability to love 1. Jesus Christ

My heart is full.

11.22.33

So my man turned 33 on the 22 day of the 11 month. In this family where we {okay I} are obsessed with numbers we think this is pretty cool.

We also think our Daddy-O is pretty cool.

Thanks to pinterest I used the theme "HE's the MAN" {Master of OUR Universe} for our little family party. I made a large banner and his own He-Man shirt. He came home to have a real man's lunch {steak, mashed potatoes, rolls & creamed corn.}



After he came home from work that night we started the party. But sadly the kids had no idea who HE-MAN was so we started by watching the pilot epidose on hulu. Kurt and I lost steam after that {sad. i know.} We ate the Reese's Cheesecake & hoped all his birthday wishes came true.





The kids and I made a Candy Card. Here is the story we came up with:


"Once upon a time there was a handsome SUGAR DADDY. All the ladies in the kingdom adored him. They voted him BIG HUNK of the year. One lady caught his eye but alas he could never remember her name!

'Whatchamacallit, I would be thrilled to PIECES if you'd date me.'

She couldn't resist his 100 GRAND and so she agreed.

"SKOR!" he shouted.

U-NO the date was magical and so Sugar Daddy became her MR. GOODBAR. Their love was sweet and so complete when BABY RUTH joined their family. Parenthood was the best PAYDAY.

And they lived a very sweet life."

It's true. Thank you for humoring us by being a great sport with a He-Man birthday. Thank you for being the Master of our Universe. WE LOVE YOU! Happy Birthday.

Austin's Day

At the pack meeting Becca told me that LeBraun was doing basketball. I found out the particulars and got hime signed up. The season had already started but I figured better late than never.

He wasn't overly excited to go to the first practice {last week} but I wanted him to at least try it. I like for him to be involved with the boys from Vale to keep those friendships alive. It is great exercise and a wonderful opportunity to learn the skills of the game. The coach does a great job teaching the basics of the game which is perfect for this age.

The first practice was a little painful for me too watch. He is just not very competitive when it comes to sports {I wonder where he gets that from?!!} But more importantly he wanted to keep doing it and is excited about it.

They have 2 games every Saturday. Yesterday was the first game he was able to play in. He actually missed the first game because he had a Piano Festival Competition at the same time. As soon as he played his piece they rushed off to the game in New Plymouth.

Emma, Lucy and I were at another Super Saturday so Kurt was on major dad duty {THANKS!} But Kurt said he was pretty timid and they didn't win the game. He was in good spirits when I saw him that afternoon. So I'd say it was a success.





About the piano festival. The student plays for a judge {no parents or teachers allowed} and are graded on their performance. All students receive a ribbon. Because they were rushing to get to the basketball game we haven't heard his score or got the ribbon. But I found out about the festval on Tuesday. The piece had to be memorized and when I listen to him play it he only knew the first half. Yikes. But we buckled down and really practiced the next few days and he memorized it effortlessly. He amazes me. Maybe we should be buckling down more...if only there were more of me to go around...

I'm really glad Austin had both of these experiences yesterday. Great character building moments. And also an example of how extracurricular can overtake your life.

Proud of you for doing so well on your busy day, Austin!

He's a GREAT Catch!

Kurt had a great time on his fishing trip. Apparently we are even having the guys {and their families} over for a fish fry on Thanksgiving. He was proud to show us this picture.


Pretty impressive.

FIVE months

I feel like she has grown SOOO much this past month. Not anywhere near the infant stage any more. It is all quite surreal.



~ Still co-sleeping. If you ask Kurt I've created a monster. But all I want to do is sleep. I realize at some point {soon} she will have to move but for now we are enjoying it. She is growing too fast as it is, why rush it?!!?



~ Still nursing. I feel like this is a miracle straight from heaven. With my diet I am just super surprised and amazed that we are still nursing. It is about an everyone feeding schedule. Which honestly works out soooo nicely. We are constantly on the go and sometimes it is super convenient to give her a bottle when there are a million and ONE things going on. And then its wonderful to still nurse and snuggle especially during those quieter moments. Really is the best of both worlds for us. I feel like its a major blessing, I'm truly grateful.

~ She is all over the place. Can cover all corners of a room with her rolling skills. Plus very, very small scooting. The kids love to track her progress. "I set her down here by the piano and now she is all the way to the front door. Come LOOK!" It's super cute.



~ She is super duper happy. As an infant she wanted lots of attention and to be held. {Thank you for many hands who could.} As she gets older she still thrives on loads of attention but can be entertained. I'm grateful she is child number 5 because the olders dote on her and she flourishes. Her face lights up when they walk into the room and she knows its time to play.

~ Lately she and Ruth have developed a sweet friendship during the school hours. I heard endless amounts of laughter so I went to check it out. Ruth was bouncing Lucy on my bed talking to her. Lucy loved it. Ruth loves to hold her on the couch. "Come on. Let's be friends. We're the best of friends."

~ She GNARLS on EVERYTHING. She is mastering picking up an object {toy or paci} and putting them into her mouth. But mainly she is always choppin on her hand or both. If you get your face too close she'll try to chew on that too.



~ Can be propped up to sit up by herself. Not dwelling long on this.



~ Still has some major gas. She rips 'em loud and long. It can be embarrassing. As my friend Jamie says, "She has powerful man farts."

Emma told me the other day that she can't remember life before Lucy. True dat.

What did we ever do without you?

Bonus: {these pictures are the perfect protrayal of her personality. wanted to share.}

She loves to grab onto everything she can get her hands on
{usualy my short hair or ear.}

Letting me know she had had enough pictures!




And of course, her famous open mouth kisses.

Its good to be loved.