Just in Time for the Holidays!

I'm sitting here watching the snowfall, not wanted to go shovel, and realizing, I'm glad it is snowing. I love fresh snow for Christmas. That is what makes Christmas complete. I'm sorry for any of you who hate the snow or don't get it, because I think it is beautiful. I am going to catch up on some of the stuff we have been doing in the past few months, and I am even going to post some pics. Amazing!

Swimming Lessons
My kids love the water. Gavin has excelled at swimming, I think we might have a future Michael Phelps (without the pot). He was in level 2 to start, but did so well, they moved him to level 3 and he passed with no problems. He even got to jump off the diving board by himself!



Jaycee loves the water, too. She was in the Pre-school class and did well. She was more concerned about her male teacher who wasn't wearing a shirt and kept telling me he was naked! She had fun with her cousins, but we all know that Crack Kills!



Ky didn't do swim lessons, but he had fun playing after lessons.



We took family photos. What a joke. As you can see this is how it went.



This picture Phil looks like he is ready to deliver....

This was the best we could get and even then...ugh!


On to Halloween. We carved pumpkins, dressed up as pirates, and ate lots of candy...




We are one hot family!

Thanksgiving came and went...Phil's sister Amanda got remarried. Great day for her and her little boy. But,no pics there. I forgot the camera!

December: Phil and I went to S. California with some of my XC team who raced at footlocker regionals at MT. SAC. The race was good, but the best part was the my entire team that I took ALL had temple recommends and we went to the Newport Beach Temple to baptisms. It was Awesome! I'm so lucky to coach such a great group of kids. And if you didn't know, this temple is light pink in color. It is beautiful.


We also went to Disneyland. This is Colter, one of my runners, Lisa Johnson, my asst. Coach, and Phil. We went to splash mountain and got soaked, at least I did, and froze my butt off. But hey, we were in d-land and it IS the Happiest Place on Earth!




Kyson finally got a haircut
Before

After


Lastly, Phil's work in SLC had an ugly sweater contest for the holidays and here is Phil's sweater and Christmas turtleneck!

We combed his hair over in a "pretty school boy" look and he looked so gay. But hey, He WON! We got a gift card to Target! Not too bad for a DI special.


It has been and eventful few months, but lots of fun! Hope everyone has a great Holiday!

Christmas Cards

So, I finally ordered my Christmas cards, but I can't find addresses for some of you. SO if you want a card, send me your address. Allison, I need yours. Hope everyone's season is going great! Love to you all, Happy Holidays!

Yes, We are alive!

Phil asked me if I was every going to update the blog again, so I guess that is a sign. A lot has been going on and we have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off, but it is all good!!!! September I was really busy babysitting, coaching and be mom. Our XC season went great and I couldn't be prouder of the my team. They all PR'd and were amazing. I have the greatest group of kids. In fact, we are all going to do baptisms on Friday! Now, who can say that their team could do that? LOVE LIVING IN UTAH!
Gavin played flag football again, this time he was the Broncos. I know it killed Phil to have that jersey in our house. Gavin is getting the hang of football and by the end of season was doing much better at catching and flag pulling. He is also loving school. His teacher is awesome and I couldn't be more happier.
Jaycee is a monster that we just love. She has throughly enjoyed school and everyday wants to do homework. It is crazy, but she sits for hours doing worksheets. She started dance again and loves it. She can't wait till Wednesdays so she can put on her dance outfit and twirl!
Kyson is growing like a weed. He is still the sweetest thing in the world. Mister Smiley. He cut 2 molars and Phil and I never even new because his temperment never changed.
Phil is crazy at work, but what else is new? He has been helping them change over to a new PAX system and that has kept him busy.
Someday I will post pictures of Halloween (we were ALL pirates) and other stuff we have been up to, but until then, this is the best you all get. I hope Phil is happy now.

First Days of School

Gavin went in to the second grade this year with Mrs. Achter. He is in a 1st/2nd grade split. I was a little worried about this, but so far, he loves it and I love Mrs. Achter. She is great to work with and Gavin gets along great with her. I also think that going to the school on a regular basis and volunteering, make the parent/teacher relationship much better. He is finally getting into reading, which, I hope, he enjoys. He started reading Fablehaven on his own, and amazingly enough, he gets it! I've been reading it too, and I was shocked that he actually was reading it and actually understood what the story line was. Phil and I are so proud. (I'll repent later) He is growing up so fast, it is amazing to think that he is going to get baptized here in less than 6 months. I'm so excited I'm giddy!


As for Miss Jaycee. She LOVES preschool and going to Miss Berta's. She HAS to do homework before going to bed every night, just like Gavin. She is picking up on so much I'm worried she will be bored next year in Kindergarten. She is as blonde as they come and very much into girly things. She did Cheer clinic again and even got pom-poms. No, I don't have pictures, because I forgot the camera. She is back in Dance and loving being with Miss Chantel and Miss Pamela. I'm excited for this years dance theme because it is all on mystical forests and summer time. Our costumes are going to rock.

Our Little Man is 1!

Yeah, I know he is almost 14 months now, but life is crazy. However, Ky turned one in July and he is so much fun. He has a crazy, silly personality that makes us all happy. He cut his first tooth the Saturday before his first birthday, then cut the 2nd tooth a couple days after his first birthday. He wasn't walking at his birthday, but in the last 2-3 weeks he figured out how much easier it is than crawling and it off like a bandit. He weighed in at 22 lbs. Smaller than Gavin, but still he is a chunk and I love it. Last night he had to get his 6, yes 6, shots. He got 2 in each leg and 1 in each arm. I felt so bad for him! He cried and cried. I could barely hold him because I couldn't put any pressure on him. He is happier today, so I guess the trauma is over with.
Anyway, we just had family over for birthday party, but instead of a traditional cake, we made an ice cream sandwich cake. I saw the recipe on Rachel Ray, I rarely watch TV, but I saw this one. It was really easy and the kids loved it. Ky got some new toys: building blocks, trucks, a new wagon, and a ride on push along truck. He also got some new clothes.
I can't believe my little guy is already 1! Where has the time gone? They grow up so fast, it is sad. He is still in the "cute" stage, but Gavin needs to either grow up faster or resort back to being a baby, if you know what I mean.

I'm So Lucky!

So, I need to talk about my most amazing sisters and mother. I don't know how I would survive if I didn't have them all close to me. For example, my Mom comes everyday to watch the kids while I go to practice. I know I would not have been able to take this coaching job, if she wasn't willing to do this for me. She is so busy with all the many things she does, but she finds time to do this for me and I can't thank her enough. Then there is my sisters. They invited us to go swimming the other day, and I had a ton of errands to run. I knew I wouldn't be able to do both, so I left the two oldest with them to swim. While I ran my errands. I didn't get done with them like a wanted to. My sisters stepped up and took care of my kids, dropped them off to my mom and everything. I am really one of the luckiest people in the world. What people do without family, I have no idea, because I need them! Thank you sisters and Thank you mother!

Our trip to California

We had a few extra days around the 4th of July to spare, and since this is very rare, we jumped on the opportunity to go to Sacramento to see Phil's Aunt and Uncle and relax. It was a lot of fun, but the 4th was different for us small town folk.
We mainly stayed at Aunt Evie's house and played cards. We did go to a place called FairyTale Town where all the exhibits are based on fairytales and nursery rhymes. The kids thought it was great. We also went to the Sacramento Zoo. We got to see some animals that we don't see here in Utah, but I must say, Hogle Zoo is a GREAT zoo! I feel blessed to live so close. We also went to the Sacramento Train Museum. The kids thought this was cool. They liked going up inside of them and in the pictures you'll see this one car they called the Church car because it was lined like pews. It was their favorite. We also got to ride on an old locomotive. This was fun, since you rarely get to go on a train anymore. Aunt Evie's got a pool so we spent some time swimming in it. Jaycee is a water bug and not easily persuaded to get out. Phil developed a wonderful sunburn, but wouldn't let us take a picture. The sad thing was, I COATED him in sunscreen. Go figure! For the 4th, we didn't do anything except go watch fireworks that night. I'm so use to little hometown of Tooele with the parade and the festivals at the park. I missed it greatly. I went shopping during the day, and found some great deals, but I was wishing I was home with the kids at the park working the fish bowl booth. The fireworks were great and Ky loved them. We had a lot of time to kill so we played a mini Olympics with Amanda, Chuck (her boyfriend), and us. It was funny and we got some great laughs. The trip was much needed and I'm so glad we went. Evie is moving to St. George this fall, so that was probably our last trip :( I also want to put in writing that Ev and I KILLED Phil and Kidd in a game of Progressive Rummy. We may never win again, so I want it documented and I want it said that Kidd told me all about sweet revenge. I LOVE IT! Thanks so much Ev and Kidd for letting us stay with you. We had a great time.