Santa

We missed getting pictures with Santa at our ward party because I forgot the camera. So, I was exited to find out that he was going to be at a local shopping center. I didn't have to pay for them or wait in line. My kids are all at the age where they're very excited about Santa Claus coming. They have had their lists made for about a month. Britannia asked Santa for Baby Annabell, Lil' Luvables, and a cupcake maker. She was upset that Santa asked her her name and what she wanted again because she already told him at the party, oops! Mishayla asked him for Baby Annabell, A Snow White Horse, and a Snow White Princess. She has had this list for at least a month and has changed it at all. She recites it in the exact order every time. David is asking for balls and cars. He seems to really like Santa which is kind of suprising given his age. I think it has something to do with the candy canes he gets when he sees him.

My Boy

I just love this little guy so much! I can't believe how much joy a child can bring into a persons life. I love all three of my kids more than I could ever express in words, but I just wanted to quickly write down some of the cute, sweet things that I love about this little guy. He just has the sweetest temperment about him that it makes it very hard to get mad at him over anything. He is so loving and sweet he loves to give kisses and loves. I also love how well he listens. When I ask him to do something or give me something that he should not have he gives it to me. It's amazing! If he hears that someone needs something done he does it with out hesitation. I think he got this trait from his dad. He gets things done instead of sitting around thinking about it. I love this quality in both of them very much and wish I could be a little more like this. He is starting to get a mind of his own very quickly though and says mine very boldly if there is something that he wants. I love him sooo much!

Britannia's 100 Book Challenge Award

Britannia's school has this reading program called 100 Book Challenge. For every 15 min. they read they get to log a step in their special folder. After 100 steps they get an award! Britannia was the second one in her class to get to 100, we are so proud of her. David, Mishayla, and I were able to attend the assembly when the kids were awarded their medals. Mishayla was so excited to go to Tanni's school. She packed a purse full of trinkets for the occasion. Can you imagine her disappointment when she found out she didn't get to stay all day. Poor girl!

It's Official...Winter Is Here!

Yesterday my kids begged me to take them outside to build a snowman, but I really didn't want to go out in the cold so I promised them I would take them out the next day after Britannia got home from school. I was less than thrilled when they remembered and held me to it. I am such a WIMP! After 45 min of tracking down winter gear and bundeling the 4 of us all up we headed out to the winter wonderland. We ended up having alot of fun! The kids did a little yard sledding

which as you can see David was just thrilled over. The girls wanted to build a snowman so I talked them into snowbabies because David just really was not enjoying the snow at all! This will work to my advantage later this winter if Jason is EVER home. I can send him out with the girls and I'll have a good reason to stay inside the warm house. Don't get me wrong I really love to play with my kids and I even enjoy the playing in the snow. It's just the thought of it for the most part. I was so glad that we got out of the house, we all really needed it.

Fall In The Park

Granny Maxine came for a little visit. The kids were thrilled! They really love to have company, and grandparents are the best kind. We took the kids to the park it was so beautiful with all of the leaves turning colors. I do love the falls here I think all of the leaves and trees are what I will miss about this place the most, when the time comes for us to leave. I think that was also grandma's favorite part of the visit. The leaves were at their prime, she chose a perfect time to come, it also warmed up for a few days as well! It was a very nice time all of the kids got used to her and really enjoyed their time with her.

Tigger and His Princess Friends

I know that everyone does princesses, but what can you do? Every little girl is in fact a princess. This is the first year that my girls have been one for halloween though. Also it is impossible to get a good picture of the three of them together. Does anyone else have this problem with their kids? We had a great Halloween it started two weeks ago with our ward party which was so much fun. They do a great job every year it's one of our favorite things about this holiday. The spouses of students club at Jason's school also had a party on Halloween night that we went too. It was also alot of fun their were lots of fun halloween treats and we took the kids trick-or-treating in that neighborhood. Britannia was running from house to house so fast that we could hardly keep up with her. Mishayla on the other hand acted very excited until we got to the house then she played the shy girl. David was so excited he would hold his bag open wide so it could be filled. He is so short that when he walked his bag would drag on the ground behind him. I think this David's favorite holiday yet! They did the whole empty out their candy and trade it with each other Satuday morning. In fact that's all they ate for breakfast that day. I'm a terrible mother, I know!

School Halloween Party

I got to be a room mother for Britannia's classroom Halloween party. They did the little costume parade around the school and finished with snacks and games. I played a maigc potion game with the kids and they loved it. Even the parents were oweing and aweing. It's amazing how much attention vinger, baking soda, and a little bit of food coloring can draw. It was so much spending that time with Britannia. How cute is her little class!

Pumpkin Fun

Britannia's is a Devilish Diva?, Mishayla's is Snow White, and David's is of course Tiger. We let the kids choose what they want on their pumpkin then Jason and I put in all the blood, sweat, and tears carving the things. It's a fun tradition though. We decided to paint pumpkins this year along with carving them. The kids seemed to enjoy painting much more than carving. They were all grossed out by the seeds and pumpkin guts. Jason enjoy face painting the kids as well.

Dance Class

I enrolled the girls in a five week dance class. Britannia's was ballet and Mishayla's was dance and tumble. They didn't seem to enjoy very much, they both had friends in their class which made it more enjoyable. We sure miss our old dance teacher though. How cute is Mishayla doing the splits. It cracks me up to see her do grown up things because she is still so tiny! The last picture is of Britannia at a little cheer camp that the high school put on. She was so funny she said, "I going to dress like a real cheer leader, then they might think that I really am a cheer leader." She's the one in pink and purple in case you couldn't tell. I don't know what was going on with my camera.

Our Visitors

My cousin and his wife are our closest relatives, we were thrilled to kave them come stay with us for the weekend. We had so much fun with them, it's always nice to have visitors...HINT,HINT!

Friday Afternoon

I love this stage of life so much! For those of you that know me best you know how much I can complain about it. It is so hard and is much more work than I ever bargained for but I think that's part of what makes it so great. We had a lesson in Relief society about how it's the hard times that shape us into who we are and who we will become. Being so far from home and family and raising my kids on my own for the most part is a very big challenge. However, I think it is shaping our family and making us stronger. I love the strong bond that I share with my children. I'm so grateful that Jason is willing to work so hard so that I can be a stay at home and share so many moments with my children (the good moments and the bad ones). I really enjoyed conference and was truly touched by the talks on joy. There have been times in my life where I've just went through the motions and the day to day routine. I think the love that our Heavenly Father has for us is incredible. I know he sent us here to love and enjoy life. I'm so thankful for the moments in my life where I feel that pure joy in my heart.