Christmas

Christmas Day was fun! We have a tradition of making the kids line up in the hall youngest to oldest to walk out to the tree. They were so excited! They walked out and were totally surprised! I love this picture of Ashley's face as she see's her new bike and sits on it!

Hailey and her bike! Santa was too tired to put hers together the night before! Ashley's bike had come all put together.

Here is Ryan and his new gun and cowboy set!
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We had a great day of relaxing, playing games, spending time with family, and just not having to work or do anythings stressful. The kids and I got Daniel roller blades. It was a pretty nice day out so the girls had fun riding their new bikes and Daniel had fun trying his new roller blades out. I even got to try them out, I haven't roller bladed for probably 10 or 11 years. I put them on and Daniel kept telling me "no your pregnant" but I couldn't help it I just wanted to do it so bad! Well I did fine once I got up. But when I was getting up I lost my balance and fell on the side of our chair outside and broke it, and fell on my butt. My hip and butt are pretty bruised up! I guess that's what I get! But it was fun and it brought back memories of my roller blading days with Jolyn!! Once I have the baby I think I am going to have to get me some!


Christmas Eve we always go to my Daniel's parents and eat lots of good food, have our little program and open presents from each other(we draw names). Daniel's mom also always gets her grand kids pajamas so the kids got to open those too! Here are some pictures of our little program!
Hailey as Mary holding baby Jesus with Joseph by her side!

Ashley was an Angel, Ryan a little Shepherd!

The whole group!


This is a picture of my kids on Christmas eve, before bed, wearing their new pajamas and looking at their new books from their Grandma.

Ice Skating and Cookie Decorating

On Saturday Daniel took the girls ice skating for the 1st time! They loved it and actually did pretty good! I wanted to go to but I am so off balance as it is with this pregnancy I decided to sit out with Ryan by the heaters, it was freezing outside!

Today we went to Daniel's moms to decorate Christmas Cookies. Daniel's mom does this every year with all her grandkids and even makes the cute aprons for them to wear!

Fun Friday

Yesterday was a very eventful day for us! I had a Drs. Appt. in the morning then went straight to Hailey's Christmas party at school. We came home for a little while then I went to Ashley's school party to help. Then when Daniel got home from the mountains we headed to our old wards Christmas party where the kids got to see Santa again! The girls have figured out that it is not the same Santa because he looks different every time they see him, too funny! Ryan loves Santa because he gets candy every time he see him! Here are some pictures from our day! Oh and for an update, the Dr. said everything looked fine. The baby is sitting really low so that is why I am in so much pain already. And I have been having a lot of contractions that hurt lately so they said I needed to drink more water because when you are dehydrated you have more Braxton-Hicks than normal. Also we will be done with our service mission at the end of December and will be going back to our home ward the 1st Sunday in January. We stayed 3 months longer because our bishop said it will be easier for the kids to transition to their new classes at the beginning of the year. Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!!

Yummy

A few years ago my sister told me how to make these! They are one of my favorite treats now, especially around Christmas! So hopefully you don't care, Sandi, if I share her recipe with everyone!

8oz brick of Cream Cheese
1 package of Powdered Sugar
Flavoring (I use Peppermint and Orange extract)
Melting Chocolate or Milk Chocolate Chips

Mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth (might be a little crumbly). Then add what ever flavoring of your choice (I split the dough in half and make 2 kinds). Roll into 1 inch balls and set in fridge to harden. Melt chocolate. Once the balls are cold and hardened take out and dip into the chocolate using toothpicks. Put on cookie sheet or plate and set chocolate balls in fridge to set up. Enjoy!

Craziness

So everyone tells me all 3 of my kids look exactly alike! I just don't see it, so I made them all lay their heads together so I could take a picture to see. I still don't see it. They were being so silly! I am so thankful that I have been blessed with these kiddos!

This morning was kind of crazy! I am watching my nephews today and my SIL had to drop them off before school. So I had to get 2 of my nephews and my 2 girls to school. Then I just had Ryan and Cosmo for a few hours, then had to go pick Hailey and Malcolm up from Kindergarten. So I had the 4 kids and decided to go get McDonalds for lunch! I couldn't imagine having 6 young kids at the same time. Even though it was kind of crazy this morning, I am truly thankful that my kids have cousins to play with. They always have so much fun together! Here is a picture of them enjoying their lunch!

Playing outside in the snow!

Snowman Poop

Ashley brought this home from school today. It was a project one of the kids did in her class. Click on the picture so you can read it. I thought it was the cutest thing, so I thought I'd share!

Happy Birthday Daniel

Today was Daniel's 28th Birthday, wow getting so old!! We went out as a family to China King Buffet. We came home to eat cake(that I made) and we got his favorite bubble gum ice cream. The girls also made him special letters! Happy Birthday Honey, you are the best hubby and daddy in the world! We love you!

Below is just a fun picture of Daniel with the kids! These kids love their dad so much and were soooo excited about his birthday!

Parade of Lights

This weekend was the Parade of Lights down town Denver that we go to every year! This year wasn't even that cold, we got there early and had a great spot! We got all bundled up and made hot chocolate to bring with us. It was such a fun night and of coarse I forgot my camera, so these were taken with Daniel's phone. After it was over we walked to a Peruvian restaurant with Daniel's sister, mom and dad and kids! The food was so good! I'm already craving it again! Daniel's sister is married to a Peruvian and know's how to make the meals we got, so I am going to have to beg her to make me some more!

This week was and a crazy one! Daniel got Strep throat on Monday and was still sick yesterday, so he didn't get to enjoy the Thanksgiving food as much. The girls got awards and had a friendship feast at school! Which I am very proud of those girlie's I must say, they are both so good and well mannered at school (I don't know what happens when they get home)!! We had Thanksgiving with Daniel's family and it was sure yummy. I was sure missing home, though! I was really missing my moms famous pumpkin pie, but mostly missing being with my family. This morning I got up at 4am to go with my mother in-law and sisters in-law to hit the early shopping deals at Walmart and Target! It was quite the adventure at Walmart, it was out of control. But I did end up with some good stuff for the kids for Christmas! Daniel left this morning to go to New York on business with his dad, so we are on our own until next Tuesday. Hopefully he feels better on his trip. Daniel's dad also cut us a Christmas tree down from his property, free good smelling tree, we love it! So that has been our week! I am just so grateful for my family and for all that I have been blessed with!

This picture is from an outlet mall we went to last week. The kids thought this huge tree was so cool and they loved how the presents were bigger than they were!

Weekend Family Fun

Yesterday we took a drive to the Mountains after church. We drove up by Mnt. Evans and stopped at Echo Lake and walked around. The kids had tons of fun playing on the frozen Lake! It was super cold and windy but we all had big jackets, hats and gloves! It was so pretty up there. I love doing these things as a family, especially on Sundays when we can just take it easy and take our time and enjoy the beauty!

Friday night was a chilly one so we headed to Walmart to buy some Duralogs so we could have our 1st fire of the season in our fireplace! We enjoyed hot chocolate and ice cream sandwhiches around the fire! The kids love doing fires and they wanted to camp out and sleep next to the fire! So they all snuggled together by the fire for the night and Daniel told them a scary story. Daniel slept out with them on the couch. I couldn't get comfy out there, so I was a party pooper and went to my own bed!

No more chickens

The other night all our chickens got killed by some animal, we have racoons, foxes, and coyotes around our house so probably one of them. I got up in the morning before everyone else and opened the back blinds and saw their remains and feathers scattered over our whole back yard. It stinks they just started laying eggs. We were planning on keeping these ones as long as we could for the eggs. The kids took the news fine. No one even cried! After we told them I gave them each a hug and tears even came to my eyes but not one tear to theirs. I know they are so sad, they loved those chickens! They just didn't express it. I asked them on the way to school if they were even sad because they weren't acting like it and they said of course we are mom we just are trying not to be. Anyways we are going to get more next spring but we just have to keep them in a complete enclosed coop.

Shaved Heads

Do they look alike? We have been trying to not spend money where we don't have to, so Daniel just shaved his and Ryan's heads! I keep teasing Ryan and saying where's all your hair you look like a bald man, and he said maybe he can be a bald man for Halloween!! What a funny boy! I don't have anything else to post about, we have been pretty boring since the Halloween craze. I think I have finally gotten over the morning sickness, it's been a record I don't think I have thrown up for 2 weeks now! I was never sick this long with my others! Well at least I feel a lot better, but now I am just so tired all the time. I had another ultra sound and they said that I don't have placenta previa anymore, so that is good. I took Ashley and Hailey with me and they were so excited to see the baby moving all around. We also could see him holding on to and playing with the umbilical cord, it was pretty cool! The girls have also enjoyed feeling him move! It's kind of fun with older kids that get so excited to experience these kind of things!

Halloween Fun

This year we had a fun Halloween! I just want to kick myself for not taking any good pictures of it! I was able to go to both my girls parties at school. Daniel and the guys did a Haunted House in his parents garage and my sister in-laws did their annual party! Everything turned out awesome and there was a great turn out for both! This is the best picture I got of my kids together.

Hailey at her school party!

Ashley's school party!

Setting up the Haunted House!

This was my costume! I saw these maternity shirts and couldn't resist ordering one! So Tiff you have been wanting to see my baby bump here it is!

New Bassinet

I gave away all my old baby stuff a while ago. This being my last baby I decided to actually buy what I wanted. I have been lovin this bassinet and finally got over my cheapness and bought it! I didn't buy too many things brand new for my other kids, so I decided this time I can! I ordered this bassinet and it came broken so I sent it back and got the new one yesterday. So I had to set it up and make sure it wasn't broken. It matches with my wood bed set so it will go perfect! This bassinet even rocks and has music! When I was done setting it up Ryan comes and holds my tummy and says "mommy take yours baby out now!" It was too cute! I love this age he is, he always says the funniest things, I need to write them down more! Makes sense we got a baby bed now we need the baby, sorry 4 more months to go!

1st Egg

Our chickens are finally full grown! One of the yellow/white ones layed the 1st egg! Our kids were so excited to see it and hold it!

We also butchered our 1st one today. I know it sounds cruel but that's what we raised them for and the kids knew that's what was going to happen. The girls were fighting over which one we were going to do. Ashley's is the gray one, Hailey's and Ryan have the white ones and Daniels was the brown. So we chose the brown one but Hailey was really sad because she said that was her favorite even though it isn't hers. Hailey got the saddest, but she got over it. I'm glad my kids got to experience this and they fully understand now how and where we get chicken from. We BBQ the chicken meat. I couldn't stomach very much but at least I tasted it. The breast were really tough. We decided we aren't going to butcher the rest though, it is too much work for so little meat. We are just hoping to get eggs from all of them.

Saying goodbye to "Brownie"

I really debated to even post on this part I didn't want anyone to think we were cruel. But seriously the kids took it fine and they knew it was going to happen for a while. Now we are down to 3 chickens, one for each kid. They keep going outside to see if the other 2 layed an eggs yet.

I didn't know it started so soon....

So about 20 min. after Ashley gets home today the phone rings. It was a sweet little girl voice asking to talk to Ashley. So I let her have the phone little did I know it was a boy in Ashley's class having his sister ask for her. Are you kidding me a boy calling my little 6 year old girl already. So after Ashley figures out who it is she says to him "hold on let me go in the other room"! What the heck! Then I figure out what is going on because I hear her say his name. I sneak down the hall to hear what she is saying. I guess he just wanted to talk to her and wanted her to tell him what kind of project he should do. So I hear her telling him "Ok get some paper and scissors and draw some pumpkins" and so on. Then I walk back to the bathroom and she is in her room and she says "hold on my mom is here let me shut the door." Oh my goodness! I listened the whole time and it was innocent conversation. Then Daniel gets home and I tell him what is going on and then we told her she talked long enough and it was time to tell Kayden that she has to go. Then he calls back like 3 or 4 times but we didn't answer, and then like an hour later Ashley is outside and the phone rings again and she answers before I could get to it. So she talked to him again for 5 minutes and Daniel said OK it's time to go again. Oh, I know it is innocent at this age but still. This little boy is funny he gives her and other kids hugs when they leave from school. I decided to not tease her or make a big deal about it. I asked her how he got our # and she said she just gave it to him at school. Now Ashley keeps telling me that she wants to talk to Kayden again and if he calls again she is talking to him! WHATEVER!!

7 Years

Well yesterday was our 7 year Anniversary! I can't believe it has been 7 years! I couldn't get my scanner to work so I had to take a picture of our wedding picture, thats why it's a little blurry! So since it was Monday we decided to just go out to dinner to Lone Star and we took our kids! We are hoping to be able to do something by ourselves over the weekend. We had fun reflecting on how much has happened in just 7 years! We look forward to many more wonderful years together!

Happy Birthday Ryan

Here are some pictures of Ryan's little Birthday party! I think he loved his batman mask the most! Daniel's sister made his cake, she did such a good job!

Happy Birthday Ryan

Today is Ryan's Birthday! I can't believe my baby is 3 years old! Here he is sportin' his new Batman Jammies that his Grandma and Grandpa got him! They gave him his present early because they are out of town today! Ryan is going to have a small Batman party tonight, so more pictures to come later!

I just wanted to write down Ryan's birth info. 3 years ago on Saturday October 15th, I was the Enrichment Leader in my ward and had to help with Super Saturday at our Church! I was not feeling good all day but I just kept going and going. Finally when it was over and we were cleaning up and the other Leaders could tell I didn't feel good and sent me home. I was so sick on the ride home I had to have my mother in-law pull over so I could throw up. Well I was so sick the rest of the day and I was having hard contractions. I just thought I over worked myself because I still had 4 weeks left to go. Finally I laid down in bed at 10:30 that night and my water broke 15 minutes later. So we took our girls to Daniel's parents house and headed to the hospital. Right after I got there I asked for an epidural because the contractions were getting really hard. I didn't want to wait too long because Hailey came so fast they wouldn't give me an epidural and I didn't want to do that whole "completely natural thing" again!! So he ended up arriving at 4 in the morning on Oct. 16th weighing in at 7 lbs 6 oz and 19 in. They had a whole team in there for the birth just in case he had problems since he was early. They kept calling him a preemie and even made me stay an extra day because of it. He was healthy and only had a little Jaundice. But he didn't look like he was a preemie, he had chubs! Ryan was so cute and we were so excited to have a boy! He was a difficult baby, he whined and cried all the time. But somehow we have survived the last 3 years! We couldn't imagine our family without him! He has such a cute personality now and is growing up so much!

Sick Bug

I have been a slacker on updating but we have had the sick bug here. First I got it, then Ryan and now Ashley is just recovering from it. And let me tell having a bad sore throat and an aching body at the same time as morning sickness has not been fun. But my girls did a great job of taking care of me! So I thought I was getting over the morning sickness, except it is more like all day sickness. I will feel really good for 2 days then I have a bunch of bad days. I wish it would just go away! Here is a picture of Ashley while she was sick, she fell asleep on the chair while I was asleep on the couch!

Fun with Dad

The other day Daniel took the girls on a big long bike ride. They ended up riding their bikes to a Sporting goods store where they have rock climbing. Daniel said that both Ashley and Hailey did so good, they both made it to the top! While they were gone Ryan and I went on some errands! I got to go pick out some material so my mom can make me a blanket for the new one coming! I also just had to go and pick out a new outfit for the baby, I always have to go buy something after I find out what I am having!


Then on Saturday while I went to the RS Broadcast, Daniel took the kids for another fun adventure! They packed their backpacks and headed to the Light Rail! They rode the Light Rail downtown. They went out to eat, got ice cream and then went swimming at a hotel. The kids had a blast, no wonder they love their daddy so much! He always takes them to do fun stuff!

Here they are eating with their backpacks on!

Unexpected Ultra Sound

I had a Dr. appointment today and I was having some problems so they did an ultrasound. Well they were able to tell me that we are having a BOY! Yay I am so excited! They said everything is fine with the baby but I have Placenta Previa which means the placenta is over my cervix. So if it doesn't move I will have to have a C-section. I had this same thing with Ryan but it ended up moving, so there is a good chance it will move up! Anyway just thought we would let everyone know! We are all so happy it is going to be a boy! Our family will be perfectly even!

My little Super Hero

Ryan has been so into Batman and Superman lately! He makes me tie his blanket on him for a cape! Good thing Grandma Cottam is making him a real cape for his upcoming Birthday! He is so funny, the other day I told him that he wasn't Superman anymore that I was now, he looked at me funny and said "no you Super Mommy". He calls Hailey "Super Girl" and Ashley is his "Super Horsey". Today he also told me he wasn't Superman anymore that he changed into Batman with Super Powers! I love this boy he has such an imagination! He is always pretending! I can't believe how much he has grown up, he's not a baby anymore! Boohoo!

Eliches

On Saturday we took the kids to Eliches! We have season passes and figured this might be the last time we would be able to go! The kids love going on all the rides that they are big enough to! The more scary the better to them. I love theme parks and rides but of course I couldn't go on any rides because they make me sick to my stomach when I'm pregnant!

I have been meaning to do a post on this for a while! My nephew Kyle is in the Army and is leaving to Iraq this Thursday. He is such a great kid(well still my little kid nephew to me even though he is all grown up now)! He originally thought he wouldn't have to go to Iraq until next year but found out he had to leave a lot sooner. So him and his girl, Tara got married a few weeks ago! He is stationed in Fort Carson Colorado so he is about an hour away from us! On Saturday him and Tara came up to see us and say goodbye before he leaves. We are proud of him and we just love Tara! We had fun seeing them together and they are just so good for each other! Anyway I know a lot of you reading this knew Kyle when he was little so I just wanted to update on him!

This is a picture of them when Kyle was in basic training!

This is a picture I took of them in my front yard on Saturday!

Good Info

Hey everyone this is a good website that has a lot of good info on food storage and being prepared. Unfortunately you can't buy from this guy unless you live in Colorado. He is really nutty about things but has good info on other stuff. This guy is not LDS but he has came and spoke to many wards and says he really respects "Mormons" for wanting to be "Prepared"! We just bought 4 plastic drums from him to store water and grains in! You should check out his info on his website even if you don't live in Co! www.drum-runners.com

Weekend Trip

This weekend we went to the State Fair and boating at Lake Pueblo! Daniel's sister, Rachel and her baby came with us. The kids got to milk a cow at the fair and pet a lot of animals!

The next day we got the kids their own fishing poles and let them fish from the boat!

This was just a cool picture of a tree in the Lake with birds nests all over in it! There was tons of these trees just coming out of the lake.