Thankful

I'm Thankful for creative people who put these Mormon Messages together. I love this one!

Happy Thanksgiving! Oh and I'm Thankful for the best hubby in the world who I married NINE years ago today. Love You Jeffrey!

October in a Nutshell

Have you ever seen anyone get THIS excited to go to The OIL RANCH?

Well, we were! It's just THAT fun! We've done it plenty of times before (this was our 5th year) and we still never tire from going. It's tradition. Sydney missed out this year because of school, but one of these years I'll pull her out for some fall farming fun.

This was Saryn's first time to say "yes" to getting on the horses alone.

She got to try out the funnest Indian swings on the planet!

Spence enjoyed them maybe even more than I did -- and that's saying something!

He got to sit next to his idol, cousin Blakey for the hay ride.

I got to hang with my girls.

And see all that TEXAS has to offer.

We got to pick out pumpkins and take pictures in the sun.

Now for the home stuff...

We decorated the house so cute with some old laminated die cuts a friend gave me after she was done teaching (9 years ago). I found them this year in a filing drawer and was so excited. See, it's good to hang on to things every now and then. You may just make yourself happy one year that you never chucked that old stuff you've been meaning to.

We made Halloween cookies.

And read stories while they baked.

Then when Dad came home, we got to frost them.

Here's a little snap shot of our babies this year. Isabelle and Shayla will be running all over the place next year!

On to costumes...

Sydney was a beautiful Egyptian Princess -- Cleopatra

Spencer was nice enough to wear his Taekwondo uniform (which we paid a pretty price for and he didn't end up loving the sport) and was a Karate Master. He didn't complain once!

Saryn was a beautiful Cinderella and really looked like her with her short blond hair cut and cute features

Shayla was our traditional plump baby pumpkin this year.

They got to participatein the parade at the ward Halloween Party

and do some trunk-or-treating

This was Halloween night. Also, when Saryn was really feeling under the weather. Don't let her smiles fool you...

...because this was how she was really feeling.

On to the pumpkin costume that has been worn by every kid so far. I love this costume because it's big, round, and so cute! Plus, it keeps them warm on cold Halloween nights (this year it was a bit chilly). The cutest is when they crawl and the big orange roundness swings from side to side. So, here is Pumpkin wearer #1 -- Sydney at age 1 (2003).

#2 -- Spencer at 13 months. The only kid to walk in this thing (2005).

#3 -- Saryn, extremely excited about it when she was 11 months (2007).

And then #4 -- little Shayla at 10 months this year (2009). I love how her teeth match the costume!

That wraps up October. Oil Ranch trip, a bit (but not so much) of cooler weather, lots of candy, cookie making, still getting over illnesses, and wearing fun costumes.

Sa, Sa, Sa, Sydney!

S-E-V-E-N

Sydney turned seven on the 19th of October. She only had two requests for presents. Getting her nails done and getting a pair of roller blades. We kept the birthday festivities very low key this year and just had a family birthday party. Before I get into that, I wanted to jot down a few things about my girl.

SEVEN things I LOVE about SYDNEY...

1. She is a performer and always puts on quite a show.

2. She was voted Coyote Champion 2 years in a row by her classmates for being a great friend and a good listener in class.

3. She's very fashion oriented and likes to come up with some pretty creative outfits and hairstyles. Even though sometimes I have to bite my tongue and let "her be her". Does it really matter that she like to wear her hair slicked back (the wet look) and put a headband in place where a sweatband would go? Nope. She's totally into wearing glasses with the lenses popped out, which is actually really cute. Here's a shot of her with a couple of her lens popping out friends.

She's also very creative (still part of number 3) when it comes to art work and making things for the house. Here's some high-heeled shoes she drew up.

Here are some napkin holders she surprised us with one night for dinner. They are made out of tissue paper and card stock. Creative, huh?!

4. She is obsessed with a new science project she learned at school with milk, liquid dish soap and food coloring. Since then we have gone through more milk than normal. I keep reminding her she doesn't need to use that much milk, but I am happy that she gets so excited about science.

5. She is the oldest grandchild on both sides and is so great with all her cousins.

6. She is one fantastic sister and a HUGE help around the house! Even though Shay's half her size, I'm glad she requests to wear this around the house to help calm her sister.

7. She is my oldest baby and that means that she has to go through everything first. She is the guinea pig--sometimes things work and sometimes they don't--but she hangs in there with all of my imperfections and I will always be so grateful to her for that!

Nicknames for this girl: Syd, Squid, Sqidders, Sissy (from Saryn), Sweets, Punkin and whatever else she lets us call her.

Now for the pictures of her special day at the nail salon.

The nail lady made the whole experience really special for Sydney and she even got her coworker to help sing happy birthday to Syd (in their own cute English as a second language way).

The finished product.

Grandma and Mom had to get one too. Why don't I get these more often?

Grandma and Grandpa came for the party along with Sean, Allie and their kids.

Jeff made tres leches upon Syd's request. YUM! Don't know what went wrong with this one because the cake, for some reason, didn't soak up all the leche goods. Still so yummy!

Since then she has often been caught doing her homework while wearing these...

Happy Birthday, Sydney Girl!

Don't Come Near Us

WE ARE SICK.

We've been sick on and off for what feels like months now. First it was swine. Yep, the dreaded swine, which in the end wasn't too terrible. I think I may have had it and Spence may have, but Saryn was the one who tested positive for H1N1. We went on a wild goose chase searing for a pharmacy that would compound the Tamaflu into a liquid form for her and Shayla (Shay's was just a precaution). Luckily we got some and the rest of our crew didn't have any problems...until I got a call a couple weeks ago from the school nurse an hour before school let out saying that Sydney was running a fever. I went to pick her up and saw three other kids from her same class in there too. What I thought would be a short lived fever turned into a four day fever with a blood shot eye and throw up. Not fun. The vomiting didn't happen too often, which was good and it wasn't swine or strep throat. She did miss 3 days of school (with lots of make up work), a soccer practice, game, and a primary program she worked so hard on to memorize her part. I thought we were in the clear for a while and then just a few days ago, Saryn caught what Sydney had and Spence is following suit. It's been an adventure in our home. I think I'm ready to have good health flowing through our house again.

So, if you're wondering what we've been up to, this is it...

We'll keep pumping the liquids, chicken noodle soup, and videos to pass this cruddy time.

Soccer... (period).

Soccer! Hmmm...what to say about soccer? Let's start off by meeting our players.

Player #1: Sydney

Team: Fireballs

Jersey Color: Orange

Jersey #: 8

Does she love the sport? Umm, we're still trying to figure that one out.

Does she love getting dressed up in her uniform? Definitely YES, but prefers wearing her shin guards over her soccer socks. She just "likes them that way!"

Player #2 - Spencer

Team - Tigers

Jersey Color: Red

Jersey #: 9

Does he love the sport? If you tell him the ball is a Bakugon and it will transform into something when it rolls into that mesh looking thing we call a net, then maybe he'll get excited for a few seconds.

Does he love going to practice? He usually falls asleep in the car on the way over and gets a little cranky to gear up that soccer fire within him.

Spencer and Mya

Sometimes we wonder if either of our kids will get into the game of soccer. This last game for Spencer was a morning (rather than afternoon) game and he ran the fastest he's run yet only so he could watch his shadow on the ground.

I do have to say that it's not THAT bad. There are hints of excitement in there every now and then. Here's a good action shot of our fireball.

And we do like to get out as a family to cheer on our little players. It's fun to be on the teams with good friends and see some of the funny things these kids say and do. Like kick goals for the other teams and the drama that goes on with the different age groups.

So, one particular game (I think even his very first game) Spencer was putting some great effort into it and the last five minutes of the game he and Mya collided and this is what he ended up with.

.

I wish I would have taken a fresh shot of it because it was protruding and was reminiscent (just not quite as bad) of the time he collided with his cousin, Anna, and his head looked like this.

Kind of like a 3rd eye. These two ran full force through our house and knocked heads. OUCH! I can still hear that crack sound!!! He hit his forehead (obviously) and Anna bruised up the corner of her eye. Luckily they stayed friends.

Now let's meet some of this year's soccer supporters. (pictures courtesy of Nicole Skidmore)

Saryn loves to go to the games especially so she can collect little sticks off the ground and build camp fires with her other little buddies. It's amazing how intrigued the kids get with a bunch of sticks.

We look forward to the rest of the season (or the end) of the season.

Spencer is 5

Spencer turned 5!!

9-9-09

(pretty cool date, eh?)

FIVE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT SPENCER

1. He's the best brother and his sisters LOVE him to pieces. With plenty of girls in the house he's a good sport of watching Cinderella, Swan Princess, and most Princess movies requested in our home. On many occasions, he'll even be the prince, the knight or the dad when playing house or dress ups. (Though the girls still get the wrestling, teasing, and punching practice he needs to get out of his system).

2. He has the best sniffer on the planet and can smell things a mile away. Seriously, he's got super sniffing powers!!! "Somefin' (always) stinks" or "somefin' (always) smells good!"

3. He's the only blue-eyed person in our family. All girls have brown, Dad has green and Spencer got blue. And I love them!

4. He comes up with some pretty creative answers for questionnaires . Take a look at this one done by our church primary. We kept getting funny comments from people at church.

5. Last, but not least, this kid is a great climber! He can go up doorways, swing sets and outside street signs. Don't believe me, take a look for yourself!

Nick Names for this little guy: Spence, Spenny, Spenners, Sponsor, Spencey, Bah-lew (that would be from Saryn), Buddy, Pal, Tiger

Now for the party. Can you find Jeff and I in this team photo?

We did a sports theme and had different stations set up for them to do (throw balls through hula hoops, T-ball, soccer). These poor boys were blazing hot with this weather! All the outdoor activities lasted about 10 minutes because it was so hot!

They still had fun and were good "sports" about the whole thing.

Others weren't so happy. Sydney was sad to be one of the only girls at the party. She got up early with me to ref a volleyball game and maybe was just plain tired. Who knows? She definitely had her melt down though!

I borrowed a really cool cake pan from a friend's sis-in-law. I think it may even have sold me on getting one some day. You can put any type of filling on the inside. This round I just made two separate cake flavors for a colorful addition. I'm really trying to focus on these hexagons and pentagons here folks! Never knew that soccer balls alternated those two shapes.

Spence seemed pretty pleased with it and that was all that mattered to me!

The high light was probably the soccer ball pinata. What boy isn't excited to hit something with a long stick and see candy flying all over!

Bubba and Pappo were even able to come for a birthday visit. Grandpa Kirkham kept Spence and Renny busy in their "boats" for a good chunk of time. We love their visits and can't wait for them to return!

Happy Birthday, Bud!

My First Triathlon

So with Jeff doing all these fitness competitions, half marathons and flying to UT to try out his first triathlon, I was getting a little interested. Ask me one year ago if I would ever do one? Nah, no interest. But for some reason, I was even a little excited to try one out. Especially this one. Our ward Relief Society put one together that was held at the YMCA. Less than 10 people participated (9 to be exact), the cost was a whopping $5, I would be doing it with fun friends and if I absolutely had to poop out in the end I wasn't going to feel too terrible. I pretty much had to do it for my own sake to get it out of my system. I just don't see the glory in paying 85 or more bucks to something I may not enjoy at all. I'd rather put the money towards something more fun, like a new kitchen table or a fun new camera for instance.

So here are all the competitors. Some had the squirts, some didn't. : )

Ash, Julie and I were getting our gear together to head over for our first event--a 300 meter swim.

The swim wasn't too bad and was even enjoyable. Just when I was ready to be done it was over and we were off to our next event--a 10 mile bike ride.

Saryn was kind enough to let me sport her bike helmet. Sad to say that it fits my little noggin very well and was really comfortable. The whole transition thing was kind of funny. I probably could have moved faster than I did, but part of me didn't want to seem to antsy to start the next round. I mean I wasn't going for a gold or anything, just seeing how one even worked. And I was lucky (?) enough to sport Jeff's spandex. They were designed for triathlons and had a nice little cushion built in so my bum wouldn't get sore from biking.

I have to say that the biking part was my favorite. It's great scenery, you can let the wind hit you just right and if there's ever a time to coast, it's on the bike. I loved it!

My least favorite part was the 3 mile run. I'm used to speed walking on the treadmill with a little sprinting in there. I'm in motion for about 20 minutes tops and then I'm ready to call it a day! This race took a little more effort in good pacing and endurance. I ran the whole way with a friend I've been training in the mornings with. At one point she said, " I know I'm doing pretty good when I can still talk and run at the same time." Just keep talking was all I wanted to say, but couldn't get it out. It was fun to run with her. If she would have gone any faster, I think I would of slowed way down. But we finished strong. Some stronger than others and it was fun to cross through the finish line tape they'd keep putting up each time they'd see someone about to finish. I felt like a real athlete and that I really was going for the gold at that moment!

It was fun to be done and congratulate friends.

Then there is always one who is a little more out of breath than the others. If only it hadn't been me!!! I was starting to see everything around me go dark, my gums started tingling and then I had goosebumps all over, but wasn't cold at all! So there you have it! Everyone (all the 8 people there to support the runners) kept asking me if I was OK. and bringing me bananas and water.

I'm pretty tuckered in this picture, but it had to be taken.

I got home and crashed! Jeff was nice enough to take on the 4 kids for the morning to go to Sydney's first soccer game while I was gone. I felt bad I had to miss her first game, but I knew i'd have plenty more to catch. I wished they could of made it to this. Maybe they can come to my next one because I will definitely be doing one next year! Thanks, Kim, for putting this together!

Trash or Treasure?

Trash can be a funny thing. In New York trash is a free for all. People put their stuff out for the trash people to take away and it's not uncommon for others to just take whatever they see laying out in that big pile. So, tonight (about 3 hours ago) I decided to get rid of a little toy tool thing that was clearly broken. The kids didn't play with it much and when we decided to move it outside it pretty much got hammered by rough weather and rough kids. So this was only 3 hours ago!! It's not even 9:45 yet and the thing is GONE! It doesn't bother me much. I mean I was getting rid of it anyway. Just the thought of someone driving around looking around my trash was creeping me out a bit. I wish I knew they were coming because some of the pieces that went with it were put in the can. Next time I will be a little more thoughtful and lay it out with its matching pieces. Tonight the saying rang true -- Another persons trash becomes someone else's treasure...3 hours later! I need to do more weeding out of old stuff!