Punky Brewster?

Remember Punky Brewster?



I do, I live with her!

Surprisingly enjoying!

Last night Abbi and I attended the Stake PJ party for all Activity Day girls. I'll admit that this wasn't something that was top on my priority list of "things to do", Yet, I always find myself being surprised by how much I actually enjoy these activities once I am there. Their main focus was on PJ'S...Prayer, Journal and Scriptures. We all wore our comfy pajamas and settled in on pillows and blankets strewn about the gym floor for some pizza and talks given by youth leaders. One of the speakers, Kathy Hansen, really captivated my attention. She shared a story of her family discovering a birds nest under their house deck. Each day they would take a peak to see what these birds were up to, and one day they noticed there were five blue bird eggs. They kept a close watch on these bird eggs until one day they had hatched. A few weeks had gone by, and soon enough these five little birds were learning how to fly. Stretching their wings and fluttering over the back lawn. Mom and Dad bird were close by, keeping a watchful eye out as their babies struggled to find the ability to make it off the ground. To their horror, a magpie was lurking in the tree not far from where the little birds were. One by one the magpie flew down and snatched the little birds out of the grass. The Hansen family was doing everything they could to distract this magpie from getting the babies, but it didn't help. Only one of the baby birds made it away. The only thing that could have kept these birds out of harms way, was their own ability to fly.

Kathy likened this story to that of our testimony of our Savior. Only WE have the ability to "fly" or to gain a testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the end, it doesn't matter what testimony our parents have, or our leaders , or even the Prophet. In order to find our way back to our Father in Heaven, we must have our own testimony.

I am thankful that I have a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Although my wings may flutter now and then, I have the ability through Prayer, Journal, and Scriptures to find my strength and keep flying.

School Pictures

Last week Isabella had pictures taken at preschool. I forgot. The picture speaks for itself. Surrounded by an array of 4 year old's with hair curled, new clothes and shoes, nothing short of perfection. Then Bella. Perfect in her own way. Last year's Halloween shirt (although it's November), leggings on her arms (eliminates the need for a jacket), and slight remnants on her cheek of a once was princess tattoo. At least she's got personality!

Happy Halloween!

What a great Halloween, we had such a fun night. Our good friends, the Mansell's, invited us and a few other families over for a yummy dinner before trick-or-treating. Sloppy Joe's, homemade french fries and frog eye salad...what a perfect Halloween dinner, YUMMY!

My fifties girls...Madison & Abbigayle

Cutest ever Little Red Riding Hood... Isabella


The flower that didn't smell so good...Gabrielle

The trick-or-treating crew...

(top row) Ethan, Kylie, Alli, Abbi, Mckell, Madison
(bottom row) Kitty, Bella, Annie, Kimberly & Gabrielle
Special thanks to the Mike and Loren for supervising kids while trick-or-treating and to Jason Butts for scaring the crap out of me and Stacey!

The Loot!

After a good round of trick-or-treating, we came back to the Mansell's for some good old sledding. Where else, but Colorado, can you trick-or-treat and sled all in the same day?

Mike, as we all know, is still a kid at heart. The Luge was way too tempting to resist. Check out what happens when a 35 year old tries to sled in the front yard...

Funny, I know!

This...is how it should be.

The sugar buzz in all but gone, and all that remains are the wrappers from half- eaten candy bars. Now that's what I call a great Halloween night!

Where's the tooth fairy?

After weeks of pushing, pulling, grabbing, jabbing and twisting...Madison FINALLY lost her first tooth!

This morning Madison woke to find her tooth gone, but wait, no money? Where is the tooth fairy?

Good thing fairies can't fly in a blizzard! Maybe tonight.

Is the bank still open?

Really?

It's always something. I have decided when you have 5 children, you are bound to have issues. Lots of them, wide variety too. This weeks issue...hitting. I honestly have never had to deal with physical confrontation with my children, with the exception of Gabrielle. But, we expect it from Gabby, we anticipate it and therefore have a level of control over it. This however was a complete blindside.

After school last week, Isabella's two pre-kindergarten teachers approached Mike while picking her up that day. They proceeded to explain, while Isabella was standing there, that there has been a problem with hitting other girls while out at "recess". After the shock lifted, Mike was able to ask why they thought it was Isabella that was initiating contact. They had nothing more to say than it was two against one. In other words, two girls were telling the same dramatic story about Bella, so somehow that validates their conclusion. He continued by politely explaining that hitting was not an issue at our house, especially with Bella, but we would talk with her about this. Not that we had to, she had been standing there, listening word for word through the whole conversation. HELLO! She is four, not deaf.

This is our 5th year with this particular preschool. Never had a problem, until now. Funny thing is that it's not the hitting that's bothering me. If Isabella is hitting, that is clearly a problem, one that we can find the root cause and ultimately stop the behavior. But how can I undo the damage from two teachers who didn't have the common sense to take a different approach to discussing this issue with her parents?

They clearly don't have children of their own. If they did, they would feel as stupid as I think they both are right now.

Party like it's your birthday!

Today is my baby girl's 9th birthday!

We went to none other than Red Robin for her birthday dinner.

We ran into Miss B there so we snapped a quick shot together.

Let's face it...besides the fries, Red Robin doesn't have a whole lot to offer. Unless you're the birthday girl, then you get the coveted ice cream sunday! You can see the envy in Madi's eyes.

Abbi was nice enough to share with her little sister, well, one anyway.
Who could resist that wide open mouth?



We have to take advantage of the fact that she will still take a photo
with her parents. Not too many more birthday's before me and Mike
will be on our own!


We came back to the not so coveted cupcakes at home.
Somehow I still managed to pound three of them in one sitting.
Good news, there are still 9 left for breakfast tomorrow morning!


Ethan, what a sweet boy, bought this LIV doll for Abbi with his
very own money. Those things aren't cheap! She was shocked,
to say the least.

After six Target stores, two Toys R' Us and 44oz. of diet coke...

we finally found the infamous Zhu Zhu pets. FYI, if your kid wants one

in time for Christmas, start looking now!!

Happy Birthday Abbigayle! We sure love you!