7th Grade School Pictures

We got Chloe's school pictures back. I think they are cute...she thinks her smile is weird. HAHA I think that is a normal reaction, I don't know many people who ever say they like their school pictures. Chloe has been at a charter school since she was in Kindergarten, so this is her first school picture not in a uniform. She is still at a charter school, but now on Wednesdays they let the 6-8th graders chose to wear uniform or dress up (church or funeral dress), and so they let them also have that option for school pictures. It's kind of a fun new thing they started this year. They can also wear a school or college t-shirt on Fridays instead of their normal uniform shirt. I can't believe how long her hair is. I think this is the longest it has been, and the color has changed since she had this picture taken as well ;)

Girls Weekend -Las Vegas

We have talked about starting a yearly girls weekend getaway forever, but this year we finally put it into action. We were able to have everyone there except for my Sister Sandi who was 8 months pregnant and not up for the trip. We just did two days and a night, Next year we definitely need at least two nights.

We stayed at the Westin Lakes Hotel, It was super fun. It is built right on an actual lake and there is lots of fun stuff to do there. We will definitely be going back. We packed a lot into our short time shopping, swimming, kayaking, dinner at the cheesecake factory, and roller coaster rides. We had a great weekend together. Can't wait for next year-I think we are thinking Park City, but time will tell.

Grandma Tawny and the Girls all got VANS

 Chloe said she was so scared on this roller coaster, but she ended up loving it and would definitely do it again. Just her, Saydee, and Grandma Tawny road it.

Love my Family

Dixie Round Up Rodeo

Per Tradition we attended the Dixie Round Up Rodeo. We have pretty much gone every year for the last 16 years. The kids all look forward to it. Landon didn't go with us cause we went on Thursday night and he had to work early the next morning, and the rodeo usually runs pretty late. He did hook us up with some great tickets and seats through one of his work contacts though. We got to sit right next to the shoots, so we had great view of the action. Tanner and Ariel came with us even though they aren't in any of the pictures. The rodeo wouldn't be the same with out some yummy rodeo food. Bryce hardly ever eats much, so I couldn't believe it when he actually ate a hot dog, cotton candy, and dippin dots. This is the first year Bryce has lasted through the entire rodeo, so he actually go to see the bulls. He loved it!

You're Acting Like Jesus

Yesterday my older two kids were fighting. The were calling each other names and bickering. Then they started getting Bryce involved. Telling him Bryce tell Chloe she's this or tell Tanner he's this or whatever. Chloe told Bryce he was acting like a brat. Tanner told Chloe she was acting like a baby. It went back and forth for several minutes. Then Bryce in frustration said to one of them after they had said something rude to him "well you're acting like Jesus". Not only did it make everyone laugh, but it ended the fight. It made me think about what he had said "your acting like Jesus" they definitely weren't, but he has heard that said and he knows that is who you should be acting like. I hope they got the message. I hope we can all be accused of acting like Jesus a little bit more.

And A Little Child Shall Lead Them.

#BryceEE

Car Wreck

Well we had another one of those moments at our house that you never want to have as a parent.

I don't keep my phone on at with me at work, but I randomly check it throughout the day. Last Thursday I checked it and saw that I had missed several texts and phone calls one of them was a message from Landon. I decided to listen to it. It is not good to hear your husband say "your son has been in an accident, he's okay, I am here with him". It is not a good feeling at all. Luckily we were having a slow day and I was just about to take my lunch break, so I went out and called Landon and then went home to make sure everything was really okay. By the time I got there the wreck had been cleaned up, and Tanners car was at our house. Landon had delivered Tanner and Ariel, both occupants of his car, back to school. They were little bit shook up and bruised but otherwise okay.

Unfortunately the accident was Tanner's fault. At lunch he hit into the back of another car full of kids, who then hit into the car in front of them. Tanner's car is pretty beat up and who knows when or if he will be able to drive it again. For awhile that's okay, because he is grounded from driving for at least a few weeks. Hopefully it will be salvageable though, because it has been nice having one less kid to run around since he's been able to drive. When the accident occurred Tanner hit his head and chin pretty hard on the steering wheel. We ended up taking him in to have his jaw looked at after several days of being in pain, and luckily everything checked out okay. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt, but I think in the future he will. We are just so glad that no one in any of the vehicles was seriously injured. This is a tough lesson to learn after only driving for less than a month, but at least it wasn't any worse than it was. Tanner did receive two tickets, and hopefully he will be able to do community service to work them off.

It must have been a slow news day too, because the accident also made the St. George News. Landon wasn't very happy that his picture was the one featured.

I really hope that this is the last time we have to deal with something like this, but you just never know. Like I said before I'm just really relieved it wasn't any worse and no one was seriously injured. I hope he learned several things here-don't get distracted by others in your vehicle, don't follow to close to cars ahead of you, and wear your seatbelt always. Raising teenagers is hard-hopefully we can all make it through the next few years.

Bubble Bath

There's just something fun about a bubble bath.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

I love it when I am able to get up and get dinner in the crockpot before going to work. It is so nice knowing that I will come home and dinner will be ready and I won't have to worry about what I'm making or getting it done in time before the kids have to be somewhere.

This is one of our favorites-Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.
The secret ingredient to this is the Grandma's Egg Noodles. (find them in the frozen section of your grocer)
I don't have a specific set in stone recipe. I just kind of add things until it seems right.
Use the following
Chicken Broth
Sliced Carrots
Diced Potatoes
Chopped Onion
Slice Celery
Cooked Chicken-Chopped Up
Pepper
Season All Salt
Grandmas Egg Noodles

We eat it plain or with breadsticks or sometimes we serve it over mashed potatoes. You can cook it in the crockpot or on the stove. If you do it in the crockpot you add the noodles the last few hours, or boil them and add them at the end.

11th Grade Pictures

I always get the kids school pictures just as a memory type thing. This year Tanner didn't turn in the money I sent with him to pay for his, so I did the next best thing and called a friend up and asked her if she would just take a few quick "school pictures" for me. Seriously these are way better and I'm super happy with how I turned out. I just might never order regular school pictures again and just have her take them every time for all the kids. I can't believe he's already in 11th grade and what a handsome young man he is becoming. #11thgrade #junior

Will You Still Love me If I Get a Tattoo

I have a teenage son and guess what I love him. Guess what else? He is just like any other teenager he is not perfect. He has had his share of good and bad moments. He has literally done things to make me cringe and cry, but he has also done things to make me smile, laugh, and beam with pride. We have our moments, and sometimes it feels like more than not I am always arguing or fighting with him about something, but that's okay. You want to know why? He is trying to figure out who he is and where he fits in.

The other day we were having a discussion (him, his Dad, and I) and he said to us I bet you would be embarrassed of me if I got a tattoo and then went to church with you guys. My husband looked right at him and said "no son we wouldn't, we aren't embarrassed about you and we never will be." He told him that he would strongly advise against getting a tattoo at his age, since it's kind of a permanent thing that you live with for the rest of your life, and lets face it something you think is cool at 16 probably won't be when your 34. Of course my husband is speaking from experience him having gotten a tattoo at 18, which he now wishes he didn't have. But after saying that he once again assured him that we wouldn't be embarrassed about him no matter what choice he made.

Here's the thing I hear people say things all the time like "my son will never have long hair, or my daughter will never wear that, or do this". Well guess what parents does it really matter if your child cuts their hair short or grows it long, or even what color it is. Does it really matter if they get a piercing or tattoo? Does it matter if they sag their pants (something that personally drives me crazy with my son, but I have learned to deal with it-haha) or wear skinny jeans. Guess what-IT DOENS'T. What matters is what's inside and what really matters is that no matter what they do they know that you love them and are not embarrassed of them no matter what!

Yes your kid is going to do stupid stuff. You might get frustrated. It might not be pretty, but being a teenager is hard. There is a lot going on and a lot they have to figure out, and they will. It might take time, it might come with lots of trials and tears, but they will figure things out and turn into great adults and hopefully they will do it with your love and support every step of the way.

When I thought about my son's questions would you be embarrassed of me? I think really what he was asking or wanting reassurance to, is the question-Will you love me no matter what? Yes son I will forever and always NO MATTER WHAT!!!

Paint Party

A few weeks ago the kids and I made a trip to Wood Creations. There was a project I was needing to pick up to make for my Mom for Christmas. Of course, I ended up getting a few extra things as well. I ended up getting and making this cute acorn door hanging for myself.

I also let each of the kids choose something. Bryce chose this pumpkin, and he did an awesome job painting it all by himself.

Chloe got this cute soccer decoration to sit on her dresser. I love it!!!

We had fun painting and hanging out. Bryce called it a paint party.

Hippos on Sunday

Last week, I got a call asking if I would sub Bryce's primary class. They said he might be the only one their unless their were visitors in town. I said I would and went ahead and planned a lesson. He ended up being the only one their, but I taught him anyways. My friend Lisa also came in and joined the class. The lesson was on saying "I'm sorry". I gave the lesson and then we all painted these cute hippo puppets that say "If I can say Hippopotamus I can say I'm Sorry". We ended with snacks and some hippo videos on YouTube-haha. It was some fun quality time with the little guy.

I thought to day was the day, but it wasn't

Today as I headed to drop Bryce off at his babysitter I thought to myself, when I get home I can post an update on how Bryce is doing much better now when getting dropped off at preschool and the babysitter. I was happy with the idea, because he has been doing so much better. Last week we had a full week of no tears. He has been happy and excited to go to each place. I thought he is finally adjusting, even though he still won't lunch at the babysitters, we are making progress. I got him out of the car and to the door and then he started crying and clinging to my neck. It was so hard to pry him off and leave him. Just when I thought we were on the downward slope and past that little hard spot. I hope tomorrow is better, but I don't have much hope as he was whining about it tonight. Oh man this is hard on me. I know he loves both places, cause he is always so happy and excited when I pick him up, it's just the initial drop off he struggles with. I hope he gets over it soon. Honestly it should make me feel better when people tell me he only does it for you and stops about five minutes after you leave, but it doesn't. It makes me feel worse, cause I know how much he is attached to me and that only proves the point. Sad Mommy :(. I have my fingers crossed that by the end of the week he will be doing better again and maybe in another few weeks I can post that he has finally adjusted.

Labor Day Weekend

Normally on Labor Day Weekend we go camping, or go to a ball tournament of some sort, of go to Fillmore. This year we did none of the above. We stayed home. It would be nice to say we say around and just relaxed, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Friday night Chloe and Bryce had a sleepover with their cousins. They are both enamored with their littlest cousin Maya and would both like a baby sister-um no thanks. HA!

 Saturday I did a little yard selling with my Grandma and sister Sandi. The rest of the day I pretty much spent at Brandon and Tiffanie's house, cause Landon was helping Brandon put on a new roof. It took most of the day. Although Landon did take a little break so he and Tanner could go catch a new movie Tanner had been wanting to see before Tanner had to go to work.

The kids had fun playing with their cousins all day. I enjoyed snuggling with little Maya.

Sunday we went to church. Then Monday we tried to do some stuff around the house. Landon also helped with the roof a little bit more. Then just like that our three day weekend was over and it was time to get back to reality.

Fun at The Costanzas

Last week our friends the Costanza's invited us over to swim and bbq. The day ended up being a little colder than normal with cloud cover and wind. That didn't deter Chloe from swimming, although it kept the rest of us out of the pool. Bryce swam a little bit, but he just couldn't handle the cold water. He did spend quite a bit of time in the hot tub though. I joined him, after falling off the step, I didn't have much choice. HAHA! He also had fun helping Lisa spray Landon and John with the house and he tried his hand a golf on the putting green. When we had enough of the pool we went inside and played a little ping pong and table hockey until dinner was ready. Then it was time to eat. Next thing you know we turn around and the crazy kids are back in the pool. They finally came in and went downstairs to watch a movie in the theatre room while the adults visited. When it was time to go I went down to get them and Bryce was fast asleep. Looks like I have found some new babysitters-HAHA!!!