That Was Such A Fun Night...

...this is the phrase I've heard about 10 times in the last 30 minutes.



Tonight for FHE we went to my moms for pizza, to hang out with cousins and play in the leaves.








The kids had such a fun time, and my mom even joined in the fun. I thought she was crazy as I watched her get down on the ground and play with the kids.



They just laughed and laughed and laughed.
















We went inside to warm up a little and their Aunt Teresa read them a book while I tried to prove that my brother and I are identical twins. Never mind that we don't have the same eyes, eye color, lips, teeth or nose. Maybe it's that we have the same head, but I'm holding on to the fact that we were meant to be twins.

The kids were right, it was a great night and one they will hold in their little memories forever.

Thanks Mom!

The Joy Of Blogging

Okay, so I have this friend who blogs and is hilarious. She shares the greatest stories and most always makes me laugh...or cry. Actually I have a few friends who do this, but I'm going to share this particular friend with you because I think we all need a good laugh once in a while.

Her name is Kristy, and it would be extremely polite if you left her a comment, just so she knows you're reading her and that you're not a stalker.

Be sure to go read THIS post, and then go kiss your spouse.

ENJOY!

Day Of Ice

Chris had a game last night. I got there late, so I only saw the last half of it. When I got there they were 4-2, but by the end of the game they tied 5-5. One of the goals on from the other team didn't really go in, but the ref called it in too early and had to stick with her call. Not cool!


Chris still had fun and is glad he is on the ice so much.

While Chris was at his game, the kids went ice skating.














I can't believe Tyler would want to skate after being on the ice so much this week. He is on two teams, and then subs for a third but he goes to all three practices plus he plays at least one game on Saturday. The kid is crazy!




Patch is such a nut! He is a little skating freak, we love it!




Alexa had a spill and just laughed, she's great!






Caely and Tyler had snow contests. That's where you come to a side stop creating shaved snow with the ice. Tyler could get it over the blue barriers, Caely got close but needs a little more practice.


















Tyler gave Alexa snow lessons. It was so cute to see him work with her. He's such a good big brother.







Chris and the kids stayed at the rink for a long while, and Caely and I took off to go on a date. We went to pick her some new earring because Saturday was the first day she got to change them. She was VERY excited!


We tried all day to get her earring out, and thankfully the girl at Claire's could get them out. She picked three new pairs, then we headed off to the book store to find a book I needed for Alexa's class on Monday.

It was a fun ice weekend!

The Shot Heard Around The World

Tyler's game today was a rough one to watch. Tyler played hard, but it was still a bad loss, 1-6. I think the hardest part was listening to the other teams parents. Sometimes games run that way, but I always cheer for the other team when they're loosing that bad. There were lots of parents still screaming when their team scored, like it was the winning point. I know it's a competitive sport and I'm okay with loosing, it's just the manner in which it's done.
Right toward the end of the game, in the third period, Tyler got a penalty shot. They get every one off the ice and it was between Tyler and the goalie.

Tyler started off great, he had good form, good control and good speed...

He get's up to the goal and....

WHAM! Hit's the post.

That was a lot of pressure for him. If he weren't such a strong player it wouldn't be so disappointing, but you heard the crowd moan as he missed because they all depend on him to be the best. I'm really proud of him, these chances don't come along very often and I know he tried his best. He did get the assist for the first and only goal his team made. I know he works really hard, this is just one loss over and done with.

Hangin' With A New Crowd

Today Caely had her third Activity Days Activity. The girls got together with girls from another Stake and were taught to act lady like. What a fun idea! Caely had so much fun. She met a new girl that gets to be her pen pal. They apparently did A LOT of talking, had some fancy drink and a snack, learned how to sit properly in a dress and use good manners.
As I pulled up to the church and all the girls were outside waiting for the doors to be unlocked, I got a glimpse of what 4yrs. from now will look like. Lots of girl friends and YW activities.
At first I was a little giddy, hoping that we will be the fun house all the kids want to hang out at. Then, I realized that would mean I had a daughter that liked things other than riding a bike, like...BOYS! I also thought about all the dumb fights girls have. and crushes. and school activities. and and and! I know all those things prepare them for adulthood, but WOW! Am I ready for this?!
My two oldest are starting a new phase and I love it! For now.

Motherhood

I took the last week to start listening better to my kids, to drop what I was doing for what they wanted to do, and to really enjoy the full time job of motherhood that I have.

I must say, some days were easier than others. It was a constant personal battle to remember what my goal was and to pay more attention to the kids. I'm not even sure they noticed, but I did. I had to have a mental change and that is challenging.

I think I did pretty well. I heard Patch laugh more last week than him crying. I'm sure it's because I payed attention to why he was laughing and enjoyed the moments with him. I feel like I was more in tune with my kids needs as I tried to pay better attention. We played games one day, and have had lots of tickling.

My goal for motherhood this week is to spend a little more time talking to each child about the things that they did in the day and to what is important to them. I'm going to try to linger longer after dinner or before bed. I love knowing who my kids are and what they like, I realize they will stop talking to me soon and I need to hold on while I can.

Thanks to all the wonderful examples of motherhood I have out there. Keep up the good work!

Halloween Fun

Each year Halloween is getting funner and funner. It helps that my kids are older and doing more of the work for themselves.


The kids got a surprise in the mail last week, a letter from their Aunt Stacey and some stickers. Patch went to town, tattooing his arms and hands. It was pretty funny!

Patch was a cowboy this year, really easy since that is what he was last year.




Alexa saw a genie costume one day while we were out shopping and had to have it. Then it hung in the closet because it was too itchy to wear. I made her wear it anyway. We fixed the itching by having clothes underneath.

Caely picked a vampire this year, she looked awesome!






Tyler wanted to be some crazy chainsaw killer, but the school usually doesn't allow masks so he just wore his hockey uniform. When it was time to get ready to go Trick-or-treating, Tyler couldn't find his mask and didn't want face paint, so he threw together a pirate costume.

This is the second year that he has changed his costume three times in one day!


Chris ended up having a game Halloween night, so I took the kids around. The weather was so nice, I really enjoyed going!







Scary ladies!!!