Rollerskating!

So to help pass the very long winter break we tried to do as much as we could. One of the fun things we did was go rollerskating!! I love to roller-skate and so does Megan.

Megan wanted to go ice skating put that wouldn't work for the whole family.

We got every one hooked up with their skates and got Josh and Isaac ( after we tried with the skates and it didn't work) with scooters. They were maniacs with the scooters. Josh was a natural and lapped his brother in no time.

As the boys got tired of doing laps we found the games. Their favorite one was this basketball one. We stood them up on the outside so they could reach and they would bend over to wait for the balls to come down. They were every good at it and it kept them busy for a very long time.

For the first time in 12 years Greg and I looked at each other not quite sure what to do with ourselves as all our children were handling themselves on their own. No more toddlers or babies. I am ready to more on to the next phase of life.

Here is Sarah with her good friend Jordan. After a good try of rollerskating they opted for the scooters as well.

Here's Megan with here good friend Kalyssa (Jordan's older sister). They were pros out there!

Here is Isaac giving his all to try the skates. He didn't last long once he saw Josh whizz by him on his scooter.

Thought he was big stuff with his scooter!

"JOY"

Well, a year down, a new year just begun.

What a year it has been. So many wonderful things that have happened and all have been such a blessing to me and my family.

It is always fun to think back on the year and reflect on all the things that have occurred. One thing that comes to mind every time I think of this year is Ben receiving the Priesthood. That has really had a hug impact on all of us. I have seen such a change in Ben. He is more thoughtful, calm, understanding, and caring. I know he know's what a blessing and responsibility it is to have the Priesthood.

There are so many other wonderful things that have blessed my family and me, I could sit and write for hours. But I'm not. I want to take the things that have touched me and help me grow and mature and apply them to my new year.

To start I have taken on a new tradition for myself. I got the idea from a blog I recently stumbled upon just a few months ago. This women, every year, picks a word or a small phrase to use as a theme for her year. It is just for her. So this year I am going to try it myself. I am always up for anything that will help motivate me and try things that will help me to move forward.

So my word for 2011 is, "JOY"

I choose that word because as I reflect upon this past year I tried to think about what I could have done better, or how could I have improved my year. Sad to say I found my self wishing that I could have had more personal joy in my life. Don't get me wrong, I am happy and grateful for what I have, but I needed to "find joy in every journey." There were many times that I caved into stress or peer pressure or let those around me bring my down. I had a conversation with my sister recently and we were talking about how it is so easy to let people and things around us affect our own personal joy. for myself I saw that as a weakness and I didn't like that.

So, here's to myself, I am going to have "Joy" every day and see the "Joy" in all that I do. When I think of the word joy I think of the Conference talk given by Pres. Monson a few years back. He talked about "finding joy in every journey." That is my all time favorite quote. It is true. I am always telling my kids that they are in complete control over their own reactions to everything. I will hear them say " you make me so mad" or " she made me sad" I am always quick to say " you decided how you feel, no one else." Well it is time I listen to myself and stop letting my surrounding affect me.

So here's to 2011 and "JOY"

Taking down Spiderman!

So for Christmas my Mom sent the boys super hero sweat shirts. Isaac got Batman (who he loves) and Josh got Spiderman (he is obsessed with!!) As soon as Josh opened his he had all his clothes off and was ready to adorn his new found love.

Day 1

Day 5

I am hoping I can concur Spiderman and at least wash him! I do have to say, I think my Mom wins the ward for best gift! Way to go Mom!!

Sledding!!

We love to go sledding!

We have the best place to go! You know you will always have snow even if there is no snow at our house. When we got up to Mutual Dell there was no one there. It was so fun to have the whole place to ourselves!! The kids had a blast and so did Greg, I was still trying to get over the flu so I stuck with taking the pictures. Thank goodness Greg loves to play with the kids, some times I think he thinks he is still a kid .

When we were all done every one was SOAKED!!!

Ben going for his jump. Big boys are too cool to just do "normal" sledding.

These pictures are totally out of order, but this is Isaac having a snack after some fun sledding.

Megan had just come down the hill and wiped out. She was laughing really hard!

Some of the gang working their way down the hill.

Josh wasn't to sure about the sledding. He hung out with Mom for some of the time and then got up some guts to do some runs with Dad. He made his Dad carry him up the hill very time. He had some issue with being pulled in the sled up the hill.

Sarah had an awesome time! Isn't she so cute!

I love her face!

Total fear in Joshies face. He hadn't warmed up to the sledding yet.

Isaac had a blast!

So stinken cute!! They look sweet, but there's a whole bunch of trouble looking at ya!

Isaac's Christmas program

Well this has been our 5th Christmas program through the same pre-school. I love this pre-school!! They have many programs through out the year and they are always so cute.

This is Isaac's first year of pre-school and he loves it! He was very excited for his program. He practiced a lot for it and couldn't wait to show us all his hard work, not to mention Santa was going to be there as well.

He did a very good job but was easily distracted by the track walkers that was up above his head.

I can't believe how big he is getting!!

Isaac ans Josh were so excited to see Santa! They both told them exactly what they wanted. It was so cute!

What a handsome boy!

He did a great job singing! (crazy red eyes!)

He was so proud of his program! He loved to be there and sing his songs.

Megan

Megan is our true performer!! You ask her what she wants to when she grows up and it always has something to do with being in front of people and performing. I hope that she keeps that confidence as she grows up and doesn't lose that like I did.

In our Elementary school this year they put together a Ballroom dance team. They have been doing it since the beginning of the school year and practice every Monday and Tuesday's before school starts. This schedule would only work for Megan and not any of my other children. She is my, on time get up as early as you need to to make sure you get to were you are going on time kind of kid (I love that).

They had their first sneak peak of the dances they have been working on. In January they will go to their first competition.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree!!

Every year we get a fresh tree. We love going out and picking it (at Home depot) bringing it home and the smell of it.

This year we heard about a tree farm not far from our home. You get to go out and look for your tree, cut it down and bring it home. What fun!! We ventured out and the hunt began. It was full of caroling, sweet smells, family bonding time.....Oh wait, that was a dream.

Have you ever watch the movie "Christmas vacation", the opening scene when they are driving to the tree farm, the kids are SO excited to go(megan and the little guys were excited) we had some protesting and some not so excited kids(Ben).

Once there we were hoping for a bright light to shine upon "the tree", but that didn't happen. I was very overwhelmed! So many trees to pick from and it had to be "the perfect" tree. We would find "the one", but then we would find another one. Ben was full of support and led the christmas caroling....NOT!!! He was cold and was ready to go!!

We did find "the one" and had a really great time hunting for it. We got it cut down and then had it pulled by a 4wheeler to the car. Now that was the best part!!

We have it up and I am thinking it is kind of BIG! Oh well, we love Christmas around here so the bigger the better!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I think the tree is a bit on the big side!!

On our way home!

Kids loved the ride and we loved that we didn't have to carry it all the way to the car!

Timber!!!

"The one"