Well, Pops wasn't able to make it to church with us again, he was doing his visits and meetings with the ward he's assigned to and Crate was a typical 13 month old at church. Once again much more time was spent in the hallways than anywhere else except for the part where he fell asleep in YW's. That was a nice change. No reason to complain...it's all apart of the game called parenthood. Church in the hallways is something that happens to pretty much every mother I know from about 9 months until nursery age. He loves roaming the hallways and discovering what's behind every door...usually just chairs and a chalk board. Somehow he finds that incredibly exciting. I thought the other three boys were sitting quietly during sacrament meeting until I peeked in on them and saw one of the older teenage boys sitting with them...I guess there was a problem over the cheerios. I reminded them again that the cheerios are ONLY for Crate and shouldn't have even been taken out of the bag in the first place. I was thankful that sacrament meeting was pretty empty today...less people to watch my children argue. That's embarrassing.

We went to the cousins for my side of the family Thanksgiving get together since we weren't together at all on Thanksgiving day. I think I've eaten enough for a long time...like until tomorrow morning when I wake up hungry. I'm thinking it's time to tape my lips shut for a month. It'll do good in more ways than one.

Oh, how I don't want this weekend to end. It's been a good one. I love when days are different from the normal stuff.

Wow...we left the house at 9:30am and got home at 7pm. That makes for a long day.

Pops left in the wee hours of the morning for a game of golf and then needed to work in the afternoon so I decided to take the boys to the mall and get Pops' Christmas present. I was a little apprehensive to take all three of them on a weekend like this by myself but I have to say...THEY DID AWESOME! I bribed them with buying them pretzels and playing at the play place if they were good in the store and it worked. I was able to look around with out them running around, they stayed right by me and were cooperative. Of course Boss did a little too much kissing on Crate so he let out a few high-pitched squeels letting all of us know he wanted Boss off of him but other than that everyone was happy. I attribute it to the fact that we went early in the morning before any of them needed a nap.

After the mall we headed over to Marmies house to help her pack again. The boys even helped out a little too. Then we got a call from the cousins who said they were going to see Tangled and invited us along. Of course Crate wouldn't sit through a 90 minute movie so I dropped off the boys at the theater with the cousins and headed to the grocery store while they watched the movie. Once it was over I headed back to pick them up and was lucky enough :) to have cousin Captin come home with us to spend the night. The boys love having him over and once we got home it was non-stop playing.

We made a quick stop at Home Depot to pick up the necessary items for the YW's Christmas presents had dinner, baths, played mean nanna and now the three oldest boys are fast asleep in the fort that was built last week. Poor Crate was so tired he walked into his bedroom and stood at his crib wanting to get in. I love the fact that he goes to bed easily for the most part. It makes bedtime easy.

Another blessed Sunday tomorrow with four boys. Pops is hoping to be there but we shall see.

Ahhh, Black Friday. For almost twelve years I've begged Pops to head out early on black Friday and search great deals with me but it's never happened until today! I was shocked on Wednesday when he suggested that I should find a sitter and we should go out, not to early of course, and check out the deals. Sure enough I found a sitter on the first try and about 8:15 this morning we headed out. Thanks to Craig's list I had already gotten the boys there main present (Star Wars Lego stuff) but we thought we would go see what else is out there. I took cash only (knowing myself I can go overboard sometimes) and got two boxes of Lego's that were super cheap for the boys and a few fun little toys for Crate. I also picked up some long sleeved t-shirts for the boys. I know they'll be really excited because they have Star Wars characters on them and I usually refuse to by screen print tee's. I love Christmas time, especially with kids, it's so fun to see their eyes light up in the spirit of giving. Pops was looking for a specific video camera but it wasn't quite as inexpensive as he had hoped so we skipped on purchasing it. We ended up at my favorite, Paradise Bakery for lunch and headed home to find everybody safe and sound. It was a really enjoyable time with him.

On the down side for today I woke up with a swollen nose. Literally it looks like I got punched and my nose is all red. I must have an infection or something, either way it just doesn't look right and it hurts like you know what. It's been getting worse as the day goes on and I'm feeling worse as the day goes on. Not good. Needless to say I'm heading off to bed and can hopefully sleep off this sickness. I took 10,000mg of vitamin C tonight and am hoping that will help.

Yeah! tomorrow is Saturday...I love this four day weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!! We're about to off for our family bike ride. My idea of hiking got vetoed. Oh well, a family bike ride is good enough.

I'm thinking maybe I'll even get a 30 minute nap before we head off. I had a killer workout this morning and am really feeling it right now and could use a quick rest.

I was reflecting on my many blessings this past year and have been able to see the Lord's hand in blessing our family more than once.

My boys haven't suffered from any major sicknesses all year long, neither have Pops or I. We have a home to live in and cars that work every time we turn them on. Plenty of food in the fridge and pantry. A room full of toys. Comfortable beds. A piano, T.V., movies, video games, computers, clothes, shoes, and much more.

Most importantly the gospel of Jesus Christ and friends and family who are wonderful.

Trials have come and gone throughout the year and some are still lingering around but most importantly I can say we've seen how the Lord has helped us through difficult times and continues to do so. We are learning lessons that could never be learned any other way and because of difficult times I have been able to learn of my Savior and the love he has for me. And I've learned it's always best to find the silver lining amongst the gray stormy clouds. For there always is something good that comes from something bad.

This really is an amazing life that I wouldn't trade for anything.

So the big Turkey day is tomorrow. We're having dinner with Pop's side and I'm bringing the potatoes and rolls. I also made a dessert that I've never made before and I might take it too...if it doesn't get eaten before we make it over there. I was bound and determined not to be cooking tomorrow at all and I so happy I got everything done today and so we are planning some good old family exercise in the morning. Bike rides, jogging or hiking...just not sure which one will choose yet. OK...I'm planning the exercise party but highly encouraging (read: you have no choose)all family members to participate. It should be a fun morning.

Can't decide if I'm most looking forward to not having extra children tomorrow or that Buster doesn't have to go to school tomorrow or the fact that Pops won't be working tomorrow or all of the above...I'm hoping everyone wakes up in a good mood and looks forward to a day filled with family fun. Not to mention it's supposed to be pretty chilly outside so it'll feel even more like a true winter holiday!

Other blog worthy items:
~I mopped my floor this week. Once again a clean floor makes me a happy woman.
~The boys have a massive fort that they built in the playroom. Seriously, again?
~Crate is almost to the point of running. It's really cute.
~All the laundry is done except for the towels and the load that's in the dryer waiting to be folded.
~I vacuumed out the car today. I could probably do that twice a week. How does it get so dirty?
~No YW's tonight. We enjoyed the night off.
~Pops added up the total medical expenses we spent last year. WOW, having a baby with no maternity coverage can be pricey. I am just thankful he's paid for and there were no major/super expensive complications. I know we are very blessed in the area of health and most years spend very little when it comes to medical issues.
~The van had a dead battery this morning. I think I never fully shut it off last night. Dumb blond moment or what?
~I REALLY need to take a shower...I look the same way I did since yesterday at 5:03am.

OK to back track a few days...

Sunday was the boys primary presentation. They both did awesome.

Busters part was: "As children we can see and feel His love in so many ways. These feelings become our testimonies."

Boss' part was: "I know God sends prophets so we can learn. We should follow the prophet."

They both had their parts memorized and said them well in the microphone. Boss sat at the very front and did pretty darn well being reverent. Every time I would catch his eye he would get really embarrassed and cover his mouth so I couldn't see him smiling. It was really cute.

Marmie came out to watch them and helped out with Crate during sacrament which made it really nice. Pops had his speaking assignment since it's the third Sunday so unfortunately he missed it but was there in spirit I'm sure. :)

~~~~Back to today~~~~

Crate woke up at 4:45am for the day. Normally I don't mind waking up this early but when I have a child awake with me it's not the same. He was happy for the most part...



We played chase...




Then he helped me unload the dishwasher and when we were all done and I shut the door he gave me this look...


Got sad...


then mad...


and threw himself on the floor...


can you say t.i.r.e.d?

And this is what I look like at 5:03am. Scary, I know.


Buster got ready for school this morning and jokingly I said, "you want to stay home today?" Normally he can't wait to go to school (he didn't get that from me) but today he said his tummy kind of hurt so I was like "OK, what the hay, take the day off." Boss was overly excited to have him home all day. We did lots of school work, they got their laundry done. We built forts, played "mean Nana", got hair cuts and even made a trip to Walmart with four kids in tow. He said he felt guilty about staying home and I said "ahhh, get over it and enjoy it." Tonight he did say he's ready to go back.
Man if I could just pause time with them right now...

Now I'm starting to look like I did at 5:03am this morning. It's time to rest up.

Tonight I was reminded again how fun it is to hang out with the boys. I can really say that they are just down right fun to hang out with, they make me laugh, I can make them laugh and we just have a great time together. I think it'll be so much fun as they get older and I hope they'll want to still hang out with their "old" parents.

They are working on being obedient on the first time I ask and I can tell they're really trying hard. They loved to be praised when they do something good. I'm trying to always recognize when they have been obedient and really make them feel good. It seems the more they get praised the more they want to make us happy.

Looking forward to two days off from school and babysitting and then two more weekend days! Hooray!