Snow Time

A couple of weeks ago after a big snow storm Cody decided to get out the four wheeler and pull the kids around on a sled. They had so much fun and even survived a couple of crashes.

Come and Gone Again

Our holiday season has been so much fun this year. I love the feeling that it brings into our home and all the family we get to see and be around. It definitely can get tiring, but it is well worth it. As usually we are way busy going to all the grandparents parties. At Grandma Jo and Papa Craig's the kids got to perform the nativity scene. At Papa Duseys the kids went wild and had fun just being with cousins and sleeping over. And then at Grandma Lori and Papa Rays they get to chill back and get lots of attention because they are only cousins around. :)

Christmas at our house is getting more and more fun each year. I love seeing my children full of excitement Christmas morning. This year Cody told our kids that WHENEVER they wake up we would wake up. WHAT? Is he crazy? The only rule was they couldn't leave their bedrooms and they had to yell for us when they woke up. Well of course Cody slept through the screaming and I was the one to hear them. They ended up waking up at 5:30. Way to early for me (now I know why my parents would make us wait in the morning). After a few minutes I finally got up and enjoyed Christmas morning with my children. Cooper caught on pretty fast, but was definitely tired because he had to wake up soooo early. We have felt very blessed this year and are thankful for the WONDERFUL family that we have. I hope that each year will bring more happy memories!

The Spirit of GIVING!

We had the opportunity last week to be involved in The Santa Cause. On Monday we meet up with a bunch of people and the players from Flash at Walmart to go shopping for 85 families in need this holiday season. We were given a list of what the family needed, how old they were, or if they were a boy or girl. So before we started I explained to the kids what was going on and that we could only spend so much so we needed to get what the kids really needed first. Jori really caught on and loved looking for the gifts, Brody...well lets just say he was himself, and of course Cooper hated the whole thing. What one year old loves shopping. :) Oh I failed to mention that Cody was out of town, but luckily a Flash Player named Brian pushed the cart around for us. I'm sure at times he just had to think we were the craziest family around. In the end we had shopped for three families,It sure felt good. On Wednesday everyone that could got together and wrapped all of the presents. I had Young Woman's so we weren't able to participate. Then on Saturday everyone meet together to deliver the gifts to the families. We were able to go to three. All of the families we went to spoke Spanish, but it was still amazing to see the smiles on their faces and know that this was going to help them out. My favorite part of the day was this conversation we had with Brody.

"It's strange Mom I feel warm inside." Brody
"That's the Holy Ghost telling you that you are doing something good." Dad
"Yeah, but its cold outside and It still feels warm." Brody
"It feels good to help people huh?" Mom
"Yeah, but I'm even drinking sprite and I still feels warm." Brody

I couldn't help but be a proud mom! Brody always seems to amaze me. Just when I think he isn't paying attention he reminds me that he is and that he is aware of what is going on around him.

I love this time of year and am so grateful for the Spirit of Giving!

Here Comes Santa Clause

Last Saturday we had our first Christmas party with Cody's side of the family. I love this time of year!!! It was so fun to see extended family members that you only get to see a couple of times of year. The food was YUMMY! And the entertainment was a blast. Every year we are told that our kids could share a talent if they would like. This year Jori wanted to play the piano, but as we were driving up she realized she had forgotten her music. Lets just say she was not too happy. :( Brody wanted to sing the song "My Turn On Earth" . Jori and Brody were in a Stake play and were able to learn this song. On the night of the play Brody started crying and saying he didn't dare sing, luckily he got brave enough and did! So for the talent show he wanted to sing it alone. I was shocked! We kept trying to talk Jori into it, but of course she kept saying no and that she just wanted to play the piano. As Brody walked up Jori finally decided she would (with a little push ;)). They did such an awesome job! I was such a proud Mommy. And of course what would a Christmas party be without Santa Clause? Cooper loved him. He kept going over to him and just staring. Well, this is just the start of many parties this month and I can't wait!!

HELP!!!!

A couple of months ago Cooper learned how to climb out of the crib. It wasn't too big of a deal because when I would put him down for nap time or bed time he would stay in until it was time to wake up. In fact it was kind of nice because in the mornings he would just walk into my room and let me know he was awake. I know I sound lazy, but I love to sleep in as long as I can in the morning. Anyways about three weeks ago he started climbing out of his crib in the middle of the night to come and sleep with us. WHAT?! That is not allowed! So I would get up (making sure not to talk) pick him up and place him back in bed. I thought a couple of nights of this and he would stop. WRONG!! If anything it has gotten worse. He got up 5 times the other night. I feel like I have a newborn again. I am besides myself and do not know what to do. He's not even 2 yet. Does anyone have any BRILLIANT ideas?

What Big Sisters Are For

Here is a conversation we had the other day while driving home....

Brody "Mom, Dad I feel bad for grownups."
Me "Why?"
Brody "Because Santa doesn't bring them any presents."
Jori (whispering) "Brody that is our job."

Ever since this conversation Jori and Brody have been working on mine and Cody's presents for Christmas. I'm not allowed to go in the closet at any time because I might accidentally open up our presents. So Cute!!!

Girls Night

Every year my mom, me and all of my aunts and cousins plan a girls night out with each other. We leave early Friday morning and head off to Park City to shop, eat, and sleep over so that the next morning we can do it all over again. It by far is one of my favorite memories that my family has decided to make. I can't wait until next year!!!!

Better Late than Never......Right?

We had such an awesome Halloween this year! It is by far one of my favorite Holidays. Ok, who am I kidding I love any Holiday!!! We went to my parents house the night before Halloween and had a fun party with my family. We carved pumpkins, ate yummy food, and played a couple of rounds of Bingo. Thanks mom for planning a fun night for us!

The next day we had so much fun!! I got to go to my kids school and help with Halloween parties and watch them in their Halloween parade.

Jori as a lovely Vampire

Brody as our Super Hero Batman

And Cooper as our little stinker the Skunk

Cody stayed home passing out candy while a friend and I walked our kids around the block to get their goodies. By the end of the night Cooper had figured out if he walked up to the door he would get candy. Yum Yum!! What a fun night!! Can't wait until next year.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Family Vacation

For UEA vacation we got invited to go down to St George with our friends. It was so much fun. Because of Cody's work and his brothers wedding we didn't get a chance to go on any family trips this summer.....So this was much needed. We headed down as a group on Thursday. Two cars filled with 3 adults and 9 children. Were we crazy or what? Some of our highlights were going to Snow canyon and playing in the sand hills, Hiking in Zions, and of course just hanging out and not thinking about day to day tasks. The not so good highlight of the weekend was Cody getting a ticket and being informed that his license had just expired. :( Hey, it could have been worse right?! We then came back on Sunday with exhausted children that slept most of the way home!! Yeah! :)
In Snow Canyon we went to a little hike ( I wouldn't call it a hike though) that had pioneer names written on the rocks. Where they really written a long time ago or yesterday? That is the question.
Cody our only dad here. Man, he was so nervous that the kids where going to fall and get hurt!
A picture of all nine kids. Cooper is on the bottom because Cody thought it would be smart to not have him up so high.
Our first family picture and Cody was already complaining.
Oh man, when I got home I found a pile of sand in all my kids pants. Our crazy Brody buried in sand and loving every minute.
What better way to get kids cleaned up after playing in the sand.


Each of them are so different. Just looking at this picture makes me laugh! :)
At Zions we went on a little hike called Weeping Rock. This was the best by far, you had to walk under water and the kids loved it. What kid doesn't like to get wet?
What a fun weekend!! Thanks Ali and Todd for inviting us!!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Silly Pumpkin Faces

One day I was in Walmart just messing around and I found these pumpkin faces and fell in love with them. They remind of Mr Potato head pieces. My kids had a blast picking out the faces they wanted on their pumpkins! Here are some pictures of there master pieces....




And of course Cody is not in this picture, but isn't this pumpkin face so fitting of him? And yes Cody did pick out this UGLY pumpkin!

Yesterday I decided to be brave and color my hair dark. It is strange getting use to it, but its fun to have a change. I'm only putting a picture of myself on here for my Sis Melissa because she lives too far away to see me. We miss you. Melissa, Justin, and Kate.
Oh how cheesy! I can't believe I put a picture of me on the blog.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Happy Birthday Cody!!!

So Cody NEVER EVER reads our blog, but I still wanted to wish him a Happy Birthday!! He is such a Wonderful Husband and Father!! Thank you Cody for all your hard work so I can be home with our children. We hope you have an Awesome Birthday! We love you very much!

p.s. I know this picture is of my moms birthday, but I realized I don't have tons of pictures of Cody. Its not all my fault though, Cody hates getting his pictures taken.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Hee Haw Farm

For Family Night on Monday we decided to go to Hee Haw Farms. It was so much fun!! They had so many little things for the kids to do. We didn't get there until after 6pm so it got dark fast, next time we will definitely get there when they open. Here are some fun pictures of our night together.

The kids loved this one a tractor pulled all the kids through a little corn maze.
This is Leroy. He is the fatest pig I have ever seen. The kids watched him forever.
Doesn't this look fitting for our family?

The kids loved going down this big slide! Alright I did too!
Instead of a sand box they have a corn box. Way cute.




It got to dark to take anymore pictures, but it was so fun being able to do this as a family and enjoy each others company!