Christmas Programs

As far as Christmas programs go, I think our school has it down. They do them all in one day-so it take a complete day, but it is over and done with. Just like ripping a bandaid off, right? ;-) Garth was home that day, so he was able to enjoy the "festivities" with me. It was wonderful.

Trevon smiling from across the room. We had to RUSH to get back for his performance (after dropping off Ry at preschool).
Starlee had classroom activities too. And LOVED having both parents there. Can you tell? (During the first half of her classroom events Garth was in Trevon's room for his stuff-thank goodness there were two of us and that Ethan's teacher didn't have anything!)

And then she performed.

Ethan right before his class performed. And before he felt faint. And before his Mom had to come up to the front to get him and take him back to class because he looked like he was going to pass out (thanks Chessa for beating me up there). Garth says it is because he locks his knees or the heat from the lights. Either way-we headed home with him.

And Trev is now 8! Wow, it is GREAT!

Trev had a birthday, shout hooray!

He wanted a scooter and received a red one! Yeah!

Red velvet cupcakes made his day!

And the cub scout oath he learned to say!

We're proud of him come what may!

A Christmas Play

My friend, Sarah, took on the daunting task of putting together a Christmas perfomance this year. She majored in theater at BYU-so she gathered a bunch of kids, wrote a play, taught them their songs, their lines, cues, etc. and my kids loved it! I wish I had taken some better pictures (well, I wish my camera lens hadn't been broken by a certain cute adult in our household...but whatever), but these were the best I could get (until I get a new lens that is).

At home...not sure what I did to make Ry mad. Probably touched something I shouldn't have.
A little happier.

Starlee and her cute friend Rory. We love Rory (and her family).

Ryden with friends Carson and JT. I love that grin (and the ears).

Trev. The rest of the picture was so blurry, so I cropped it out. Look at his smile. He is so handsome and I love the green in his eyes. They remind me of my Dad. He and Starlee both sang small parts ALL ON THEIR OWN. And they did great. I was proud of them. I still couldn't do that.

Ryden on stage. (And he didn't run away-those that know Ry are probably a little surprised.)

Starlee's part.

Thanksgiving and Salmon=Sacramento (in a good way)

We went up to Sacramento for Thanksgiving again this year. Our family loves visiting Sacramento-I could do this every year. Sacramento has a lot of fun things to do (and just outside of it is my favorite-the Jelly Belly Factory. I love candy factory tours!). While we were there Jason & Ashley hosted Thanksgiving (thanks for letting us barge in) and we visited the Salmon Farm with Jenna, Casey, and Weston. We had fun-thanks for letting us visit and crash on your couch, floor, every square inch. (AND-how could I forget-THANK YOU for taking the kids for a night and sending Garth and I to a hotel. Words can't express how much we appreciated it!)

The table ready to go!
Jenna getting Weston's plate and the Isom kids lining up for the yumminess!

Jenna's beautiful pie.

And now to the Salmon Farm because Garth's camera doesn't take the best of pictures...

Just in case you didn't think going to a fish farm is fun.

My kids. I love smiles.

Starlee and Dad

I love this man.

Best buddies.

I think Weston is wondering why his Mom isn't lucky enough to have wrinkles (or gray hair)! ;-)

Our family

And all of us.

Thanks to the Tanners for a great trip!

New Moon and Phoenix-the two kind of go together, right?

Yep, Garth and I went to the midnight showing of New Moon. I should have "borrowed" a group picture off someone else's blog since we sat with a lot of friends from our ward. This is us sitting on the curb waiting in the LONG line to get in. We brought Garth's ipod to listen to music/watch a movie (thus the earbuds). And we froze our tails off. But we had Red Robin and the chicken sandwich was the perfect combo of spicy and sweet. And the movie was fun! Really fun! Especially seeing friends from church too-it just made it all the better! And thanks to Brandy for thinking ahead and getting some extra tickets-without her being so fantastic we would have missed it! (Although the next morning we were WIPED!)
That following weekend we had to go to Phoenix. And we visited this candy store (Smeeks)! LOVED this candy store. How could you not-it is fun to just visit the outside! And the inside is just as cute. Novelties, candy, you name it, tons of fun stuff. And a sweet staff. As you can tell from the picture, Trev wasn't "thrilled" about the stop. He started smiling once we got inside and let the kids EACH pick out a $2 item. We are generous. Or at least they thought so. :-)

Halloween, Garin's Birthday, Ward Halloween Party, and anything else I can fit in

I am proud to say that the woman that sets up the backdrop for this every year is my friend. Her name is Heather and she is talented. I am pretty sure she did put the backdrop together with just the talent in her pinky. She has skills. Just imagine this back drop with editing and then you get the picture later. She is wonderful. Just sayin...
My Mom made Starlee's costume to her specifications. (Blue and purple being 2 of her favorite colors right now.) Isn't she cute?

Ry loves Thomas. (Deja vu from last year?)

Trev decided on Harry Potter. I think he is quite handsome.

Jonathan was in town for Garin's ordination. We all LOVED having him here (with my parents). He is an amazing uncle. Such a blessing.

And while they were here, my Dad and Garth fixed the mantle and my Mom painted it. I LOVE it!! And they did it in time for everyone to come over for dinner after Garin was ordained a teacher. (Which I don't have a picture of those that were here-again, lame.)

Garin on his birthday opening a gift. He is 14 now...where has the time gone? I am so thankful for this kid!

And the kids on Halloween (just like last year, Ryden changed his mind and wanted to be a monkey again. I think in '10 he will need to be something different...unless it still fits.). Blurry, but there it is. Shelby is a zombie. The YW did the Thriller Dance for our ward party (I'd post it-but the camera didn't do so hot) so this is what she looked like. Lovely, huh?

The BYU game, kindness, and gratitude

Our family at the BYU game

This is a story. It may or may not be long. We'll see. I'll start at the beginning. I have a love/hate relationship with facebook. I love that we can keep in touch with others near and far. I hate that is sucks up time. I am trying to find the balance. One of my efforts has been to not check as much (unless I have nothing better to do-like when Garth is on the phone while we are driving and I am bored...just as an example). So, we were driving home from the temple and you'll never guess what. Yep, Garth was on the phone and I was bored out of my mind. Facebook it is. I notice my good friend, Polly, has posted "Anyone want 2 tickets to the BYU game in SD? First to comment gets them." (Umm...heck ya, I am thinking) So, I comment. And Polly emails me. I am thrilled to go to the game and have a date with Garth. I know the kids are going to be bummed and I feel a teensy bit guilty, but to tell the truth-I knew I would get over it and so would they.

Polly and I email back and forth and then I get

the strangest message on my phone.

"Janelle, this is Polly. How many kids under 10 do you have?" What? (I should mention that Polly is amazing-but she doesn't live in SD anymore and hasn't seen my kids since Ry was less than a year old. So, that she needed to ask their ages was not a surprise.) I call her. She lets me know that the tickets were actually her parents. When her Mom found out that we had kids she decided to purchase tickets for our kids as a surprise and then because Polly's parents are so kind and sweet she purchased tickets for our whole family to attend the tail gate party beforehand. In one generous act she humbled my heart, made my kids' year, and testified of the fact yet again that our Heavenly Father loves us and looks out for us. Really.

Construction hasn't been the greatest through
this economy. And there are things we just can't do. I know everyone is probably shocked, but 6 kids can be expensive. And ours aren't very spread out. (But we love them...don't mistake that.) So, this kind, sweet couple gave us the gift of kindness and BYU football. Literally the only football we watch. (Well-that and the Super Bowl.)

I know there will never be an adequate way to repay Polly's sweet family or Polly for being my friend. But I hope that one day Garth and I will listen to that prompting of the Spirit when a family could really use kindness (and BYU football) from afar. Because I know how it feels to receive it-and I can only hope to one day give it.

We are so thankful for the Smith family (who doesn't read our blog...). You have touched my heart. I am so thankful for the lesson not only I, but each one of my children, learned.

Labor day and visitors

Jenna, Casey, and Weston came to visit in September. I didn't take pictures. Lame, I know. But, on the last day I did get a few of Weston loving the motorcycle and the scooter. He loved speed. And we love nephews.

Ryden's first days...his own post just because

Ry is attending 2 preschools this year. Speech (just like last year, but new teacher) and Mom preschool (where we rotate between houses).

Ry-I just loved the picture.
Ms. Jenny (so nice)
SPEECH

Ms. Anna (we had her last year too-she is fabulous)
SPEECH

His friends at Mom preschool
(he LOVES it)

And on the first day he made a caramel APPLE (A). He loved the apple (I loved that he shared. Which is probably why he gets his very own post.) ;-)

Service auction

I can't remember if it was a service auction or what the "exact" term for it was. But for Relief Society (the women's organization in our church) we brought a service, talent, item, or something that we could do on a piece of paper in a paper bag. And we came and received fake money for different things we had done (like finishing our visiting teaching-, etc.). I bid on, and won, an authentic Italian lasagna made by Erika Lundquist (who lived in Italy for 3 years with her family while served our country). Our family loves lasagna. Trevon lives for it. Erika's lasagna was FABULOUS. I need to learn how to make it. We loved trying something different than what we knew and our family definitely appreciated the service. It was on open house night and having dinner made was the greatest of service. So thank you Erika. We love you.