Photos on a Random day

Ok, so I have a little time, so I thought I would upload some picture.  Enjoy!  Most of these are Christmas preparation pictures.  We decided to teach the boys to make Christmas candy instead of doing all the work.  They did a great job!!

Hyrum loves the star!

Simon loves the box, of course!

He wasn't the only one.  The box is the best!

I love that I don't have to decorate the tree at all.  Older kids are great!

This was just precious!

All done!  What cute boys!

Wresting on the floor is the best! 

The boys love music just like their dad!

The island is a great place to play.  And, yes, Simon love my head bands! 

We took a trip into Chicago to the Kriskindle market.  It was a great trip!  Especially watching movies on the drive.  ;)

We didn't have any bad sleep issues at the hotel.  Phew!  

Michael at the market.

Simon didn't love the market until he got food.

Hyrum is super cute when he sleeps!

Even Hyrum got to help make turtles.  Yummy!

He was very proud of his help.

And everyone likes a taste! 

Joshua was excited to make caramels on his own.  He couldn't believe I let him do it.  I guess I need to work on my control issues.

Michael had fun making toffee!  Yum! 

And amidst all our fun Joshua had a minor toenail surgery to help him not have ingrown toenails anymore.  Gross, but hopefully successful!

And since he doesn't like walking on his feet now he has been having fun with Knex.  Lots and lots of Knex.  

So much fun around here and now we are ready for Christmas.  Yay!  Merry Christmas everyone!

BIRTHDAY

Thought it was about time I share a bit of the celebrations with you. I sure love this crazy, beautiful teenager. She is truly a joy in my life. 

We enjoyed the ice cream cakes very much. They both have oreo crusts. The large one is vanilla with Andes mints and egg nog ice cream on top. The other is chocolate and vanilla frozen yogurt with junior mints.  (Dairy free!)

I can't believe she is already 15. 

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4 Active™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Bedtime quiet

These crazy boys were running around and wrestling until they were a sweaty mess. I decided it was time for some quiet reading before bed. 

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4 Active™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

Snapshots

Here are a few pictures for the week.

Joshua had fun building a snowman after the snow storm.

We enjoyed the new Peanuts movie together.  Simon didn't quite make it through, but everyone else had a great time!  

Simon found a new hiding place.  That poor cabinet is in bad shape!

I love watching these two play.  I felt better when the door at the top of the stairs was closed, though.  :)

Have a great week everyone!

Snapshot Saturday

I didn't get any pictures last week, so I tried to become more aware this week and do better.  So, you'll get a lot of selfies, but I only take selfies with little people.  :)

Hyrum really wanted to wave to the camera!

Simon was enjoying looking at himself on my phone.  This was the only one that wasn't blurry!

Hyrum wanted to join him and make silly faces.

We did a lot of this today.  The big boys did a great job helping the littles!

Hyrum is very excited . . . as you can see!

Simon emptied the table, so he could play up there.   Hyrum liked playing with everything he threw under the table.  

And now Simon is a little jealous, but he enjoys watching Hyrum.

The snowy day has been fun and we got the cars all cleaned.  Now we just have to fix the run, so the chickens can come back outside.  Maybe next week when there is less snow on the ground!  Love you all!

Keeping Up With Liz

Liz,
Do appreciate the reminder and the posts -

A splash of Autumn color right down the street from us. 

Temple trip last week.  Did sealings and truly enjoyed the experience. 

Stake Veterans Day recognition event.  Bishops and Pianist (Mom) were invited.  It was a very special and sacred experience of which to be a part. Gentleman seated in front is 95 and Sister Buffa, also seated, from our ward, is 85.

Snapshot Sunday

I am alone in blogging this week.  :(  I hope someone else posts some pictures!!!

Simon is becoming more independent.  He can climb the stools and get into places he shouldn't be.  Let the games begin!

The boys were excited to go build volcanos.  He doesn't look excited, but he had a great time.

Jacob struggled to hide his smile.  

Then, I dropped the boys off at a toy store while I went to get some groceries.  They had a lot of fun building!  These blocks are pretty amazing and designed by a homeschool family in Galesburg.  I'm pretty impressed!  

Simon is learning to feed himself.  He likes to make a big mess, but he hates help.  Oh the joys!  

This is the face I see often.  I guess he didn't want me to take his picture anymore.  And he likes to get what he wants!

I look forward to seeing your pictures.  I hope you are all having a great week!  Love you all!

Snapshot SaturdayI

Here are two weeks worth of photos.  After our first week back of lots of work this week has been nice and relaxing.  I've loved it!

I'll post more of these later, but here is the beginning of a long day of trenching!

Jacob loves helping in the kitchen!

Free pumpkins!  Yummy!  And it is fun for the littles to wander and pick pumpkins.  

Grandma victory!!!  As everyone in Utah knows Simon doesn't let anyone touch him but mom.  Yay for grandma!  And yay for me!   It was nice to have some help that he would accept.

All free produce.  Pears, apples and pumpkins.  Yummy!

The boys like James' new office at church.  Being the financial clerk should be interesting and definitely a learning experience.

We finally had a fire outside and enjoyed hot dogs and s'mores.  It was a great family home evening!

I invited some friends over for a canning party.  It was a great success!  Yay for canning parties.  It is much more fun to can with others. 

I struggled a little but in the end we got to some pancakes this morning.  Happy Halloween!  

Thanks everyone for texting photos.  I love it, but I wanted to post some as well.  Love you all!