Stitches...Bad day...and wise words from a 7 yr old...

My crazy Nathan- 7 yo- fell on the playground at school- on his chin...so I picked him up, called the insurance who made an appointment at the clinic for 2 hours later, after I told them he needed stitches. Then I ran an errand, came home and while I was taking the sleeping 2 yr old to bed, Nathan came and said, "Mom- I locked the car so the burglars don't get your purse". Well, I had my only car keys- (Mike had my other set) cell phone and purse and groceries in the car. I wasn't sure I could get him to the stitches appointment, but Mike came home and saved us, only to get to the appointment and the clinic said, "Oh- why did they send you here? We don't do stitches!- You'll have to go to ER!" So Mike had to come get him and take him- because I had parent teacher conferences and YW in Excellence to get ready for and the ER is 40 minutes away! CRAZY! But I had to laugh in the end and our YW in Excellence was nice, so it made for a good ending. I should have stayed in bed that day. But it's one for the journal!
Best part was when Nathan was disappointed he couldn't get the stitches at the clinic. I asked him why he wanted stitches so bad and he replied, "Well, Mom, I just figure I need to experience everything in life, and I haven't had stitches yet, so I really want them!"

Terrible 2's once again!

More putting on makeup- (at least she knows mascara goes on the eyes), and something new: climbing on the bathroom counter playing in the water- includes an almost flooding of the bathroom! Yippee for 2 year olds to make us laugh!







Don't mind the blue and green toothpaste in her hair- she loves Aquafresh!

Soccer season 2009

Sydney had another great soccer season and wonderful Coach: Coach Brad. She was on the "Cool Cats" team. She didn't play goalie like the past few years, but mostly played forward this year. These pictures are from the game on Halloween- that's why the coach is in his funny cat sweats and the girls have cat whiskers painted on them. Fun year in soccer!

Great Season of Marching Band!

McKenzie just finished her first season of marching band and LOVED it! Our school did very well at competitions, winning first in their division at both of them. It was a lot of work for her, but she loved every minute of it. I didn't realize how much went into marching band-many hours of practice, all day competitions and exhibitions, etc... I'm proud of her for working so hard and finding something she loves so well!

Addy's playdate with Penny...

Addy had a early morning playdate with Penny (hence still in jammies) while Penny's mom volunteered at the school. After Penny stopped being sad her mom left, we walked up to the
bus stop to see the older kids get on the bus. That was a favorite! Then they spent a LONG time cutting food. I kept putting it all back together, and they just kept cutting more!
They both kept saying, "I did it!". I needed that lesson to learn to celebrate when I accomplish something great~Seems like sometimes I just go to the next project!

Addy's 2nd birthday

My little Halloween Birthday baby turned 2! I can't believe it's been 2 years since we cracked up painting my pregnant belly like a pumpkin! Time sure flies!


Since Addison's Bday was on Halloween and we had marching band exhibition and soccer game, trunk or treat, parties, and other things, we decided to have her little family party on Sunday afternoon, November 1st. We invited our adopted grandparents to come have cake with us and they loved watching her and celebrating with us. We all cracked up when we put her giant cupcake cake in front of her with the huge candles and her eyes got huge! (double click on the photo to get the full effect!) I think she was really scared of the fire. Stared at it with big eyes until after singing and she finally blew them out, then laughed and clapped when they were out. Funny!

With Leona and Herb...

Present opening time! She loved her little dog that barks and wags its tail when you pet it. She wouldn't let anyone take it-


With Sisters and brothers trying out the new wooden veggie cutting toy. They all cut up vegetables for an hour or so and made a big bowl of pretend soup, then Nathan got bored and being the boy he is, started using the veggies as hockey pucks. I had to get under the couch to find all the peices!


This is what happens when you have a 12 year old boy living with you...

Addy used a lot of concentration to get everything cut up. It's hard work to cook a meal!

Not sure what this sour face is...I think it's her new way of smiling, I find it in a lot of my pictures now. Smiling to her includes closing her eyes for some reason!




I love this little angel. Our home certainly wouldn't be the same without her to make us laugh and entertain us! She is a wonderful little daughter! Don't want her to grow up too fast, but will enjoy the journey!

Halloween 2009

Visiting our neighbors, Leona and Herb, same pose in front of the piano each year for the last 7 years! Fun tradition! They love it!

Parties with friends and trick-or-treating:










Me and my wild friend, Karen, biker chick at her party this year.

Costumes:
Addison: ballerina
Nathan: skeleton
Sydney: SuperSyd (her made up superhero)
Bradley: Ron Weasley from Harry Potter
McKenzie: cowgirl
Mom and Dad: exhausted parents from running from one thing to another, then walking all over the neighborhood with these kiddos!

One of the kids counted their candy when they got home (302), and one weighed their candy (9.2 pounds). Way too much this year!

Annual Apple Hill trip...

Kids got out of school early on a Monday, so we had a LONG family night/afternoon!
Apple Hill was great- especially watching Addy go crazy with the animals. They got to buy some food to feed them and she squealed with joy!






Apple Cider tasting-


Apple Hill carmel apples are too expensive, so we came home and made our own for our FHE treat!

We also went to a pumpkin patch and walked ALL OVER 2 fields in search of the perfect pumpkins! Addison found her little one and wouldn't let go for anything! We also carved them for FHE - except the teenagers, who saved theirs for the pumpkin carving contest at mutual Tuesday (which McKenzie won!)








Addy loved the feel of the gooey slimy pumpkin guts! Maybe she'll be a surgeon someday!




Fall is such a fun time of year!

MMM! Smores!

A few weeks ago, Nathan earned enough Mommy Bucks (my new reward system for doing their chores) to have a family bonfire/smores night. I found the most gigantic marshmallows at Food 4 Less, and you should have seen the kids' eyes when I brought those home. As much as I LOVE smores, I couldn't even eat one. The thought of such a huge marshmallow made me feel ill. But the kids LOVED it! Giant smores!! Time to earn more "Mommy Bucks" for the next fun time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utah Howell reunion 2009

We went to Utah in July of this year to see Mike's family. His sister Debbie and his mom came from Southern California, His brother Doug brought his family from Texas, and his brother Jeff and family came from Seattle. We met at Steve and Tanya's house for a family dinner and the kids got to play in the pool and waterslide and we played the traditional family games. Mike's sister Jan and Kendall and Kendra came over as well. It was fun to have so many of Mike's family in one place. That doesn't usually happen. We are going to have to do that more often! Tanya's brother had a cabin in the mountains that we also went to for a few days that had lots of fun activities- basketball shooting, bike riding, horseshoes, badminton, Wii, and of course lots of cooking, campfires and games! We had a great time!
(you can double click on the collages to see the pictures closer!)

 

 

Our own Howell family Jack-O-Lantern!

Quick trip to Utah...

I had been talking with my parents about the condition of my brother Brian who is autistic and Down's Syndrome. He had gotten really sick and spent a couple days in the hospital with Pneumonia. They found out he had some issues with his vocal cords/lungs that are non-treatable, and they thought they may have to put him on a ventilator. So I grabbed a flight Tues night at 10pm, hopped on a plane on Wednesday and went to see him before he got too bad. He really means a lot to me, and we have all had some great times with him, even though there have been many difficult times as well. He is non-verbal, but you could see his agony in his eyes of not wanting to be in the hospital. He was miserable- hard to see him in that state. But I'm glad I went. Tanya was sweet to watch Addison while I took my mom up to the hospital one morning for a visit. My siblings also all came up the first night and we took turns seeing him in the intensive care unit, since only 2 could go in at a time. We also got to have a family discussion and cry a little together. Uncle Ned and Aunt Judy were sweet to let us stay, and even use their car, and were great hosts to a stressed out family. Dad came up on Thursday night and I got to see how happy Brian was to have his Dad there.He would just stare longingly at Dad, saying with his eyes, "Help me!". At one point, he grunted and got mad when mom left the room for a few minutes. I'm so glad I went. He is doing better now and at home with Mom and Dad to take care of him. Lots of decisions have been made and are made daily on his behalf and it's a little stressful on them. I have angels for parents- they are amazing in their show of love, patience, and concern for their little boy (who's actually 35). We all love Brian and have great memories of growing up with him and would not be the same without him. At one point when I was first pregnant with McKenzie, I had to have some genetic testing at the U. The genetic counselor told me it was alright if I found out my baby had down's Syndrome to abort, since that's what many choose to do. I couldn't believe she'd tell me this, although they probably have to, but I told her of my brother and how much I have learned from him and would never consider that. I'm grateful to a loving Heavenly Father that put him on this earth to teach us a few things. Now if I could only remember these lessons during my daily struggles...
Here are some pictures of my quick jaunt to see him...
Addy with Grandma and Grandpa...

Tanya really entertained Addy well for a few hours...They put fruit loops on the babies eyes, which made Addy laugh. It was cute to drive down the street and see Addy pushing the baby buggy.




With Judy and Ned, wonderful people in their newly remodeled kitchen. Fun to see it!

Visiting Brian in the hospital.





Brian feeling better and at home for now...Check out his smile. You can see how much happier he is at home. Wish I could be there in person to enjoy his happiness. Thanks everyone for your prayers for him. Glad he's feeling better.

McKenzie receives Young Womanhood Recognition...

McKenzie worked hard the past few years to receive her YW Recognition. The program was really nice- these 3 girls are WONDERFUL! They sang a beautiful song, then had tributes made to them, a slide show they worked on together, and the Bishop and Stake YW President made the presentations. What a great night! Congrats McKenzie! We love you!

State Fair time!

Typical day at the state fair...

Ferris Wheel...



Demolition derby...

Laughter...

Cotton Candy...




Fire eaters (Actually, my kids said this felt like what it would be like in Hell- I had to laugh at that one.)

African Acrobats...

We got to see baby pigs born...A highlight!


Miniature horses...


Playing in a sandbox full of corn...


And sleepy baby...



Oh- and our car breaking down on the freeway on the way home.

Cotton Candy- $5
Entrance to fair- $70
Car fuel pump fixed- $1000
Memories- PRICELESS!

Terrible 2's

Ok- so I have always said the 3's are worse than age 2, but then as Mike and I were each working with the older kids in different rooms on their homework, I came around the corner and found this:




She had gotten into my purse and make-up and just did what she sees me do. That evening, she also, stuck her finger down my lipstick wand to squish all the lipstick, got into the laundry soap and scattered it, and got into some ink that I use for the printer and ended up with it all over her hands. CRAZY! Guess I need to give her an earlier nap so she'll go to bed before 9pm...