"Home"

The past little while (a couple months now) Jim and I have been trying to decide if we should move or not.  Our main concern is that we have 3 girls currently sharing a room and while they do well now we know that will not always be the case.  3 teenage girls sharing a room.... probably not a good idea.

About two months ago we were leaning towards fixing up our house during the next year for selling potential. In the spring of 2013 we would put it up for sale and move before Ethan starts middle school and the girls start kindergarten.  We were looking at some newer, bigger houses in Draper with 4 bedrooms (Wow! 4 bedrooms!).

Funny what a couple months can do....

We keep getting feelings, promptings, whatever you want to call it that this is where we are supposed to be.  I LOVE our house and the look of it, I LOVE  our yard and our big backyard.  We live in a good neighborhood with amazing friends.  Our kids have good friends.  Schools are good, we are close to so many things and the list goes on and on.   When we decided to stay we both felt really good about it.

Our house is almost 30 years old.  There is a lot that needs to be updated, "shined up", etc. Especially the kitchen.   We are excited to get going.  Eventually we might do a big remodel and change our garage into a big family room and add on a garage to the south.  The twins would move into the basement where our current TV room is.   That is a bit down the road though.  

In the meantime it is nice to be "HOME."

Turning 10

Here are some events from Ethan turning 10

10 year old boys and Legos just go together :)

Birthday Eve at Leatherby's

For Ethan's friend birthday party he wanted a detective party....

-Once all the boys got here we had them make ID badges with their fingerprint  and  Detective __________ (their name) on it.  Then we laminated them and put a clip on them.  The boys thought the lamination was pretty cool.

-Second they got into teams of two and had to go on a Scavenger Hunt to find their "Detective Kit."  They LOVED this and were running through the house and yard from clue to clue in excitement. Their Detective Kit included a magnifying glass, notebook and pen.

-Now that had their detective kit they got to try and solve a mystery.  I had a suspect fingerprint, smell, and sound that they tried to match up.  For the smell  I put  3 different smells (hair detangler, cologne and hairspray) on cotton balls in different labeled film canisters.  For the sound I also put different things in film canisters (marbles, legos and money) and they had to guess which one matched the suspect sound.

- I also taught them how to "lift" fingerprints.  We put a little Vasoline on our fingers and pressed it on the counter.  Then we put a dusting of cocoa powder over it, brushed it lightly with a brush and then lifted it with packing tape to put on a piece of paper. for studying
-We then played a game called TRAP. Where 10 pieces of candy are on a plate.  One boy leaves the room and we pick a trap piece of candy.  The boy comes back and starts choosing one by one but if he chooses the trap candy his turn is over. So they had a chance to win anywhere from 0 to 10 pieces of candy. 

- Cupcakes and presents were up next and then I let them loose in the backyard because Ethan had wanted to play a few night games with all his friends. 

All in all it was a very fun, easy party (unlike Lizzie's which was just LOUD and CRAZY) and Ethan has a very good group of friends.  Happy Birthday Ethan!

All but the two boys in the front row are in 4th grade.  I think it is funny to see such differences in height. 

5 of the 6 people in our house have birthdays within 3 months.  I am happy to announce BIRTHDAY SEASON IN OUR HOUSE IS NOW OVER!

10

Our son turns 10 today!

I have been thinking today of what to write on Ethan's birthday post for a couple days now and remembered this story from just a little while ago.

The following story represents Ethan's personality perfectly...

  

A couple weeks ago I had made fries, chicken nuggets and pears for lunch (it was Spring Break and I am all for easy and quick when all kids are home.)

Ethan had asked if there were more fries.

I said "Yeah, those two crumbs that are left."  (He has a sarcastic mom) :)

Ethan's classic response (said happily I might add).... "Well two crumbs is better than nothing."

 And then ate them :)

 I am realizing more and more everyday how happy, optimistic, kind, smart, funny, patient, and spiritual Ethan is (and always has been).  I am also realizing how much better he is than me in most of  those areas and it is humbling.  He has always had a special soul or spirit about him.  I am so grateful for him and his example. 

 Another birthday though has reminded me I AM NOT excited that he is going to be taller than me sooner than later.  That boy is getting taller every day and is already up to and a little past my shoulders.  I am guessing within two years he will be taller than me. I keep telling him he has to be nice and take care of his mom when he is taller than me :)

Happy 10th Birthday Ethan! 

You forever changed our lives 10 years

ago today by making your dad and I parents. 

 We love you very much!

Easter 2012

Happy Easter from.......
Jim, Alisha, Ethan,
Lizzie, Afton, Lilly
 and Lucky
April 2012

Spring Break

For Spring Break we went with some friends down to the Moabish area.  There were 10 adults and 21 kids.  Yes, you heard me right 21 kids--- ranging in age from 16 to 1 1/2 ! Amazingly enough it went very smooth and we had tons of fun.  The kids all played with each other and encouraged each other during the many hikes we went on. It was fun to see kids being kids by exploring the beauties of the world around them.  Here in a onslaught of pictures.....

Our Group at Goblin Valley
Duncan,  Hadfield, Harrison, Roberts and Sierer families.  

It was so beautiful down there

It was just a little windy in Goblin Valley :)

Must.... get.... over.... this....hill

Jim, Ethan and Lizzie

Some of my favorite friends AKA "The Moms"

The Dads

View of the Slot Canyon we hiked through

Me and that cute boy I am married to.

Our group exploring Goblin Valley. 
 I love how you can see all the great rock formations in the background

Look at that muscle strength!

Lilly Bill- all of the kids were AMAZING on the hikes.


It was such a great trip with some great friends!! 
Can't wait until next time.

Perfect Day

This past week has not been one of my favorites. Just a lot of little things have caused stress and worry for Jim and I. There are days when being an adult and having a house is highly overrated. Nothing big in the grand scheme of things but just a few bad days right in a row.

So instead I will reminisce about a really good day that happened recently....

On March 9th (I know I am a little slow posting the pictures) my older kids didn't have school. We all packed a lunch, loaded into the van and headed up to the zoo. It was perfect weather, the animals were active, my kids were good and had a fun time. I love the different ages my kids are at. Each age is fun in a different way. The only thing missing from our day was Jim.


All of them kept saying "this is the best day ever mom" and "let's do this again soon".

As a parent, days like this make all the other not so fun stuff totally worth it.

Here are some pictures from our "best day ever."

Two cute girls loving the merry go round

For some reason Afton was fascinated with the turtles/ tortoises on this trip

My oldest and youngest

Cute little kitty that of course Lizzie wanted a picture of


I know it is a little blurry but I still love it because you can just tell they are having fun.

As a cherry on top of our day Jim came home from work with a little surprise from Krispy Kremes- hats AND doughnuts!!!. :)


Best Day Ever! (or at least until the next one :))