Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I wish I had pictures to share, but my cord got lost in the move. We had a great white Christmas...even if we have a "Charlie Brown" tree. The boys got football gear and ramps for their bikes & skateboards. Sydney got a karaoke machine & lots of High School Musical "stuff." Fun, fun! Everyone was so excited that I found them in the family room at 3am. I convinced them to go to bed, but they were back down 30 minutes later. I had to take them to my bed to get them to sleep a little longer. They held until 7/7:30 then. I think it was one of the funnest years ever. I think being in a new house sure helped that.
We've had lots of company and lots of food. We are a little tired now. Hopefully we will rest up a little before New Year's so that we can go skiing. Life is good. I am a slacker on the Christmas cards too. I was thinking of doing a New Year's card...cheesy, huh?! Love you all and hope you had a great Christmas! Happy New Year!

Busy Days!

Hey everyone! I thought I better update this so that I don't get locked out. I am at home today and working on a bunch of odds and ends. The kids have no school today and they are playing "Christmas!" It's really a great day! Well, we've been busy here, and I'm a fan of lists because I can't quite phrase things the way all of you can. So, here it is.

Things that have happened since I blogged last...

• We finished our house
• We moved into our house!!!!
• We had Thanksgiving...(14 for dinner) This includes the surprise visit from Chris & Cassie & Cam!! What a blast! Mom & Dad came, Brett & Julia, and Curt & Vonnie, oh, and us, of course. The turkey didn't turn out all that great, but the rest was yummy! I think I had cooks syndrome.
• Mom broke her wrist when she slipped on the ice at my house. She fell and hit her head on a rock and caught herself with her left hand. We all thought it was just a sprain until it started swelling up that night. What a trooper! Mom & I drove into Redmond at about 9 pm and saw a doctor that told her she would probably need surgery. Yikes! I was hoping it would turn out that she would need to stay here to recouperate, but that didn't work out so good. I guess she will not need surgery, and she will be going back to AZ tonight. She gets to wear a sling for 3 weeks and a cast for 2. How rotten. Sorry mom!
• Fall decorations went up for the week, and now we are decorating for Christmas. We put some stuff up one night after the kids went to bed and when they woke up you would have thought it was Christmas! They were so excited! I have never seen them so excited. They have been playing Christmas ever since. What fun ages they are this year!
• I was in charge of the Halloween party, and now the Christmas party is tommorrow! No stress! Just a little Christmas around the world. I hope it all comes together.
• Sydney lost 2 teeth. The first one came out awhile ago. The rotten tooth-fairy was running late though. She didn't deliver the goods until Sydney got up and told us the toothfairy didn't come, tearily. The second one came out about an hour ago and has been hanging on by a thread for over a week. Exciting! Hopefully the rotten tooth-fairy won't forget this time!
• The boys had their first choir performance...twirling a flag in a parade. It was really cute even if it sounds dorky. They told me they wanted to join choir this year and I was really baffled. They hardly sing in church! So, I signed them up, and they then told me that they signed up because there was supposed to be a pizza party and a field trip to Eugene. Silly boys. Tommorrow they perform at the Redmond Festival of Trees. It should be pretty cool. I'll try to post some pictures finally!

Anyway, that is what we've been up to. I'm trying to catch up on work and my calling today. I probably should get back to that.

Love you all!

Bad Blogger! Bad!

Ok. I am the worst blogger lately! I have been the worst e-mailer too! My mind has been focused on 2 things.

1. Get my house ready to move into (YEAH!) and all that goes along with that
2. Get the kids through each day...get them to school, pick them up, do homework and all the other after-school activities. (YIKES)

That pretty much takes all my time and energy. I try to throw a little work in there, a little reading, oh, and of course, food & working out. Need I say more? I didn't mention laundry or cleaning. You all know how it is. But, by the end of the day, I hit the pillow hard! This parenting thing is tiring!

This year I am working in all three classrooms. I told myself that I wouldn't do that, but how can I say no to one and work in another's class? It doesn't work! I love being at the school. I am getting to know most of the kids in Sydney's class and I already know all the kids in the boys classes. It's good, because when they start talking about a cute girl...I know who they are talking about. This is already happening, unfortunately. Tyler likes a girl named Riley and Tanner likes a girl named Alex. Scarey! What am I in for if they already like girls?!! Sydney just loves her girlfriends and any attention she gets from boys. Fun, fun!

Anyways, I just thought I would do an update for now. Hope everyone is well...Bike lovers...Babies...Dogs...etc!

Soccer!

Besides working on the house, we have been doing a lot of soccer lately. So, I thought I would share a couple of pictures.

Sydney, the power-house!
Tanner being the goalie! HE is an AWESOME Goalie! Not much got past him.

Tyler is unstoppable. He was the only one really working out on that field. He made 3 goals that day! He's so good and so fun to watch, but he really has an attitude. At practice, the coach put him in a different position, and he was so mad he told him he didn't want to play. He said that he is "center" and everyone else sucks at it. Yikes! We had a talk that night. Who does he think he is?

Tyler is sitting on the field here because he just made a goal and kicked it sideways.

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear BEEETthhh, Happy birthday to YOUUUU!!!!! You don't look like a monkey, and you smell better tooo!!!

You are one of my favorite people ever, and definitely my FAVORITE sister! I love you and miss you! Hope you have a great day!!! 30...that makes ME feel old:)

10 Reasons to LOVE Beth:

1. She is the best mom EVER! You can not get any better than Beth. She loves and adores her girls and they know it. She should have 20 more because they are so cute and she is soooo goood at it.

2. She is the most organized person you will ever meet. Everything has its place and time. Her refrigerator is always clean, her house is always organized, and her girls have specific spots for specific toys. Before she goes to bed at night, she runs around and cleans up everything that is out of place. When she does work on the side, she fits that in at naptime and after the girls go to bed...in the allotted time. I, on the other hand, have a different theory....I don't have one!

3. She is the best employee ever. If you have known Beth for a long time, you may know about some of her jobs. Well, she still keeps in-touch with about half of her bosses or fellow employees because she was so well liked by everyone she has worked with. Organized, skilled, and efficient, who wouldn't want her to work for them?

4. The funniest person alive. She kills me!!! I love her sense of humor! She takes an ordinary day and finds a lot to laugh about. Like her blog...does she ever not make you laugh? Her kids must have gotten her humor too.

5. She is driven!!! If Beth decides she is going to do something, watch out! Look at this diet and excercise thing she has done...nothing is going to stop her! Go Girl!!! You look awesome!

6. The best photographer...check out her pictures!! I think she has found a new calling in life. She should do it professionally! If you forgot your camera, don't worry, Beth will have hers, it is just strapped to her hip! She catches some of the best moments on camera!

7. The best writer ever. She needs to write a book. I have told her that for years! Whenever she writes, you feel like you are talking to her. She can relate to everyone...she would sell millions!

8. She is the best friend anyone could ever have! Beth has always had soooo mannny goood friends. She collects them. They are attracted to her for good reason. She will do anything for you, anytime. And, she won't forget your birthday, or your kids birthdays...even when she's busy and overwhelmed. You can talk to her about anything without being judged, she will accept anyone just the way they are. I love her!!!!

9. She is the best wife. I know, Kyle, this is your job to claim this, but I have to say, that she is pretty darn good at it. She loves and supports Kyle through everything, and he has a lot going on right now!!!

10. And last, but not least, she is the best sister ever!!! She still likes me even though I was a brat to her....doesn't that say it all? When I was scared, she shared her single bed with me. When I wanted the coveted name for my doll, she let me have it. When I got married and picked a yucky dress for my bridesmaids, she wore it with a smile. When I had a baby (or two), she was here. When I have a birthday, I get a card or present in the mail. When my boys got baptized, she was here. She drops everything to support me and love me even when I'm not always so prompt. I feel lucky to have a sister so amazing! I love you to pieces!

Happy Birthday!

(I apologize for the picture...it is a little old and it doesn't capture you in all of your hottness that you have going on now, but I thought you looked cute with all these kids around you.)

First Day of School

Well, I had to fight for the shots I got. I know, they are lame! Syd is the only one that would pose, as you can see. Tyler was screaming at me ,"NOOO MOOOOM!" Tanner was just sly and got away with only being in the background. They were embarassed and couldn't believe I was trying to take their pictures at school! Oh well.

So, I couldn't wait for school to start and now I am wondering what my rush was. We have dove head-first into homework already. Yikes! I didn't get too much sleep last night because I was worried about Tyler and if he will do ok in the 3rd grade. Last night was his second crying episode saying he hated third grade. So, this morning, I woke him up early and we worked together on his homework that seemed impossible to him last night. He did great! Phew! I don't think I knew what I was in for when I jumped on the motherhood wagon! It sure is a bumpy ride!!!

Labor Day Weekend

Crazy life!!! Labor day weekend we had some friends we know from Portland come over with their (6) kids and camp out in our front yard. It was a lot of fun and a great end to summer. Our kids had a blast with theirs. We played on the boat and ate lots of yummy food. You can't ask for more, right?!

Tyler looks creepy in this shot...but I thought it was cool. He wouldn't get out of the picture, or in for that matter.

Sydney & Halley are 5 days apart and loved each other. Can you tell? When Syd was born they brought their new baby (Halley) over and brought us dinner. How cool is that?!

Another ever-famous hammock shot with most of the kids. Taylor, I thought you might like to know that the cutie in the middle there is a Sophmore and very available. He left his longboard skateboard here for the boys as a birthday present. They were thrilled! He couldn't be any cooler in their eyes!

Tyler really liked Louis, can you tell? He brought his go-cart with him and ended up trading the boys for one of their little 50 motorcycles. We are now proud owners of a really cool go-cart. I love it! It just makes you giggle when you're driving cause it's so fun! (What's that in the background?! For those of you looking for house pics. Oops!) The little guy in the picture is Bliss (that is his name, not the way he is).

Against Nyle's Wishes

Nyle really didn't want me to blog about our house all the time...he didn't want people to think we were bragging or boasting about it all the time. I see it a little differently. This is our work. It will be a showpiece for our clients to show what we can do. Some of you have wanted to see pictures to keep updated. This is the easiest and best way to do it. So, I thought I would post some detail shots for now. I don't think I will get into too much trouble for that :)

The rock on the face of the house along with a little bit of siding.
Cool arched hallway from the mud room to the kitchen
Our new patio. It was just poured today! We stamped it with a slate-looking stamp and put some color in it too. I really like it!
The bonus room! My kids will probably live up here. But when it's the girl's weekend, I can already see the blow-up mattresses everywhere!
This is the feature Nyle is most proud of. If you can't tell what it is, it is a barrel vault meeting another barrel vault. It was a bit tricky for everyone, but we think it turned out cool!

Birthday Fun

The boys turn 9 September 3rd...can you believe it? Last year they told us that they really wanted a boating party, so we thought we would do it a little early this year to avoid school and sports in the upcoming weeks. We went to Big Lake this weekend to celebrate. Dianne & McKenzie came and camped under the stars and so did Brett, Julia, and Charlie. It was soo fun! Saturday a bunch of the boys' friends came and we pulled them around the lake for a while and had a bbq. It was a really relaxing party! I think we will try to make this a standing birthday party/camping trip. I just hope my batteries on my camper don't die every year!

Cute McKenzie keeping warm after the sun went down!

Sydney on the boat, ready to go. She is babysitting the boys' webkins and they are in her sweatshirt, so she is a bit lumpy.

Our beach and the view of Mt. Washington. It was gorgeous when the sun set and rose! The water turned orange.
The first trip out on the boat. Is Brett having fun?
Tanner, being buried alive, and having a great time!
Some of my favorite people, Debbie, Sharri, and Tammy
Brooke, Sean, Tyler and Jonathon
Opening presents...they were so excited about all of their presents. Sean gave them these hats and he said, now let me show you how to wear them...and turned them to the side. They look a little punky wearing them, but they are really cute!

Their birthday cake, with no real candles. Well, there are candles, but they wouldn't light. We sang anyways and they didn't care. It was really a fun weekend!

High School Musical Fever

"We're all in this together!" I don't know about you guys, but some people in my house have High School Musical fever! We had a countdown going until #2 came out. We couldn't wait to watch it. Syd spent all of her hard earned money to buy the Sharpay doll, but she really wanted the Gabriella Montez and Troy Bolton dolls that are sold together. Those were a little over her limit though. Sharpay sings "I believe in dreamin', shootin' for the stars....YEAH! So now she is saving up for those. Meanwhile, we went school shopping and Troy Bolton's face is everywhere! "Come on and getcha, getcha head in the game, getcha, getcha, getcha, getcha head in the game!" They have backpacks, folders, socks, purses, underwear, bras, dolls and toys, games, and I think I even saw an umbrella. Sydney HAD to get the folders for school and what is a girl gonna do without High School Musical underwear? I thought they should have bras with two Troy Bolton heads, one for each side...hee hee! Don't you think that would be cute!!! JK! Anyway, "this could be the start of something new, feels so right to be here with you, yee-ahh! Now, looking in your eyes, I feel in my heart, the start of something new!" I only know all the words because of Sydney, ok. I promise, I don't have the fever, just the underwear!

Crane Prairie

Last Friday we got to go hang out with some friends who were camping at Crane Prairie. It was soo fun! The kids had a blast rock climbing and catching baby fish...hundreds of them! It was a great break from work and our crazy, messy house.

Syd and Olivia...taking a picture of themselves!
Sharri, Katie & Me

Rock climbing in flip-flops...that can make any mom nervous...even me!
We conquered the mountain!
They also found a cave and there are about 4 little boys in it right now.
Sydney sportin' her cool hat and life jacket
Fishing with their hands. They filled the bucket, then dumped it, and filled it again. It entertained them for a long time and they caught a lot of cool fish.
Thanks for having us Katie! It was awesome. And, thanks for sharing your ice cream bars.

Conglomeration of Kids

So, Mom...& Beth, this is for you. I know I need to update. Here are some random pictures.

Tanner at a rare, still moment.
Urkle, I mean, Sydney, posing for a picture.
New snowboarder jammies. They won't wear most pajamas anymore, and I don't think they would appreciate this picture, but I knew you would. It makes them look young still. They are making breakfast here. They even cook their own eggs. Pretty cool, eh?
Nyle refuses to change his socks after church, no matter what he is wearing. So, here you have him in black socks, shorts and sandals. Fashion guru!

The kids spent some time drawing cars today. Here is Tyler's drawing. They were also taking orders over the phone for different cars. On their list it said...blue corvet (their spelling), 200 mph, red humer, 200 mph, and a silver porsh, 300 mph. Interesting!?

Saturday in the Sun

Yesterday we were invited to a friend's cabin in SunRiver. I was planning on just taking the kids and going, but Nyle was able to join us after getting some work done. It was a blast! The "cabin" was in a gorgeous spot right next to the river so that we could watch people floating by. It was quiet and beautiful. We even did a short float...about 45 minutes. I was on a raft with Syd and her friend Brook. They spent the whole time collecting seaweed with their bums in the air facing me. It was pretty funny. At one point Sydney had her buns within inches of my face, so I leaned in for a bite! We laughed and Sydney turned to me with a shocked look on her face. Her friend then bit her in the bum too. It was hilarious. I told Brook that she probably shouldn't do that, but she was confused...hadn't I just done that? We all just died laughing. I know to some of you this may sound gross, but I just think my kids are edible sometimes. I don't have any pictures to accompany this, but I thought I would share.

Pioneer Day

Last Saturday I was in charge of a pioneer day celebration. We did it out at the Liddell's ranch. They have a pond the kids can swim in, and they gave the kids a hayride. We played games and had dutch oven dinners and a pie contest. It was pretty fun! My friend Lonnie took some pictures, so I thought I would share.

Makenna, Syd, and Elise with their homemade bonnets.
Pres. Liddell and the Bandit (Peter). They told the kids on the hayride that they had to sing a primary song or they would take all of their "goods." Then they gave them candy. I didn't do anything to organize this part, but the funny thing is, we did something really similar at the boys' 3rd or 4th birthday party.
Tyler, racing for the finish line.
Sack races with Sydney in first place...she was an animal!
Sydney swimming in the big island float


Rick, Bob and Nyle manning the dutch ovens.
Athena & I
Debbie Liddell was one of the bandits too. They dressed for the part!