Friday Fun!

I have never went shopping on black Friday before. It was actually a lot of fun I went with a friend of mine and her sisters. We started at Toys R Us at about 11:45 p.m that did not last long the line was crazy! So we decided to go to Target and wait in line for 5 hours when we got there the line was short. So thanks to my good friend Jenny who lives close to Target we borrowed some chairs and blankets. I got everything I wanted and had some fun while we waited. I am not sure I will do it each and every year but maybe, we will see.

Pretty Bear

Grayson has a lemur beanie baby that has become his best friend for a long time now. He lovingly calls it "bear". This animal has been lost several times and has been beat up so bad the beads are falling out, the fur is hard and stiff, the eyes are all scratched from being washed in the washing machine one too many times. We have often wondered what we would do if we lost this beloved friend. Mike was at a gun show this weekend for work and happened to find a couple he bought 2. While Grayson was sleeping we switched old bear for a brand new model. We woke this morning to Grayson happy as ever saying things like. "look at bear he is soooo soft!" "look at his eyes they are not scratchy" and "he is so pretty now!" This could have ended up bad but he was so excited! We told him that we fixed him all up for him. We also told him that he needs to take good care of him and not to chew on him, and that he could not loose him anymore. We have played one too many find the bear games!

Falling For Fall

We also went to Gardner Village to see the witches!

Jackson Dressed up as his favorite book character Skippy John Jones for his class party.

It has taken me a long time to finally post what we have been up to this fall. We really enjoyed the nice fall weather we have had. We went to Cornbellies which was really fun. They have so much to do there. Max had so much fun on the slides and they were really big. Max went down them all on his own, he is growing up so fast. At the end we picked out our pumpkins it was a really good day. Max and Grayson got to go twice this year. Mike took them for Grayson's preschool field trip.

We had a great Halloween the weather was great in fact I think the weather was better then they said it was going to be :] We went to aunt Terry's house and had great food and company. I also had the chance to go to Conner's Halloween party at his school that was a lot of fun. I was in charge of helping with the bracelets that is something I could do without. The kids got a lot of candy for Halloween and they still have a lot! They really enjoyed the holiday and can't wait until next year.

Getting ready for Halloween I made 4 batches of sugar cookies. While I was making them I asked the children what they wanted for dinner. Jackson replies with " we want cookies for dinner!" And I said OK you should have seen the look on his face. Later Conner asked what are we having for dinner? I said cookies Conner looks at me and said " Are you real or fake?" I said yes that we were going to have cookies, he was puzzled. We ended up having cookies for dinner with fruit and yogurt they thought it was great. I figured you have to that once and a while.

In November we went to my brother Brandon and family's house for Henry's birthday. We were able to have it outside, which was amazing! It was a dog themed party and a lot of fun. The kids really enjoyed spending the day outside. After the party we decided to go to Temple Square, something we haven't done since Jackson and Conner were very young. We were able to see the SLC Temple and grounds and the kids learned a lot about the temple.

Over all we had a great Fall, I love this time of year. If only we could skip winter, now that would be great! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

14 years ago

I can't believe it, yes it has been 14 years since I was diagnosed with Cancer. I really like this day, I like to think how far I have come and how thankful I am to be still alive. Oh what I would have missed out on if I were not here! I always wanted to be a Mom and never thought I would. This day really lets me think and be thankful for everything. Thank you to all of my friends and family who were there to support me during that time when I was so very sick. I couldn't do anything on my own not even take a shower. Thanks to my great Aunt Terry who came and ate thanksgiving dinner with me and watched me throw it up soon after I ate it! Thank you to all of you who came to visit all of the times you did even though I may not have been in the best of moods. Thank you to all of my wonderful nurses and doctor's who never gave up and stayed positive the entire time. Thank you Mom for telling me I would not loose all of my hair and stopping those who wanted me to shave it all off, and thanks for bringing me meals each and everyday because I would not eat hospital food. Most importantly thanks to My Father in Heaven for giving me a chance to live and continue to be tested here on earth. I have really learned to except trials and be thankful for them.

I am very grateful for everything and everyone. Because of having Cancer I have met many wonderful people. I have seen many people fight the battle and many people loose to this awful disease. I have had the opportunity to serve and am looking forward to doing it again any way I can, to help fight cancer. I look forward to getting involved with the relay for life just our family alone can almost make up a team! Thank you

Britt, you mean the world to us!

Every year on November 17th our family has a milestone. Brittaney was diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia 14 years ago today. She was and is very lucky and bless to be alive.

To Britt,

I just wanted to let her know that I will never understand how terrible it was, but I am so grateful every day that you are alive even if I don't show you. Our little family wouldn't exist without you Britt. I love you so much. Sorry that I am such an insensitive man sometimes. You deserve everything the world has to offer. 5 men is this world will always be extremely grateful that you had great doctors that helped you to survive the leukemia. My world wouldn't exist without you!

Love,

Michael, Jackson, Conner, Grayson, Maxwell, Xander

Where is....?

Anytime is a fun time with kids. There are so many books, games etc. that involve helping them observe things. We love looking at the "Where is Norman" books. I have created a "Where is Bear" picture series and also a "Where is Xander" picture.

Will Work For Food!

So Jackson and Conner had practice for there upcoming Primary program tonight. When they got home the first thing they said was " we had pizza but, they would only let us have 2 slices" they also had a ice cream. Once they got settled it began " I am hungry" Conner proceeded to have a banana, cheese stick, grapes, and 2 drinks. He would have had more but I stopped him. Jackson had a banana, and some cheese. Conner says " Mom I need to eat a lot so I can get big and strong!" and Jackson says " we are hungry boy's and that is all there is to it!" We go through so much produce in a week it would be great to grow a banana tree in our back yard along with a apple tree, strawberries and grape's. We need a cow both for milk and meat. I am worried if it is already this bad. I have no idea what we are up for in the future with 5 growing boys!