Let Your Light So Shine!

I absolutely love Christmas lights. Our little house just lights up this time of year! I want to be able to add something new each year so that it is just amazing. I'm pretty happy with how it is now though!

We wanted to take the kids to see Santa this year. Rhett always seemed a little unsure before now, but he had no problem cutting in line and jumping right on Santa's knee. He very proudly announced that he would like Gator Golf for Christmas. It was so cute. McKenna on the other hand, wouldn't even let go of our legs and wanted absolutely nothing to do with him, but was thrilled with all the loot that Rhett brought back and shared. It was really fun to see as their parents how much they are changing and growing.

It Must Be a Girl Thing!

I made it through three boys without having his problem. In fact, my boys all are very modest and don't even like to go swimming without a swim shirt on. Now that I have my sweet little princess, we can't seem to keep anything on her. She can figure her way out of almost any article of clothing we put on her and then immediately removes the diaper. She is an all natural beauty! I know that my little sister went through a nudy stage, but I am asking for some help. Even when we are out in public she prefers the natural look. Any suggestions???????

(Sorry for X rated picture. Just wanted to share the joy of our household right now!)

Family Photos!

We finally made it in to have family pictures taken. It was quite the challenge to get all 4 kids to look in the same direction and smile all at the same time. I think that we got a few really cute ones though!

Time of year!

I absolutely love this time of year. Everyone just seems to be in a slightly better mood. I love going into all the stores and hearing wonderful Christmas music (although I will admit that it starts a little early, they should wait for Thanksgiving to be over). The smells that go with it are just as amazing. I just feel better!

We are trying really hard to make it back home (California) for Christmas again this year. Issac is doing so great with work that he really deserves a nice vacation. I can't wait to see my family and friends.

I have about half of my Christmas shopping done already. I am so proud of myself. I am hoping to finish up after we get to California. That many less presents to try and hide in the car for the trip! :)

I know that I am kind of skipping over Thanksgiving, but it is so hard to get too excited about it this year when I can't really eat much yet, and the older boys won't be with us this year either. It's ok though, we are still very thankful for all of the many wonderful blessings that we have!

HCG

Ok, here is my latest update on my HCG progress. I am currently done with my injections and have just over two weeks left of the detox diet and then I can eat however I want! YEAH!!!!!
So, in the 4 weeks that I did the shots, I lost 25 lbs, 3 inches from each thigh, 3 inches from my hips, and 5 inches from my waist! I am so excited. I dropped 4 pants sizes! I am planning to do another half round after the first of the year and that should put me at my goal! More than half way there!

Poor Baby!

I felt so bad for McKenna today. She took a pretty nasty spill in the store and hit her face on a metal shelf. She took the top layer of skin off her poor little nose. It has just barely healed from her last fall. She also has a big bruise on her right cheek as a reminder of just how much her big brother loves her and loves it when she turns off the tv on him. I swear we don't abuse our children, but we're getting some really neat looks right now!

Happy Halloween!

The kids all had a blast this year! All my "boys" went as the Star Wars evil empire, and my sweet little McKenna, a pink poodle! :) The whether was perfect, so with Halloween being on a Friday night this year, we were out longer than usual. Rhett really got into it this year, walking right up to everyone's door and saying loud and clear, "trick or treat" and then held his bag wide open for the loot! McKenna was happy to sit in her stroller and just watch all the crazy creatures that we passed by and drink her milk. Wesley and Damon have hit the age where it is not cool to go out with your parents, so they both took off for the evening with their friends. Everyone ended up back at home by 9:00 and with way too much candy as always. Good thing I can't eat any of this year with my diet. Or is it?????? :(

Too Much????

So.... here is a sample of the cupcakes I got talked into doing for our Relief Society Enrichment Activity last night. Instead of just making one kind of cupcake and throwing a blob of frosting on it like Issac suggested I do, I had to get creative. It took me 3 days to make the 80 cupcakes for the evening. I made four different types so that they would have a choice, and then made the chocolate flowers to go on top. No, I did not make the pumpkins, but only because I could not find a mold that I liked! The worst part was trying to get the frosting to look like grass! It kept getting too warm and just running together. They were a big hit though and everyone was impressed, but I think that I may have taken it a little too far. I'm a little worried that I've gotten myself on a list to do this again. Too Much???

HCG Update!

OK, just a quick little update to my diet progress. So far, I have lost 20 lbs and more than 4 inches from my stomach, 2 inches from my hips, and at least an inch from each thigh and arm. This past week has been really hard, but I'm fighting my way through. I only have two more weeks of the shots and then three weeks of the detox diet. I can't wait to eat normal again! But I can't wait to be smaller and lighter either! :)

Let them eat cake!

I volunteered to make a cake for our scout Halloween party this year. I've been wanting to take a cake decorating class so that I can learn how to use fondant and make really cool looking cakes, but that just takes way too much time and planning. So, I decided to just try it out on my own. This was what we ended up with. Not quite as cool as I was hoping for, but at least they tasted good and the boys all loved that they could each take home a spider.

First Snow Fall!

I know that today is only the 12th of Oct. but it is also the first snow of the year! We didn't know if we could trust the whether man when he said that we would get 2-4 inches of snow. After all when we went to bed, nothing was happening outside. But when we woke up this morning, way more than 2-4 inches. It was more like 6 inches. It wont last long, but the kids loved it. Especially McKenna. This was the first time that she has seen snow and been aware of it!

It is going to be a very fun winter.

My HERO!

I have always know how lucky I was to have found such an amazing man to call my husband. From the beginning Issac has far surpassed all expectations and hopes and desires. It is the most amazing feeling in the world to know that you will be with your best friend and soul mate for eternity. I am so blessed to have this wonderful man as my partner in all our adventures and challenges that life has to bring us. Raising 4 kids can be a bit much at times and I am so grateful to have him to talk with and turn to when I am feeling a little stressed. Issac has always been my hero from day one. Willing to step up and be an instant father, then serving two years in Iraq of course was the ultimate. But even now, he is such a hard worker, trying to make sure that our family has everything that we want and need. I have to take some time and brag a little about how amazing he is. Right now, he is ranked # 13 in the whole state for his company. That is such an amazing task, especially since he is less than two years in. I am so proud of all your hard work and dedication babe. But I'm more proud to call you my friend, my husband, my love! Forever and Eternity!!!!!!

Halloween Time!

For Family night, we surprised the kids with this chocolate Halloween version of a ginger bread house. They had a great time and were really creative with it.

The best part of course, is getting to eat it when we're all done!

YUMMMY!

Just for me!

OK, to kind of keep everyone up to date with what we are doing, I'll let you all know what I am doing. I am on the HCG diet. If you don't know what that is, look it up. It is a little too involved to type out an explanation. At any rate, I have been on it for a week and a half now and have lost a total of 13 lbs, and more than 2 inches from my waist! My goal is to loose 60 lbs. Sorry, no pictures until I have reached my goal. The company trip this next year for Issac is to Hawaii, so keep your fingers crossed that I can make my goal and actually get into a bathing suit and feel the slightest bit comfortable again!

Nap Time!

It is such hard work playing all day long. Just ask Rhett. He loves to be outside and has such an amazing imagination. He plays for hours with two match box cars, a few rocks, and of course a pile of dirt. I guess today was just too much fun to handle and wore him out.

Dinner Time!

This is what I walked into as I got home from my visiting teaching. Daddy decided that McKenna could some how feed herself tonight, so he just handed it to her! Daddy also got the fun job of cleaning up afterwards. :)

Play Time!

I love watching the kids when they are playing. They grow up so fast, but on the playground, they still get to act like little kids. This playground is so cool. It is set up like a castle. The kids had a great time and would have stayed all day if we hadn't gotten so hungry!

Up, Up and Away!

We had a full day planned this Sat. We got up really early and headed out to Antelope Island for the Balloon Fest. The whether was really nice at our house, but out on the island, it was so windy and even had a few sprinkles at times. Not ideal whether for a hot air balloon fest! Only two balloons were able to inflate and take off. Needless to say, the kids were not overly impressed with our choice of activities. They did have fun flying their new kites though!

The Girls

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful mom myself. She is always so willing to come out and help with the kids when she is needed. Lucky for us, Alicia and her son Timmy, even got to come out for a little visit this summer too. It was so much fun to have some time with them before Issac and I got to take off for a business trip to Georgia. I can't wait until they move out here. I miss them all so much and look forward to the time when we can go shopping together and just hang out whenever we feel like it.

My Angel

I couldn't even have dreamed just how wonderful it would be to have a little girl. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my boys and have a ton of fun with each of them, but the relationship between a mother and daughter is truly amazing. McKenna is a constant source of happiness. Her big bright eyes and beautiful smile, melt my heart. This little girl is going to get everything she wants. She is such a girly girl too. She already loves to play with my makeup and jewelry. Anything circular goes on her wrist like a bracelet and she has to show it off to everyone. I love how much fun it is to dress her every morning too. Girl clothes are so much more fun and cute than boys. For her birthday, we gave McKenna her first doll and she just loves it. She carries her around and huggs her all day. I am so grateful for the blessings of being a mother, and especially of being the mother to my little angel.

I suck!

I really don't know how everyone does this. I can't find the time to keep up with everything. The summer was totally uneventful. The only trip we took was for a weekend to Georgia for business. Not exactly a vacation, but it was time away from the kids.
The boys are back in school now, Wesley is in 5th grade and Damon is in 4th. Rhett is 3 and McKenna is 1. I can' t believe how fast this past year has gone.
Issac is still with Aflac and starting to really find some good accounts. FYI, if any of you out there do not have Aflac insurance, you are only hurting yourself. Call your local agent and find out what they offer, especially if you are thinking about having a baby. Ok, there is my little sales pitch.
Besides a busy schedule again, we are all doing great.

I'm still trying!

Well, I'm not doing too great at keeping this blog up to date, but I'm trying. The thing is that I just don't think that anything very exciting has happened lately. The boys are still in school, playing soccer and going to scouts. Issac is still working and going to school, and I am still taking care of a very energetic 3 year old and 9 month old.
Issac did go to Iowa for a week last month for some Reserve training, so my mom agreed to come out and help me. I have no idea how I would have survived the week without her. I still can't believe how I did it for two years without him.
This past weekend, Issac's parents and all but one of his brothers and sisters were here for his niece's baptism. It was fun to see everyone and celebrate with his family. Some of them we hadn't seen for over five years.
Besides that, not much is going on. Very ready for summer though. I can't believe that we only have one month left of school. CRAZY!

2008

Ok, so I am still trying to figure out how this all works. The quick run down on everyone is.....Issac has been with AFLAC, the crazy duck insurance company, for over a year now. He is doing really well and enjoys it. He is also still in school and working with the scouts and primary.Wesley is 10 and just finished his basketball season and is moving right into soccer. He is at the end of his 4th grade in school and will be starting at a new junior high next year. ( Is is just me or does that seem way too young to be at a junior high????)Damon is 8 1/2 and just as eager to start soccer again. He enjoys reading and spending time with our new puppy, shadow. He is finishing up his 3rd grade in school.Rhett, my little man, is 3 years old now and is on a constant fast paced gear. He is like that energizer bunny that just keeps going and going and going and.......McKenna, my princess is now almost 9 months old and is the light of our lives. Her smile makes you melt. I just love having a little girl and can't wait until she is older and can enjoy our shopping days and trips to the salon.I am still just the run around mom that does everything. I'm in the Primary Presidency so that keeps me even more busy. I love my jobs though and wouldn't change much.