Christmas Sunday

Here are the kids all dressed up in their new Christmas outfits. They look so sweet and well behaved, ready to sit still and be reverent!


Oh wait, this is more like it.

A Little Something Under the Tree

Hudson has learned how to squirm and squirmed himself right under the tree. He squirmed himself into his bedroom closet the other day too. The amount of ground he can cover just by squirming is quite impressive, and he can keep himself pretty entertained. All this entertainment has resulted in the need for closer supervision and a bald spot on the back of his noggin.

This is what happens...

When I leave my kids unsupervised in December:

Cameron came down and said "I need some tape...and can we use those green and red party things?" As I was walking upstairs to investigate I overheard this conversation:

Audrey: Did you ask her?

Cameron: yes

Audrey: What did she say?

Cameron: She said "urrrgh."

There I go stifling their creativity again. I did let them leave it up despite my urrrghing.

Jill Whirl the Science Girl

Audrey's class did a little play for parents and a few of the other classes after they finished their unit on weather. They were cute and really got into it, spending their recesses voluntarily practicing for several weeks. This part is from the very beginning but Audrey was also part of a dance number where they sang "Oops I went in the rain" as opposed to the Britney Spears classic "Oops I did it again. "Pretty funny fourth graders. Maybe I will post her dancing too if I can get Dave to cut that part for me. I had to learn how to use the video camera to film the play and I am afraid of going into technology overload if I try to use the software that goes with it.

Just An Observation

The last three babies born in our family, Madsen and Smith combined, have been born on the 11th. Baby Hudson-August 11th, Baby Nathan October 11th and Baby Waverly Dec 11th. I pointed this out to Dave this morning and he said "you should put that on the blog." I am about 99% sure he was making fun of me.

Hudson's New Trick

I know, I know, a little heavy on the Hudson posts lately, but the other kids are gone all day and I've got to take pictures of someone! This is actually more of an experiment to see if I am smart enough to post videos on the blog. The boy is getting more coordinated each day and has figured out how to wiggle out of sticky situations and into some stickier ones. We think it is funny that he squirms out of his seat and gets stuck but doesn't fuss or cry about it, he just sits there, stuck, until we rescue him.

O Christmas Tree

We finally got around to decorating the tree. After I "fluffed" the bows, Braxton had the honor of putting the star on top. It was actually supposed to be Cam's turn but he decided he was "too afraid of heights." David and I made that star out of cardboard, construction paper, glitter and a wire hanger for the tree in his apartment the Christmas right before we got engaged. After 11 years it is definitely showing its age, we may need to invest in a new star soon.

Dad and Hudson checking out the lights. I bet Hudson will be much more interested in the tree next year.

Audrey doing some decorating, trying to each some of the empty spots up high.

I had to try three times to get this picture of Cam because he kept turning around and posing, he didn't understand that I was trying to get an "action" shot.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Like most babies, Hudson loves looking in the mirror. He can be screaming bloody murder one second and then as soon as I step in front of the mirror he is smiling and talking away to himself. I'm not sure he realizes that he is actually the other baby, but for now his little friend in the mirror makes him happy.

Big Shoes to Fill

Cam did this the other day when he was supposed to be putting his shoes on his OWN feet to get ready for school.

Weekend (and Monday) Update

I have been a major blog-slacker lately, either that or life around here has been uneventful and I didn't want to bore everyone with our uneventful-ness. It was nice having the kids home from school for a couple of days last week mostly because I got to sleep in a little bit. We didn't do anything particularly exciting from my perspective, but if you ask the kids, they will tell you sitting around in pajamas playing Mario Kart all day is pretty exciting!

We had a really nice, quiet Thanksgiving with just our little crew. Even though I was just cooking for the six of us which really means the two of us, I still managed to spend pretty much the whole day in the kitchen with a few football breaks squeezed in. Dave took the kids up to the school to play basketball which was fun for them. When he walked in he made a comment about knowing he'd married well when he comes home to find his wife cooking, and watching football by herself because one of her fantasy players is on. Chris Johnson got 24 points by the way, but you already knew that didn't you Matthew? :-)

Every year at Thanksgiving the perfectionist in me comes out and my irrational quest to become Martha Stewart is reborn. It never works out that way of course, some years have been down right failures but I have to say this year was the closest I have come to my idealized image of Thanksgiving. So even though I am still figuring things out I was closer to my hopes than any time in the past so I was feeling pretty good... maybe in another ten years I'll have it mastered and I bet by then Cam will eat more than a few carrots and a roll.

Dave had to get up bright and early Friday morning to get to one of his stores by 5:30 but was able to leave early and pretty much came home and crashed. We did not venture out on Black Friday. There is not a deal in the world good enough to make me want to leave my house with my four kids by myself the day after Thanksgiving. Saturday we did wander around a few stores but managed to "just get ideas." It is pretty much a miracle to get me and Audrey out of Barnes and Noble with just "ideas." I also had a rare few hours of domesticity (is that a word?) and sewed a cute cookie-making apron. I haven't sewn anything for years because frankly I'm not very good at it, but my apron turned out really cute and I was proud of myself and may sew again someday!

Sunday was our "worshipping through music" sacrament meeting where members of the congregation get to share their favorite hymns, say why and then we sing a verse. Braxton wanted to go up which was really quite amazing considering that he pretty much refused to participate in the Primary program two weeks earlier but he did go up and had us sing I am a Child of God. Lots of ward members told him good job throughout the day. He was feeling very brave and proud of himself. Audrey was also brave and went up and had chosen Love At Home. Dave and I were too chicken.

Today I had to take Cam to the Dentist again to get another tooth pulled, hopefully for the last time. I kind of sprung it on him at the last minute that we were going to the dentist today and he was really hoping that all they were going to do was count his teeth. No such luck, but he was brave and hopefully we won't have to do that again.

Alright...I'm done, no more rambling.

Happy New Discovery

Candy Cane Hershey Kisses, YUM!

Cameron's Got Talent

Cam got a couple of books for his birthday and discovered that he could read them even though he has been pretty convinced that he can't read because he is too little (thanks for that Audrey and Braxton). Apparently turning six flipped a magic switch for him. He also finished up his swimming lessons on his birthday and has developed a few other talents in recent days. So after discovering that he could indeed read, all his other accomplishments came to mind and he began listing them for us, just as thrilled as he could be..."I can read...and swim...and snap...and whistle...and armpit fart." We are so proud.

Chocolate Champion

For our ward Halloween party we did a Chili and Chocolate cookoff. I made yummy cream cheese brownies and won an award for the sweetest treat. I also won the year before for most decadent when I made chocolate mousse. My kids were just amazed at my "talents." Audrey said "Wow mom two years in a row, you are the chocolate champion!" I knew my addiction to chocolate would pay off somehow, not only do I get silly awards at ward functions, but also the respect and awe of my children. :-)
Here is the recipe if you are interested: http://www.joyofbaking.com/printpages/CreamCheeseBrowniesprint.html

Leadership Summit

Audrey got chosen to participate in the school district's elementary leadership summit this year from an essay she wrote on being a good leader on her softball team. She had a really good time and was particularly excited about the luncheon buffet. It is so fun watching all these kids (nieces and nephews included of course) grow up into such neat kids, we are proud of them all and would like them even if we didn't have to!

Queen Audrey

While digging through all the Halloween costumes, Audrey came across my old homecoming tiara and has been wearing it around the house. Braxton came to me in full tattling mode and said "Audrey keeps wearing that crown thing and told us (the boys) ' I am the queen of the house and when I have this on you have to do eveything I say'" You have to imagine Braxton saying this in all seriousness with the "I'm telling on you" tone. Apparently he didn't realize that he didn't REALLY have to do everything she said just because she was wearing a crown and needed me to intervene. For some reason I thought I was the queen of the house! Maybe I should try wearing the tiara, maybe then they will start doing what I tell them to.

Yay for #1

Phinally!

Devils and Vampires and Power Rangers and Clowns...Oh my!

For some reason my pictures came in the wrong order and I am not smart enough to fix it!

Let the sorting begin!

OoOoOooO Scary!

Hudson in his Happy Halloween Socks and Shirt from Grandma and Grandpa Smith

Clowning around!

Fall Fun

Here are some pictures from our adventures this fall:

We visited Circle S Farm where they had a barn full of hay and slides for the kids to play on and climb all over. They had fun but we only stayed in there for a little while because David and I couldn't breath!





We visited Pigeon Roost Farm with Grandma Smith and Ella and Molly. They had lots of fun stuff for the kids to play on and farm animals to visit with. There were even Camels you could ride if you really wanted to!

Halloween Socks for everyone!

Toothless

Cam lost his first legitimate tooth and he pulled it all by himself with a minimum amount of drama. I say legitimate as opposed to the others that have been pulled at the dentist. I prefer to have cameron do the work himself because then the tooth fairy has to pay up instead of the hundreds of dollars (yes, hundreds) we've sent along to the dentist for the other holes in his mouth.

Random Memories

I remember at some point in my childhood, thinking that my taste buds were falling off. Danae and Christine willingly tested my theory by mixing up a nasty concoction (think salsa, milk, herbal tea, tabasco...)for me to taste. To encourage me, Tam told me she would give me a dollar if I drank it which of course I did, I couldn't pass up a whole dollar. Tam did follow through and pay me...in pennies.

Yay for #2

So the Phillies are in the World Series. I know most of the world really doesn't care, but that is a pretty big deal at our house. I have learned that I need to just enjoy having my teams make it to the championship and consider that an accomplishment in itself because, well, my teams don't win championships-at least not since the Broncos and the Avs came through. Whether it is teams we agonize over like the Eagles and Coach Pitch Girls Softball, or teams we follow with mild interest because they compete in our state like the Cavs...they all make it to the championship, but lose! Let's Review:

Since 2005, the Eagles lost the Superbowl to the stupid, evil Patriots, the football Buckeyes lost two national championship games in a row, followed by the basketball Buckeyes. The Cavs lost the NBA championship, the Rockies lost the world series to another stupid Boston team, the Mighty Mighty Hornets of Westerville lost the WYBSL Girls Coach Pitch Softball championship to the Mighty Mighty Mustangs, And the Moutain Men lost the Sabbath Breakers Fantasy League Championship to Pikes Peak Lightning. Even the Columbus arena football team lost the arena bowl last year.

So, as excited as we are about the Phils, I have no faith, no reason to believe they will win. I'm going to try to just enjoy the series and be glad they made it. With this new perspective I might be able to make it through these games without feeling like I am going to throw up!

Sleeping like...a baby

Hudson slept until 5:00 a.m. the other night, then ate, went right back to sleep and didn't wake up until 8:00 a.m. Woohoo! He hasn't done it since then of course, but I sure enjoyed it when he did!

The Boy

Hudson isn't exactly nickname friendly (Hud?) So he has come to be known as The Boy. He is very much loved by the other boys, and the girl and mom and dad too. Audrey and Braxton are very sweet and attentive. Cameron on the other hand kind of treats him like a rag doll. I have a feeling that will come back to haunt him at some point.

The boys just lounging

Audrey and Hudson on his blessing day.

Laundry

Ugh! At least it is all clean. Perhaps if I spent less time worrying about blogs...

I'm a Quitter!

And yes, that's a good thing. I finally emailed my mentoring bosses at Tutor.com and told them I needed to quit, that I couldn't keep up with it anymore...too many other things going on. What a huge weight off my shoulders. I should have done this months ago.

Why Remember

Remember has become somewhat of a theme around our house. We even have the word spelled out in wooden letters reminding us to remember as we walk out the front door. The word remember is used over two hundred times in the Book of Mormon so it must be important. So what is it that we are supposed to remember? It can be anything, depending on the day I suppose. Remember who you are and what you represent. Remember to brush your teeth. Remember your homework. Remember there is more to life than dirty laundry and grocery shopping. Remember to buy stamps. Remember that little things count sometimes more than big things. Remember to bring up the trash cans. Remember second grade is not that bad (really Braxton, it's not). Remember that thirty is not that old. I am discovering how quickly we get from second grade to thirty so with that in mind I chose Remember as the title of our blog so that I could slow myself down a bit and just remember to remember.

Joining the Ranks

I have had such a fun time reading the blogs of my friends and family that I have decided to join the ranks with one of my own. Also, I have done a horrible job of recording all our stories and keeping everyone updated with pictures, so I am hoping this will help me overcome that particular issue!