F-U-N-N-Y Kids

1.
Cody is becoming quite the speller. Every Friday he has a spelling test and has been doing really well on them. But his spelling doesn't stop there. This kid spells at least one word in every sentence he speaks. It's pretty entertaining actually. Especially when he is upset and can't quite spell the word correctly because he is so worked up. It is similar to someone being mad and trying to shut a door or something, but because they are so upset they can't get the door to stay latched and they get more and more flustered with every attempt.

The other night Steve was tickling Cody who was completely laid out on the floor and laughing so hard he couldn't get up. Through his hysterical laughing you could hear him trying to spell S-T-O-P. Because he couldn't really breathe it took a few attempts to get all of the letters out, but he wouldn't give up and just say the word.


2.
Cody and Kylee were fighting about something in the other room. When I asked what was wrong Cody said, "Kylee is doing her best not to share."

I guess you could say he had discovered one of Kylee's talents. She seems to be an over-achiever in that area lately.


3.
This morning I was checking my email while Livy was sitting on the floor on a blanket and Kylee was running around and chattering away. Then Kylee said, "Mom, I'm playing hide and seek with Livy." Pretty funny considering Livy is not on the move yet.

Then it made me laugh to hear comments like: "OK Livy. Your turn to hide," or "Come get me Livy!"

DC Temple Lights

We have had unusually wonderful weather (considering it's December). I think we have seen the sun more in the last few weeks then we did all summer. Seeing the Christmas lights at the temple was a lot more enjoyable without the blasting cold weather.

After dinner we grabbed our coats and headed out the door to the temple. Kylee doesn't go anywhere without her sunglasses these days. The fact that it was completely dark when we set out didn't stop her from wearing them for the entire 30 minute drive.

' '

' '

' '

The kids wanted to get a picture by their favorite tree. Here is Cody's.

' '

Kylee loved the purple one, of course.

' '

' '

' '

The lights were so awesome! And the kids had so much fun. You can tell by those cheesy grins that I love so much.

News Story on 2 Little Fish Girls

Click HERE for another news story on the Fish girls. They did a great job covering the story.

News Story: 2 Fish Marrow Wish

Click HERE to see a short news clip on the Fish Family. We wish them the best! My cousin and her husband are so amazingly strong.

Brooke's Wedding Bells

My sister Brooke got married the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Luckily, my whole family got to be together. Even though it was cold, there was no wind or snow and the sun was shining so it was a good day for pictures.

' '

Waiting for the bride. My dad, Cody, Duncan, and Bob strolling around the temple grounds. I love how there was no one in the background. I guess no one else was crazy enough to stand outside in the cold.

' '

I love this picture of Brooke with her best cousin Nikki. The husbands are stepping back to let the girls do their thing.

' '

More friends.

' '

Kylee and Brooke. Too bad Kylee had to wear a coat over her cute little purple dress.

' '

Sister Love

' '

The Cramer family endorses this marriage.

' '

The cute Rich's. Duncan wasn't too excited about all of the picture taking, but he's still cute with or without his smile.

' '

We bent down to get everybody in the picture but Kylee wasn't helping us out too well.

' '

My favorite sisters.

It was a perfect day. Everything just went so smooth. I am still amazed at how well our kids did throughout all the festivities. After the morning at the temple we took the kids to In-N-Out Burger to keep them as happy as possible. (Ironically, the In-N-Out Burger we went to was a brand new one that is a block away from where we used to live in Salt Lake--so not fair!) Then it was on to the Wedding Breakfast a little while later. That evening, there were no complaints from the kids about doing pictures before the reception (seriously!) and the kids lasted the entire evening! It was fun to see so many long lost friends and relatives. We know so many awesome people.

We are so glad we got to be there for Brooke and Tyler! We sure like them.

Little Drummer Boy (and Girl!)

My mom has a music room at her house full of all kinds of instruments. The kids had a lot of fun jamming with Grandma Ellen one night. They played any instrument they wanted at full volume for about an hour and a half. (Lucky for the rest of us that room has a door!)

Steve had fun taking pictures of the kids pounding on the drums one morning. As you can see Cody likes to get dressed as soon as he wakes up, but Kylee could stay in her pj's all day. Dressed or not, they're both cute. And Steve did a good job.

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

Snakes, Turkeys, and Duncan

My sister and her husband got to go to Mexico for a week and so we got to take care of Duncan. It was a crazy week (4 kids is a lot!) Luckily Duncan is a good kid and our kids adore him so it was about as easy as it could be.

One afternoon Steve was sitting on the porch watching the kids play outside and a little snake came along. Steve figured out that it was harmless so he picked it up to show the kids. Cody and Steve ended up playing with the snake for the next 2 hours. He was just a baby--only about a foot long.

' '

' '

' '

Duncan even got a turn. He'll do anything Cody does.

' '

' '

' '

Cody brought home a turkey hat from school one day and immediately put it on Duncan's head when we picked him up at the bus stop. Surprisingly he kept it on for the whole walk home. 

' '

Here he is later that night with the turkey hat minus his clothes. He ran into a fight with a smoothie. And you can probably guess who won.

' '

When Sara and Bob came back they watched all the kids while we went out to dinner (thanks for the gift card guys!) to our favorite steak place here. It was a well-earned and very appreciated date!

We are sure going to miss the Rich's when they move west in a few weeks. We've become attached.

The next day we flew out to Utah for my sister's wedding!

More pictures to come....

Cody Started Indoor Soccer!

We got there a little early so Cody and some of the other kids ran around the gym kicking soccer balls. Watching kids do sports is always entertaining. Steve kicked the ball around with Cody too until it was time for the team to start their practice.

' '

Here is Cody with his team deciding on a team name. The kids were cracking me up. The kids voted and the new team name was decided: The Ravens. Can you tell where we live?

I asked Cody later what his idea had been for the team name and he said Super Speeders.

' '

Cody loves to run. Here they are doing some running drills.

' '

' '

And some dribbling drills.

' '

' '

' '

And here are the cute spectators:

' '

' '

On the way home Cody said his favorite part was kicking the ball with his dad.

Fall Fun

Across the street from our library Steve discovered some fall colors. So we decided to take the kids one day and try to get some pictures before the leaves were done for the year.

' '

2 out of 3 looking.

' '

almost there.

' '

There we go!

We got a few but then Cody and Kylee were uninterested with posing.

' '

Livy stuck with it though.

Then, they wanted a turn taking pictures of us.

' '

 I think this picture of Steve and I brings out our best side, don't you think?

' '

This time my whole face made it in the picture with a little help from Steve.

' '

Then the kids just wanted to run and play as we made our way back to the car.

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

' '

I really liked this metal backdrop but Cody couldn't be still for the life of him.

' '

So Kylee joined him...

' '

But even after Kylee dropped out, Cody was still pulling faces.

' '

And these weren't worth brightening because I couldn't get my subject to focus on the camera. You can tell Cody is trying to half smile and look in my general direction while looking at something else more interesting.

' '

Ok. I'm losing him for good.

' '

Yep. He's gone. Time to move on.

' '

Kylee's turn to jump!

' '

' '

Cody the rocket.

' '

Pulling faces and jumping takes coordination.

' '

What a cool kid.

' '

Livy is so chill. She lives a simple life where all she needs is her thumb.

' '

I really like her.

' '

And one more leaping picture before hopping in the car.