Four-Wheeling

Our friends, the Hathaways, took us four-wheeling at the Amargosa Sand Dunes and we had a blast.  The kids had so much fun driving their own four-wheelers.  There was a little bit of a breeze and it was overcast some of the time so it wasn't too hot or too cold.  We took out a picnic lunch and enjoyed some yummy snacks and s'mores over the fire.

Clark, Kate, and Jake had been four-wheeling with them before so they were old pros at driving them around the desert.  Carlee had never been and once we got her on one, we could not get her off.  She started off riding with Joe on the big one but then wanted to ride her own.  I tried to sit behind her and let her drive but she kept pushing me off so that she could drive all by herself.  When she took off, I was freaking out.  She was going so fast and I didn't know if she would even be able to steer.  I kept imagining her flying over the handlebars and hitting her head on a rock, or crashing into one of the other kids, or being run over.  She was a maniac taking the turns sharply and driving so fast.  I had to turn my head away so that I didn't see her.  She was making me so nervous. 

They had two 50's, and two 90's for the kids so they had to take turns riding.  Carlee was very possessive of hers and there were many tears shed when it was someone else's turn.  She could have ridden that thing all day and all night if we had let her. 

Here's Carlee all by herself

Katelyn and Audrey did get lost at one point which was a scary experience for them.  They had followed the dads out to the big dunes and rode for a while but then decided to head back to camp.  Mike pointed the way back but the girls took a wrong turn and headed in the other direction.  When Joe and Mike got back, they asked where the girls were but we thought they were with them so Mike took off on his four-wheeler to find them.  About 15 minutes later, he came back with two girls and two dirty, tear-stained faces.  We had no idea that they were lost.  After giving them hugs and making sure they were all right, we all started giggling picturing those two girls huddled together on their four-wheelers crying with their helmets on.  The fact that they were lost wasn't funny but the way they looked sure was cute.  Baby wipes for the sand dunes are a must!

Jacob was a wild man, speeding around and not really paying attention to where he was going.

Clark was cautious and loved riding the hills of the dunes with the adults

Here's Katelyn. 

 

Evan, Carlee and Ava are pushing the coveted four-wheeler back to camp after it ran out of gas. 

The girls also had their first experiences using a port-o-potty behind the Hathaways' trailer.  They were disgusted as they sneaked behind the trailer when the boys weren't looking.  And of course, my boys loved just using the dirt several yards away as their bathroom.  We drove home with exhausted, dirty children that were begging us to go again.  We had such a great time and are so thankful for Mike and Jackie being sweet and generous enough to take us out there and let us enjoy the day with them.

Welcome 2011!

New Year's Eve was spent with our traditional party and fondue dinner with friends, including the Whites, Aikeles, and Bodilys.  Joe cooked up some great steaks and shrimp and we had all the fixin's of salads, French bread, roasted potatoes, fresh veggies, and crackers for cheese fondue and fresh fruit, cream puffs, marshmallows, and pretzels for chocolate fondue.  The food was fabulous and we had a great time playing Bunco with the kids, talking, eating, watching movies, playing games, blowing horns and toasting in the New Year with sparkling cider.  Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures because we were having so much fun! 

I love the start of a new year.  Even though I love the holiday season, I love packing away the Christmas decorations and putting my house back in order.  I love that things slow down and nothing is scheduled.  I love re-organizing closets and rooms.  I love junking the old and finding places for the new.  I love adding fresh new labels and storage bins to keep things organized.  I love setting new goals for myself and my family.  I love setting up new chore charts and incentives to keep my kids on track so we have a happy, organized home and family.   I love starting fresh.

For Family Home Evening, we sat down and made our New Year's Resolutions for each of us personally and as a family.  Everybody gave suggestions on what we needed to work on as a family and then we talked about all the ideas and put them to a vote.  The five we decided on were:

* Reading the scriptures at 6:30 a.m.--This one was a hard one for me.  I am not a morning person so I was not thrilled to wake up four children to read 2.5 hours before they needed to be at school.  But to accommodate my husband so that we can read as a family, we have to get up early.  It has been a great thing for me and the kids are doing really well at getting up.  It's actually a great time because they are sleepy enough that they don't wrestle or bug each other while reading ;)

* Family Prayer both morning and night--We do great at night but not so well in the morning.  With our scripture study in the morning, we also have prayer.

* Weekly planned Family Home Evenings--We usually have family home evening, but sometimes they are rushed or are not planned in advance.  This is something we are all thinking about and working on as we take turns planning the lesson.

* Maintaining a healthier lifestyle--We all make sure we exercise regularly and eat better and more nutritious foods.  There are always the exceptions but as a whole we are trying to eat more healthy.  Sweet Saturdays are the days that we get to have a yummy dessert or go somewhere fun to eat.

* Picking up after ourselves--Since we have moved into our new house, there has been a problem with some family members leaving trails of items all over the house--backpacks, lunch boxes, shoes, socks, blankets, papers, books, toys, etc.  Everyone is working on picking up after themselves and utilizing the organizational shelves and bins that Mom has so lovingly placed strategically around our home.

Some of the personal goals that we discussed and are going to help each other with include:

*Working out everyday
*Getting clinic notes done on time
*Praying together
*Studying scriptures together
*Using a patient and loving voice
*Be on time
*Go to bed early and wake up early
*Attend the temple once a month
*Stop ugly scream
*Don't talk back or use naughty words
*Ride my bike
*Don't ignore Mom
*Keep my room clean
*Stop biting nails
*Practice the piano without being told multiple times
*Use time wisely
*Use a quiet voice
*Stop arguing and fighting over silly things
*Run faster
*Get strong abs and hit a lot of balls in baseball
*Be a good helper to Mom
*Put toys away

I have to admit that our family constantly rides the New Year's Roller Coaster.  We do really well for a few weeks and then we head downhill and then we re-group and go back up the hill trying to achieve those goals and resolutions.  My main focus and hope is to turn our roller coaster into a New Year's Train and stay on a level, steady course travelling across 2011.  My justification is that things come up and there are circumstances or exceptions that arise but if we can start those good habits and be straight and steady as we go along, our goals can be accomplished and we will have a great year.  Welcome 2011, I see good things to come!

It's My Birthday!

My sweet friends took me out for my 35th birthday.  We had a great night at BJ's Restaurant for yummy food and of course, delicious Pazookies!!  I also had my first time playing Bingo at Red Rock.  The food was delicious, Bingo was fun and crazy, and my friends are fabulous!  Thanks, girls, for a wonderful night!

Blowing out the candle on my Pazookie!

Whitney, Austin, Geneva

Me, Amber, JaCoy

Done with dinner and off to Bingo

Me and Melissa, ready to go with our ink dauber

Geneva showing off her Bingo card

Lacee, Kaydee, Austin

We were laughing so much that it was hard to pay attention to the board and numbers being called.  There are six rounds and Amber and I shared a card so we each covered half and it was easier for us.  Some gals were stressing out and ignoring others in the hope that they could win listen to the numbers. 

Jackie, Whitney, Ashley

Ashley has pronounced herself as the "Bingo Virgin Dauber"--She would ink all the newbies on the forehead.  She would also repeat the numbers over and over again in different accents or languages until we were either laughing our heads off or ready to smack her.  Luckily for us, the people we were sitting by were in good spirits or we all would have been kicked out.  Some of those people take BINGO very, very seriously!

Ash also explained that we really wouldn't win so we didn't need to take it too seriously or worry about taking home "dirty money".  She has been playing over 7 years and hasn't won a penny! 

A bunch of fun friends

Christmas Dress

Pictures of the kids in their Christmas Dress didn't turn out as well as I would have liked.  I was trying to fiddle with my camera and flash without any knowledge ;).  It was late after church so they weren't really up for posing and staying in their Church clothes.  Oh well, they still are cute kids to me.

It's Christmas!

Christmas morning couldn't come fast enough and we heard the kids stirring and waking each other up about 6:30 a.m.  Our rule is that they are not allowed to wake us up until 7:30.  Yes, we are mean to make them wait that long but if we got up at 6:00 every year, Christmas would be over before 8:00 and we would like to extend the anticipation and magic into late morning.   After jumping on our bed and begging us to get up and comb our hair, we said family prayer and lined up to head downstairs.  Clark insisted that we keep the video camera and camera upstairs so that Dad didn't see all the gifts first.  Joe did go downstairs, however, to turn on the Christmas tree and family room lights after promising to close his eyes and not peek but feel his way around the room. 

Lining up to start a magical day

Santa brought Clark a sweet new bike and helmet

Santa brought Carlee a "Barbie Dreamhouse" and Leapster 3

Katelyn got a Cricut and a pink camera from Santa Claus

Jacob was spoiled with Harry Potter Legoes and a Nintendo DSi

Joe got a weight bench and I got a Cricut Expression along with some organizers

A fabulous grilling set for the "Grill Master"

Cheesing it with "Just Dance" for the Wii

New roller blades for Street Hockey and Skubic with the neighborhood kids

Carlee got Bitty Baby outfits and toys for Baby Lizzie

The boys got Guitar Hero for the Wii

Katelyn got a Camping Set and sleeping bag for her doll, Emily

I got some cute new leather boots but unfortunately they were returned because they didn't fit well

We enjoyed our traditional Christmas breakfast of hot chocolate, orange juice, fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast casserole before relaxing and playing all day.  There were new things to try outside, toys and games to open and explore, new movies to watch, and candy to eat.  It was a wonderful Christmas! 

Christmas Eve

We joined forces this year with the Oldhams and Swaseys for a traditional Christmas Eve dinner and Nativity play.

Little Kids' Table

Big Kids' Table

All of the actors in the Nativity Play:  Cole-Joseph; Carlee-Mary; Clark-Donkey; Mia-Shepherd; Nedra and Katelyn-Angels; Jake and Mitchell-Wisemen; Amber-Narrator; Luke, Clara, Ella, and Adults-Audience Members/Photographers

 

 When the play was over, the kids decorated sugar cookies for Santa. 

Isn't Amber a dream?

Silly posers

Then we headed home for our family traditions of new pj's, new ornaments from our November trip to Disneyland, Christmas stories, hot chocolate, and cookies for Santa.

Do they look like they are ready for bed?

We sent the kids off to bed and they very quickly fell asleep.  There was no rough-housing, playing, getting out of bed or goofing off.  It was magical.  The joys of believing in Santa exist in this house and they could not wait for his visit.  Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night!